How To Do a Digital Detox (Without Going Mental)

July 17, 2018 Erica Ho 5 minute read

Notice how nothing seem to get posted last week?

Budget Cars Flights Hotels Money Technology Transit Trip Planning

The VPN Money Saving Trick Also Works for Rental Cars and Hotels

July 10, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It’s not just for airfare: thebestvpn recently took an in-depth look about how much more travelers can expect to save on car rentals and hotels by using a VPN.

Cars Ground Itinerary Transit Trip Planning

MapQuest’s RoutePlanner Still Finds the Best Route for Road Trips

July 5, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Guess Google Maps isn’t completely perfect. In terms of optimizing road trips, it looks like the internet is still somewhere in the Stone Ages.

Customs Documentation Travel Trip Planning Visa

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Is Kinda Like Global Entry for 21 Countries

July 3, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Do business for yourself? It’s worth looking into an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) card, since they’re open to anyone doing business.

Airlines Flights Money Transit Trip Planning

Is United’s Baggage Subscription Worth It Now That Basic Economy Exists?

June 26, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Five years ago, United’s baggage subscription seemed silly. These days, it might seem more like economical sense depending on how much you fly.

Connectivity Technology Tools Trip Planning

Datally Sets Data Usage Limits to Curb International Roaming Fees

June 19, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Is there a reason you still don’t have T-Mobile? Okay, I accept that its coverage may not be great everywhere. Data coverage isn’t perfect.

Adventure Features Guides Leisure Trip Planning

How To Travel Without a Reservation for Anything, Including Flights

June 14, 2018 Erica Ho 7 minute read

Here’s how to travel without a confirmed reservation for almost anything, including—wait for it—a flight. It really wasn’t so bad, except the one time we got dumped off the side of the road.

Connectivity Housekeeping News Technology

Join the Map Happy WhatsApp Group.

June 12, 2018 MH Staff Less than a minute to read

Is Portugal the new Iceland? Starting today, Map Happy is rolling out a WhatsApp group for readers that want to keep the conversation going.

Airlines Flights Guides Health Reference Charts Transit

The Complete Guide To Bringing an Emotional Support Animal Onboard

June 7, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Cute miniature horses can stay onboard, and the world is better for that.

Itinerary Leisure Technology Tools Trip Planning

KAYAK’s Trip Huddle Is Another Great Tool for Group Travel Planning

May 31, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Hey KAYAK! Not sure why we just got the memo on this one.

Gear Leisure Reviews Technology

Should Travelers Upgrade to the Kindle Oasis?

May 30, 2018 Erica Ho 7 minute read

There’s no doubt about it: The Kindle is a godsend on the road. Nothing beats full access to a bookshelf when there’s no Wi-Fi around.

Food Guides Hacks Hotels Lodging

How To Cook in a Hotel Room in its Full Ghetto Gloriousness

May 29, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Nothing says *first-class travel* like… making a grilled cheese on a hotel iron?

Bags Business Gear Reviews

The Everlane Modern Twill Single Snap Backpack Is a Great Buy for the Price

May 22, 2018 Erica Ho 7 minute read

In the four years since we reviewed the Twill Weekender, Everlane has rolled out a full line of bags, backpacks and weekenders.

Gear Packing Technology Trip Planning

The Case Against Voltage Converters (and How To Travel Without One.)

May 18, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Because blowing out hairdryers around the world is apparently a controversial topic (seriously, so much reader mail!), its time to explore the topic of… voltage converters.

Culture & Science Expat Family Money

The Price of Sending a Kid to an International School

May 16, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Kids. They are are expensive.

Airlines Flights Money Reference Charts Transit Trip Planning

The Cheapest Airline for Checking Lots of Baggage

May 15, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Now that Virgin America no longer exists, its probably a good time to revisit those checked baggage fees.

Flights Hacks Packing Transit Trip Planning

Split Belongings in a Travel Companion’s Bag To Minimize Lost Luggage

May 14, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

I haven’t had to deal with lost luggage since the airline lost my favorite teddy bear 25 years ago—think it is traumatizing as an adult? Now imagine that as a child.

Cars Ground Technology Tools Transit

The Android Auto App Should Be Your Main Driving Squeeze This Summer

May 10, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Android Auto wha? I mean, we’ve all heard of Google Maps.

Bags Business Gear Reviews

The Incase EO Travel Backpack Actually Lives Up to the Hype.

May 3, 2018 Erica Ho 9 minute read

So, the Amazon reviews are correct. In case (pun clearly intended) you were wondering.

Connectivity Culture & Science Technology

The WhatsApp Privacy Settings That Everyone Needs To Check

May 2, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

WhatsApp’s CEO Jay Koum is leaving Facebook. He’s essentially willing to step away from $1 billion¹ over privacy issues, so maybe look its time to look into what WhatsApp has on you.

Business Food Gear Health Hotels

Cooking Gadgets for the Road That You Never Knew You Needed

May 1, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Did you know it is possible to soft-boil an egg in a coffee pot? Neither did I, but living on the road does weird things to a person.

Bags emergency Gear Guides

Here’s What To Do When Liquids Explode Inside Luggage

April 26, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

No, no, not that type of liquid explosion that the TSA likes to talk about all the time. I’m talking about the times you unzip a bag, and there’s gunk. Everywhere.

Connectivity Technology

Stay Connected By Toggling Airplane Mode on Roaming

April 24, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It’s a bit like resetting a router.

Customs Documentation Passport Trip Planning

The Process of Renewing Global Entry

April 19, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

I’m not sure what makes me feel older, the fact that I found a grey hair in the bathroom this morning, or the fact that my Global Entry clearance is about to expire.

Bus Ground Technology Tools Transit

Busbud Searches all the Buses, Everywhere

April 18, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Because no one enjoyed searching ten different bus companies, said anyone ever.

Connectivity Technology Tools Trip Planning

How To Enable Wi-Fi Calling in Google Voice

April 12, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

In terms of connectivity, Wi-Fi calling is the holy grail when it comes to staying connected abroad. It’s also part of the reason that make WhatsApp so great.

Budget Leisure Money Trip Planning

The Main Money-Saving Principle for Booking Tours in a Small Town

April 11, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It generally doesn’t matter what travel agency that gets booked for a tour. Outside specialty services like super-lux operators, the service will more or less be the same.

Customs Documentation Flights Food Security Transit

How To Carry On All the Duty-Free Liquids You Want On the Plane

April 10, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Because I’m starting to figure out middle age (especially without children) is learning about how to pass the time until death comes, alcohol has taken a more prominent cornerstone in my life. So when local liquors are particularly cheap, someone’s wallet takes more notice at the airport.

Ladies Safety Technology

How To Stop Blowing Out a Hair Dryer Abroad

April 3, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Okay, it’s not rocket science, but unless you’re one of those people that like to pack voltage converters, read up.

Budget Money Technology Tools Trip Planning

Feeling Stuck? Google Flights Lists the Cheapest Destinations for Locked Dates

March 22, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

There’s a lot of things going on with Google Flights. But more specifically, the only thing I care about is fitting in a vacation when I can finally jet from work.

Itinerary Leisure Technology Tools Trip Planning

How To Update Personal Recommendations for the Modern Era

March 14, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It’s time to stop emailing people long text descriptions on where to eat. (Or upgrade those old recommendations, which hopefully still pass muster.)

Airlines Flights Money Reference Charts Transit

A Quick Guide to International Basic Economy Flights

March 13, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

British Airways is in pretty much in the midst of turning itself into a ~~low-cost~~ American airline.

Itinerary Leisure Technology Tools Trip Planning

The Best Tools for Group Travel Planning

March 6, 2018 Erica Ho 3 minute read

So, how to organize a big destination trip with more than one person? Hmmm.

Gear Packing Photography Technology Trip Planning

The Pros and Cons of Traveling With Different Cameras

March 5, 2018 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Pics or it didn’t happen?

Business Hotels Lodging Loyalty Luxury

Mandarin Oriental Launches a Loyalty Program (Get an Extra Night)

February 27, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

How about a free upgrade without having to jump through hoops?

Technology Tools Trip Planning

LibGen.io May Be the World’s Biggest Free E-Book Resource Out There

February 20, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

In terms of travel gadgets, the Kindle may singlehandedly be the best thing out there since sliced bread.

Airbnb Lodging Money North America Vacation Rentals

This Is How Long You Have To Rent out on Airbnb To Break Even

February 7, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

So, exactly how many nights do you have to rent out a place on Airbnb to break even?

Adventure Health Packing Trip Planning

A Survival Guide for Enduring F*cking Cold Weather (Under 30 Degrees)

February 6, 2018 Erica Ho 3 minute read

East coasters, get out of here. I don’t want to hear about that Syracuse weather, and how it is winter, but for most of us normal folk, it’s not a bad idea to take a crash course in cold weather survival every now and them.

Airports Photography Security Technology Transit

How To Travel with a Film Camera (Instax Owners Should Read This!)

January 30, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

It may be retro, it may be kitsch, or it may simply be a personal preference, but traveling with film does present its own challenges. Because the last thing you want is to damage that expensive film.

Business Flights Hacks Transit

Some Interesting Ways To Repurpose Old Airline Amenity Kits

January 24, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

First world problem, raise your right hand. Flying business so much you don’t know what to do with those amenity kits once they’ve been used?