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The Smarter Way to Travel™

Category Archive: Air

  1. Top 5 Fanciest Hotel Rooms in the World

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    If you could stay in the fanciest hotel room in the world, where would it be? Where are the best VIP hotel rooms.On the off chance that you’re not willing to spend $50,000 a night, read on anyway so you can at least pretend you’re in one of these magnificent, palatial suites. There’s no better motivator for working hard and saving up than an insight into the world of luxury travel.

    Raj Palace Hotel – Jaipur, India

    This hotel is the embodiment of opulence and indulgence and was the hotel of choice for the Maharaja himself. The Shahi Mahal Presidential Suite is the room we are focusing on here, simply because it is on a whole new level of luxury and takes the definition of VIP into new realms of excitement. Gold leaf is the main décor of the room, along with dangling chandeliers and stunning, ornate furniture. With six bedrooms and its own theatre, you certainly won’t be pushed for space and all this for a mere $45,000 a night.

    Hotel Cala di Volpe – Porto Cervo, Italy

     The Mediterranean Coast is by far one of the most stunning places on the planet but along this shimmering shoreline not all hotels were created equal. The Hotel Cala di Volpe’s Presidential Suite is the kind of hotel room that dreams are made of – but it actually exists. The suite consists of three luxurious bedrooms, each kitted out with the kind of bed you never want to get out of and an interior design fit for royalty. Stay here and you’ll also be able to take advantage of your very own solarium and private pool.

    Burj Al Arab – Dubai

    Everyone knows about the famous, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab that sits pride of place on the sparkling seafront of Dubai. Famed for being the first seven star hotels in the world, the entire hotel is a beacon of luxury, from the hotel rooms to the restaurants. Turn your attention to the Royal Suite and you will understand the true meaning of VIP. With a rotating, four-poster bed, a gold plated iPad and a 24 hours butler service, you’re not going to want for anything during your stay in this unprecedentedly impressive hotel.

    Hotel President Wilson – Geneva, Switzerland

     The Hotel President Wilson has gained a worldwide reputation for being the most expensive hotel on Earth but, it must be said, the hefty price tag of $83,200 seems almost justified when taking a look at the Royal Penthouse Suite. With a private terrace offering uninterrupted views of the Alps and Lake Geneva, a personal butler and every amenity you could possibly wish for, this magnificent suite is one of the most perfect places you will ever see. The only problem is, you definitely won’t want to ever leave!

    Four Seasons Hotel – New York City, USA

    We couldn’t complete a list of the best hotel rooms in the world without choosing one of the most luxurious hotels in the best city in America. The Four Seasons Hotel offers the Ty Warner Penthouse for its VIP guests and just a glimpse at the photo is enough to make us drool. The suite offers 360-degree views of the city, guests have their own private spa and the bathroom is fashioned from rock crystal. As an added bonus, if you want to explore the city, you can make use of your very own chauffeured Rolls Royce.

    If we’ve whetted your appetite for fancy hotel rooms, why not book yourself a little getaway? http://travelingdream.com/ has everything you need for the perfect vacation.

  2. Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

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    After booking flights and the first couple of nights of accommodation for your journey, you might be asking yourself: Is travel insurance worth it? When you’ve just spent so much money on other things, it can be hard to then part with another chunk of cash on something you might not even need.

    Travel insurance is an annoying expense but it is worth it. It can save your butt and your wallet when you least expect it. Not convinced? Let’s break it down and look at why travel insurance is worth it and why you really do need it because who knows what might happen.

    What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

    Let’s take a look at exactly what you will be paying for if you decide to buy travel insurance. Most insurance policies cover at least the following:

    • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
    • Lost and Stolen Baggage and Belongings
    • Medical Emergencies and Death

    No matter how invincible you might feel, any of these things could happen to you. Of course, it is extremely unlikely that you will die or be seriously injured on your trip. However, if you aren’t covered by a decent insurance policy you could face medical or repatriation costs that run up into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. For example, an air ambulance from the US East Coast to the UK will cost you around $50,000 if you don’t have insurance.

    How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

    Travel insurance doesn’t cost as much as you probably think it does. Obviously, it depends on who you buy with and what it covers but overall it shouldn’t deplete your budget too much. Generally people spend around 5% of the total cost of their holiday on travel insurance.

    A decent policy should have the following included:

    • Up to £10m in medical expenses
    • £200 towards replacing necessities in delayed baggage
    • £5,000 of cancellation reimbursements
    • £1,500 for trip interruptions – so that you can continue your trip if an emergency happens and you have to go home
    • £25,000 pay out for personal accidents
    • £500 for loss or theft of money
    • £600 to replace lost or stolen travel documents and to cover expenses of travel or accommodation you need in the process

    How Do You Choose Travel Insurance?

    There are hundreds of different insurance companies that will offer you all kinds of policies. This can make choosing travel insurance quite tough. You want to make sure it is comprehensive but you also don’t want to pay through the roof for it. World Nomads is a popular provider because they cover virtually everything and have a good reputation for pay-outs.

    If you want to do some research yourself before you choose who to go with then there are plenty of comparison websites like Money Supermarket that will help you out.

    What you should be looking for primarily with your travel insurance is good medical cover. It is a good rule of thumb to opt for a policy that will pay for medical expenses up to £5,000,000, including repatriation costs. The more you can get on this front the better. Bear in mind that if you are buying travel insurance for high risk destinations or activities, your premium is likely to be much higher.

    Basically, the more dangerous your holiday, the more your travel insurance will cost. Unfortunately, your need for travel insurance will also be higher. It’s a pain but that’s just how it is. Insurance companies are businesses after all and profit is everything.

    To conclude: buy travel insurance. Once you know you’re covered, you can relax and enjoy your trip. It really makes traveling so much easier. If you can’t afford to buy travel insurance then you cannot afford to travel.

  3. Five tips for taking carry-on only

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    A smart traveller knows what to take along with them on a trip and what to leave behind. Airlines are squeezing ever more revenue out of their passengers by charging for such things as baggage. We’ve put together a list of some of the things you, as a savvy traveller, can do to pack light and hopefully avoid those fees.

    Tip 1 – Roll your clothes

    Sometimes packing light isn’t just about minimizing what you take. You’ll find that if you roll your clothes you can fit more into your suitcase. an added benefit of this is that your clothes will come out less wrinkled than when they are folded. It’s counter-intuitive, I know. But trust me – it works.

    Tip 2 – Fill empty space

    One of the biggest mistakes I see people making when packing a bag is not taking advantage of some of the space in their suitcases. I’m not talking about pouches or compartments here. I’m talking about things like shoes here. Stuff a few pairs of socks in your shoes before packing them and make use of the space they provide when they’re not on your feet.

    Tip 3 – Use packing cubes

    Packing cubes are smaller pouches which can not only help sort clothes and keep things separate in your suitcase, they can also help reduce space by compressing the items in them further, allowing you to get even more out of the space in your bag.

    Tip 4 – Wear bulky items

    Strolling around Honolulu airport in the middle of summer in a parka might raise some flags. If you can, though, wear or carry your bulky items like a jacket separately. In turn, when you’re on the plane, don’t take up luggage space by spreading out your jacket (preventing someone else’s bag from going in that space) but lay it on top of your bag in the bin, or under the seat in front of you.

    Tip 5 – Make sure it fits

    The last thing you want is to turn up at the airport and have the bag be too big or bulky to be allowed as carry-on. Make sure you check with your airline what you are allowed to bring on board with you and stick to those limits. Pay special attention to the weight of your bag as some airlines are very strict about how much a carry-on can weigh. When measuring the bag, make sure to include wheels, handles, and anything that may stick out.

  4. Stopover Destinations

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    Sometimes they are planned, but sometimes they just happen to be unavoidable; long layovers. Iceland is one of the countries that has actually made a segment of its tourism industry depend on it. Icelandair and Wow both offer travellers the opportunity to include a stopover in the country at no additional cost in airfare. Of course, you will have to arrange your own accommodation and transfers; but these are often included in package deals, or you can find some great discounts during the booking process.
    An airline that takes it even further is Emirates. For its passengers who are forced to have a long connection because of the airline’s schedule, Emirates will provide accommodation and transfers to help you pass the time and freshen up during your stay. If you’re flying Business or First Class, this service is made available to you during layovers that last more than 6 hours; for economy passengers, you’ll have to have at least an 8-hour layover. The airline calls this service “Dubai Connect”.
    In both cases as described above, be sure to check that you meet all the visa requirements for these countries; because you will be leaving the airport. Of course, even if the airline doesn’t put you up in a hotel, or you didn’t get a stopover deal as part of your booking, there are times when you just happen to have a long layover. There are definitely airports in the world where this isn’t a hardship at all. Singapore’s Changi airport’s strategy is to be the world’s favourite airport; perhaps unofficially so, but from our experience it is a pleasure to fly to and through. Whether you want to take a dip in the pool, or catch a movie; there’s plenty to keep you occupied. You don’t even have to walk down stairs if you take the slide!

  5. Dealing with Flight Cancellations

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    With the autumn and winter on their way in the northern hemisphere we must once again brace ourselves for not only often a busy travel season with holidays such as Thanksgiving in the US and Canada, or Christmas and New-Year; but also for weather delays and cancellations. We’ve taken a look in our Smart Traveller series (available exclusively to members) at your options in a cancellation, and we’re happy to share some of that knowledge with you here. To get the full article, be sure to sign up and look for it in the Smart Traveller portion of the website.

    There are many ways and times a flight can be cancelled. We all think of cancellations as something that happens while we are trying to get to our destination. Be it a late aircraft, mechanical issue, or the weather; delays and cancellations happen at the last minute. But your flight can also be cancelled weeks or even months in advance because of schedule changes. Usually in this case, the airline will rebook you on another flight. Be sure to check your bookings online occasionally, because sometimes you won’t be notified or contacted regarding the changes.

    In Europe, and increasingly in many other countries; there are consumer protections on what your rights are and what the airlines’ obligations are when dealing with a cancelled flight. The most important thing to remember is that the airline has the duty to honour your ticket and get you to your destination. It is also always wise to have travel insurance. Many credit cards will automatically provide insurance for your trip but be sure to read the policy and make sure you know what’s covered. Another option is to buy trip-specific insurance policies; or take out a multi-trip annual plan. Insurance can help you where the airline will not by refunding you for hotels and accommodation; or even if you have to buy a return ticket on another airline. Be sure to check with your provider to see what is covered.

    When you are faced with a cancellation, you may find that the airline has already rebooked you. If you have an internet connection, log in to your booking on the airline’s website and see if this is the case. If you are using a mobile phone, you may even be able to get your new boarding pass sent to the device. If not, try using a check-in kiosk to print off your new boarding pass. You may still even be able to choose your seat.

    For more options, be sure to register (it’s FREE) and read more of the Smart Traveller series.

  6. Flight Upgrade Methods With a Lower Success Rate

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    We all want one, but we can’t always get one; an upgrade. In our smart traveler series we’ve looked at some ways you can try to improve your chances of getting an upgraded seat on the plane. The below, are some of the lesser known, but also significantly less successful ways of scoring that plush seat in the front; but it may give you some ideas of how upgrades work and why you may or may not get one.

    1
    Book with a Travel Agent. Agents are routinely allotted a certain number of upgrade vouchers. This will not come free but you can persuade your agent for a business class flight voucher if they have any available. If you’re not a frequent user of a particular travel agent, they have very little incentive to try and get you an upgrade. Whatever discretionary vouchers they may have will most certainly go to the people who have contributed the most to their agency.

    Travel agents have much less input regarding your status now than they used to. Your seat assignments are done via computer now, and computers don’t take into account notes that a travel agent may have added to your record. Computers are quite content to simply count the miles and use your earned status.

    2
    Use a mileage broker. Mileage brokers buy mileage from frequent fliers, and resell those miles to other travelers. This is very risky. Airlines have very strict policies against buying frequent flier miles from a 3rd party. If they catch you doing this, you will likely lose your ticket, and you may also lose all your miles, earned or purchased. As a result of strict airline policies, brokers are hard to come by.

    3
    Ask the ticket counter agent nicely. This will almost never work. In most cases, on most airlines, the ticket agent is not authorized to upgrade. Only the manager is, so if there is only one person at the ticketing counter, you are talking to them. You will most likely need to use miles to get your upgrade. However, you might be able to ask the ticket counter agent to kindly add a code to your ticket. That signifies to the gate agent that you are potentially eligible for an upgrade.

    4
    If you were late because of a partner airline, make sure the airline is aware of that: it is their fault and they need to fix it. Both airlines need to be on the same E-ticket number, so both airlines are responsible for getting you to your destination. If they can’t get you to your destination on time, that’s a great time to ask—as nicely as possible—for another flight, plus an upgrade voucher for your troubles.

    5
    If you happen to be a travel agent, show your Iata or ARC ID. Again, if and only if seats are available will an airline offer a free upgrade and even though a travel agent might have some pull (this pull ended in the late 90’s), you always have to assume that frequent flyer status will help more than just travel agent status. If you have both, you will only improve your chances of an upgrade. It certainly does not hurt to try.

  7. How to book award travel

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    One of the best perks available to people who are enrolled in a frequent flier programme is the opportunity to spend miles on “free” travel. We put free in quotation marks because there are usually some costs associated with this travel and these differ from airline to airline. Knowing what to expect before you start saving those points can help prevent some costly surprises when it comes time to cash in on those rewards.

    Generally, US Carriers have been very generous with their redemption rates, and they don’t pass on fuel surcharges and high fees to customers trying to book with miles. The three big players all have a tiered reward system offering flight rewards for fewer miles on off-peak dates and with advance purchase; than booking for flights at peak travel times and closer in to the date. United airlines is perhaps the most simple of the carriers, offering saver and standard rewards. American Airlines offers MileSAAver awards but further distinguishes between Peak and Off-Peak within this category. In addition to MileSAAver, AA offers AAnytime awards at 2 levels dubbed Level 1, and Level 2. Additionally, in times of peak demand, awards may cost more miles than at these two levels, and it is not clear when this is or how much it will be.

    Both AA and United publish charts that give an indication of how much a ticket will cost beforehand. Delta does not. To find out how many miles you will need to spend in the SkyMiles programme at Delta, one needs to actually go in and make a booking. Delta is perhaps the least transparent of the three loyalty rewards programmes mentioned here.

    In Europe and Canada, carriers are more often likely to add a host of fees and surcharges to reward bookings. That’s definitely not to say that all carriers do it, but major carriers such as British Airways, as well as AirFrance/KLM, and Lufthansa all add in fuel surcharges to their members’ rewards tickets. This can sometimes mean that the cost of your reward ticket ends up only being fractionally less than the cost of the full-out purchase of a ticket.

  8. Navigating an Airport – Departures Area and Lounges

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    Now that you have cleared security and you’ve arrived with plenty of time for your flight. It’s time to sit back and relax for a bit. Whilst there are airports that are nothing more than a small building and a landing strip; many terminals at the major and larger airports are designed to keep you entertained while you wait for your flight; as well as trying to be efficient.

    Airports often rely on retail outlets for a significant portion of their revenue so it should be no surprise that the airport is going to entice you to want to shop. Major international airports are great places to browse and admire luxury items, as well as the more mundane. Airports will often have stores that will cater to your last minute needs if you’ve forgotten something like your toothbrush, or you need a charger for your phone. But there are also items that you won’t easily find at your local high-street store. Dubai airport even has an ATM that dispenses gold!

    Take your time to browse and enjoy; but also remember to check the departure screens to see if your flight is boarding and whether or not you are delayed. It is easy to get lost and forget the time. Find a nice seating area if you just want to unwind or catch up on some work. Often there’s wifi (paid or free) and there are outlets and desks for people to use. These areas can get busy, so you may also find that it’s nice to sit at a gate that is’t being used right at that moment.

    If you’re flying in premium cabins, or if you have elite status you can often use airline lounges. These spaces are designed to be quieter and more luxurious, offering an exclusive setting while you await your flight to be called. here you might be able to grab a bite to eat, or even find a private room to catch some sleep. There are also Paid for options such as Priority Pass, or Number 1 lounges so be sure to keep an eye on the VIP upgrades benefits pages to see if you have access to these.

    Next week, Boarding!

  9. Navigating an Airport – Boarding

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    Following on from previous weeks, we conclude the ‘Navigating an Airport‘ series with a look at boarding. what should be as simple as walking on a plane and sitting down never is. Airlines are looking to create the fastest possible turnaround time, so that they can get the most use of an aircraft.

    An aircraft on the ground isn’t making any money, unless maybe it’s a feature piece of a museum, or it’s been converted into a hostel. I digress. Airlines want you to get on board as quickly and efficiently as possible so they can keep the planes flying.

    You’ve made it to the gate on time and you’re relaxed and stress free, milling around waiting for your flight to be called. Depending on the airline you are flying there are different procedures. Every airline has its own take on what the best way to board an aircraft is, and they will try to guide you in this process with announcements, signs, printed zone numbers, and by other means.

    Pay attention to what you see and hear. Everything is designed for you to not have to worry, and with a little bit of patience you are helping the gate agents do their jobs as best they can, while shuffling people’s seats so that a couple can sit together, for example.

    Airlines have also started to realize that priority boarding can be quite desirable and lucrative and may even charge a fee for this. Most often, those in premium cabins and elite card holders are given these privileges as a benefit, but sometimes the airlines will also offer this facility to those who are willing to pay a little bit extra for it. When you would like that extra bit of time to get settled, and perhaps find space for your carry-on: pay attention to your airline’s website and offers.

    We hope you’ve enjoyed this series. Please leave a comment below to tell us what you think.

    We wish you safe, and smooth travels!

  10. How to get upgraded

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    Airline travel for most means being crammed into a narrow economy-class seat, with limited legroom and hundreds of other passengers in the same space. As airlines try to squeeze more revenue out of every seat, the prospects for economy class travel are not looking great. The airline industry is very competitive and passengers want to get to where they need to go at the lowest possible cost which comes at a sacrifice to personal comfort. For the airlines, it’s about revenue per passenger mile. But there is a more comfortable way to travel.

    Some seats on many long-haul airlines can turn in to 6+-foot beds, offering travellers a place to stretch out and lots of room to work and relax. Unfortunately, these seats come at a cost. Trans-Atlantic economy fares can be had as low as $5-600 but their business class equivalents are often 3 to 4 times that cost, meaning that for the price of just one business class ticket for one person to sit in that comfy seat, a family of four could fly on the same flight. Even short-haul and domestic First and Business class seats can be vastly more comfortable than flying in the back and often come with free meals, drinks, snacks, and more attentive service from the flight attendants.

    These seats can, and do, get given to economy class passengers for free, or significantly less than what the upfront cost would be. If you buy an economy class ticket, that is where you should always expect to sit because there is definitely no sure-fire way to get upgraded; but it helps to know the system and how to increase your chances of an upgrade.

    In the past it was enough to dress up and be nice to the staff, and you stood a better chance of flying up front. While we still believe that it’s always good to be nice to the staff and appearance can be important (though we prefer comfort); the processes of upgrades are more automated. So what does, and what doesn’t work? We’ve put together a “Smart Traveller” guide on upgrades. Login or Register as a VIP Upgrades member to access this guide today!

    Loyalty has its rewards, Club on @british_airways. #businessclass #upgrades

    A photo posted by VIP Upgrades (@vipupgrades) on