Thursday, July 22, 2021

Good afternoon! I don't know about you but every day when I read the travel news, my head starts spinning. There always seems to be a combo of both promising and disturbing news. The medical experts I follow, who have been spot-on for the past several months, are recommending we all take caution even if you've been fully vaccinated. 

I'm adhering to this since I now have multiple friends who have just tested positive but were fully vaccinated. One of them had to be hospitalized. My big worry are the long term effects and the impact on kids under 12 who can't get vaccinated. 

Travel News
As you can read in the travel news below, many countries are dealing with the pandemic in a number of different ways, from just learning to live with it to keeping their borders closed. What's the right way? Only time will tell. 

Summer Olympics
Japan is at the center of the world's attention and I plan to get up early (4am PT) tomorrow to watch the opening ceremony. In the USA, it will be livestreamed here on NBC. BTW: Don't you find it weird they're still calling the games the 2020 Olympics? It's 2021. Update it, put an asterisk next to it for the history books and stop confusing us. No one wants to relive 2020.

Travel Bookings Aren't Slowing
Some good news is that the airlines and cruise lines aren't too worried (so they claim) about another lockdown. They say the Delta variants haven't slowed down bookings. 

Canada To Open Border To Vaccinated Americans on August 9
Even better news is the fact Canada announced they're finally opening their border after 18 months of being closed on August 9. Here's what you need to know. Let's hope the USA will reciprocate. 

VIDEO: American Airlines Denies Boarding To Abusive Passenger
Chalk one up for the airlines. I have to tell you, I'm so sick and tired of reading about and seeing poorly mannered, entitled people travel that I'm happy to see the airlines sticking up for what's right. Here's the video and story.

TRAVEL TIPS
Baby Gear Rental for Travelers 
If you have little ones, then you know it's a real pain to lug all kinds of gear when you travel. My wife and I had a rude awakening, since we used to travel with carry-on only. This inventive company is a game-changer for traveling families.

The Money-Saving Trick Airline Executives Don’t Want You To Know About
If you’ve been a long-time subscriber to my newsletter, then you may know this trick that the airlines desperately don’t want their customers to know. Here it is and how it can save you money.

This Travel Tip Will Save You a Ton of Money and Aggravation
This tip will save you a ton of money and aggravation if you just do one simple thing. Here's the tip.

Sadly, It's That Time Again: Where to Buy N95 and KN95 Masks
This is something I hoped I would never have to recommend again, but unfortunately, I do. And as we head into the fall, now is the time to get them before they get expensive and difficult to find. Read the story here.

GOOD TO KNOW!
Don't miss out on these 14 incredible 100k bonus offers, available right now, just in time for late summer or early fall.

12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today 
— Yesterday's TSA Checkpoint Numbers
— ‘I’m sorry, but it’s too late’: Alabama doctor on treating unvaccinated, dying COVID patients
— Cruise bookings grow despite uptick in Covid cases
— Southwest Airlines crew balks at letting maskless teen with autism board flight 
— Bus plunges off road on Capri 
— Despite Canadian easing, US extends land border restrictions
— Monorail connecting LaGuardia Airport to trains from Manhattan gets final FAA approval
— Dubai creates fake rain using drones to battle 122 degree heat
— Eiffel Tower, French museums now require COVID pass for tourists
— World's Greatest Places 2021: US destinations on Time's top 100 list
— Seagull hits teen in face while on amusement park ride  
— How nations are learning to ‘Let It Go’ and live with Covid
— South Korea reports record daily Covid-19 infections as Delta variant drives surge 
— After 11 minutes in America, I got hit by the crime wave
— Endurance athlete found dead after hiking through Yosemite National Park 
(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!)

Travel Contests
-Win a three-night getaway to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
-Win a six-night getaway for two people to New Zealand
See all contests here

MORE
The Trick to Getting Out of LAX and Other Airports Quicker During Rideshare Shortage
I've heard from multiple readers that there are really long wait times for Ubers and Lyfts at LAX and other destinations around the country. And if the wait times aren't bad enough, their rates are surging, too. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do. Here's the trick to getting out of the airport quicker.

Always Travel With This To Save You Time, Money and Embarrassment
This item is so easy to pack and will no doubt save you time, money and embarrassment when you travel. Read the story here.

Never Forget Your Room Number or Parking Spot Again
Here's the simple way to never forget your hotel room number or parking spot again.

Don't Get Suckered By Hotel and House Rental Marketers
This travel tip will help save you the aggravation of thinking you're booking one thing, when you're actually booking another. Read the story here.

If you get my daily travel tip newsletter (you can subscribe here), then you may have read about how one of our writers was mugged in Barcelona, as well as actionable tips to prevent it from happening to you. Here's the story. 

I've gone to Barcelona multiple times and to Europe dozens of times and have never had a problem. One reason is because I'm careful, aware, lucky and I wear certain things (see below). I'm not trying to scare anyone. It just never hurts to be prepared.

Rick Steves Pickpocketed In Paris -- Here's How To Prevent It
However, if you let your guard down, you could experience a slight (or major!) hiccup, depending on what the thieves get. And don't think getting pickpocketed or robbed only happens to rookie travelers. It can happen to travel experts, too, including Rick Steves, who wrote about how pick pocketers got the best of him in Paris. Here's the story and his tips.

Always Wear This When You Travel
If you read the stories above, then you know that one of the ways both of those unfortunate robberies could have been prevented was by wearing this. Rick Steves says he always wears one but had forgotten his when he got pick pocketed. Read the story here. 

In Case You Missed It  
Air Travel Tips
-8 Ways to Make Sure an Airline Doesn't Lose Your Bag ... And That You Don't Get Robbed or Stalked
-How to Speed Through Airport Security
-How To Find Out If The TSA PreCheck Lane Will Be Open
-How To Reach an Airline's Reservations Agent Without Waiting
-My Number 1 and 2 Travel Tips

Road Trip Tips
If you're driving, like 91% of travelers will be this weekend (according to AAA), then be sure to follow these tips:
-3 Ways To Save Money on Gas This Summer
-How to Prevent Road Trip Theft
-15 Tips For Renting A Car in 2021
-How To Prevent Car Rental Companies From Ripping You Off

Big American Airlines News
Great news for American elites! Just when I gave up on retaining my Executive Platinum status, American Airlines dangled a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie in front of me and I'm biting. Read the story here.

Always Pack This For Summer Travel
One thing I love about living in Southern California is that we don't have many mosquitoes here, unlike other parts of the country and world, including my home state of Connecticut, where I was last week visiting family. After being bitten by a mosquito, my cousin turned me on to a device that's all-natural and was one of the top products featured on Shark Tank (all five sharks wanted a piece of it). The best part is that it costs just $10 and is the perfect thing for throwing in your summer travel bag. Read the story here. 

Don't Leave Home Without ...
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.
 
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!

Safety
-10 Things to Have in Case of an Emergency
-How To Always Have Clean Water
-The Pocket Thermometer You Should Never Leave Home Without
-Life-Saving Car Emergency Tips 
-5 Places an Infectious Diseases Doctor Begs You Not to Go
-My Somewhat Freakish Travel Habit Might Just Save Your Life