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The Smarter Way to Travel™

Category Archive: Elite Membership

  1. Jet Lag Tips

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    Much of North America has recently started Daylight Saving Time, or Summer Time, Europe is soon to follow. As travellers we are accustomed to time changes and know all too well that a change of one hour can be enough to throw us off our game. A one hour shift isn’t that extreme; with aircraft ever increasing their range, and 16 hour flights crossing up to 13 time zones becoming more commonplace, jet lag affects many travellers and flight crews on a daily basis. So what can you do to counter the effects of jet lag?

    There are many different schools of thought on how best to deal with jet lag. Jet lag is classified as a temporary sleep disorder and can be caused by differences in daily rhythm, exposure to light, meal times, and social activities occurring at different times according to one’s internal perception. If you are changing time zones on an upcoming trip; think about what the time difference is and give your body a hand by gradually adapting to that time zone. Look closely at your sleep patterns. What time is it at your destination when you are flying? Are you flying east and is it daytime where you’re going, then don’t sleep on the plane. Are you on a red-eye? Try to rest up.

    Get comfortable on the plane. Getting comfortable can help you rest better on the plane. Choose your seat beforehand giving preference to seats with extra legroom, or in quieter sections of the plane. Stay away from bassinet positions, lavatories and galleys. Not only are these places with a lot of noise, often there’s a lot of foot traffic, and light spilling out of these areas which could disturb your rest.

    Forego the in-flight entertainment (and bring eye-shades). If you are looking to get some shuteye on your flight, try to turn off your devices and the plane’s entertainment system at your seat at least an hour before you plan to nap. This advice applies to everyday life as well, the screens we have become accustomed to can be bright enough to prevent us from getting good sleep.

    Avoid alcohol. The effects of alcohol at altitude becomes more pronounced. You tend to dry out quicker and while dehydrated you cannot sleep as easily. Trade the cocktail for a bottle of water instead. but don’t drink too much or you’ll be one of those people who has to get up and use the lav every hour.

    These are just a few tips on what you can do, check back regularly for more advice.

  2. The rise of Premium Economy

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    In an effort to woo budget conscious business travellers, and leisure flyers who are willing to pay a little extra for a better seat; many airlines have started to introduce premium economy cabins. Business class featuring Flat beds, all aisle access, superior meals, and a more personalized service comes at a cost. Whilst there definitely still is a market for these services, many companies are cutting back on their travel budgets. This is where premium economy can fill a nice gap on long-haul travel. Sitting in between Economy and Business class, Premium Economy is not an Economy-Plus product such as Main Cabin Extra on American Airlines, Economy Plus on United, or Economy Comfort on Delta. Rather it is a distinct class of service which offers a wider seat with more legroom in its own cabin.
    Many airlines have responded to the complaints of passengers that they were being squeezed in wherever possible. British Airways, for example, reduced the number of seats from 10 across to 9 across on a number of its Boeing 777 aircraft after passengers started to complain. American Airlines experimented with a system it called More Room throughout Coach, offering all economy class passengers increased legroom over their competitors by removing seats from their aircraft.
    Ultimately this didn’t last, but it was a precursor to a trend among US carriers to offer certain seats with additional pitch and leg-room for a fee. United now offers Economy Plus, Delta offers Economy Comfort, and American offers Main Cabin Extra. All of these products are a number of seats, generally in the first rows of economy, which feature extra legroom and can come with other perks such as free bags, or priority boarding. Often these seats are offered for free, or at a reduced cost to the airline’s elite frequent flyer members.
    This is not a Premium Economy product. What sets premium economy apart is a dedicated cabin with a different seat and often a more personalized service with better offerings for food and drink. Airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and now even Air Canada and Lufthansa are offering a third or sometimes even fourth cabin of service on their flights called Premium Economy.

  3. The benefits of flying Premium Economy

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    In an effort to woo budget conscious business travellers, and leisure flyers who are willing to pay a little extra for a better seat; many airlines have started to introduce premium economy cabins. Business class featuring Flat beds, all aisle access, superior meals, and a more personalized service comes at a cost. Whilst there definitely still is a market for these services, many companies are cutting back on their travel budgets. This is where premium economy can fill a nice gap on long-haul travel. Sitting in between Economy and Business class, Premium Economy is not an Economy-Plus product such as Main Cabin Extra on American Airlines, Economy Plus on United, or Economy Comfort on Delta. Rather it is a distinct class of service which offers a wider seat with more legroom in its own cabin.
    Costing more than economy but less than business class, there are many advantages to flying premium economy. Very often, the cabin only consists of 5-6 or even fewer rows of seats. At this size, flight attendants are able to offer a very personalized level of service. Some carriers have flight attendants dedicated solely to this cabin, whereas other carriers have attendants that serve either business class and Premium Economy, or Premium Economy and Economy. Either way, the staff to passenger ratio is a lot more favourable in the cabin.
    As a distinct cabin above economy class; many airlines also offer Premium Economy passengers better services than economy class. At the airport this can mean separate check-in desks and priority services such as expedited baggage delivery, more free baggage allowance, security screening, and advance boarding. Many of these services are offered for a charge to Economy class passengers; so the cost of Premium Economy may be well worth it, for this fact alone.

  4. Preparing for a cruise

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    A cruise is different from a land based vacation in many ways. Firstly, you have to consider that your accommodation is mobile. Your ship is both a floating hotel, and a transportation method. This brings with it some unique requirements. Firstly, you must ensure that you have all the proper documentation to board the ship. This means checking your passport is up to date and that you meet all the visa requirements for the countries in which your ship will be calling. Many first-time cruisers and even some seasoned travellers have been caught out by this. Check with your cruise line when booking your trip.

    Another thing to keep in mind dress code aboard the ship. Some cruise lines are stepping away from formal nights and relaxing their dress code; but many cruises still feature rules on what is acceptable in the main dining room. So men, while you may not have to don your dinner jacket, make sure you pack some dress pants/trousers, a jacket, and a tie; ladies have a dress or smart casual attire at the ready. Expect to be turned away politely if you are wearing shorts or a t-shirt. Open shoes such as flip-flops and sandals; as well as any pool-attire are a definite no-no and you can expect to be dining at the buffet, or in your stateroom for the evening.

    With all of that being said, try not to over-pack. Many ships do offer laundry facilities but often at a charge. Bring clothes that can be mixed and matched together to create different outfits for your activities. With airlines charging more and more for baggage; it pays to travel light anyway.

    There’s a lot more that you can and should do before you arrive at the port, but most of all you should be prepared to enjoy your trip!

  5. Choosing a cruise line

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    What can cruise lines offer their passengers? Innovation is fast-paced in the cruise industry. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class cruise ships were the first to offer an open interior section of the ship. Called central park, the cruise ship staterooms feature in two “towers” facing one another, with an open section in between. This has created new deck space and opportunities for the ships to create entertainment and dining venues, otherwise not available on the ships. On its Quantum class ships, Royal Caribbean has features such as a skydive simulator; full indoor gym ‘arena’ and flow-rider wave simulators. Designed to keep the guests entertained while at sea; Cruise lines are using these features as major selling points to attract the active crowd.

    It’s true that the face of the industry is changing. Bigger is better is the mantra among the major lines; but, traditionalists can still find a cruise that is suitable for their tastes. The all-suite vessels and luxury lines such as Princess, and Holland America cater to a more targeted audience. On board these cruises you’ll find more frequent formal nights and a strict adherence to dress code. Remember to pack your tuxedo, or evening jacket or you may find yourself shut out from the main dining room and shuffling for food at the buffet. Celebrity cruises has recently relaxed its formal night dress code to smart-casual. Whereas jeans were once faux-pas; now as long as you are tidy and your clothing fits the atmosphere you are still welcomed in. Shorts, and ‘pool attire’ remain not-done for now, though there are cruise lines that are relaxing on this too.

    When cruising, take a close look at your style and what you feel comfortable with. Each line has a demographic in mind. It should go without saying that Disney Cruises favour families with children; whereas carnival targets the young professional crowd in addition to families. Whatever your style, take some time to read reviews and go online to look at what is on offer on your ship. Some ships have vast outdoor play areas and water parks; whereas some others lay a heavy emphasis on spas and relaxation. If you are travelling as a family, you may also be surprised to learn that there are some adult-only areas aboard many ships (besides the bars).

  6. Chain Boutique Hotels versus Independent

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    Realizing that their existing brands were not tapping into a lucrative segment of the market of the traveller who is looking for individual flair and stylish sophistication; hotel chains such as Intercontinental Hotels Group, Starwood, Hyatt, and others looked to develop brands that would appeal to the young urban professional, and double income no kids crowd. Many people in this target audience have to travel for work, and their companies have had long-standing relationships with the major hotel brands, often with negotiated rates and discounts. As a result, they are often put up in the run-of-the-mill properties on their corporate trips. Having become disenfranchised with this “style” of hotel, these travellers have created their own market segment for when they are on holiday and are seeking a retreat and break from the mundane nature of their work. When on vacation, often the last thing you want to be reminded of, or feel like is work.
    This desire to break from the mold has led to a number of small, independent hotels being able to thrive and tap in to this desire. Quaint, idyllic settings and personalized service set these properties apart from their mega-hotel counterparts. Realizing that they were losing out on a market segment, and an opportunity to allow travellers to redeem their earned loyalty rewards points, the big hotel chains have developed their own brands to appeal to these travellers.
    Whilst an attempt is made to create a unique product, the thing that the big hotels do still lack is a personal touch and sense of individuality. For the traveller who cares more about the destination, and doesn’t spend much time in the hotel, regardless, these brands can offer a nice balance of unique flair and manicured luxury. But when it comes down to the truly personal touch, independently run, small hotels definitely win out; but be prepared to pay a little more for the privilege.

  7. Finding better airfares

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    Often we want to get to where we’re going in the quickest manner possible which ideally would be a direct or non-stop flight from our home city to our destination. Airlines that fly the direct routes know that you value this so they will often charge you more than their competitors who will get you to where you need to go but with a connection. Business travellers who are less productive for each minute they’re in the air value the time saved, and generally their company is paying so there’s no personal loss for the higher fares. However, as a leisure traveller you can save up to half or even more of the cost of a direct flight if you choose to connect.
    Airlines will also put their flights on sale. Look out for e-mail and other promotions. Sign up for the airline’s frequent flier programmes and check your inbox regularly if you’re looking to book a flight. Also see if there is a new airline flying to your airport. Often, when an airline launches a new route, they’ll offer promotional fares.
    One of the best ways to shop around is to use a website such as flights.google.com with your dates, origin, and destination. It will often search all of the sites that are able to book the ticket for you and it will give you a direct link to purchase once you’ve selected what you want. It’s quite intuitive and it will offer suggestions on what’s cheaper. Hipmunk is another great comparison website that will rate your trip based on agony.
    Look at alternate airports. Flying to New York, there are 3 main airports that serve the city and each has many airlines flying in or out of it.If a city has multiple airports close by, don’t limit yourself to one, search around and you may be able to find a better deal.

  8. Dealing with the Busy Travel Season – On the Road

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    With flying becoming increasingly cumbersome due to added security checks, longer lines, baggage fees, and in general less airline staff around to assist it’s no surprise that in the United States the number one mode of transport around the Thanksgiving Holiday is the automobile. Here are some key tips that you can use not only for your holiday travel but any time you’re taking a longer road trip.

    Pack light

    Wait, what? We’re taking the car we don’t have to worry about suitcase weight?! Wrong… Whilst it’s true that you don’t have to ‘worry’ about the weight or size of your items as long as you can lift them and they fit in the car; it’s still wise to limit yourself to the essentials as if you were flying. Not only is it good practice for when you do take to the skies, cutting down on the weight in your vehicle will also reduce fuel burn and save you money. Also depending on the type of car you have, you may not want to have so much weight resting on one axle. Heavy loads affect your vehicle’s performance.

    Get Polarized Sunglasses

    Days are getting shorter in the northern hemisphere and with that comes longer dusk and dawn and low sun light at times when we may be driving. Investing in a pair of polarized sunglasses will take a lot of the strain off your eyes and help with visibility and increase safety. Regular sunglasses work because they shade the light, actually reducing what you’re able to see. Polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce the glare and offer you a better view.

    Check the Traffic and Weather

    Unfortunately our schedules don’t always allow it, but picking a day that’s not considered a busy travel day and when the weather is good will lead to a much more pleasant journey. Dealing with rain, wind, snow, ice, or any number of these conditions combined can make for a very tiring journey. A week before your trip start looking at the extended forecasts and keep doing this. If you’re noticing a particularly bad day, try to avoid travelling then.

  9. Dealing with the Busy Travel Season – At the Airport

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    In the UK and for most of Europe the busiest travel days are around the school holidays. Families vacationing en-masse in far away places. For The US and Canada the peak travel days are usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas when families join one another from all parts of the country to celebrate together. These are days that we know are busy, and there are many more. For many of us, flying a week early to avoid the crowds just isn’t an option. Here’s some advice to help you prepare your trip and make it go smoothly.

    Check in online. We cannot stress this one enough. Checking in online saves a lot of time and can even save you money on baggage fees as some airlines charge less for checked bags online than what is collected at the airport. With a boarding pass in hand and carry-on only you can go straight to security in many cases though sometimes you’ll still have to see an agent for a passport check. With bags, many airlines have designated special bag-drop queues where your boarding pass gets scanned, a label prints out and gets attached to your bag, and you can be on your way.

    Even if you have checked in online this next piece of advice is still important for you. Arrive early! there will be lots of people and there will be lots of waiting in line. Remember to pack a light snack and a water bottle to get you through the wait but please remember to empty the water bottle or dispose of it before going through security; and if you’re flying internationally remember to check the restrictions on taking food across the border.

    Getting through security can be rough at the best of times. Remember to have your ID and boarding pass at the ready because having to look for it at the bottom of your carry-on holds everyone up. If you’re wearing something with pockets, we’d suggest keeping it in there, or somehow easily accessible on your person at all times. that way if you would happen to get separated from your bags you still have your ID and ticket.

    Have a look at your airport’s website. See what facilities and amenities there are and have a plan. Some airports feature museums and exhibits whilst others have great shopping. If you’ve got the time, make use of it and you’ll notice it’ll soon be time to board.

    This definitely doesn’t cover every aspect, but the mantra is be prepared. it takes a lot of the stress out of travel.

  10. Dealing with the busy travel season – booking

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    As we approach many holidays and festivities, many of us are hitting the road to travel to spend time with family and loved ones. Over the next few weeks VIP Upgrades will being you a guide to this season and the steps you should take for everything to go smoothly. This week, we’re looking at the booking process for flights. If you are going further afield, and you will need to fly to reach your destination but haven’t yet booked your ticket; do it now. Airline seats are filling up quickly and the best time to buy travel for many of the upcoming holidays is already upon us. The sooner you book, the better.

    There are many theories about when and how to book a ticket to get the best price. If you just do an internet search you’ll see everything from midnight on a Tuesday, to doing your searching on one computer with one internet connection, but booking on another because the more you search on one computer the more likely the price will go up. These are no more than baseless theories because as the public, we don’t know what goes on in the realm of airline ticket pricing.

    Suffice it to say, there can be cost advantages to booking early, but there are also other advantages that you can take into consideration. When travelling alone, we have our seating preferences on the plane (window/aisle/over the wing/forward/aft) but there’s still some flexibility. When travelling with your family however, you’re not just looking for one seat, but you are looking for multiple. Booking early gives you the most selection and flexibility.

    Another advantage to booking early is a choice of times. Where there are multiple flights a day, or if there are different ways to connect to get to your destination you want to travel in the most convenient way you can. Leave booking too late, and you may end up having to get up at 4am, only to wait 6 hours at LaGuardia to get to where you need to go. Booking early means more availability of flights.

    These are just a few of the advantages and things to look out for when booking flights. We’re sure there are many more. Tell us what you think: concierge@vipupgrades.com.