What's your favorite travel "secret" that other flyertalk members don't know?
Jan 5, 2018, 3:05 am
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
I take a photo of the inside of the hotel key sleeve that has the room number and Wi-Fi access code on it, so I have it without having to carry that sleeve around that doesn't fit in my wallet. I used to tear it off and shove it in my wallet with my key card, but then if someone stole my wallet, they could get my room too.
Jan 5, 2018, 4:00 am
#137
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
I too used to swear by keeping my luggage with me and NEVER checking it. To me, it was only another line to stand in, and another at he other end waiting for the bags. Internationally or with connections, it was also safer. If there is a cancellation or major delay, at least I would have clean clothes with me.
But more recently I have changed my opinion on this. With the insane struggle for bin space and the poorsies poaching F bins as they head back to third class, it is just easier to check it. I am in less of a hurry than I used to be and it is much easier to get around the airport with just the carry on. Another 10 minutes at bag claim on the other end is no biggie.
But more recently I have changed my opinion on this. With the insane struggle for bin space and the poorsies poaching F bins as they head back to third class, it is just easier to check it. I am in less of a hurry than I used to be and it is much easier to get around the airport with just the carry on. Another 10 minutes at bag claim on the other end is no biggie.
Jan 5, 2018, 2:40 pm
#138
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska MVPG
Posts: 206
Agree. I'm also a lot more confident now that my bag will show up than in decades past. In fact, I think it's been almost ten years since I last didn't have one show up. Used to be such a recurring issue for me back in the 80's/90's that it became a standing joke among family members.
Jan 6, 2018, 9:34 am
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,597
Back before smartphones I once had to search a parking garage for my rental car - I'd forgotten where I'd parked and it didn't even have a remote fob to make noise. To make it worse, it was a garage where you pay at a kiosk and then have a limited time to get out.
Jan 6, 2018, 2:48 pm
#140
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Land of Enchantment!
Programs: Southwest RR, Alaska Mileage Plan™
Posts: 341
As someone else mentioned, an extension cord w/ 3 outlets on the end is a must have to carry with you for motels. ANd have a 2 prong to 3 prong adapter on it too.
Jan 6, 2018, 3:09 pm
#141
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
Although against the official rules at most airports, you can catch a taxi on the departure level when you arrive and skip the long taxi lines. Just get in one when someone gets out.
If the driver takes you, it's all their risk with regards to the regulations and they obviously agreed to take that risk. I have yet to have a cabbie refuse me on the departures curb when I come up from arrivals. I have a feeling it is one rule that is not policed very hard.
This is a particularly useful trick at airports with frequently huge taxi lines, like LAS and MCO, or where the UBER/Lyft pick ups are too far away or hard to find like at SAN.
If the driver takes you, it's all their risk with regards to the regulations and they obviously agreed to take that risk. I have yet to have a cabbie refuse me on the departures curb when I come up from arrivals. I have a feeling it is one rule that is not policed very hard.
This is a particularly useful trick at airports with frequently huge taxi lines, like LAS and MCO, or where the UBER/Lyft pick ups are too far away or hard to find like at SAN.
Jan 6, 2018, 5:46 pm
#142
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,037
I know it is horribly wasteful, but if I have a bunch of clothes that need ironing I will hang them all up in the bathroom, turn the shower on full hot, and close the door.
Jan 6, 2018, 6:44 pm
#143
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
Jan 6, 2018, 7:11 pm
#144
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
Jan 8, 2018, 12:50 pm
#145
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,570
And if that shower is a little hot and a little long, I don't feel quite so guilty. It was for the shirts.
Jan 8, 2018, 7:33 pm
#146
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
I have in the past taken a couple of large suitcases full of clothes with me for a two night stay in Orlando.I happened to be staying at one of those vacation homes that had a washer and dryer, and that was far more convenient than going to the laundromat back home the night before my flight.
Jan 8, 2018, 7:41 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
I have in the past taken a couple of large suitcases full of clothes with me for a two night stay in Orlando.I happened to be staying at one of those vacation homes that had a washer and dryer, and that was far more convenient than going to the laundromat back home the night before my flight.
Last edited by Annalisa12; Feb 1, 2018 at 1:09 am
Jan 8, 2018, 9:04 pm
#148
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
As for other travel secrets, why would anyone want to share them. Want to stop something from working? Share it online with everyone.
Jan 9, 2018, 12:09 am
#149
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 80
I am convinced that most lost baggage goes astray because the airline tag has been ripped off during handling (the fact that those bags that finally catch up with you have tags attached doesn't necessarily mean they are the original ones).
On our bags I always put my own very sturdy luggage label that includes as well as name, the flight number, to and from airport codes and date of flight..
It paid off a couple of years ago while in transit in Frankfurt when, at the gate I was asked to identify a mobile phone image of my tag-less suitcase, which was then able to accompany me on the same flight.
Had those flight details not been immediately available to the baggage controller , I'm sure my bag would have joined all the others on the 'we'll deal with those later' pile of tag-less lost bags.
On our bags I always put my own very sturdy luggage label that includes as well as name, the flight number, to and from airport codes and date of flight..
It paid off a couple of years ago while in transit in Frankfurt when, at the gate I was asked to identify a mobile phone image of my tag-less suitcase, which was then able to accompany me on the same flight.
Had those flight details not been immediately available to the baggage controller , I'm sure my bag would have joined all the others on the 'we'll deal with those later' pile of tag-less lost bags.
Jan 9, 2018, 2:38 am
#150
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
That "First Defence" nasal spray that you get for when you start to see the signs of a cold, or indeed the nasal blocker sprays you get for hay fever season - both of these are great as preventative measures for air travel. Could be in my head, but I used to get every strain of cold going when flying, especially long-haul, and this has significantly diminished since someone suggested this to me.
I always assume water can and will get into anything I pack, so treat its contents accordingly. I usually pack things inside plastic bags (just shopping bags) which has the added benefit of keeping them nicely folded and categorised (and easily pre-packable). This has saved me from soggy clothes on a number of occasions.
I always assume water can and will get into anything I pack, so treat its contents accordingly. I usually pack things inside plastic bags (just shopping bags) which has the added benefit of keeping them nicely folded and categorised (and easily pre-packable). This has saved me from soggy clothes on a number of occasions.