What's your favorite travel "secret" that other flyertalk members don't know?
Oct 23, 2014, 1:17 pm
#61
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
As several others have mentioned already, my "secret" is packing less. I think it was Rick Steves who said there are two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had. IME this is absolutely true!
Oct 23, 2014, 1:45 pm
#62
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Not sure I follow. You can buy another ticket to get lounge access but you would have to also check in on that ticket to get a boarding pass that you can show to the lounge agent.
Oct 23, 2014, 11:40 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
That's right. You have to check in on the seat you're actually going to use. But in order to get into the lounge you have to show the premium boarding pass. Thus you also have to check in with the expensive ticket you bought that you plan to get refunded. Once you've checked on the expensive ticket it is not a quick process to get a refund.
Oct 24, 2014, 7:04 am
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
"Not a show stopper." Getting unchecked in and refunded under a penalty-free ticket contract hasn't been a problem for me; and the refund shows up on my bank cards very quickly. More frequently than refunding a low/no-penalty ticket on which I've been checked in, I get the airline to cancel my check-in and change the date to a later date of travel.
Oct 24, 2014, 8:42 am
#65
Join Date: May 2012
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 506
I still remember the first time I packed light and thinking
how much that simple action enhanced my trip.
Oct 24, 2014, 10:24 am
#66
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,089
Agree about light packing. As I travel mainly for business, I still have to pack more than I would like, with an extra suit and more clean shirts required for multiple meetings. (I often wear a suit on the plane to avoid having to pack it.) But if I can get it all in a carryon, I will. Good quality ultralight roller luggage is also key.
Another thing I do if I am going to a meeting in a neighborhood I have not been to before (for example, in a European city) is using Google maps street view to virtually "walk" from the nearest metro or light rail station to the building where the meeting is. Much better when you know your way.
Another thing I do if I am going to a meeting in a neighborhood I have not been to before (for example, in a European city) is using Google maps street view to virtually "walk" from the nearest metro or light rail station to the building where the meeting is. Much better when you know your way.
Oct 24, 2014, 12:06 pm
#67
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
...Another thing I do if I am going to a meeting in a neighborhood I have not been to before (for example, in a European city) is using Google maps street view to virtually "walk" from the nearest metro or light rail station to the building where the meeting is. Much better when you know your way.
Oct 24, 2014, 12:10 pm
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Agree about light packing. As I travel mainly for business, I still have to pack more than I would like, with an extra suit and more clean shirts required for multiple meetings. (I often wear a suit on the plane to avoid having to pack it.) But if I can get it all in a carryon, I will. Good quality ultralight roller luggage is also key.
Another thing I do if I am going to a meeting in a neighborhood I have not been to before (for example, in a European city) is using Google maps street view to virtually "walk" from the nearest metro or light rail station to the building where the meeting is. Much better when you know your way.
Another thing I do if I am going to a meeting in a neighborhood I have not been to before (for example, in a European city) is using Google maps street view to virtually "walk" from the nearest metro or light rail station to the building where the meeting is. Much better when you know your way.
It would be exceptionally rare for me not to be able to buy anything that I might need at my destination.
Oct 24, 2014, 1:17 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
Oct 24, 2014, 9:57 pm
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
If travelling with a friend or partner and you have 2 suitcases, mix the clothes up so you have a bit in each case. If one case goes missing you still have clothes to wear.
Oct 24, 2014, 11:08 pm
#71
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Now? I'd rather buy new clothes and send in the receipts for reimbursement.
Oct 25, 2014, 3:56 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
^ Agree. I used to think I was accomplishing something when I was able to travel on a 4 week trip and jam everything into a carry-on. Got tired of the hassle of dragging it around airports, of the clothes getting worn out, or a wide assortment of problems. I check luggage on every flight now. I only carry on my computer and whatever I need to use on the flight. I wait an extra 10 minutes on the average for my bags. Much easier.
Oct 25, 2014, 5:22 pm
#74
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 810
Oct 25, 2014, 6:28 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886