Jim’s Travel Tips

If you don’t know the local language, traveling around a foreign city can be more carefree with assistance from your local hotel. Hotel personnel almost always have a command of the English language. TIP: Before you leave the hotel get a hotel business card or stationary that has the hotel name and address in both the local language and English. This helps if lost on walking excursions and getting local taxis.

Lost, confused, or need some travel assistance in a foreign country where you don’t speak the local language? Don’t try asking someone if they speak English; 9 times out of 10 they will say no or shake their head no. TIP: Politely ask someone with your finger on a map or in a travel book the question you want answered. I have found that most people know a little English to help.

There are three things I can say about frequent flyer points, frequent guest cards, etc… Join, join, and join. Even if you think that you will never fly the airline again or stay at the hotel again. You never know what perk, coupon, or travel tip you will receive. Sometimes the fact that you are a “member” is enough to help you out in a travel situation. TIP: Join only if it is free or the cost of a stamp. It is rarely worth paying for any of these clubs.

Many of the club rooms provide non-membership admission as a perk of the business class ticket. If you are already a member of the airline club room don’t use your membership card to check in – use the business class ticket. United’s Red Carpet Club will provide you with “free” drink coupons. I know you are flying business class and the drinks will be free on the plane. TIP: Save the coupons for future trips, pass them on to associates, or better yet give them to family.

Flying to the port on the day the cruise ship departs can be a stress making experience or worse yet, a missed cruise. Don’t do it. TIP: Arrive the day before. This gives you the airline “factor” cushion of stress relief. Most ports have budget hotels that will pick you up at the airport and even deliver you to the cruise ship the next day. Well worth the extra expense, probably $100.00 or less.

Airline club rooms can provide an oasis to the traveler from the sometimes crowded hustle and bustle of the concourse. One big advantage they can provide is travel assistance without the long lines at the concourse service center, in addition to no bathroom lines and a few “free” snacks. They can be rather expensive for the infrequent traveler. Annual fees can be several hundred dollars and more. TIP: Check for a day pass if you have a long layover or see long weather delays for the day. The $50.00 or so day fee may pay a dividend.

The person behind the ticket counter has all the power! They can do just about anything, within reason, for you whether they admit it or not. TIP: Always smile and ask nicely and inquisitively. (Didn’t get the answer you wanted? – ask the gate agent – they have even more power.) I have been the recipient of this power, it is great!

When dealing with airline customer service representatives you may not always like the answer they give pertaining to your question or problem. TIP: Try again and again. Ask another person at the airport or call back. You will most likely get a different person. They are large companies and someone different may give you the answer you are looking for. I have found that perseverance with the airlines is a good tool.

A lot of the airlines provide you with socks to put over your socks while you are flying to make you more comfortable. I like the comfort of them but I never felt they provided adequate foot protection, especially in the lavatories. TIP: Pack hotel “disposable” type slippers in your carry on. They provide comfort and protection.

Many people suffer from having a dry nose during long flights. TIP: Pack a small bottle of sterile saline nasal spray in your carry on. This helps combat the drying out of your nasal passages. Spray every 2 hours or when you feel your nose drying out.