Friday, June 18, 2021

Good morning! I was planning on sending this newsletter yesterday but we've been in Connecticut visiting loved ones. That's right, this past week has been a historic one for my family. Not only did my 22-month-old daughter Olivia take her first flight ever, but it was also the first time in over two years that my wife and son, Jack (4.5 years old), stepped back on a plane! It's a long story about how the last-minute trip transpired so here's my trip report.

Don't Leave Home Without ...
In this new series, we'll be featuring products that will make your travels better! If you're planning to travel anytime soon, make sure you pack a comfortable sleep mask like this one, that blocks out all light and has fully adjustable and deep eye cups. It's also great for anyone who suffers from bad headaches and migraines. Last-minute Father's Day gift idea?

NEW Limited Time Offer!
On top of perks like free checked bags and lounge access, several cards have bonuses of up to 90,000 miles and $200 credits, 0% APR for a year, & more.

Don’t Fall For This Airport Scam
There’s nothing new about illegal taxi and car service drivers milling around the exit doors of New York airports or popular international tourist destinations trying to solicit business. However, this time they’ve upped their game, which makes it even more sketchy and even harder for some people to determine who's legit and who's not. Read the story here.

My Number 1 and 2 Travel Tips
If you’re a longtime reader, then you probably already know my number one and two travel tips for being treated like a rock star when you travel. Since it’s been years since I last wrote about them, and I recently received a question on Twitter, I was inspired to write an updated post. Plus, I just flew with my whole family. Here's the story!
 
Last Call: 2021 Father's Day Gift Guide
Looking for great gift ideas for Dad? Check out this year's Father's Day gift guide, full of ideas for the guy who loves tech and travel.
  
Travel Contests
-Win a three-night getaway for a family of four to Riviera Maya, Mexico 
-Win a four-night getaway for two people to Cancun
-Southwest Airlines Sweepstakes: Win prizes that include 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, or 50,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points. 
See all contests here.

12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
— Malta Reopens to the U.S. - but Only to Travelers From These States
— Vaccinated U.S. residents can now visit Europe on holiday, EU says
— Lufthansa Allows Check-In With Digital Vaccination Certificates
— British Airways plane collapses at Heathrow
— The 9-hour wait: Here’s why airline hold times are so bad
— United Airlines Will Allow Flight Attendants to Have Visible Tattoos and More Piercings in Updated Grooming Rules
— Princess Cruises Plans To Set Sail From LA This Fall
— La Compagnie, an all-business-class airline, just announced 2 new international routes
— 'Helpless and humiliated': Man details difficulties of flying in a wheelchair
— CDC lowers warning level for cruise travel
— Black dads share their best tips for traveling this summer
— Here’s what would happen if a huge quake hit Los Angeles
— Yesterday's TSA Checkpoint Numbers 
(Read it all here in today's travel news round-up as well as the 84 other top travel news stories from this past week!)

In Case You Missed It  
How to Prevent Road Trip Theft
A friend of a friend recently posted about a terrible road trip experience. I’ve written about this before but it’s time for a refresher now that people are traveling again. Because if this happens to you, it will definitely ruin your vacation. Learn how to prevent road trip theft here. 
 
Don't Fall For This Hotel Scam
One thing that irks me about staying in hotels is how they always seem to try and sucker you. First, it started with outrageously overpriced phone calls but then technology advanced and people were able to use their own cell phones. Then, it was the mini bar but even by charging $5 for a small pack of M&Ms, hotels couldn’t make money so they got rid of the those. On a recent hotel stay, I encountered another way that many hotels try to deceive, or at the very least confuse, guests. Don't fall for this hotel scam.
 
Don't Make This Cell Phone Mistake
When I received my cell phone bill this month, my eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw a charge for an $81 phone call. I thought it must have been an error but it turns out it wasn't. Here's how to avoid making the same mistake.

10 Air Travel Pet Peeves and What You Can Do About Them
After my flights last month, I was reminded of some of my top pet peeves while flying. Here they are, plus what you can do about them. What are yours? Leave a comment and let me know!

How To Avoid Sore Ears From Wearing A Mask
What I didn't include as one of my pet peeves is how wearing a mask for a long period of time hurts my ears. Thanks to a reader, that problem has been solved. Here's how.   

15 Tips For Renting A Car in 2021
This post is chock-full of rental car tips since there's a shortage and prices are through the roof. Here are my 15 tips for renting a car.

3 Websites To Cross-Reference Before Traveling Internationally
In light of the European Union now saying that they’ll welcome vaccinated Americans this summer, I recommend that before you travel internationally, you also consult these three websites. 

What Travelers Should Know About Traveling to Iceland
Iceland is, without a doubt, going to be one of the hottest international destinations for American travelers. A Johnny Jet reader and listener just returned and was kind enough to share two posts about his experience. Check out all his Iceland travel tips below:
Part 1: Travel Tips for American Travelers to Iceland
Part 2: Travel Tips for American Travelers to Iceland

Tips for Traveling to Hawaii During COVID
-10 Tips for Traveling to Hawaii (Oahu) During COVID 
-Maui Advice for Travelers
-The App Every Traveler to Hawaii Needs to Download 
-Live Hawaii Webcams