Stay Safe When You Travel

When traveling, one has to be worried about more than just whether or not their plane is on time, or if their luggage will make it to the right destination, one also has to be conscious of their health, especially when traveling.

Before leaving for your trip, make sure to learn about your destination (if you haven't been there before). Research the destination, the weather, and the food. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, make sure to visit your doctor for a check up and get your shots if you need them.

When preparing for your trip, make sure you pack smart. This means, making sure to get your passport and itinerary photocopied. Also, make sure to pack all your necessary medications (make sure to pack your prescription medication in your carry-on bag). If traveling to a foreign country, check with the U.S. Embassy to make sure your prescriptions are allowed. Make sure to travel precautionary medications as well, such as sunscreen, decongestants, antacid, etc.

While you are on your trip, make sure to pay attention to your health. When on a trip, its best to try and eat like you usually do when at home (as best as possible). Also, make sure to obey any laws and regulations in the area that you are visiting. And make sure to have fun!

Bush Hoping to Avoid Stressful Holiday Travel

With the impending holiday travel, Bush has made some announcements to the Department of Transportation stating what the government will do to make travel over the holidays easier. Bush's announcements were:

• The opening of military airspace
• Airlines will have to pay more money for lost bags
• More money will be charged for violating consumer's rights

Also recently, the Department of Transportation proposed a rule that would oblige airlines to have set plans for instances when the plane is out on the tarmac for an extended period of time. For now, this rule is only proposed, meaning that you still might be stuck on a plane for an extended period of time. The President also signed an order to make the modernization of air traffic control a top priority.

Thank The Economy For a Travel-less Thanksgiving

Yesterday, the Boston Globe ran an article stating that travel over the Thanksgiving holiday were projected to decrease for the first time since 2002. The Automotive Association of America stated that 41 million Americans will travel more than fifty miles for Thanksgiving, this is down by six hundred thousand travelers from last year. This continues to be a pattern since holiday travel for this year has been declining.

Sometimes, when there are not a lot of people traveling it is the perfect opportunity to travel. Other times it is just the opposite. Sometimes airlines will increase the price so they can make up for the unsold seats, other times, airlines will discount seats in order to fill the plan.If you plan on traveling over the holidays, hopefully you have planned ahead. If you haven't you might get lucky and be able to get a good last minuet deal, but don't count on it. When it comes to traveling the best thing to do is always plan ahead and to do your research.

Love Traveling....Again

Earlier this moth, there was an article on MSNBC indicating that there are more reasons to love travel than ever before. Albeit many of you are probably cursing the very thought of travel, now that there are numerous different airline fees for this, that, and another; but there are also a few of you who are glad to be traveling now. Many of you might have to travel every week for business, while others travel occasionally, but the consensus seems to be, that we love to travel again.


The following are some of the reasons why we love to travel now:

• Since prices have soared in other areas of travel, many companies are offering bargains and discounts. Check out Priceline and Hotwire for great discounts.

• Travelers are able to get more upgrades (some without having to ask). Weather it is an upgraded room or an upgrade to your rental, don't be afraid to ask for one on your next trip.

• Now that many companies are loosing business due to the economy, many customer service representatives are a lot nicer to the customers they do have.

• Europe is becoming a cheaper place to travel. Since many airlines are cutting back on their domestic flights, some of them have been adding more international flights to their schedules. Europe is also becoming cheaper again thanks to the strengthening of the dollar against the Euro.

• Since there are less people traveling for leisure, there is less of a crowd at airports, car rental facilities, and hotels. Having less of a crowd allows for less stress and a quicker check-in/out.

The love of travel seems to go in cycles; when the economy is good thus a lot of people are traveling we hate it and when the economy is doing poorly thus not many people are traveling, we love it. We need to try and find a happy medium, so we can all love traveling all the time.

RideCharge For All Your Taxi Needs

Have you ever been on a business trip in an area your not familiar with and needed to get a taxi? Or, have you ever been running late to the airport and need to call for a taxi but didn't have the time? Now there is a way that you can call for a taxi without having to look up the number in the phonebook. 

RideCharge is a way for business travelers to call for a taxi without the hassle. With RideCharge you can save time by booking or calling for a taxi from your phone. RideCharge will also alert you when your taxi is on it's way, saving you time by not having to wait outside for your ride. With RideCharge, you are also able to pay for your taxi over your phone, so you don't have to make sure you are carrying enough cash on you. An additional benefit of RideCharge is that you can receive receipts for your taxi ride via e-mail and have it sent to you or your boss. 

RideCharge is "The business traveler's easiest way to take taxis."

Southwest To Offer Flights to Mexico

So far, Southwest airlines has not been charging any extra or hidden fees (as evident by their recent commercials). Which is great since a lot of competing airlines has been charging a lot of extra a hidden fees. The only problem with Southwest is that it only travels throughout the United States.


On Monday, it was announced that Southwest will begin to sell tickets to Mexico (partnering with Volaris). starting in 2010. This announcement comes shortly after Southwest announced that it was in talks with WestJet Airlines to provide flights to Canada. Southwest is making these two deals by "code-sharing", which means that the companies will sell tickets for each others flights, and share the profit. Hopefully sometime soon, Southwest will offer low-price fares for international flights.

Don't Check Your Bags, First Luggage Them

With more and more airlines charging passengers to check bags many individuals are looking for another approach to getting their luggage to their destination. The company First Luggage (who has an affiliation with FedEx) is "the world's leading international door to door luggage collection and delivery service". 

First Luggage's service areas include, The U.S., The Caribbean Islands, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and all of the European Union countries. First Luggage will pick up your  luggage and drop it off at your hotel or place of residence when you need it. You no longer will have to wait around at the baggage claim, nor will you have to worry about your luggage getting lost (First Luggage offers tracking on all there shipments).

First Luggage offers a simple and easy alternative to checking your luggage on your flights, which will most likely result in less stress. Additional information about First Luggage can be found here.

United Cancels Plans To Charge More....

According to Business Week, United Airlines has decided to abandon their plan for a second bag fee hike. United Airlines was planning on increasing their second checked baggage fee from $25 to $50. United still charges a fee of $15 (each way) for checking one bag.

Continental Reduces Carry-On Allowance Size

This month, Continental Airlines has decreased the size allowance of their carry on bags from 51 linear inches to 45 linear inches (which is now the same size allowance as their top competitors). This new rule comes shortly after Continental began new charges for checking bags.


Due to the new fees, many passengers have been trying to save money. They have been attempting this by trying to carry as much as they possible can onto their carry on bags. Unfortunately, Continental is making this harder by limiting the size of their carry-on bags. So what is one to do? The obvious answer would be to try and pack lighter. To only take the items that you really need.

Remember though, most airlines also allow passengers to carry on a personal item (such as a briefcases, laptop bag, purse, small backpack, diaper bags, etc. Your best bet would be to utilize the extra bag that you are allowed to bring on. Try and pack some of your smaller items into your additional carry-on bag, but make sure that the bag is not bulky. Remember, the bag will have to be small enough to fit under the airplane's seats.

Doing Business in China?

Have you ever had to travel China on a business trip? If you have you may have noticed that there are many differences between Chin and America. Our cultures are different as well as our attitude towards how we do business. The following are some hints/tips that can help you on your next business trip to China.

• Try and learn the local language
  

• Take a translator with you

• Get travel insurance before your trip

• Read up on the culture and customs before you go

• If you are a woman traveling to China, remember to dress conservatively, the Chinese do not like to show much skin

• Do not use large or quick hand movements

• Make sure you are on time or early to all your business appointments

• Bowing is a common greeting, but sometimes a handshake might be offered, wait to see what the hostess does first.

Hopefully, these hints and tips will help you when you prepare for your next business trip to China, and if you have any of your own, we'd love to hear them.

Do You Have The Correct Time?

Did everyone remember to set their clocks back an hour this past weekend? This past weekend we observed Daylight Savings Time. That time of year when we have to set our clocks back an hour.

If you forgot, then you probably found yourself running an hour early. This brings up an important topic, time and traveling (not time travel). When one travels, they may have to cross a time zone or two. When this is the case, that person then has to reset their clocks and watches to the current time otherwise they might find themselves running late or early to their business functions. Luckily, most cell phones will reset to the correct time.

(Eagle Creek Multi Function Clock)

A very important travel accessory that one should take with them on trips is an alarm clock. Travel alarm clocks are great since they can be stored and carried in your carry-on bags or your checked bags. If you are staying at a hotel you can always have a wake-up call, but sometimes wake-up calls do not happen due to some technical errors. Cell phones can also be used, but you should make sure that your phone has reset to the correct time. Also, it never hurts to have a backup, you would not want to be late for that ever-so-important business meeting.