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.

Relocation Service imoova Is Another Option for Road Trip Rentals

June 21, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Tis the season for the summer road trip. Instead of renting a car, why not move a car that already needs to be moved for bucket loads of savings?

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.

Adventure emergency Leisure

Help! The Best Way To Remember SOS in Morse Code

June 6, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

In case there’s a bear that comes at you like The Revenant this summer on the family camping trip. Oh wait, that’s just a three-year old throwing a tantrum.

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.

Loyalty News

Come Join Us at Frequent Traveler University in New York on June 10

May 28, 2018 MH Staff 1 minute read

Occasionally, we emerge from the Map Happy cave to prove that the site is run by live, breathing human beings. Come meet us in New York as we talk travel gadgets galore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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?

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.

Culture & Science Leisure Polls

How Long Do You Have To Date Someone Before Taking a Trip Together?

February 5, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

At some point in every relationship, there’s a question every couple encounters: How long do you have to date before taking a trip with them? How serious does it have to be?

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?

Culture & Science Features Luxury Travel

How in the World Did Travel Become so Fashionable?

January 23, 2018 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Gone are the days when picking up and taking off was the most carefree, blasé thing in the world. If it didn’t happen on Instagram, it didn’t happen, right?

Travel

How To Pack Under the 7 kg Limit for Carry-On Luggage

January 11, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

First of all, don’t even try to think about getting away with it if you’re flying out of Asia. Especially in Japan.

Travel

The Tool You Already Have for Ejecting a SIM Card

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

I’m partially horrified 18% of readers still buy a SIM on the go, but it might pay to know there’s often a simple fix for not carrying an extra tool around.

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.

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.

Travel

Google Maps Shows You Where Those Calendar Appointments Are

November 8, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Fine, a little late on the game here. Nobody died, right?

Features Leisure Opinion

The Case for Visiting a Place You’ve Already Been To

November 2, 2017 Erica Ho 3 minute read

The first time on the ground is always the most enthralling, most exhilarating. It’s the first flush of love when you meet a place that makes the heart go boom.

Travel

Check In Online To Avoid Getting Your Carry-On Weighed at the Airport

October 31, 2017 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Budget airlines at home usually mean no carry-on bag, but budget airlines abroad sometimes allow carry-on bags up to 7 kg. It’s one small measure in which, again, North American airlines fail their international counterparts.

Culture & Science Ladies Polls Trip Planning

One in Four Women Say They Will Adjust Travel Plans Around Their Period

October 23, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

In this case, the monthlies matter because women are the primary decision makers when it comes to travel planning.

Travel

Creepy or Cool? Google Timeline Shows Where You’ve Been

October 10, 2017 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Considering how crazy some people are about hitting a daily step count, remote locating services, it only felt about time that a phone could track every single move ever made.

Leisure Sponsored Trip Planning

How To Have the Perfect Staycation

September 11, 2017 Sponsored Post 3 minute read

The Kimberly Hotel and Dream Midtown provided the writer complimentary accommodation for the purposes of this article. There are a lots of great takeaways here! We should always strive to be more present.

New York City rewards hustlers who eat lunch at their desks and are the last to leave the office. There is not a lot of time to smell the roses (or the garbage, as the case may be).

Flights Loyalty Money Tools Trip Planning

Calculator: Should You Book a Paid or Award Ticket?

July 17, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Because we like to maximize those miles, above all else.

Culture & Science Features Leisure Opinion

The Other Side: When Tourists Invade My Hometown Every Summer

June 29, 2017 Alisha Steindecker 2 minute read

Map Happy has always been about perspectives, and in anticipation of Fourth of July weekend, we’re showcasing a piece from staffer Alisha Steindecker, who is a Hamptons native. After all, the escapes are always a reality for someone else.

A few days ago, a man riding the Hampton Jitney from Manhattan asked me, “People actually live here?” Then he added, smirking, “Wow, what’s that like?”

Family Features Flights Opinion Safety Transit

Should Babies Really Be on Your Lap on a Flight?

June 15, 2017 Alisha Steindecker 3 minute read

Many airlines allow babies under the age of 2 to travel for free if they sit on a parent’s lap, but that doesn’t mean you should do it. Let’s make it to Grandma’s house, safe and sound.

Adventure Budget emergency Money Trip Planning

How To Get Money When You’ve Lost a Wallet Abroad

June 8, 2017 Erica Ho 4 minute read

I believe in defensive traveling. This means things like scanning passports and visas into Dropbox and stashing hidden 50-dollar bills into pillbox keychains.