Airline Points

By now, anyone who has the Internet, a credit card, or a bank account has seen the ads regarding how to earn points towards travel through special programs. It seems that most airlines have partner programs with other corporate ventures. For Delta, it's an American Express card, even though AMEX can levy high interest rates. With Bank of America, the use of a special debit or credit card that can funnel points to an account with US Airways promises excellent benefits. Many other airlines have similar offerings.

However, to claim those benefits, a one way ticket within the United States, not counting Alaska and Hawaii, can pilfer 12,500 earned miles from a would be traveler's account. That's a lot of miles, and it can often take several years just to earn 10,000. Never mind trying to fly to Europe, or heaven forbid...Australia. And these are for Economy Class. How many does it take to fly overseas in First? Whew!

If one uses an American Express card to earn points with Delta, that means that a rather high interest rate is tacked on to just buying a box of cereal at the grocery store. In the end, one would probably save more money by just shelling out for a round trip domestic ticket. Now if one does have enough points, the allotted seats on a given flight for rewards are limited.

Often times, the Economy seats will have been sold out, which leaves only Coach and First. Obviously, these require more points. So, either one pays for a ticket and can earn via flying with the airline with which a passenger has a frequent flyer account, or one can simply wait until they have more miles to be able to cash in for a Coach seat. Not a lot of options. Plus, even thoughthe points are supposed to be all that's necessary for a flight, there is often a surcharge for "Processing" that will need to be paid.

However, there are ways to earn points without having to wait until retirement to cash in for a flight.

1. Sign up with an airline in which one can use a debit card as opposed to a credit card. This will save on the high interest rates, and that can be a major money saver.
   


2. If one makes large investments, such as paying monthly for a new car, paying for school, etc., it can often be completed online. If that is the case, register the debit/credit card with that funnels points to a frequent flyer account. The points will add up very quickly.
   


3. The same can be done by paying for monthly provisions and other bills such as utilities and automobile fuel. As stated above, a debit card is the obvious choice.
   


4. Once signed up with an airlines frequent flyer program, that airline will send e-mails with special deals that can garner more than the usual mileage points. If one uses a debit/credit card to pay for goods or services through a specific vendor (store, restaurant, etc.), it is then possible to earn a great amount of points per dollar spent.
   


5. If one is lucky enough to have a job that requires a lot of travel, take advantage of the airline with whom your company deals and its frequent flyer program. The miles rack up in no time.
   

Here is a link that can help further: http://frequentflier.com/

Traveling Politely

On an American Airlines flight back in November 2011, I had an interesting experience regarding dealing with the flight attendants.

Because I had my three children with me, I has hauling quite a bit more than usual. Checking in luggage is both expensive and risky due to the "care" that the ground crews dole onto said baggage.

Anyway, while I was placing our baggage into the overhead bins, a flight attendant approached me and requested that I rearrange them in order to make room for others, since the passenger count was at maximum capacity. I simply said, "Whatever makes it easier for you is cool with me." She seemed a little surprised, but in a more positive note.

Now, since I had to rush to the airport, I didn't have time to stop by an ATM, so I was not carrying any cash, but I was carrying my debit card that needs to be replaced due to its magnetic strip being worn out. Many card readers have a difficult time scanning the plethora of information contained in the black stripe.

Later into the flight, when they passed out the free beverages and small snacks, I always made sure I said "Please" and "Thank you." At the same time, my children were behaving better than many adults do on flights. This was brought to my attention by the same flight attendant. Of course, I beamed at someone complimenting my kids.

Nonetheless, I wanted something besides just a soda or coffee for myself and pretzels for my kids, so I offered to purchase a large chocolate chip cookie for my three young ones and a small bottle of red wine for myself (though I love traveling, I'm a rather nervous flyer).

As it were, I needed to pay with my debit card, but when the flight attendant tried to swipe it through, the portable card reader would not scan the information. She tried it about seven times, and alas! Nothing.

I offered just to skip the culinary indulgences, but she decided just to let me have them both "on the house," or should I say, "on the jet." She then relayed to me that due to my demeanor and use of simple words of courtesy that there would be no charge.

Therefore, she seemed happy, my kids were happy with their big cookie, and I was happy that I could pour a little fermented grape juice down my throat.

Now this is not to say that good behavior and courtesy will earn material benefits, but it can always go a long way in creating a more pleasant atmosphere in an already stressful situation.

So when traveling, try to make it easy on whoever it is that deals with passengers. Their job is hard enough as it is. Using courteous words that contain on one or two syllables will not deplete a passenger of oxygen, and it makes for just slightly better experience for the attendant. That in turn can affect the manner in which the attendant deals with others.

So, before making demands or acting impatiently, take a few moments and turn on the positive vibes. Who knows? You may just get a free bottle of merlot.

Damn Tourist Traps!

For all of you who want a "real" experience without the touristy aspect of a destination, there is an article written that can lend itself to that goal.

So many places that people think they must see can be a disappointment if everyone is there at the same time.

Some of these locations can be seen without the hustle-n-bustle of annoying tourists by visiting during off hours or off season.

Click Here to Stay Away from Tourist Traps

Northern California - Wow!

It is my plan for the summer of 2008 to take my family to Northern California to experience the sheer paradise of the Northern Coast. The narrow strip of land north of San Francisco has got the be one of the most beautiful places on the earth.

With the cool, windy Pacific to the west and the gargantuan coastal redwoods a few miles to the east, there is so much to experience in this literal neck of the woods.

For more information, you can visit one of the many Humboldt County websites, home of Eureka, CA.

The website address is: http://redwoods.info/

For Business Travelers

For all of you business travelers out there, here is a new site that will assist you in your quests for travel and destination information.

Boarding Area gives readers a first hand look at blogs by travel professionals and the media.

The site is: http://www.boardingarea.com/

Best Tour Company I've Seen

Having traveled in various countries with different tourist companies, I have come to the conclusion that I do not like being with a tour group.

The reasons are:

• The pace is hectic.
• The trip is more like a buffet than a fine meal. A lot of sampling, but not much savoring.
• Many tourists have very judgmental attitudes to the culture they are experiencing.

Therefore, there's not a lot of experiencing the culture at your own pace. However, there is a company that seems to alleviate the aforementioned annoyances.

The company is Tour Crafters.

Now, they are a Mediterranean (and some other European capitals) specialty tourist company, but they have researched the their locales to give you a true country's experience, but with the security of a tour (vouchers, reservations, travel tickets).

My wife and I went on the Italy By Train tour and had an excellent time. What was great about it was:

• All of our hotels were in walking distance from the train stations (Rome, Florence and Venice).
• We had no other tourists with us.
• No tour guides to keep us rushing.
• No daily itinerary. If we didn't want to go on a city tour, we didn't have to.
• All breakfasts in the hotel included (great European style cuisine, filled with fiber).
• Freedom to lolly gag if we so pleased.
  
• The only thing we had to do was show up at the train stations on time to travel to the next city to check into the next hotel.

Anyway, if traveling to a Mediterranean country, or even Prague, this is the company to use. It's independence with security.

There's also an article you can read from the magazine, Travel Agent.

Check out: http://tourcrafters.com/index.html

Travel Medicine and Health

Living in a developed Western country can have a lot of benefits when it comes to health care, but because we are so "clean", it doesn't give our bodies the chance to develop immunities to certain illnesses that others in Third World countries have developed in their younger years.

So, to aid in your quest in traveling without getting sick, here are some basic guidelines:

• Never drink tap water. It's better to buy bottled water, and make sure that it's sealed. Some merchants will try to pass off tap water as bottled.
  
• Don't use any ice, as it's usually frozen tap water.
• Brush your teeth with bottled water. Just a small amount can make you sick.
  
• If no bottled water is available, use iodine tablets, and/or boil the water for at least ten minutes.
• Do not eat street food. Instead, eat the food that's supplied by a reputable hotel or restaurant.
• Don't eat raw fruits/vegetables, unless it can be peeled (i.e., oranges, mangoes, etc).
• Stay away from animals. Many carry rabies.
• Wear mosquito repellent. In many countries, malaria is quite common. Plasmodium falciparum, an extremely potent and life threatening form of malaria is mainly seen in Africa. DEET can be sprayed on clothing, but many airlines will not let you take it on a plane, since it comes in an aerosol can.
• If your body can tolerate it, take an anti-malaria pill. Chloroquine has lost a lot of its defense because strains of malaria have mutated. The most powerful is Lariam (mefloquine hydroxide), but it has been known to cause adverse reactions such as tachycardia (extremely rapid heart rate), panic attacks, bodily flushing (hot flashes) and hallucinations. If you are not able to take that, the antibiotic doxycycline will work, but it must be taken twice a day.
• Most malaria medications require to be taken for two weeks before travel, during travel and for four weeks after.
• Acquire appropriate vaccinations and try to get a small prescription of a strong antibiotic that will help with stomach and intestinal illness (i.e., ciprofloxin). Don't take the antibiotic as a preventative measure. Only use if you get very sick.
  
• Bring along dry packets of an electrolyte that can be mixed with bottled water. Again, this is only if one gets sick.
• It's better not to use an anti-diarrheal medication like Imodium because it paralyzes the digestive system, thus disabling the body from getting rid of the harmful bacteria causing the illness. If you are traveling from one place to another, then you can take it, but try to avoid it. It should be taken for one day at the most. The dosage should be:
  

  "Take this medication by mouth, usually after each loose stool, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your condition and response to therapy. In children, dosage is also based on age and weight. Adults should not use more than 8 milligrams in 24 hours if self-treating, or 16 milligrams if under a doctor's direction."

Some helpful links are listed below:

• The International Society of Travel Medicine
• VaccinePlace.com
  
• Travel Medicine - Information & Products
• The CDC - Traveler's Health

Now I don't want you to be afraid of traveling. It's a grand world that should be experienced. Don't travel expecting to get sick. That attitude can lead to sickness. Think that you'll be fine.

Just go prepared.