Show/hide menu

The Smarter Way to Travel™

Tag Archive: air travel

  1. How to get upgraded

    Leave a Comment

    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

  2. 10 International Foods That Only the Bravest Stomachs Can Handle

    Leave a Comment

    Secrets of a First Class Traveller

    One of the most exciting things about travelling is being able to sample all kinds of exotic, international dishes. No doubt during your time on the road you will across some weird and wonderful food and been equally curious and gross out by it. In general, when you eat gross food you will hate it at the time, but love it in the years to come as it makes for an excellent anecdote. In fact, the grosser the food, the better the story.

    Of course, there’s always the possibility you might really like this strange dish you’ve been presented with. In which case it is win-win – good food and a cool story. So, if you’re ready to toughen up your stomach and try someone of the world’s most interesting food, take a look at this list for some inspiration on what to eat.

    Shirako, Japan

    Trust the Japanese to come up with this revolting dish. Shirako is the sperm sack or a cod, puffer fish or angler fish. It is gooey and white and looks a bit like a tiny brain.

    Balut, the Philippines

    Utterly stomach-churning, this dish is a fertilised duck egg containing a partially developed duck foetus. You’re supposed to crack a little hole in the shell and slurp out the juice before eating the rest of the foetus.

    A-Ping, Cambodia

    A-Ping is a deep fried tarantula, need I say more. These bizarre snacks are dirt cheap and pack a lot of protein if you can get past the fact that you are eating a huge spider. Eat the crispy legs first and then dig into the gooey body. Yum?

    Cuy, Peru

    Did you ever have a guinea pig as a pet as a child? If so, you might want to look away right now. Cuy is a national delicacy in Peru and is simply a roasted whole guinea pig. There’s not a lot of meat on it and it has a very strong game-y taste and the Peruvians love it.

    Sannakji, South Korea

    This dish is highly controversial and requires a young, live octopus to be chopped into small pieces and served up on a plate. When the plate arrives at the table, the octopus pieces are still wriggling around and the strong suckers on the tentacles kill at least six people every year as they choke on them. Enjoy.

    Hákarl, Iceland

    Hákarl is chunks of fermented shark and it is as gross as it sounds. The shark is served in cube-sized pieces and the smell it gives off is comparable to a mixture of cleaning products and urine.

    Casu Marzu, Italy

    A sheep’s milk cheese has its hard crust cut away after 3 weeks of curing so that flies can come and lay their eggs in it. The eggs hatch and the larvae eat the cheese and excrete it back out. We then eat the cheese, maggots and all.

    Blood Soup, Thailand

    Guess what the main ingredient of blood soup is. That’s right: blood! Pig’s blood to be precise. It isn’t the most sanitary dish on this list but it is definitely one of the best for anecdote fodder.

    Escargot, France

    Everyone knows that the French eat snails, but has it ever occurred to you that that is really weird and gross? The snails are usually smothered with garlic and don’t taste too bad so long as you swallow them quickly.

    Escamoles, Mexico

    Not to be confused with guacamole, escamoles are ant eggs. They are often pan fried and served as a topping alongside tacos and omelettes. They have a strange nutty taste and are considered a delicacy.

  3. Winter Sun and no Jet Lag

    Leave a Comment

    tropicalbeachWhere to go for winter sun and no jet lag! If you live on the East Coast then winter has to be escaped once in a while. When the temperatures plummet rather than hibernate you need to find some sunshine.Just a few hours due south on a plane and you’ll find yourself soaking up some winter sun without having to endure any sleep-wrecking jet lag. Without further ado, allow us to present our top suggestions for a winter break without switching time-zones.

    Colombia

    Despite its turbulent past, Colombia is open and ready for business when it comes to tourism. The once intimidating cities of Bogota and Medellin have become vibrant metropolises where you can sip on a coffee or a cocktail and watch the world race by. If city life doesn’t do it for you then the coastal areas of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla are the perfect getaways. Each is home to a plethora of breath taking colonial buildings in bright yellows, oranges and pinks as well as fresh, delicious seafood on every corner.

    Cuba

    Now that it’s finally legal for Americans to travel to Cuba, we should all be taking advantage of what this unique little island has to offer. Ogle the old fashioned cars that putter down the roads, take a salsa lesson or search high and low for the very best mojito – there is fun and excitement around every corner, from Havana to Trinidad and beyond. Make sure you do some research before you get there though because local customs are very different to what you’re used to at home.

    Jamaica

    You are unlikely to ever find a more chilled out country than Jamaica. People take their time here and that’s what makes this tropical island so charming and alluring. There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning to the soft sound of reggae and the smell of fresh mango floating on the air. With beaches to die for, mountains to hike and waterfalls to marvel at, Jamaica is ideal for nature lovers looking to embrace the great outdoors and a splash of winter sun.

    Guatemala

    Guatemala might be small but it sure packs a punch for those who venture within its borders and with just one hour time difference, you won’t waste precious time to jet lag. While Guatemala City might not be much to look out, once you’re out of the capital the country takes on a lush green tinge, speckled with the ashy black of its many volcanoes. During your holiday here be sure to spend time wandering through the old colonial town of Antigua, explore the glistening pools at Semuc Champey and discover the ruins of Tikal.

    Costa Rica

    Without wanting to sound too cliché, Costa Rica is one of those countries that has it all. From the staggering rainforest filled with exotic creatures, to the pristine beaches that line both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. Yet, perhaps the main draw to Costa Rica is its multitude of national parks, some containing volcanoes, some jungle and some marine life beyond anything you could have ever imagined. All of which are perfect for exploring under the golden rays of some winter sun. Oh and the food here isn’t too shabby either.