Thursday, July 7, 2022 Greetings from Canada! The photo above was taken a few days ago at a goat farm about 50 miles north of Toronto. We were there to attend my niece's birthday party, which was quite unique.
Something that is not unique is the airline and airport staff shortage happening all over the world. It's really been hit or miss. I have multiple friends who have experienced no delays or chaos while for others, it's the latter (see today's reader travel tip as an example). And please read and share my 2022 Summer Travel Survival Guide to help you avoid the insanity.
Some good news for European travelers ... the euro just hit its lowest rate against the US dollar since 2002. It's now almost on par.
Also, Fourth of July weekend travels weren't as bad as many predicted thanks to the weather and airlines cutting flights. Hopefully, things will continue to get better but most experts think it's going to be a while. FYI: The next holiday weekend is Labor Day, which is 60 days away so soak up the sun now!
I was supposed to go surprise my dad yesterday but canceled at the last minute because of what Peter Greenberg calls the worst four-letter word in the dictionary. Here's the story.
Today's Travel Tip
I did discover my new favorite flight tracking app which I'm sure you will love, too. It's especially helpful now to help travelers stay better informed during the chaos of this summer's travel. Read the story here.
Reader Travel Tip
This tip comes from my friend Melissa who is traveling through Paris on Air France / Delta:
Worst experience ever at airport in Paris. We almost missed our flight along with tons of people from LA. Endless lines with no organization. Allow 4-5 hours before if you plan to fly out of here. I so feel for these people with children traveling. We sat on plane with Air France for over an hour and they just cancelled the flight. No other planes here either and only one tomorrow that’s mostly full. Apparently, there could be strikes. We aren’t sure if we should fly out of another city like London or Brussels although we heard London is worse. Well, I guess I got my wish~ Leave me in Europe!
And here are some of my travel tips from the past couple of days...
Why You Might Want to Get an Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag Keychain or Holder
Last month, we wrote a tip about why expert travelers use Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags to track their luggage, especially important these days given the chaos that's plaguing airlines and airports around the world. If you invested in these handy, relatively inexpensive gadgets, or if you plan to, you may also want to get or create a keychain holder for it, which will make it easier to secure the tag to whatever you want to track. Heck, I even heard the anchor on CBS Morning News on Monday say she uses these to track her cat, which I think is brilliant -- especially when traveling. Check it out here.
Summer 2022 Road Trip Tips
Because of the many problems airports and airlines are facing, road trips are becoming an increasingly popular way to travel. So, if you’re planning to hit the road this summer, here are some helpful tips to help make your road trip smooth sailing … I mean, driving!
Want to Sit Next to a Celebrity on Your Next Flight? Sit Here!
There's a story going viral about Keanu Reeves' recent interaction with a young boy at baggage claim. You'll want to read that story to find out what happened but it reminded me of all the times I've sat next to a celebrity on my flights and there's definitely a trick to it. So, if you want to sit next to a celebrity on your next flight, then sit here!
Last Week's Travel Tips
-Is It Even Safe or Smart to Fly American Airlines This Summer? AA Pilot Sounds the Alarm
-A Flight Attendant’s Tips to Stay Safe in a Hotel
-If You Use Apps When You Travel Don't Make This Rookie Mistake
-What I Keep In My Carry-On First Aid Kit
Travel Product of the Summer
How Expert Travelers Track Their Bags
Lost luggage numbers are up in the US due to the fact that more and more people are starting to travel and there are far fewer workers to handle the increase. Traveling with carry-on luggage is one way to make sure your bags never get lost but if you are checking bags, here's how to make sure you can find them if they ever get lost or stolen. Read the story here. PLUS: If you already have Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags, these handy keychains and holders will help protect them and make them easier to secure to your belongings. | 
