Greetings There was so much going on this week that my head felt like it was on a swivel. My heart aches for all those impacted by the L.A. fires, which are about 12 miles away from where I live. We haven't had to evacuate but if you do, keep this advice in mind from a friend. "You must only worry about the Ps: people, pictures, pets, and papers." You'll find travel tips below related to this.
In Friday's travel tip (scroll down), you'll see the startling error message the local government sent to all L.A. residents and learn about the free service I now use to keep up-to-date and to determine what's a fake or erroneous alert and what's not.
️🔥 Southern California Wildfires (Travel dates: January 8-15)
Airlines have created and extended their travel waivers, which allow for voluntary changes for travel to, from or through these airports: Ontario, CA (ONT); Santa Ana - Orange County, CA (SNA); Burbank, CA (BUR) and Los Angeles, CA (LAX).
🏈 NFL Playoff Game Relocation - Update
Airlines have also implemented a travel waiver due to the NFL relocation of the L.A. Rams playoff game to Phoenix. This waiver is for LAX and SNA for travel datesJanuary 10-14, 2025.
It was also a rough week for air travelers as there were thousands of canceled flights. Fortunately, it's looking like the weather is cooperating as there aren't that many flights canceled today.
🌺 *Nonstop* Hawaii $198 R/T (Feb-Mar)
If we weren't sick this week and had more money, I would have seriously considered taking my kids to LAX and hopping on a plane to Hawaii to escape the unhealthy air we are surrounded by here in Southern California. Flights are cheap, even for last-minute, but if you can plan ahead a bit, you can get flights for as low as $98 each way. Here's an example sent from Going.com.
🌍 TAP Air Portugal's New Year Sale Offers Roundtrip Flights to Europe from $419
If we could take the kids out of school, we would even consider Europe. TAP has fares to seven cities in Portugal and beyond to 40 destinations across Europe and Africa from each of its seven US gateways, including New York (JFK and Newark), Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington, DC (Dulles). Economy fares to Europe starting from $419 roundtrip, and Business Class to Portugal starts from $2299 roundtrip. The sale is available for purchase from today through January 19, 2025, for travel from January 15 through May 15, 2025 (except for blackout dates from April 7-22).
From Our Sponsor: Ship&Play
🧳 Luggage-free travel is here: Meet Ship&Play
Travel has long been my passion but if there’s one aspect of travel that I could do without, it would be lugging baggage around. Before kids, my wife and I could travel for a month with carry-on only. But with two little ones in tow, everything’s different. Now, we’re like a traveling circus, juggling bags through crowded airports and waiting at baggage claim for the suitcases to (hopefully!) appear. But there is a solution: Luggage shipping services like Ship&Play. Find out how Ship&Play can transform your travels. Plus, we've got a code for 20% off any order if you'd like to try it out for yourself. Here are all the details. |
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✈️ Today's Travel Outlook 
As of 12:50pm PT, there have been 108 canceled flights to, from or within the United States and 3,606 delayed. Here's a link to the up-to-date stats and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System Status. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.
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🧭 Travel Products of the Week 
Apple AirTags lowest price ever
The Wall Street Journal recently wrote: "If You’re Checking That Bag, It Had Better Have an AirTag." That's for sure and if I'd only checked the location of our AirTags last week, instead of relying on American Airlines' app, I wouldn't have wasted three hours of my life (here's that unfortunate story). The good news is that Apple AirTags are back down to their all-time low at just $69 for a four-pack (normally $99).
Italian throat lozenges
Feeling under the weather? These Italian throat lozenges are not only delicious but perfect for suppressing a cough on a plane. In fact, a good friend told me that she always travels with two packs of lozenges: One for herself and one for her seatmate if they need them. Brilliant! Buy Honees honey-filled drops here.
Waterproof AirTag Holders
Keep those AirTags safe from water, easy to spot and accessible with these waterproof keychain holders. Buy here. |
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🤒Monday 
Flying sick: How a passenger almost caused our flight to be canceled
According to social media, my friends and my own personal experience, it seems like there were plenty of sick passengers on every flight this past holiday season. I was on four airplanes over the holidays and all flights had visibly and audibly sick people. In fact, on one flight, a passenger came very close to jeopardizing our already delayed flight because she ran to the bathroom while taxiing for takeoff. Here's what happened.
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🧳 Tuesday 
Why you should add these 8 health items to your toiletry bag when you travel
I know we’re all sick (pun intended) of hearing about Covid and all these respiratory illnesses, but whether we like it or not, they’re out there. If you’re planning to travel this winter, it’s wise to travel prepared with a health kit that has everything you might need on the road, in the event that you get sick or think you might be getting sick. Here are 8 items to always keep in your toiletry bag.
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️🔥 Wednesday 
California wildfire lessons: Why digital memories matter more than ever
If you've turned on the news, then you've probably seen all of the devastation caused by the fires in Southern California. Since I live just a few miles away, I've been watching the coverage nonstop and what I find fascinating is the interviews of the homeowners. The reporters always ask them, "What did you bring?" and almost all of them said their passports and photographs. Here's the service I use to digitize all of my photos, which gives me peace of mind, should anything happen to my precious printed pictures.
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🛂 Thursday 
How to protect your passports, photos, important documents and other valuables from fire
I live just a few miles away from the fires that are ravaging Southern California. Like most locals, I’ve been watching the coverage nonstop and I’ve noticed that one question the reporters always ask those who are evacuating is, “What did you bring?” And almost all of them say their passports and their photographs. Here are some excellent tips and products to get, whether you live in California or not, to keep your valuables safe and easy to access in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation. It’s wise to get these things in order before an emergency situation arises.
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🔊 Friday 
This free service alerts you to nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time
The above screenshot shows the false alarm the city of L.A. sent to me and my neighbors. Fortunately, I wasn't too concerned (the second time around) thanks to this free service a friend who's a firefighter recommended. It monitors fires in 14 states from Texas to Hawaii. Here's what you need to know.
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💬 TRAVEL QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I really appreciate all of the kind messages and concern. But don’t worry about me, or my animals, and certainly not my house. I would rather you focus all of your thoughts on these heroic firefighters and first responders who are fighting an impossible battle around the clock." ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger |
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📺 Travel Videos of the Week 
Passenger hilariously mistakes baggage conveyor belt for departure gate
A traveler mistakenly boarded a baggage conveyor belt believing it would take her to her departure gate. Here's the video.
Delta Boeing 757 emergency evacuation in Atlanta
This morning, Delta Air Lines crew are being commended for their seamless and quick evacuation of a Boeing 757 plane heading to Minneapolis, from a snowy Atlanta. Here's the video.
 Ewww: Boeing 787 airplane leaks waste onto the tarmac
Nine days ago, while flying from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in a plush widebody 787 plane, my 8-year-old son asked me where the poop goes from the plane’s toilets. As we were whizzing through the air at 650 miles per hour, 35,000 feet up, I jokingly said ... Here's the story and video.
Couple foolishly leaves balcony door open on a Carnival Cruise and gets a cabin full of BIRDS
I just came across one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship and it’s so ridiculous in so many ways, I had to write about it. Here's the story and video.
A chilling aerial view of Los Angeles County fires on approach to LAX
A friend sent me this video taken from a flight landing last night at LAX. Here's the video along with some key health recommendations. |
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🌎 Top 12 Travel Stories of the Week 1 California braces for 'life-threatening' windstorm and critical fire risk
2 Los Angeles attractions, hotels impacted by wildfires
3 Over 1,500 US flights canceled as winter storm hits Texas
4 Passengers evacuate Delta flight on slides after aborted takeoff in Atlanta
5 American Airlines flight's wing clips United Airlines plane on taxiway at Chicago O'Hare airport
6 Striking ski patrollers at the biggest US resort return to work claiming victory
7 Police arrest JetBlue passenger who opened emergency exit, prompting security concerns
8 At least 126 dead in 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Tibet, Chinese media reports
9 Will Hawaii implement a new tourism tax this year? Here’s what to know
10 Los Angeles man is trapped in circling Waymo on way to airport: 'Is somebody playing a joke?'
11 Elon Musk’s Starlink to launch on United Airlines flights by spring
12 How a Delta crew helped reunite a mother and daughter for a final goodbye
Read it all here as well as the 84 other top travel news stories from this past week! |
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🧵 TRAVEL THREAD OF THE DAY @hiphoptometryschool: I was driving down the 210 freeway and saw a caravan of about 10 fire trucks headed in the direction of the Eaton fire. I drove up next to one of the trucks to read what fire department they were coming from. All the trucks were from the Puget Sound Fire Department from Washington state. 🥺 |
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✅ Currency Exchange 🇪🇺 €1 Euro = $1.02 USD
🇬🇧 £1 GBP = $1.22 USD
🇨🇦 $1 CAD = $0.69 USD
🇦🇺 $1 AUD = $0.61 USD
🇲🇽 $1 MXN = $.048 USD
✅ Calendar Countdown ❤️ 33 days until Valentine's Day
🐰 98 days until Easter
🎖️ 131 days until Memorial Day Weekend
🗽 173 days until 4th of July
✊ 232 days until Labor Day |
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💳 What points transfer to American Airlines miles?
American Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines that serves just about every destination across the world. As it’s easy to redeem travel miles for award flights, you may try to transfer points to American Airlines to put them to good use and to stop your travel miles from expiring. But what points transfer to American Airlines? Here's what you need to know.
💳 5 reasons why the Bilt Card is worth it
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard continues to be the best way to pay rent with a card as you can earn 1 point per dollar in rent payments without fees. However, if you have a high monthly payment, you can reach the previous $50,000 annual earning cap before year-end. Thankfully, the annual Bilt points cap is being lifted so you can earn more points on rent. Here are 5 of the best reasons the Bilt Card is worth it.
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