Favorite Travel Tips?

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
21

Here are some of my favorites:

-Pack your carry-ons in a way that will maximize efficiency in the security line. You don’t want to be the person who is holding everyone up, by having to dig around all your bags to remove stuff…and try not to wear a ton of jewelry that will have to be removed.

-Remember, you can buy pretty much anything everywhere (with some exceptions). So don’t pack a weeks worth of toothpaste…etc. Though if you’re traveling with infants or toddlers, just pack everything you need.

-H and I got an Air BNB in Italy and it was a 3rd (to us Americans)/2nd (to Europeans) floor apartment. While it was very nice and centrally located, there was no elevator. And the staircase going up to the apartment was narrow and quite steep. It wasn’t a problem for us and it made us glad that we packed light, but it could be a problem for people who are elderly or have mobility issues. Definitely worth checking on!

-if you rent a car in Europe, just rent a small car. A family friend of ours rented a small SUV and it was a real tight fit in some of the small towns in Southern France. Think, narrow streets, tight parking spots. They dinged their car trying to parallel park in a very tight spot. Looking back they wish they had rented a smaller car like a VW Golf or Honda Fit. With only two people, they would’ve been fine with a smaller car. There is a reason Europeans have smaller cars, some of those old towns have narrow streets.

-When D was in Europe she and her friend booked train tickets. They booked the cheapest train between two cities. What they didn’t notice was that this was the train that stops at every place that has a train station between those two cities. It took about 6 hours to go about 100 or so miles. If they had taken the slightly more expensive express train, it would’ve been two hours. It pays to look closely and read the small print!

-In regards to Air BnB and rental cars, if you stay at an Air BnB and are arriving in a rental car, make sure to ask what the parking situation is. Can you park in front of where you’re staying? Do you have to park somewhere else (something to consider if packing heavily, or getting back late at night)? You want to avoid getting expensive parking tickets or having your rental towed or clamped. And if you’re staying in a hotel, do they offer free parking or do you have to pay? Or is there somewhere nearby you can park for free? Some towns, especially in Europe, have one way streets or town centers where cars are restricted.

-I always pack some snacks in my suitcase. That way if I get somewhere late at night, I have something to eat and don’t have to go hungry.

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22

Absolutely love this app. I have been using it for years and it’s fun to see all details from the past trips and use them as a reference if we visit the same place again. It’s also easy to share with other via text or email.

23

I use Tripit, but I still print out hard copies, I like having extra copies just in case. I usually put them in a folder that I can slip in my carry on…

Oh and when it comes to Air Bnb and VRBO, make sure to check where it’s actually located. When H and I were looking for Air BnB’s for our Italy trip, we saw some great ones, but on closer inspection we noticed they were often quite a ways out of town in the suburbs and it would’ve taken more time to get into town to see what we wanted to see. Also, make sure it’s in a safe neighborhood…

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24

Some ideas:

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25

Be sure to wear socks/bring socks, so you don’t have to walk through the metal detectors barefoot, which I find myself doing.

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26

Great tip. I always have a pair of footies packed in a ziplock in my travel purse so I would not be caught barefoot by TSA. :slight_smile:

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27

“After you get where you’re going, take off your shoes and your socks then walk around on the rug bare foot and make fists with your toes.”

28

If you are traveling with someone and plan on checking a bag, always put some of your clothes in their bag and some of theirs in yours. I always put a change of shirts, underwear and pajamas in my carryon suitcase.

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29

In cities where there is any worry of pickpockets, I put my valuables (sometimes including passport if international) into a passport neck pouch. If it is a city like Barcelona where I’m fearful thief might cut the neck cord I loop the cord around the side of my bra and put pouch part in pocket or dangling at my side inside pants. We carry a backpack too (like one by Rick Steves), but it only has cheap stuff like snacks and umbrella.

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30

Always ask for upgrade. If you don’t ask you don’t get.

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31

This!

32

I’d love to hear a couple examples of this where you have succeeded!! Hotels? Planes?

33

I have gotten upgrade for plane when I check in at the counter. My best upgrade was for a flight on Emirate from nyc to mxp. I had to pay 200/person for the upgrade, but it was normally a 5000 ticket. They had a standup bar where they served premium champagne.
There was one time when our flight to Paris was delayed due to a wind storm. I asked them to give me a pass to their lounge because I was traveling with my kids. They ended up upgrading all passengers at the lounge who were on the flight.
I almost always get it at hotel when asked.
I also get upgraded for car rental. I live in nyc so cars can be scarce. I often end up with a large suv when needed (driving my kids) or a sports car when I am by myself.

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34

H and I were coming back from a trip to visit my side of the family. He was very kind, generous and selfless to make sure we had quality time together.

Flying on AA, we always ask for upgrades. But elite status is long gone for us so it never happens – except on the return trip home he gets a text of an upgrade to first. I called it a karma upgrade!

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35

If I want a nice table at a restaurant I would usually ask the hotel concierge to make a reservation for me.

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36

If you flight was delayed, always chat with airline when you get home. Even if it was delayed for an hour. I have gotten airline credits for delayed flights from $25 to $250. If one representative tells you it was weather or something else not airline related, chat with another representative until you get credit

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37

If you don’t get credit before leaving the airport, you can email customer service after after getting to your lodging or even upon competing your trip. I’ve gotten e-certificates for bad connections so couldn’t view movies, delayed flights, etc.

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38

I’m old. I like paper

39

I like paper too but e-certs have been easy to deal with in terms of getting expiration dates extended—moreso than paper certificates, I believe. I didn’t have to take them to a United agent or anything.

If you do have a significant (like overnight) delay, go to the designated gate agent. Get a hotel and meal voucher if whatever they’re giving. Also get a written paper that indicates the cause of the delay. If you may file a claim for delayed flight with your CCard company or insurer, you will need whatever documents and receipts you can get. I did and was able to get my CCard company to compensate me for all the meals we consumed that were not covered by the $30 apiece meal voucher. It all added up to a tidy sum for the 2 of us—snack while we waited for them to decide what to do with our flight, breakfast the next morning, as well as a snack/meal to eat on our 5+ hour flight home.

40

Alaska’s 20 min bag guarantee is a real thing. I have asked for and received many $25 vouchers. :slight_smile:

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