VIP Upgrades

Ways to get a free flight upgrade

July 15, 2016 8:36 pm Leave a Comment

There are a huge number of urban legends about flight upgrades. We’ve all heard someone boast that having bought a New York return for two pounds twenty, they sweet-talked the check-in staff and were bumped up to first class on every flight for the next 17 years. Sadly it’s not true. Free or ‘operational’ upgrades do happen, but it’s rare. If you’re lucky enough to get one, consider it a privilege. There are a host of hot tips to boost your chance of a free upgrade from minuscule to just unlikely. As most are neither arduous nor difficult, why not give them a go? It’s possible to steal a march on the competition even before you’ve decided on a flight. Anything that gets you nearer the front of the queue for the front of the plane’s a good thing.

Before doing anything:

(A) Ask friends who work for the airline to pull some strings

The old adage it’s not what you know, but who you know works here. If you’ve got close friends at the check-in desk, or better still, higher up in the airline, they may be able to wangle you occasional special privileges. Some airlines also give their staff upgrade vouchers, which’ll effectively buy you an upgrade if there’s a higher class seat available.

(B) Use your title

If you have an impressive title, be it Doctor, Professor, Judge, Councillor, or especially if you’re a VIP, there’s a mountain of anecdotal evidence to back the idea you’ve a stronger chance of getting an upgrade. You have to let them know beforehand for it to work.

So if you’re booking through a travel agent, ask them to note this on a file. If you’re booking on the web and are a Doctor or Reverend (and it says so on your passport), use your title when booking.

If you order a special in-flight meal – such as vegetarian, vegan, halal or kosher – you may destroy your upgrade potential, as flights rarely carry spares, especially for higher class seats whose food costs more. So you’re likely to be overlooked for someone less picky.

Getting Ready for Summer Travel

June 24, 2016 4:23 pm Leave a Comment

As summer gets in to full swing many people have planned or are planning travel. In North America a long holiday weekend is fast approaching with Canada Day (Friday July 1) and Fourth of July celebrations (on a Monday) for the US. Millions are expected to take the opportunity to travel and be with family, or just get out and explore. Both inside and outside of North America, schools too are gearing up to wind down for the summer with many families looking to take time away from home to unwind and relax. So how can you be prepared for all that the summer can bring?

Plan ahead, or decide last-minute; but plan ahead to decide last minute

There are plenty of deals to be had when you book early, but also don’t disregard the opportunities last-minute travel can offer. Perhaps you just finished a big project and summer travel hadn’t really been on your mind, but you are now faced with some free time to get out and explore. Consider a boutique hotel for your next getaway as a great place where you can disconnect. Even spur-of-the-moment plans require some forethought. Make sure your passport is valid and check any visa requirements before you leave. Don’t let your plans get thwarted at the border when you realize that renewal you’ve been putting off for weeks now means you have an expired travel document.

Avoid the Queues

With millions hitting the roads and taking to the skies, take a serious look at when you plan to travel. Consider delaying your journey, or getting ahead by a few days to avoid the biggest rush of travellers. If you are flying, consider enrolling in the various programmes such as TSA Precheck to help you get through the airport quicker.
Most importantly: give yourself plenty of time. Let the vacation start as soon as you leave the house and don’t be rushed.

Missing your connection

May 20, 2016 7:17 pm Leave a Comment

Missed connections happen all the time. be it weather, be it a mechanical issue, flights sometimes don’t run on time. There are some strategies that can help get you to your destination quicker. A tool that we have found extremely useful for managing a missed connection is a TripIt Pro subscription. The app will actively monitor your flights and connections and notify you if there’s a problem. One tap will bring up a list of alternate flights, and even show you if there may or may not be any seats available on that flight. We’ve used this feature many times, and it’s helped speed up the process, giving us more options to get to where we were going. It also has the benefit of showing different routing options that the agent or you may not be able to think of right away.

In the case of connecting flights, many airlines automatically rebook you on the next available flight, when the computer systems see that there’s a potential misconnect. If you have internet access, check your booking on the airline website and see if this is the case, when you know you’re going to be late. If your flight has WiFi, accessing the airline’s own homepage is often free. All you have to do is confirm the options, and go to a kiosk to print a new boarding pass. Sadly though, this doesn’t always work, and in busy travel periods the next available flight may be on the next day. Going to a counter and speaking to an agent is your best option there. And they may be able to offer you a good rate at a local hotel; or if the delay was caused by the airline, many times they will pay for your accommodation and meals during the delay. European Airlines, as well as other airlines flying from a European airport have a set of rules that cover what the airline is responsible for, but they aren’t always willing to comply. Be sure to ask for the pamphlet, or information concerning your rights when faced with these situations.

Airline Club Memberships

April 8, 2016 7:03 pm Leave a Comment

Airlines in North America differ from their European and Global counterparts (with notable exceptions such as Qantas) when it comes to their philosophies on lounge access. Rather than having a lounge that is accessed based on the cabin flown, or elite status held, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, and United offer their passengers the ability to purchase a Club membership. These annual plans generally allow access to all the lounges if you’re willing to pay, and don’t have a qualifying ticket, so let’s have a look at the options.

Air Canada – Maple Leaf Lounge

Air Canada is perhaps the most “generous” in giving lounge access to its fliers. The Maple Leaf Lounge can be accessed by anyone with an Air Canada or Star Alliance Business Class ticket, including domestic travel. Elite 35K and higher members of the Altitude programme.
If your travel patterns aren’t enough to get you this status, or if your travel is primarily in Economy Class, Air Canada gives you three options for membership: Canada, North America Plus and World Wide. Starting at CA$375, the Canada membership gives you access to the 16 lounges in Canada if you’re flying on any same-day Air Canada or Star Alliance flight. North America Plus adds all United Club locations in the US, plus Air Canada’s own lounges in Europe. The World Wide membership gives access to any Star Alliance lounge. An added benefit to membership is Business Class check-in for members.

Certain American Express Cardholders also receive lounge access. It’s worth checking your credit card benefits for details.

American Airlines – Admirals Club

Starting at US$99 for 30 days, an Admirals Club membership gives you access to all the American Airlines lounges plus 30 Partner Lounges by Qantas and Alaskan Airlines. To access the Admirals Club locations, you don’t need to be flying American Airlines or a oneworld airline. If you’d like to try the Admirals Club on your next trip, a one-day pass can be purchased at any club location for US$50.
American Airlines Citi Aadvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders receive complimentary membership.

Delta – SkyClub

Delta don’t offer any short-term or trial memberships to their clubs, however you can expect to pay US$59 for a single-visit pass. Unlike American Airlines’ One-Day pass, this (more expensive) option only allows you entry to the club in which you purchased the pass, not all clubs on your day of travel. Starting at US$450 for a one-year membership, travellers can access any Delta SkyClub regardless of the alirline they are flying. This Individual membership allows the opportunity to pay US$29 each for up to two guests accompanying the member. Top Tier Skymiles Diamond Medallion members receive complimentary individual membership.

United – United Club

Also offering a one-time option for US$59, United Clubs follow Delta in their rules for admittance. With memberships starting at $550 for one year, members gain access to any united Club when flying on any airline and additionally access to any Star Alliance lounge when flying United or any Star Alliance carrier. Arguably the most bang for your buck if you fly star alliance often.

Jet Lag Tips

March 18, 2016 5:38 pm Leave a Comment

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.

The rise of Premium Economy

March 11, 2016 1:03 pm Leave a Comment

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.

The benefits of flying Premium Economy

February 7, 2016 8:46 pm Leave a Comment

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.

Preparing for a cruise

December 17, 2015 4:31 pm Leave a Comment

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!

Choosing a cruise line

December 11, 2015 9:33 pm Leave a Comment

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).

Chain Boutique Hotels versus Independent

November 27, 2015 8:24 pm 1 Comment

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.

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