I guess you want to know who Erica Ho is.

Erica Ho is a former reporter for TIME in Hong Kong and former geek at Gizmodo and Lifehacker. Her work has appeared in CNN, Yahoo!, MSN, Mashable, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and Quartz to name a few places.

Quick Review: How Does Kiwi.com Differ From Other Flight Search Engines?

October 16, 2019 Erica Ho 4 minute read

How many flight search engines is it possible to name? Even among super seasoned travelers, that list often runs shorter than it does long…

Quick Review: How Does Kiwi.com Differ From Other Flight Search Engines? via @maphappy

Travel

Bookings.com Offers Up to 40% Discount Through T-Mobile

October 11, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

If there was any question that T-Mobile is the carrier of choice for travelers.

Bookings.com Offers Up to 40% Discount Through T-Mobile via @maphappy

Money Plastic Reference Charts

How Do the Credit Cards Stack Up in Terms of Travel Insurance?

October 9, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

It’s a popular option these days, against buying travel insurance as a standalone option.

How Do the Credit Cards Stack Up in Terms of Travel Insurance? via @maphappy

Culture & Science News Technology

Google Maps Rolls Out Incognito Mode

October 2, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Don’t like Google tracking your movements? The answer to those dreams is coming.

Google Maps Rolls Out Incognito Mode via @maphappy

Budget Culture & Science Money

How To Buy a Plane Ticket on an Airline That Might Go Bankrupt 💰

September 30, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

No names, but it is sooo tempting when the flight is sooo cheap.

How To Buy a Plane Ticket on an Airline That Might Go Bankrupt 💰 via @maphappy

Budget Hacks Money

How To Use a Friend as an ATM Machine

September 25, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Quite not like that, but if you’re interested in getting cold, hard cash, and avoiding ATM withdrawal fees, this might be the ticket.

How To Use a Friend as an ATM Machine via @maphappy

Family Leisure

The Fact You Created Your Child Doesn’t Entitle You To Travel Alone With Them

September 17, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

They say parenting is a ride, but I suspect that even most first-time parents don’t even know this.

Travel

Can You Drop Off Luggage Early at the Hotel?

September 10, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

There is usually little reason to worry, even if it is a day or a few days ahead of check-in.

Can You Drop Off Luggage Early at the Hotel? via @maphappy

Travel

A Real Budget for One Week in Portugal on $634.57 (Airfare Not Included)

September 9, 2019 Erica Ho 3 minute read

How much does it cost to tack on a week at the end of a business trip in Portugal? Come into my house, darling, and let me tell you about it.

A Real Budget for One Week in Portugal on $634.57 (Airfare Not Included) via @maphappy

Travel

This Ingenious Purse Switch Trick May Just Outsmart Pickpockets

September 4, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It pays to be one step ahead, knowing most pickpockets are going to reach for the purse first. This trick beats them to the punch.

This Ingenious Purse Switch Trick May Just Outsmart Pickpockets via @maphappy

Cars Ground Loyalty Reference Charts

A Quick Overview of Car Rental Loyalty Programs

September 3, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Frequent flyer programs get all the attention, but it really should be all about the car rentals.

Culture & Science Misc. Videos

“Madam Secretary” Reminds Us the Airport Struggle Is Real

August 29, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Netflix binging is an art.

“Madam Secretary” Reminds Us the Airport Struggle Is Real via @maphappy

Loyalty Tools

How To Find the Cheapest Award Redemption for a Flight

August 27, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Chances are, like most frequent flyers, you have points in a hundred million frequent flyer programs, and it’s time to get from London to New York. Citi ThankYou points? British Avios? 😱 😱

How To Find the Cheapest Award Redemption for a Flight via @maphappy

Food Health

The Case for Packing Condiments, the Unsung Hero for Meals on the Run

August 26, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Sometimes traveling means admitting… life resembles #hobodom much more than Instagram #superstardom you’d like to admit.

The Case for Packing Condiments, the Unsung Hero for Meals on the Run via @maphappy

Ground Lyft Taxis Technology Transit Uber

Bellhop Finds the Cheapest Rideshare App for Getting Across Town

August 22, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Rideshare comparison apps have been around for almost as long as the ridesharing industry has been.

Bellhop Finds the Cheapest Rideshare App for Getting Across Town via @maphappy

Culture & Science Features

Diagnosing the Complicated Case of Medical Tourism

August 15, 2019 Erica Ho 5 minute read

I still remember the first time I ever showed up at the doctor’s office in Hong Kong, asking for a birth control prescription. He laughed at me. “You can get it over the counter, don’t you know that?”

Diagnosing the Complicated Case of Medical Tourism via @maphappy

Technology

How To Change Your Device’s Country on the App Store

August 14, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It may surprise you but your phone does have its own nationality.

How To Change Your Device’s Country on the App Store via @maphappy

Money Technology

Google Flights Is Offering a Limited Time Price Guarantee

August 9, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

In time for shoulder season, Google Flights will be offering a price guarantee for a limited time, giving customers a refund for any price drops.

Google Flights Is Offering a Limited Time Price Guarantee via @maphappy

Culture & Science Loyalty

The Make-A-Wish Foundation Is Requesting Airline Miles

August 7, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Make-A-Wish is kicking off their Trips That Transform campaign this month, and asking for donations in the form of airline miles. Million milers, we know you’re out there!

The Make-A-Wish Foundation Is Requesting Airline Miles via @maphappy

Sea Transit

Before You Book That Cargo Ship Across the Ocean

August 6, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Maybe it’s time to follow in Greta Thunberg’s footsteps. Also, maybe you’ve run out of money, and sailing across the ocean seems like a cheaper way to get from point A to point B.

Before You Book That Cargo Ship Across the Ocean via @maphappy

Budget Money

Can Snail Mail Be a Cheaper Way To Get Souvenirs Back Home?

August 1, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Think of it as a delayed present, to yourself, from yourself.

Can Snail Mail Be a Cheaper Way To Get Souvenirs Back Home? via @maphappy

Money Plastic

Can You Dispute the Difference in Foreign Transaction Refunds?

July 16, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It seems like one of those things that are a foregone conclusion, but that’s the danger of assumptions.

Can You Dispute the Difference in Foreign Transaction Refunds? via @maphappy

Airbnb Airlines Loyalty Vacation Rentals

Now You Can Earn British Airways Avios for Airbnb Stays

July 10, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Great for racking up some quick miles on one of the best frequent flyer programs for flight redemptions.

Now You Can Earn British Airways Avios for Airbnb Stays via @maphappy

Trip Planning

Does Amazon Prime Work Overseas?

July 9, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Amazon is pretty much everywhere these days, right?

Does Amazon Prime Work Overseas? via @maphappy

Travel

The Most Effective Method for Getting Rid of Foreign Coins

July 8, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It’s the bane of every traveler’s existence.

The Most Effective Method for Getting Rid of Foreign Coins via @maphappy

Travel

Most People Like To Clean Their House Before Leaving on a Trip

July 2, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Clean it up! It turns out people love coming home to a clean house after a long trip.

Most People Like To Clean Their House Before Leaving on a Trip via @maphappy

Hacks Money Technology Travel

How To Skip the Credit Card Signature Abroad

June 25, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Verified: June 25, 2019This hack has been verified by our editors. Please note things may change.

Chip cards are so 2009. (By the way, that was ten years ago.)

How To Skip the Credit Card Signature Abroad via @maphappy

Money Trip Planning

Do I Get the Full Refund for a Foreign Purchase?

June 24, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Best to pay in cash for this, folks.

Do I Get the Full Refund for a Foreign Purchase? via @maphappy

Culture & Science Hacks Leisure Money

Prayers Answered? How To Gain Free Admission to Religious Sites

June 19, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Verified: June 19, 2019This hack has been verified by our editors. Please note things may change.

It is one of those intuitive things that make a lot of sense in retrospect.

Prayers Answered? How To Gain Free Admission to Religious Sites via @maphappy

Cars Ground Trip Planning

Check the Rental Car for a Spare Tire Before It’s Too Late

June 17, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Because this DOES happen.

Check the Rental Car for a Spare Tire Before It’s Too Late via @maphappy

Hacks Technology

The MacBook Has Its Own (Travel) Adapter System

June 6, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

God save all the hipsters before you have to go out and buy a new power adapter for the laptop.

The MacBook Has Its Own (Travel) Adapter System via @maphappy

Food Health Packing

Does Bringing Food on a Plane Count Toward the Carry-On Limit?

June 4, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Presumably, this food is for eating. Because there are soooo many good reasons to bringing own food onboard to eat, instead of succumbing and paying for something three times more than it should.

Does Bringing Food on a Plane Count Toward the Carry-On Limit? via @maphappy

Customs Documentation Flights Hacks Money Transit

The Simplest, Cheapest Methods for Showing Proof of Onward Travel

June 3, 2019 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Much as I’d like to think I could freewheel it around in the UK, getting sent back to the country I just flew from doesn’t top my list of “having a good time.”

The Simplest, Cheapest Methods for Showing Proof of Onward Travel via @maphappy

Flights Hacks Money Technology

How To Get Free Flight Cancellation for Flights Outside the U.S.

May 30, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Verified: June 4, 2019This hack has been verified by our editors. Please note things may change.

Most travelers know it is possible to cancel a flight for free within 24 hours inside the U.S., but most don’t know it is also possible to do for flights departing outside the U.S.

How To Get Free Flight Cancellation for Flights Outside the U.S. via @maphappy

Budget Leisure Money

Don’t Forget These Deals for the 2019 Travel Summer Season

May 28, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

From free lounge passes to expedited security, keep these on dial if you’ve got any plans for the summer.

Don’t Forget These Deals for the 2019 Travel Summer Season via @maphappy

Hacks Money Packing Trip Planning

The Most Effective Trick for Quickly Maximizing Carry-On Luggage

May 22, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Onboard a plane, everyone gets two items: a carry-on bag and a personal item. Here’s how to get three bags for the road, without checking in anything extra.

The Most Effective Trick for Quickly Maximizing Carry-On Luggage via @maphappy

Airports Documentation Flights Security Transit Travel

TESTED: The Difference Between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck

May 21, 2019 Erica Ho 3 minute read

There were always a couple of questions I had for CLEAR users that they often couldn’t answer: Do you know how this stacks against PreCheck? Do you have PreCheck? [No.] What’s the difference? Is it worth the extra cost?