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Cost of Travel : Discounts Necessary
6:20 PM PST, 12/26/2008
It's beginning to get very expensive to travel and take luggage with you.
In my local newspaper today there was an article titled "Pack light or pay up: Fliers cling to baggage-check fees." The story goes on to talk about how airlines started charging some passengers $15 or more to check their bags and they blamed it on soaring fuel costs. Price of oil has gone way down since then, but are the baggage fees going away?
The answer is no! Airlines are still charging passengers to fly with a suitcase that isn't carry on size and can fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. So what does a family of 4 need to do when they travel since your first bag on most airlines will cost you $15 and the second bag is $25?
My suggestion is to get as much as you can into your carry on, without violating TSA restrictions of course. You'll need to be very careful about the lotions, shampoos, and other bath and body products you decide to carry in your duffel bag. Travel size products and trial size come in very handy here. Most are less than 3 oz and won't cause you any problems as you go through security. You can even pack these in your checked luggage which will help alleviate having to pay for the "Heavy" bags that exceed the 50-55lbs. I recall being charged $50 one time for having a bag that was less than 5 lbs over the permitted checked luggage weight.
Most travelers can find tons of great deals on 5 piece luggage sets and 8 piece luggage sets and suitcases. Some set size most pieces at carry on size and since each traveling member of your party is allowed 1 carry on item with one personal item, this makes avoided the checked bag problem a possibility. It doesn't appear that the airline are going to stop charging these fees any time soon because they are still loosing money because of the recession and the airlines are finding these fees to be a reliable source of income for them. So not only are you going to pay for a meal on your trip, a pillow, blanket, headset or drink, you'll be paying luggage fees to for quite some time.
One way to get around this might be picking an airline you like to fly with and achieve one of their Elite, or at least, Preferred members status in their frequent flier clubs, or you can travel first class. Right now, the only airline not charging baggage fees is Southwest Airlines but they don't fly to some major cities like Boston, Atlanta and/or Miami. One wonders how long Southwest can continue like this though, it could change in the near future.
Now more than ever, travelers are shopping around for the best vacation deals and packages they can find and the term "Discount Travel" has become more important than ever. Since you can't avoid airline fees for luggage and food, you can at least shop around and get the best discount airfare possible. Please be sure and stop by my store and see what special deals we have going on for luggage and luggage sets that might just help you avoid the fees.
Happy Travels!
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Travel
1:57 PM PST, 12/23/2008
The Holidays!When I think of “the Holidays" like Christmas and New Years I can't help but think of the hustle and bustle of people trying to get everything done. Ironically, the holidays are supposed to be a time of relaxing and enjoying time with the family even more than usual, but most of us are running around frazzled trying to get it all done by December 25th.With the economy as bad as it is this year, I can't help but wonder if people will get back to the true meaning and feeling of Christmas. After all, when you don't have much money to spend, the one thing you can give is your time.This makes travel even more important at this time of year. My family is all right here in Las Vegas with me, but for a lot of people, they have to travel far to be able to spend time with family. That means, airline ticket prices, long security check point lines, luggage and baggage fees, trying to fit all your bath and body lotions into your checked luggage because they are not travel size or trial size products, which means you can't get them through security in your carry on bag.And don't forget about the laptop! I happen to be one of those people that does not travel anywhere without my laptop and over the years, I've learned what makes a good computer laptop carry on case and what does not. Nothing like holding up the entire line because you can't get your laptop out and having everyone give you the evil eye. You either get really good at getting it out, or you find a bag that works.Some people can maneuver their laptop out of their computer case before they reach the security check point and the bins, but I usually have a carry on size luggage set, as well as my 5 year old child to manage so I find it difficult.Some people are traveling internationally this year and they will enjoy some foreign airports and security systems. If you have never enjoyed foreign travel, then the number one recommendation I have is keep your passport handy. Matter of fact, I highly recommend a passport holder to keep around your neck, tucked inside your shirt. I learned this the hard way when my wallet and passport were pick pocketed from a diaper bag my son was carrying while touring in Moscow Russia. Don’t forget about the power difference either. You will need a Foreign Travel Voltage Power Adapter/Converter Kit.As if getting to the airport, through security checkpoints and all the travel restrictions was not enough, now you have to go to battle to get your luggage once you've reached your destination. You ever noticed how people will step all over each other to get their bag first. Foreign travel might just be the worst because the airplanes are usually huge and packed full of people. Imagine rummaging through all the bags and suitcases of about 200-300 people. Not Fun! One thing I found very helpful was using colorful, or large, or even multiple luggage tags on my bags and I also use a luggage strap. Mine is lime green and can be seen a mile away. No chance of someone else thinking it's their bag. Plus, when it gets tossed around getting to and from the airplane, chances are the strap will keep it together so it does not come apart and my underwear come up on the conveyor belt.Lastly, at this time of year (especially this year) people are looking for cheap, discounted airfare, travel and vacation deals, and affordable hotel packages. Not only do you have to buy Christmas presents for the whole family, but it can cost a pretty penny trying to get your family to grand ma's house. If you shop around enough, you are going to see some great vacation packages out there this year. I know for a fact that the Las Vegas Hotels are discounting the prices to rent a room, and even giving show tickets and meal comps. Imagine staying at the Bellagio Hotel for 1/2 than what it usually cost.Be sure and watch for my next blog post where I'll go into more detail about discount travel for the whole family. -
Animorph Fans Rejoice
4:47 PM PST, 12/15/2008
Are you a huge fan of the Animorphs series? Maybe you are one of those people that read every book written by K.A. Applegate or maybe you just saw all the television episodes. No matter which type of fan you are, you no doubt love everything about them.
If you haven't had the privaledge of owning your own set of Animorph books, here's your chance. I've just listed a series of books from book 1 - 38, with five additional books including:
- The Andalite Chronicles
- Animorphs, Megamorphs #4
- Meet the Stars of Animorphs (authorized biography)
- Animorphs - Alternamorphs #2
- Animophrs - Alternamorphs
These are the stories and adventures of 5 kids that are the Earth's only means of defense when it comes under attack. Find out how Jake, Rachel, Cassie, Tobias and Marco have the power to morph into any animal they choose. They must use their powers to outsmart an evil that is greater than anything the world has ever seen.
Check it out for yourself and visit now!