Short of an Award Flight? Quick Strategies To Reach a Redemption

January 16, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

How annoying is it to be less than a few thousand miles shy of an award flight? Here’s how I quickly topped off an airline account that had 11,768 miles—732 miles short of redeeming a flight.

Flights Hacks Technology Transit

The Rules of Hidden City Ticketing in 2019 (Time Flies!)

January 10, 2019 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Remember that company that got sued a few years ago? Hidden city ticketing is still alive and well, apparently.

Airports Flights News Transit

Expect Longer Airport Security Lines Amidst the Government Shutdown

January 7, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Beware longer than expected airport security wait times, as the federal shutdown is likely to start making its absence felt. I suspect as south as things have gone, a bigger, epic travel nightmare is looming just above the horizon.

Flights Loyalty Transit

How Long Will It Take Before Basic Economy Creeps Into Award Tickets?

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

It’s one of those ‘speak, and give it further power’ things that we don’t want to believe in. But alas, it’s a matter of time.

Flights Transit

Fitting a Carry On Into the Overhead Bin on a Regional Jet

December 10, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Here’s some simple magic in accomplishing all of this, provided the suitcase makes it past the pearly white gates.

Culture & Science Flights Transit

The Most Annoying Travel Behavior Is Not Talking and Never Shutting Up.

November 1, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Color us surprised to discover that most people don’t think talking incessantly is the worst one of all time.

Flights Packing Transit Trip Planning

How To Travel (and Pack Everything) With a Personal Item Only

October 30, 2018 Erica Ho 4 minute read

I almost dumped a guy once upon discovering that he loved to check in luggage.¹

Adventure Budget Flights Money Transit

How To Survive and Fly Basic Economy (With No Carry On)

October 9, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Dial those expectations back. Set them back at “paying for water,” and that will leave you in a good position to be pleasantly surprised, for instance, if you don’t have to pay for water.

Flights Packing Technology Tools Transit

KAYAK Tool Figures Out If Can You Stuff That Bag in the Overhead Bin (iOS)

September 24, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Suffice it to say, if a suitcase isn’t manufactured to fit into the overhead bin these days, that’s a failure.

Documentation Flights Transit

Everyone Will Need a REAL ID in Order To Fly Domestically by 2020

September 6, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Renewing a driver license? Better make sure it is a REAL ID, or expect boarding a plane to become a hassle in two years.

Connectivity Flights Hacks Technology Transit Trip Planning

Here’s How To Get Unlimited In-Flight Wi-Fi for Suuuper Cheap

August 28, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Anyone remember that insane iPass deal for unlimited inflight Wi-Fi for just $10 per month that no one can get anymore?

Budget Flights Money Transit Trip Planning

The Basic Rules of Buying Airline Mistake Fares

August 20, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Because if you can’t get with the program, don’t even bother.

Flights Money Technology Tools Transit Trip Planning

Here’s How To Filter Out Basic Economy Fares in Google Flights

August 16, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Here’s how to beat the jerks at their own game. Basic economy, take that!

Airports Culture & Science Flights Transit Videos

Did You Know That Ghost Flights Exist?

August 9, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Not the other kind of disappearing flight. Or the Casper kind.

Airlines Airports emergency Flights Security Transit

This Is What Happens When You Lose Something at the Airport

July 25, 2018 Erica Ho 3 minute read

It could be a wallet. It could be a laptop. It’s also the worst feeling in the world.

Airports emergency Flights Security Transit

Running Late for a Flight? It Is Perfectly Acceptable To Cut the Line.

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

Soooo, what do you do when you’re late to the airport and run into a loooong line?

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.

Airports Flights Security Transit

The TSA Is Restricting Powders in Carry On Bags to 12 Ounces (350 mL)

June 28, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Move over, liquids, there’s a new smoking gun in town.

Airports News Security Transit

Get 3 Free Months of CLEAR in Time for the Summer

June 27, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

CLEAR is offering a free 3-month trial of its service, in time to skip those PreCheck lines. (Because PreCheck these days is no longer quite so VIP, it would seem.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Flights Food Leisure Transit

More Cocktail Recipes for Getting Smashed on the Next Flight

March 27, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It’s not St. Paddy’s day anymore. I know that.

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.

Airlines emergency Flights Transit

SkyTeam Now Lets Its Airlines Rebook Customers Across the Alliance

March 7, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Isn’t it odd airlines can’t rebook passengers on different airlines in the same alliance? They can do codeshares, but they can’t do that?

Culture & Science Features Flights Food Transit

Behind the Mystery (and Science) of Airline Food

February 21, 2018 Erica Ho 5 minute read

For better or for worse, airline food is a mystery. How does the food get there? How is it prepared? Do they just stick in a microwave oven? Is that real white meat, like McDonalds’ claims?

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?

Flights Money Sponsored Technology Tools

AirHelp Automatically Checks for Delayed Flight Compensation

January 17, 2018 Sponsored Post 2 minute read

This sponsored post is brought to you by AirHelp.

Imagine a service that automatically tells you all the delayed compensation you’re entitled to, without lifting a finger.*

Airports Budget Money Tools Trip Planning

Calculator: Figure Out How Much Booking at the Airport Will Save

January 16, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Anything to save a dollar. But if that allows us to save for another trip, I guess you’ll do it.

Airlines Flights

These Airlines Offer Free In-Flight Messaging

December 19, 2017 Erica Ho 1 minute read

“Hey, the plane is going to be delayed!” is ideally the message you’d want to send on a flight.

Budget Flights Money Transit Travel Trip Planning

Does Basic Economy Ever Make Sense?

December 13, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Actually it can. Not in every situation, but for some circumstances, if the trip is short enough and you’re a great packer, basic economy can be a chance to save some money.

Budget Flights Money Transit Trip Planning

How You Really Have Two or Three Days to Lock in the Best Plane Ticket

December 12, 2017 Erica Ho 3 minute read

There’s nothing worse than the fear of missing out. Especially fomo on the cheapest possible airline ticket.

Airlines Bags Flights Gear Technology Travel

Stop Freaking Out About Bringing a Smart Suitcase Onboard

December 6, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Despite recent news smart suitcases are being semi-banned from planes, most people will still be able to bring their smart gear onboard an aircraft. God, you and your Instagram.