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.

Global Entry Extends Renewal Period by 18 Months (and More)

April 28, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

COVID-19 has taken put another travel provider on life support: Global Entry.

Global Entry Extends Renewal Period by 18 Months (and More) via @maphappy

Turkish Airlines Flight Draws Their National Flag In the Sky

April 23, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

One Mile at a Time recently posted this neat little tidbit: Today, Turkish Airlines flight TK1920 drew the Turkish national flag to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

Turkish Airlines Flight Draws Their National Flag In the Sky via @maphappy

Culture & Science Features Health Transit

This Is the Easiest Face Mask Tutorial We’ve Seen

April 20, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Now that Canada requires all passengers traveling by air in wear a face mask, we don’t expect it to be long before other governments and airlines follow suit.

This Is the Easiest Face Mask Tutorial We’ve Seen via @maphappy

Culture & Science Food Hotels

The Official DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Is Here.

April 14, 2020 Erica Ho 2 minute read

It’s time for us to enter a brave new world, and transform ourselves from travel bloggers to food bloggers. 😂

The Official DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Is Here. via @maphappy

Airlines Loyalty Reference Charts

These Airlines and Hotels Are Extending Elite Status Through 2021

April 8, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Turn on the white noise machine, and that’s what the year of 2020 is for travel.

These Airlines and Hotels Are Extending Elite Status Through 2021 via @maphappy

Culture & Science Videos

VIDEO: When Flight Attendants Work From Home

April 1, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

The travel business is hopping!

VIDEO: When Flight Attendants Work From Home via @maphappy

Airlines Loyalty

Russian Airline S7 Airlines Is Offering Miles for Staying at Home

March 31, 2020 Erica Ho 4 minute read

S7 airlines is offering miles to members of its frequent flyer program for staying at home. 🙂

Russian Airline S7 Airlines Is Offering Miles for Staying at Home via @maphappy

Polls

Are You Booking Flights for Future Travel?

March 30, 2020 Erica Ho 1 minute read

In case you guys didn’t get the memo, this is clearly the time to be traveling.

Are You Booking Flights for Future Travel? via @maphappy

Countries emergency Features

Flatten the Curve Shows a Map of Coronavirus Travel Restrictions

March 25, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

There’s a lot of great resources and great folks pulling it together these days.

Flatten the Curve Shows a Map of Coronavirus Travel Restrictions via @maphappy

emergency Flights Money Transit

Can You Get a Flight Refund During Coronavirus?

March 24, 2020 Erica Ho 3 minute read

It makes us so angry that this is even a question! Of course it is possible, and if the airline is trying to get out of a cash refund, this is the time to read up.

Can You Get a Flight Refund During Coronavirus? via @maphappy

Airlines emergency Transit

These Airlines Are Grounding Their Planes During Coronavirus

March 17, 2020 Erica Ho 1 minute read

If it hasn’t been clear in the last few days, it is not the time to be traveling.

These Airlines Are Grounding Their Planes During Coronavirus via @maphappy

Customs Documentation emergency Trip Planning

LIST: Countries That Have Implemented Coronavirus Travel Restrictions

March 11, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

So far, 92 countries including the United States have issued travel restrictions for travelers coming from affected areas.

LIST: Countries That Have Implemented Coronavirus Travel Restrictions via @maphappy

Connectivity Technology Travel

What Happens If You Change Your Number on WhatsApp?

March 10, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

ALL YOUR MESSAGES WILL BE DELETED.

What Happens If You Change Your Number on WhatsApp? via @maphappy

Travel

Is Coronavirus Changing Your Travel Plans?

March 9, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Probably stay away from China, South Korea, Iran and Italy for the time being.

Is Coronavirus Changing Your Travel Plans? via @maphappy

Airlines Flights Transit

These Airlines Are Waiving Change Fees for New Travel

March 2, 2020 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Everyone’s decision to continue traveling with coronavirus rampant is a highly personal one. For those that continue to explore afield, many airlines are starting to give travelers significant leeway for future travel.

Travel

Here’s How To Claim the Global Entry Credit Card Fee Back For NY Residents

February 10, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Gotta love taking that travel hacking up to next level.

Here’s How To Claim the Global Entry Credit Card Fee Back For NY Residents via @maphappy

Travel

Global Entry Enrollment Is Currently Suspended For New York Residents

February 6, 2020 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Last night, DHS pulled a big one: It is temporarily suspending Global Entry enrollment for New York state residents.

Global Entry Enrollment Is Currently Suspended For New York Residents via @maphappy

Expat Money

How To File for the Foreign Earned Income Tax Exclusion

January 27, 2020 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Don’t leave your accountant to handle this one, trust us.

How To File for the Foreign Earned Income Tax Exclusion via @maphappy

Gear Packing Trip Planning

How To Maximize Souvenir Space in a Suitcase

January 22, 2020 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Over the years, our packing has gotten more efficient and the amount of stuff we bring back has gotten less efficient. Basically, we are hauling the same amount of stuff back that we did in the beginning. 😅

How To Maximize Souvenir Space in a Suitcase via @maphappy

Airlines Flights Reference Charts Transit

It Looks Like the Airline Award Close-In Fee Might Finally Be Dead.

January 15, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Got tons of miles? Need to use them last-minute? Let’s charge a bucket on the close-in fee.

It Looks Like the Airline Award Close-In Fee Might Finally Be Dead. via @maphappy

Flights Technology Transit

Flight Basics: Take a Screenshot of the Boarding Pass

January 14, 2020 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

No one has time to dig through the American app, no matter how well it’s designed. Digging through email for a mobile boarding link is also passé.

Flight Basics: Take a Screenshot of the Boarding Pass via @maphappy

Hotels Lodging Packing

Staying at a Hotel? Don’t Pack These Things.

January 10, 2020 Erica Ho 1 minute read

There’s absolutely nothing I love more than a half-full carry-on suitcase for the week (*whispers* for the souvenirs).

Staying at a Hotel? Don’t Pack These Things. via @maphappy

Flights Tools Transit

The Best Flight Search Engines You Should Be Using for 2020

January 8, 2020 Erica Ho 1 minute read

So…. are we still using KAYAK? Sure, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But maybe it’s time to figure out the best tools for the new decade.

The Best Flight Search Engines You Should Be Using for 2020 via @maphappy

Bags Gear

The Best Away Luggage Alternatives

December 16, 2019 Erica Ho 3 minute read

It used to be that pastel matte wasn’t so ubiquitous. Unfortunately, there are only so many shades of the rainbow before 6 billion people co-opt all the same colors at the baggage carousel.

The Best Away Luggage Alternatives via @maphappy

Culture & Science Leisure

Mundane Things To Do on the Next Trip (That Are Actually Really Interesting)

December 11, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

There’s often no better look inside a culture than the mundane things that give a true glimpse into daily life. (Going to Macchu Picchu maybe only gets you part of the way there.)

Mundane Things To Do on the Next Trip (That Are Actually Really Interesting) via @maphappy

Family Leisure

How To Survive (and Thrive!) on a Family Vacation

December 9, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Family politics are complicated. Family vacations are even more so.

How To Survive (and Thrive!) on a Family Vacation via @maphappy

Culture & Science Features Food Ladies

Celebrate Travel With Jerrie Mock’s Moroccan Chicken Bastilla Recipe

November 21, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Forget pumpkin pie, how about kicking off the most gluttonous season of the year with a recipe from the first woman who flew around the world?

Celebrate Travel With Jerrie Mock’s Moroccan Chicken Bastilla Recipe via @maphappy

Gear Leisure Reviews Trip Planning

Review: The One Reason Allbirds Tree Runners Are NOT the Perfect Travel Shoe.

November 20, 2019 Erica Ho 5 minute read

It’s been one year we’ve been running around in the Allbirds Tree Runners, and as much as it’s our go-to shoe (I mean, I’m wearing them right now), it is not completely perfect.

Review: The One Reason Allbirds Tree Runners Are NOT the Perfect Travel Shoe. via @maphappy

Connectivity Technology Tools

What Is WhatsApp Web and How Do You Use It?

November 19, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Using a keyboard is sooo much easier than being constricted to three inches to tap out that rant (or sharing how great that Popeye’s chicken sandwich really is).¹

What Is WhatsApp Web and How Do You Use It? via @maphappy

Food Gear Reviews Trip Planning

Review: The AeroPress Go Is the Better AeroPress (Even If You Don’t Travel)

November 13, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Sometimes, if we’re lucky, a product will come along every few years that is actually better than the toaster. Enter the AeroPress Go.

Review: The AeroPress Go Is the Better AeroPress (Even If You Don’t Travel) via @maphappy

Culture & Science Features

Meet Jerrie Mock, the First Woman To Fly Around the World

November 12, 2019 Erica Ho 6 minute read

There was only three things Geraldine Mock wanted to do in her life: ride an elephant, fly around the world, and ride a camel.

Meet Jerrie Mock, the First Woman To Fly Around the World via @maphappy

Travel

Comparing Uber Ride Pass Against the Lyft Pink Monthly Subscription

November 5, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

First of all, I’m not convinced ride passes are the way to go even for the most frequent Lyft and Uber users.

Comparing Uber Ride Pass Against the Lyft Pink Monthly Subscription via @maphappy

Airbnb Lyft Money Plastic

Cash App Is Offering 5% Discounts On Airbnb and Lyft

November 1, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It’s easy to get stuck in the Venmo rut, but Cash, the Square-owned competitor, has always sweetened the pots by offering noticeable discounts to its users.

Cash App Is Offering 5% Discounts On Airbnb and Lyft via @maphappy

Travel

How To Switch Voltage on a Hair Dryer

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

It’s a little embarrassing on how much we’ve written on the topic, but the truth is, if you don’t have a little graveyard of hair dryers buried in your past, *clearly* you’re not traveling correctly.