Plan On Going to Vancouver in 2010?

With the Beijing Olympics officially over, people are looking forward to the next Olympic event: Vancouver 2010. Some of you may want to try and make it to these events. If you are one of these people, you may want to book your travel arrangements as soon as possible. 

Tickets for the XXI Winter Olympic games will be going on sale on October 3, 2008, in a ticket request lottery. If you are interested in going to the Olympics, your best bet is to purchase your tickets either from Jet Set Sports or CoSport. You might also be able to find some good packages from Sports Traveler. 

Now there are several options regarding how to get to Vancouver. The easiest way would probably be to fly into Vancouver; but make sure to book early. You could also fly into Seattle, WA and then drive the four hours into Vancouver, but then you would have to worry about parking. If you fly into Seattle, you could also take the train to Vancouver, this way you wouldn't have to worry about parking. Whichever way you decided to get into Canada, make sure you have a Passport. 

Air Canada To Remove Life Vests

In another effort to cut back costs on airlines, Air Canada Jazz has decided to remove life vests from their flights. Jazz hopes that by doing so, the airplanes will weigh less thus use less fuel. The seats on Jazz airlines can still be used as a flotation device in the case of a water landing; but there will no longer be any vests. 

According to Transport Canada regulations, any flight that is traveling roughly 56 miles from shore needs to carry a life preserver for each person on board, but anything less than that, the airlines have an option of life vests or flotation devices.  In order to make sure their flights were within the required distance, Jazz has re-routed some flights. 

The question now becomes how much further are airlines going to go to cut costs? Charging for a blanket and headphones is one thing, but removing life vests is a safety issue. Is that what the airline companies are getting to today, we'll charge you extra to be comfortable, but we really do not care much about your safety. What's next, will airlines remove the oxygen masks and fire extinguishers too?

American Now Offers Mid-Flight Wi-Fi Access

Since Delta is now offering Wi-Fi during their flights, other airlines have begun to follow suit. JetBlue is testing their in-flight Wi-Fi and Alaska Air has installed Wi-Fi on their flights. Now, American is planning on offering Wi-Fi to their passengers on longer non-stop flights. Just like Delta, American plans on charging $12.95 per passenger, per flight for access to the internet. Currently, American is offering the Wi-Fi service on flights that are flying between New York and Los Angeles and San Fransisco and Miami. 

Now the question becomes will the airlines ban certain sites from being accessed? This would be a good idea since an airplane is a public space, where adult content should not be viewed. Also the concern about confidential e-mails being sent and received while 35,000 feet in the air.  The answer to this could simply be, wait until you land to deal with the confidential information, but if that does not work, then just make sure there are not prying eyes or ears nearby.  

Another Night, Another Hotel...

One of the many facets of business travel, is having to stay in hotels; wether your stay is only for a night, or for an extended period of time it can add additional stressor to your trip. The following are some tips that could help make your stay at a hotel more relaxing. 

• When registering into a hotel, ask for a room that has a window that can be opened fresh air can do wonders

• Try to get a room that is away from ice machines and elevators

• When in a foreign country, do not exchange your money in the hotel lobby. They will most likely give you the wrong exchange rate and will probably charge a commission.

• Make sure you utilize the "Do Not Disturb" sign. The cleaning maids will not wake you up, and you'll be able to have a more restful sleep.
  

• When you first get into the hotel room, make sure to adjust the temperature to your desired level

• Make sure you bring your ear plugs

• When on a business trip make sure to take some time to yourself so you can relax either by laying in bed for an extra hour or by going to the hotel's gym or pool.

• When leaving, make sure to do a double take and check over the hotel room. Nothing is worse than when you get to the airport or home and you realize that you've left your phone or charger at the hotel

These are just a few of the ways one can make their next hotel stay more enjoyable. So hopefully, the next time you have to stay in a hotel, it wont be too stressful.

Always Leaving on Short Notice?

Traveling for business can be stressful and something that can make it even more stressful is if you are always having to leave at a moment's notice. There are some helpful hints and tips that can make even the short notice business traveler fell less stressed. 

• Keep a pre-packed toiletry bag or kit

• Have a place where you keep all your chargers, adapters, and technological accessories this way you can just grab them and go

• Have a section in your closest where you are able to quickly grab outfits that go well together in a little amount of time
  

• Keep some cash handy in your carry-on bag, this way you have cash on hand even if you were unable to stop at an ATM

• If you are always departing from the same airport, take time to explore so in the future you'll know where there shortest security lines are

• Pack what you need and if the trip is for a long period of time, make sure you have clothing that can pull double duty

Of course if you know that you are going to be leaving for a business trip in advanced you'll have more time to prepare for the trip, but following these tips will help make your travel and business experience more bearable. 

Tips To Stay Health on Your Overseas Travel

When you travel you want to make sure that you stay healthy. You don't want to miss out on a new experience because you have fallen ill. The following are some hints and tips to keep you healthy on your next big adventure.

• If you are worried about the food or the drinking water in the country you are visiting talk to your doctor and he or she can prescribe you an antibiotic to take with you, just in case. (and make sure to be careful what and where you eat and drink)

• Buy travel health insurance

• Make sure to get all your shots updated before your trip

• If it is your first time traveling to a particular country, make sure to do research 

• Pack some aspirin with you in case of a midnight headache as well as your medications

• Register with the local U.S. Embassy and or consulates

• Make sure a friend or relative knows your itinerary

American, BA and Iberia to Sign Agreement

Delta and NWA are not the only airlines that are thinking about a merger. Recently, American, British Airways and Iberia have been in talks about signing a joint business agreement concerning flights between North America and Europe. As stated in a joint press release, this new agreement"will benefit consumers by providing easy seamless and convenient travel to more global destinations with better connections, improved flight schedules, and enhanced frequent flyer benefits." Under this agreements, flights between the USA, Canada, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland, and throughout the European Union. 

These three airlines just have to deal with U.S. and European regulations; and it has already been pointed out by rival airline carrier, Virgin Atlantic, that this agreement would be anticompetitive. In response to this, the three airlines have applied for immunity from U.S. and European regulators.  Just like the Delta/NWA merger, how will this affect the already floundering airline industry?

 

Pilots Approve of Delta and Northwest Merger

Recently, it was announced that Delta and Northwest Pilots' have approved a "joint collective bargaining agreement".  Delta previously announced that they were planning on merging with Northwest in order to create "America's premier global airline".  Delta still needs approval from stockholders before the merger can be completed.  With the merger, Delta will become the worlds largest airline carrier in terms of traffic. As of right now, this deal is only affecting pilots of Delta and Northwest. Under this new agreement, Northwest pilots will receive a 2.38 percent equity stake while Delta pilots will receive a 3.5 percent equity stake. The  merge will give travelers access to more than 390 destinations in over 60 different countries. With Delta and Northwest combines, there will be roughly 800 aircrafts with approximately 75,000 employees. 

The question then becomes how will this merger affect the decline in the airline industry? Additionally, how will this affect all the fees that have been placed by these two companies?

Lost or Stolen Passport?

Some people have wondered what they should do if their passport is lost or stolen. The answer to this question would depend on where you lost your passport: in the U.S. or in a foreign country.

If your passport is lost within the U.S. you must report is lost or stolen right away and then you need to take the necessary steps to replace your passport. In order to report a lost or stolen passport you'll need to complete a statement (Form Ds-64) regarding a lost or stolen passport. Once you have reported your passport lost or stolen it becomes invalidated and can no longer be used for travel. In order to replace a lost or stolen passport one must appear in person at a Passport Agency or Acceptance Facility. 

Now if you are out of the country and find that your passport has been lost or stolen you must contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate as well as the local police. Don't worry, you will not be stranded in a foreign land; the U.S. Embassy and or Consulate will help you get an emergency passport, this can take up to three days. If you are traveling outside of the country some good advice would be to take a photocopy of your passport and give one to a relative or friend and put one in your luggage. This way if your passport does get lost or stolen, you'll have a copy and your friend or relative will have a copy that they could fax over if need be.  Usually if you can provide a copy of your passport officials will be able to get you a new one within 48 hours. 

Forgot Your Charger? No Problem, Go To Best Buy Express

Picture this, you are at the airport and have made sure that your luggage is the appropriate weight, you made sure you didn't overpack so you wouldn't have to pay extra fees and have made it through security with little hassle. You have just sat down on an uncomfortable chair (or if your lucky, your in one of the business lounges) when you remember an important phone call you need to make before your flight leaves.  You pull out your cell phone to notice that your battery is almost depleted. You franticly look for your phone charger only to remember that you left it at home! 

Pretty soon you wont have to worry if this situation happens to you; Best Buy has been designing kiosks to install in airports across the country. Currently Best Buy kiosks (which are titled "Best Buy Express") are installed in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and San Francisco airports; Best Buy is hoping to install more kiosks by September 1.

Best Buy Express kiosks will be stocked with media players, unlocked cell phones, digital cameras, portable gaming devices, chargers (phone, iPods, cameras, etc.) flash devices, computer accessories, and headphones. So if you ever find yourself in a situation similar to the one above, you no longer need to worry. Just walk on over to a Best Buy Express and buy what you left at home. 

A Good Translator Can Be Your Best Friend

When traveling to a foreign location one of the most daunting new experiences could be the language barrier. How many times have you been in a country where you did not know the language; thus making it harder to ask where the bathroom is located. Maybe you learned the language back in high school; wishing now that you had paid closer attention to the lessons. Nothing is more embarrassing then thinking the sign on the restroom door is for females, when in-fact it is for males. For those of you who have had these experiences there are electronic dictionaries and translators that one can bring with them that are small enough to fit into your pocket and in your carry-on. 

There are two different options that one can choose when deciding on a translator. Would a language dictionary work better for you or a foreign language translator?

A language dictionary would best suit your needs if:

• You are experienced with the basics of the language
• You have studied or are studying the language

A language translator would best suit your needs if:

• You are a beginner and have no prior experience of the language
• Words and phrases are broken down into different themes such as travel, restaurant, hotels, etc.
• There usually is a pronunciation guide and some will even say the phrase for you

If you plan on traveling a lot it is suggested that you put in the extra money and get a translator that has capabilities of translating more than one language (like the one pictured above; it can translate up to 29 different languages), this way you will not need to keep buying a new one for each of your trips. 

Stay Connected, Even At 35,000 Feet In The Air

Today it was announced on The Middle Seat, that Delta will be providing their passengers with Wi-Fi access mid flight. Delta is hoping to have 75 planes with Wi-Fi access by the end of this year and have all of their planes with Wi-Fi by summer 2009. 

Delta is planning on charging for the connivence of using Wi-Fi mid air. The price will range from $9.95 for flights that are under three hours and $12.95 for flights that are longer than three hours. This will give Delta another source of revenue; although passengers might be more willing to pay for Wi-Fi than having to pay to check their bags. 

The question then becomes will travelers want to be connected all the time? It used to be that one could relax (although the seats are not that comfortable) during their flights. The time during a flight one could catch up on reading, sleeping, or watching their favorite movie. Now that Wi-Fi is being offered the business traveler might be tempted to stay connected throughout their entire trip. 

Expect other airlines to follow suit. 

NWA To Charge $80 Fuel Surcharge

On July 31, Northwest Airlines confirmed that they would be charging passengers an $80 fuel surcharge. This new surcharge will apply on travel to and from roughly 7,000 routes beginning on January 10, 2009.  Northwest claims that they are just matching surcharges that have been added by their competitors. 

Recently the number of airlines that are adding fees and surcharges has subsided. This could be because the price of oil has dropped; meaning that the surcharges that were instilled earlier this year are helping the airlines' bottom line. Whatever the case may be, lets hope that airlines have stopped adding on fees and surcharges.