Experienced Travelers are more Aware (Part Two)

Posted on June 20, 2011 by



To conclude our series  (“Are you Experienced Travelers?“) which originated on May 26, 2011,  here are the answers to questions 7 through 12 on our test.  Let’s see how you did on this section of the test!

7. I’m an experienced traveler…..my luggage is well worn, I smell good, I’m a witty conversationalist! Good to go!   T or F?

Well this could be either True or False, depending on who you’re sitting next to.  Personally, I like to keep to myself when flying, as a good majority of people do.  Occasionally, I come across someone sitting next to me that I want to engage in conversation.  This can even turn into a great exchange of possibilities for business or friendship.  Test the waters by saying “Hello, How Are You?” and see if anything develops.

Well-worn luggage is good (in my opinion)…makes it less of a target for thieves.  Smelling good–an absolute must!

8. My shuttle reservations to and from hotels must be made ahead of time for the best deal. T or F

This is false.  Most airports have a plethera of ground transportation options just outside baggage claim to help you get to your ultimate destination.  It is a good idea to do some research ahead of time to see what the best options are.  In some cases, just catching a taxi cab is the best choice and less expensive than a shuttle.  You also have the added benefit of not having to stop at other hotels along the way to drop other people off. Experienced travelers appreciate this option.

Experienced Travelers know flying etiquette

Do you have good airline etiquette?

9. Hey if the seat goes back….that means I have all that room! I can stretch out and snooze!    T or F

That is True to the point before preparing for take-off and landing.  Other than that…False!  I find many people try to get away with keeping their seat-back reclined, but those skilled flight attendants are usually right on their game and will quickly correct the situation.

10. When in a foreign country, it’s a good idea to be cautious at airports, do not share taxis and be aware of strangers looking to take advantage of new tourists.

True; however, there are usually some nice people waiting at many destinations who are more than happy to offer assistance.  Just keep your fanny pack or money clip close where you can see it.  Remember, in many locations (Mexico, The Caribbean, Central America, Europe) there are ne’er-do-wells just waiting to take advantage of an unsuspecting foreigner by seperating them from their travelers checks and other valuables.

11. I can make changes in my travel schedule whenever I want to without any problems. T or F

Here’s an email exchange I had with one of my brides-to-be, traveling to Antigua…read and decide:

On May 17, 2011, at 10:28 AM, Anita McAllister <anita@tumbleweedtravel.com> wrote:

Hi Erin:  I got your text and will take a look.

It shouldn’t be a problem to extend from the standpoint of the resort or if you decide to move to Sandals. The most challenging thing about making a change comes from the airline:

1)  There will be a $150 per person change fee from USAir.
2)  The airfare will increase.
3)  USAir’s flights are best on Saturday, so you might need to have a double connection, or crappy return times, or fly on a different airline.

Are you okay with all of this?

Her Answer:
Nevermind:( that doesn’t sound like fun!!)
Sent from iPhone


12. It’s okay to carry a big purse, a carry on with wheels, a shopping bag from Macy’s, a sweater and a baby…the airlines don’t mind this at all. I can do this! True___ False___

True, except for the baby…she will have to travel in cargo (JUST KIDDING!). On most airlines, you are allowed one personal item such as a purse, laptop, fanny pack, shopping bag; and one carry-on to be stowed in the overhead bins.  This also depends on how full the flight is, which I find airline check-in staff ALWAYS exaggerate.  If you’re not sure, ask at the check-in counter.  Experienced travelers know a neat trick to avoid the mounting fees for checked bags – if your bag otherwise qualifies as a carry-on; take it to the gate.  If you get there and it needs to be checked, they’ll do it there and won’t charge you.  Always check ahead by visiting the website for the airline your flying.

We hope our little exercise has resulted in more experienced travelers.  Airline travel these days is challenging at best…and remember…”It’s the journey, not the destination”.  (Whoever said that I’m guessing has never flown on United (:}:-)

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Traveling with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Posted on June 8, 2011 by


Plan for the UnexpectedWhen shopping for annual, single trip or any other form of travel insurance you need to be aware that it is hard to get a policy should you already have a pre-existing medical condition. Unfortunately many insurance companies consider you to be too high risk to qualify for a policy and simply won’t give you a quote. Or companies will give you such a ludicrous price it’s simply not worth your time. However enough companies will give you a reasonable quote on medical travel insurance but there are a few things to consider. In this article we’re going to go through some of the important points to consider when applying for medical insurance in order to help you get the best deal you can.

Type of Medical Condition

Depending on the type of pre-existing medical conditions you have you may not actually need specialized medical travel insurance. If you don’ require specialist medications or treatments then you may be deemed medically fit to travel.

The first point of call before planning a trip with a medical condition should be your doctor. Your doctor will be able to give you a full breakdown of whether you are medically fit to travel. He will also be able to tell you any potential risks you face by travelling. If you have a pre-existing medical condition you should be able to get a full breakdown of any additional requirements you may need. If you don’t require specialised medical treatments or are considered stable to travel then this should mean you can get a reasonable travel insurance policy. If your doctor gives you the all clear in terms of treatments and overall fitness to travel then you do not have to disclose this information to your insurer – though you should be aware that they may still invalidate your policy. It is best to get a formal note from your doctor that you can then furnish your insurer with, especially if you aim to get an annual rather than single trip policy.

Your Medical Condition at the Destination

Secondly you need to consider the quality of the medical care available in your desired travel destination. If you are traveling in Europe you can generally expect health care provision equal to that in the UK. In the European Union there is a binding international agreement that provides for free health care when travelling anywhere in the EU. This means that you can expect the same levels of health care wherever you are travelling within most of Europe. In this situation you do not need special medical insurance though you should still consider travel insurance for the other benefits and securities it offers. However if you are travelling further afield then you need to be aware that high end medical provision is either very rare or incredibly expensive. In these situations it is worth informing your insurer of your pre-existing medical condition even if your doctor deems you stable.

Further Medical Condition Complications due to Foreign Lifestyles

When examining your destination the final thing you need to consider is what might happen to you whilst there that could complicate your pre-existing medical condition. For example if you suffer from arthritis and travel to India you need to be aware of the high likelihood of catching diarrhoea. Catching this is very likely to exacerbate your existing condition – at least on a short term basis. This may affect the costs and conditions you receive with your insurance quote but it is also important to bear in mind for your own personal safety. Taking extra precautions should mean that you can have a safe and enjoyable trip without having to worry or fret over your medical care provision.

 

Tumbleweed Travel is pleased to have a Guest Blogger today – Mike from Columbus Direct . Mike, a travel writer for Columbus Direct covers worldwide destinations, budget travel and tips on how to find the best deals for your holiday. Thank you Mike!

Posted in Medical Needs when Traveling, Travel & Life-Changing Advice, Vacation Travel | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Test your Airline Travel Savvy

Posted on June 2, 2011 by

In a previous blog post (“Are you an Experienced Traveler?“) we asked a few questions to see what your travel experience has taught you. Let’s see how you did! Maybe we can help you pick up a new tip and you can increase your airline travel savvy.

1.  If I wait until four days before my flight, I will get the best fare.

No, you won’t.  In fact airlines love you so much because they can just say “sorry, charlie” and proceed to gouge you 400% markup because you are not within their 7 day window. Can you say ca-CHING!? Now, there is always the “last minute deals” area of a site where you CAN get a great price because they just need to fill a few seats in order to have a nice, full plane. In those instances, you are going to leave when they say and there is not much wiggle room for changes, etc. but hey – you get a great deal.  Now how about your boss? Will they let you go off on a whim in 4 days with no backup? Dang, right when you thought that was a good deal too. Sorry, traveler…..

2.  If I pack everything I need in a carry-on for two weeks, it will be heavy, but I can avoid a baggage fee.

Well, first of all how strong are you? Is the person sitting in the seat below the overhead bin where you’re trying to lift your 50-pound bag going to beat you up when it falls on his/her head?  Keep in mind that airlines have carry-on rules as well as checked bag rules.  If you’re going to Mexico and plan to wear the same outfits every day, you’ll probably be able to get by with a carry-on.  If you’re staying at a 5-star all-inclusive resort, you won’t need to bring any personal hygiene products as they’ll be waiting for you in your attractive, marble bathroom, but when you get to the boarding gate and they make you check your bag, don’t be surprised.

3.  I’ll just buy a water bottle at the airport and carry it through security?

Sure you will…and they’ll take you in a little room, make you strip and go through your carry-on items like they’re panning for gold.  Have you ever noticed all of the half-empty water bottles in the overfilled trash bins at the security entrances?  The TSA doesn’t want to take any chances, so going through security with a water bottle is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  If you’re thirsty, you can take an empty bottle and fill it at one of the drinking fountains. You’ll have to wait until you get to your terminal. There, you can buy a $4 bottle of water at one of the many over-priced shops in the concourse. Be travel savvy and avoid these mistakes!

4.  The luggage tags at the airport will secure my luggage, besides, hardly any luggage gets lost.

Really? Have you seen those flimsy tags??  The way they throw the bags around, you’re lucky to have a tag left on your suitcase when you get to baggage claim.

Here are are just a few of the reports and statistics on lost bags (This subject should be an article in itself):

“…Airlines Losing 3,000 Bags Every Hour…” - (From gadling.com; March, 2010)

“…Airlines lost 10,000 bags a day in 2005…” -  (From USAToday, February, 2006)

“…Last year, more than 31 million bags — around 1.4% of all checked luggage — arrived late, industry officials say. Roughly 1.8 million bags never arrived. Some take unexplained detours.”  -  (From Wall Street Journal, August, 2009)

Travel Quiz Answers Tumbleweed Travel

Hands Off...This is not your suitecase!

Think your bag doesn’t have a chance of getting lost?  Think again.  I was a victim of this in 1999.  I never got my bag back and for my trouble, I got $100 from the airline.

For extra security (just in case):  Put some business cards inside your checked bag. Put something very unique on the bag to identify it. Here’s a great one I saw on a flight to Las Vegas —>

5.  Sitting in the back of the plane is safest. It’s best to always try to get a seat way in the back.

You Are Correct! (according to Popular Mechanics July, 2007)

6.  I can fly if I’m pretty drunk, so I live at the bar right before I board the plane. Awesome, dude.

False! If the airline’s flight staff suspects you are intoxicated, you will not be allowed to board. It won’t be so awesome if you miss your event because of an alcoholic misstep. Really try hard to avoid missing your flight, dude. If you’re that afraid to fly, try something that won’t be noticeable and is actually good for you.

tumbleweed Travel recommends confianza from it works

My suggestion:  Confianza from It Works! I’ve used this on more than one occasion to ease my anxiety while flying.  It also has some great side benefits for those who suffer from depression or ADHD as well as being a mild libido-booster…BONUS!

Hope you enjoyed reading the answers to the first set of 6 True or False Statements – let’s hope that you have improved your Airline Travel Savvy-ness! The next set of answers will be posted in about 3 days. Leave us a comment below about your personal travel experiences with these situations.

We love a good story. And your information just might help out a fellow traveler! Comment below:

Posted in General Travel information, Travel Security, Tumbleweed Travel, Vacation Travel | 1 Comment