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.

Expect Longer Airport Security Lines Amidst the Government Shutdown via @maphappy

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.

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

Cruises Hotels Lodging Sea Transit

New To Cruising? Differences Between Staying on a Cruise and a Hotel

December 13, 2018 Erica Ho 3 minute read

There’s something about cruising, if done right, is absolutely magical. (It mostly has a lot to do with waking up on the water.)

New To Cruising? Differences Between Staying on a Cruise and a Hotel via @maphappy

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.

Fitting a Carry On Into the Overhead Bin on a Regional Jet via @maphappy

Adventure Ground Trains Transit

Amtrak’s Social Media Residency May Be the Coolest Way to Travel

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

Got some free time to criss-cross the country?

Amtrak’s Social Media Residency May Be the Coolest Way to Travel via @maphappy

Adventure Ground Transit

Caveman Basics: How To Use the Sun as a Navigational Guide

November 15, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It’s often the simplest tips that are the most useful. It also helps that no matter where you are, the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west.

Caveman Basics: How To Use the Sun as a Navigational Guide via @maphappy

Connectivity Hotels Lodging Transit

The Guide To Hotels That Have Free Wi-Fi

November 13, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Long gone are the days where an arm and leg had to be paid for Wi-Fi.

The Guide To Hotels That Have Free Wi-Fi via @maphappy

Cars Ground Transit Uber

Uber Launches Ride Pass for Discounted Rides

November 12, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Hot off the heels of Lyft, Uber has launched a “subscription” pass called Ride Pass. It differs a little bit from Lyft’s model in that it’s a subscription for discounts, not rides.

Uber Launches Ride Pass for Discounted Rides via @maphappy

Ground Public Transport Transit

How To Bike Around an Unfamiliar Place

November 7, 2018 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Bike riding is one of those activities that a lot of people have a mental block on doing on their own, though there is no discernible reason on why it should be avoided in the first place.

How To Bike Around an Unfamiliar Place via @maphappy

Culture & Science Ground Lyft News Transit Uber

Vote! Lyft and Uber Are Offering Heavily Discounted Rides on Election Day

November 6, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It is always important to vote.

Vote! Lyft and Uber Are Offering Heavily Discounted Rides on Election Day via @maphappy

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.

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

Business Culture & Science Hacks Transit

Repurposing Those Weird Travel Amenities (Like the Shower Cap)

October 31, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

After awhile, all those little oddities and ends add up. I can’t remember the last my shoes were shined, but trust me, I have a shoe brush if the going gets rough.

Repurposing Those Weird Travel Amenities (Like the Shower Cap) via @maphappy

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

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

Business Ground Lyft Money Taxis Technology Transit

Lyft Unveils a National Monthly Subscription Pass

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

Urban city dwellers! Lyft recently unveiled a national monthly subscription pass that allows riders to take up 30 rides in a single month for $299.

Lyft Unveils a National Monthly Subscription Pass via @maphappy

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.

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

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.

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

Cars Ground Technology Transit

Google Maps Functionality Comes to Apple CarPlay in iOS 12

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

Could have used this last week, but suppose late is better than never!

Google Maps Functionality Comes to Apple CarPlay in iOS 12 via @maphappy

Cars Ground Technology Transit

How To Connect Android Auto To a Car Display

September 12, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Easier said than done. 😛

How To Connect Android Auto To a Car Display via @maphappy

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.

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

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?

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

Cars Ground Tools Transit Trip Planning

These Calculators Will Figure Out the Cost of Gas for Road Trips

August 23, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Cheaper to fly? Cheaper to drive? Probably should figure out how much gas is actually going to cost.

These Calculators Will Figure Out the Cost of Gas for Road Trips via @maphappy

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.

The Basic Rules of Buying Airline Mistake Fares via @maphappy

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!

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

Culture & Science Health Ladies Transit

How To Keep Skin From Looking Like the Wicked Witch of the East

August 15, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Men! This is for you too. There is no discrimination here, equal opportunity for everyone.

How To Keep Skin From Looking Like the Wicked Witch of the East via @maphappy

Cars Ground Hacks Transit

Renting a Car at the Airport with a Debit Card

August 13, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It’s best to stick to a credit card for car rentals, but in the few instances where you want to put it on a debit card, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Renting a Car at the Airport with a Debit Card via @maphappy

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.

Did You Know That Ghost Flights Exist? via @maphappy

Cars Connectivity Ground Itinerary Technology Transit

How To Calibrate Google Maps on Your Android or iPhone

August 8, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Driving in circles is everybody’s idea of fun! Before buying a new phone, there’s a couple of ways to fix a shoddy GPS gone haywire.

How To Calibrate Google Maps on Your Android or iPhone via @maphappy

Features Food Health Transit

This Recipe Will Use Up all the Food in the Fridge Before a Trip

August 2, 2018 Erica Ho 2 minute read

It’s time to get rid of everything in the fridge, cause the last thing you want is some… funkier mushrooms.

This Recipe Will Use Up all the Food in the Fridge Before a Trip via @maphappy

Cars Ground Housekeeping Money Transit

Get Map Happy’s Exclusive Hertz Discount Code ✌️

July 26, 2018 MH Staff Less than a minute to read

In time for the summer, because time is running out for that last road trip in before we’re all chained back behind the work desk for the next nine months. I mean.

Get Map Happy’s Exclusive Hertz Discount Code ✌️ via @maphappy

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.

This Is What Happens When You Lose Something at the Airport via @maphappy

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?

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

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.

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

Cars Ground Itinerary Transit Trip Planning

The MapQuest RoutePlanner Finds the Most Efficient Driving Route

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.

The MapQuest RoutePlanner Finds the Most Efficient Driving Route via @maphappy

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.

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

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.)