The Sunday Round-Up | November 28, 2021
Greetings! I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving, as I did. I took advantage of the best day of the year to fly ... Thanksgiving Day! That's right, my wife made a feast on Wednesday and I made a mileage run to New York City on Thursday afternoon. I flew LAX-JFK in JetBlue's Mint. Here's my trip report.
Since I arrived after midnight, I spent the night in the city before heading to Connecticut to see my dad. It was my first time in Manhattan in almost two years and it didn't disappoint. Here's my trip report, which includes a fantastic hotel package deal and a quick walk around Rockerfeller Center.
The whole purpose of my trip, besides going to surprise my dad, was to see if a JetBlue flight would earn me Elite Qualifying Dollars on American Airlines. I'm Executive Platinum on AA and I was trying to retain my status by taking advantage of a promotion and I had JetBlue credits I needed to burn. Here's the answer about whether a JetBlue LAX-JFK flight booked on JetBlue.com would earn AA EQDs.
Fortunately, the weather has been great for most of the long weekend (except of course today, the busiest travel day of the year). But the weather isn't what travelers are talking about. It's the Omicron variant. Here are 12 things travelers need to know about Omicron.
I've been so busy traveling and writing posts about Omicron and Black Friday deals that I haven't had any time to shop. I plan on doing some right after I send this newsletter since there's a ton of bargains to be had, ranging from travel gadgets (like the air purifier I don't leave home without) to airline gift cards (Costco just added Hawaiian Airlines) to $75 one-way fares to Hawaii.
Black Friday Deals Still Going Strong
Prices are being slashed across the board, which is why we have multiple posts with all of our favorite deals:
10 Great Amazon Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals on Gifts and Gadgets for Travelers
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for the traveler on your holiday list, all of these gifts and gadgets will be a big hit. Not only are they all super practical and functional for life on the go, they’re also deeply discounted so now’s the time to buy! (PS: Those Apple AirPods Pro are still at their lowest price ever with $90 off.) Check them out here.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals for Travelers
For the last couple of months, I've received tons of press releases about Black Friday so I compiled the best travel deals, ranging from air and hotel to cruise and more. Check out these great Black Friday deals for travelers.
15 Great Gifts for Travelers
This year's holiday gift guide features tons of products I think any traveler would love to open this holiday season. Check them out here.
7 Tips for Avoiding Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams Online
Black Friday isn't all fun and games - especially if you fall victim to a scam. Here's how to avoid online scams during this busy online shopping weekend.
42% Off UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger
Did you know that your phone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet? This smartphone sanitizer can help. Check it out here.
The Tech Organizer All Travelers Need
Stay organized with a tech case that keeps all your cables, cords and chargers neat and tidy. This makes an awesome gift but you'll want one for yourself, too. Check it out here.
Scroll down for all the travel news stories and my travel tips this week. Travel Tips from This Week Monday:
-The Travel Hack You Won’t Believe TSA Will Let You Do
Tuesday:
-The Trick for Getting Luggage Carts for Free
-The Blackout Sleep Mask Travelers Need
Wednesday:
-Instead of Giving Your Flight Attendant a Hard Time, Give Them This Instead
Thursday:
-2021 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals
Friday:
-10 Great Amazon Black Friday Deals on Gifts and Gadgets for Travelers
-BREAKING NEWS: US Restricts Travel from These 8 Countries
Saturday:
-12 Things Travelers Need to Know About Omicron
-My travel segment on Leo Laporte's The Tech Guy
Sunday:
-12 Tips to Make Thanksgiving Travel Smoother and Safer 12 Things to Know in Travel Today— Travel industry confusion as Boris Johnson announces new rules
— Switzerland Adds Britain, Netherlands, Three Others to Quarantine List
— Israel decides to bar tourists, reinstate quarantine rules to contain Omicron
— A frightful flight: Man stows away in plane's landing gear on flight from Guatemala to Miami
— NY declares state of emergency amid concerns over Omicron COVID variant
— Day 2 tests to get into the UK are cheaper and easier if you know this trick
— France to consider some autonomy for Caribbean island amid unrest
— A hotel made out of shipping containers has opened in Colorado ahead of skiing season — and beds start at $50 a night
— These 16 U.S. Citizens Who Left America For Good Are Sharing Their Reasons For Moving And Honestly, It Makes A Lot Of Sense
— BA suspends Hong Kong flights amid crew quarantine
— Security guard for TV news crew killed during Oakland robbery attempt
— 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!
Miles & Points
-These airline credit cards just got new bonuses (up to 100k!), just in time for the winter holidays.
-Both of these premium credit cards come with free TSA PreCheck, up to 10x rewards, $300 travel credit, lounge access, and more. Here's how they compare.
-If you've got one of these cards, check out these holiday offers on shopping, dining, entertainment, travel, free coffee, and more.
-How Much Time Should You Give Yourself Between Connecting Flights?
-My Number 1 and 2 Travel Tips
-10 Air Travel Pet Peeves and What You Can Do About Them
-10 Tips For Better Sleep On a Plane
-17 Ways to Find Cheap Flights
-What to Do: Weather Delays and Flight Cancellations
-7 Dirtiest Things on an Airplane According to a Flight Attendant
-15 Tips for Surviving a Long Flight
-How to Get Upgraded to First Class
-Econophobia: Fear of Flying Coach
-JohnnyJet.com Booking Tool
International Travel -Which Trusted Traveler Program Is Right For You?
-The Must-Have App For Travel to Europe
-12 Pandemic Travel Tips For the EU and UK From An American
Road Trips/Car Rentals
-Two Great Things to Keep in the Car For Road Trips
-The New Transportation App Hawaii Travelers Should Download
-Don't Fall For This New Travel Scam That's Costing People Hundreds of Dollars
-Never Forget Your Room Number or Parking Spot Again
-How To Prevent Car Rental Companies From Ripping You Off
-The Quick Way Thieves Are Trying To Ruin Your Trip
-15 Tips To Renting A Car in 2021
-5 Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness on a Road Trip
-How To Find Cheap Parking
Lodging
-Our Anthony Bourdain-Inspired House Rental
-When To Stay At An Airport Hotel
-Paying It Forward: The Trick To Ensuring The Next Guest Gets Clean Sheets
-The Truth About Hotel Room Key Cards
-Don't Get Suckered By Hotel and House Rental Marketers
-Don't Fall For This Hotel Scam
-Book with Expedia or Priceline
-How to Make Sure You Get the Lowest Room Rate at Your Hotel
-Latest Lodging News
Popular Stories
-How to Never Miss A Wake-Up Call Again
-5 Tips For Traveling With Medications
-Mugged in Europe: Tips To Help You Travel Safe
-Rick Steves Pickpocketed In Paris -- Here's How To Prevent It From Happening
-Always Wear This When You Travel To Keep Valuables Safe
-The Free Storm Tracking App Every Traveler Should Download
-Must-Have Product For Traveling With Little Kids
-The Site Every Int'l Traveler Needs To Bookmark
-Why People Eat at McDonald's When They Travel
-10 Things You Don’t Need to Pack
-10 Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Airplane Habits: Are YOU Guilty?
-Fallen Soldier on My Delta Flight
Good To Know
-The Family Friendly California Farm You’ve Never Heard of But Need to Visit
-The Essential Email Reminder Service I Use To Manage My Life
-Renting a Private Movie Theatre is Cheaper Than You Think
-How To Check Hospitalization Numbers
-The Trick to Preventing Items In Your Car From Getting Stolen
-A Genius Food Safety Hack for Travelers
-A Lifesaving Tip
-The Rule You Need to Know for International Travel
-How to Use Your Phone As a Remote Control
Safety/Health
-What I Keep In My Carry-On First Aid Kit -The Most Dangerous Places to Be During a Lightning Storm
-My Funniest Travel Experience Underscores Why You Should Always Do This in Your Hotel Room
-What I Now Pack When Traveling To Fend Off Dehydration
-How to Find a Doctor While Traveling
-How to Save Big On Prescription Drugs at Home and on the Road
-My Somewhat Freakish Travel Habit Might Just Save Your Life
-How To Always Have Clean Water
-The Health Tool You Need at Home and On the Road
-A Tool I'd Never Heard of But Have Now added To My Travel Health Kit
Food/Shop
-Banana Phone --- The Funniest White Elephant Gift Ever
-Ted Lasso's Secret Biscuit Recipe is Out
-The Neck Massager That's Perfect for Travelers
-The Blackout Sleep Mask Travelers Need
-Your Favorite Travel Foods Delivered & a $15 Promo Code
Travel Gadgets/Products
-The Carry-On Essential You Never Thought of Packing
-This Beach Pillow Is The Accessory You Never Knew You Needed
-The PeaPod Prestige Travel Bed Makes Life Easier For Parents
-Always Pack This For Summer Travel
-The Solution For Those Who Always Have No Storage Left iPhones
-A Brilliant New Travel Purse for Women
-The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without
-The Best Luggage to Give and Get
Just For Fun
-Hands Down the Best Beach Toy for Kids
-How To Virtually Meet Your Favorite Celebrity
-The Best Airplane Toy For Any Kid
-An Emirates Flight Attendant Stood Atop The Tallest Building in the World
-Hilarious Travel Video
Face Masks
-How to Prevent Sore Ears Caused By Face Mask Straps
-I use Aiden Health’s N95, KN95 masks
-What to Know Before Wearing an N95 Mask
-The Best Face Masks for Flying During COVID-19
-8 Accessories to Make Wearing Face Masks More Comfortable, More Hygienic and More Pleasant to Wear
Watch
-11 Great Travel Shows for Kids
-Live New York City Webcams
Destination Guides
-The California Town You’ve Probably Never Heard of But Should Definitely Visit
-10 Reasons NOT to Go To Hawaii Right Now
-Catalina Island
-12 Things To Know Before Going To The Hollywood Bowl
Podcast/YouTube
-Talking International Travel, Mexico and Day of The Dead with Tech Guru Leo Laporte
-39 Travel Questions: Samantha Brown
-39 Travel Questions with Josh Gates
-39 Travel Questions with Andrew McCarthy
-39 Travel Questions with Leo Laporte
-More
Travel Contests
-The 'Pecanceled' Flights Set Right Sweepstakes (November 30)
-Win a dream trip to Anguilla (November 30)
-Enter for a chance to win a Carnival cruise for 2 (Dec 31)
-Win a trip for two to Puerto Rico plus $1,000 cash prize. (December 31)
See all contests here
P.S. As always, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I hope you like it and you share with your friends, family and colleagues so they can subscribe to either my bi-weekly newsletter or Daily Travel Tip.
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Weekend Getaways for Couples in California
When I first met my wife, she lived in Toronto and I lived in Los Angeles. While the distance was a challenge, we were seasoned travelers so fortunately, we were able to find a way to bridge the miles between us with frequent travels internationally, to Canada and to California. Lucky for me, California is one of the most beautiful places on earth so I didn’t have a hard time convincing her to visit and visit often. And each time she did, I showed her a beautiful part of the state she hadn’t seen before. It was fun, exciting and definitely romantic. So, if you’re looking for the perfect couples weekend getaway in California, here are some ideas for you: Read the story. |
