December 18th, 2009 | 
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Our number one airline travel tip is: Check in early!
Airlines require domestic travelers to check-in 1 hour prior to departure. International flights require a 2 hour check-in. If you do not arrive on time and if the flights are overbooked, the possibility exists that your seat will be given away. In addition, there will be a greater opportunity when you arrive early to have your name on the “top of the list” for an upgrade.
Be aware that some airlines have restricted carry on luggage policies. For example:
Northwest – Maximum check-in is two and carryon luggage is limited to one piece plus a purse/briefcase/laptop computer for all flights. First class international is allowed two carry on items.
American/TWA – Check one and carryon two or check two and carryon one.
Delta – Check one and carry-on two or check two and carry-on one.
Southwest – Check up to three and carryon two.
United – One carryon in economy and two in business/first class.
USAir – Carryon two
Continental – Carryon two
Store your carryon luggage in the compartment across from you so you can keep an eye on it.
Be sure to carry photo identification.
Be aware of Safe Harbors emergency service telephone number (International / domestic) This will help you with questions concerning your ticket or itinerary changes. The number is printed on all itineraries. Calling the airline directly can cause confusion and be costly.
Never make enemies or be abrasive with airline ticket agents or gate agents. Regardless of the situation, most people are more than accommodating when approached with respect.
Travel Reservations
Do not make a reservation with an airline directly. They will not have all of your company data accessible including your discounted rates, frequent flier numbers, travel preferences, travel policy information and payment procedures. They will only give you their information not competing information where the agency will.
When a travel reservation is made with Safe Harbors, your confirmation number for your flight, hotel room and car is your guarantee! If you arrive at any of these counters and they claim that you do not have a reservation, chance has it that they are trying to sell you a higher priced car, hotel room and airline reservation. This is a common practice for these vendors to recreate a reservation so that a commission will not have to be paid and that last minute availability is achieved, resulting in a higher fare/rate. If this should happen, be assertive and demand the guaranteed rate/fare is utilized on the confirmed itinerary from Safe Harbors.
Help answer the question about traveling tips
tips for traveling with a cat?i have to travel with my cat. she will fly in-cabin with me for a 4-5hour trip. she hates traveling in the car and isnt too happy being confined in her carrier. i need to take her with me, so leaving her is not an option. should i give her the "sleepy pills"? any other tips?
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I have experience in this. My kids are ages 3 to 11 and we fly at least once a year, or more. I don't think you can get private security clearance…never heard of it. The stroller is fine. You can check that at the gate, i.e. they'll take it and put it under the plane so you won't have to drag it on board.
As far as the security screening goes, here are some tips from me. Don't put too much clothing on them, like accessories…belts, extensive jewelry, jackets, bags, purses will all have to be taken off. Try to choose "flight" shoes that are easy to get on and off of them so you won't be blocking the security lane and frustrating everyone else in your path…been there! Just remember to keep it simple. Try to take as few things as possible on board…trust me on that!
But what you do want is things that will entertain them. We have Nintendo DS for the kids and VideoNow players. Those work real well. The 11 year old will be happy listening to an Ipod usually. But if you can try to fly JetBlue. They are excellent for your situation. We flew JetBlue in December. The reason they are great is because EVERY plane seatback has a satellite tv monitor and satellite radio. My kids just sat there watching Nick Jr. cartoons — all nice and quiet and happy — for a four hour flight!!! It was great. I hope this helps you!!!
I fly often with my service dog. This is the advice I gave someone esle flying with their dog. Disregard the part about the dog flying cargo.
Here's some other stuff you need to consider when you fly with your dog:
Every airline is different. Some allow cabin pets and others don't (Southwest doesn't allow any animals except service animals).
You will need to call the airline you are flying on to see what their policy is. Generally speaking, cabin pets must be 20 pounds or less, must fit into an airline approved carrier that must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. You will not be able to sit in an exit row. You will need a health certificate from your airline issued no more than 14 days prior to travel. Most airlines have a limit of how many cabin pets are allowed per flight and often charge a fee for them ($50-100 each way). You will also need to allow extra time to go through security screening as they will have to hand inspect the carrier.
If your pet is bigger than 20 pounds it will have to fly in the cargo hold. This means that during certain times of the year you may not be able to fly with your dog due to extreme weather conditions on the ground (the dog would be outside for a while while it waits to be loaded and unloaded.
Generally speaking, for pets to travel as cargo they must be placed in a hard sided airline approved carrier. You will need to have some type of absorbent material in the carrier in case the dog needs to relieve themselves. Again, you will need to provide a health certificate and possibly other documents. On most planes the dog will be placed in a special cargo hold where the air is heated and pressurized.
Regardless of how you pet is flying you will need to restrict all food and water intake for at least 12 hours prior to flight. Make sure your dog potties before entering the airport. Once you enter your dog will need to remain in its carrier until you leave the airport at your destination. This is true for all pets, including cabin pets! If your pet is flying as a cabin pet you will not be allowed to take it out of its carrier during flight to feed it. You should give the dog an ice cube every now and then so they can get a little water, but remember water/food in, water/food out!
If possible, leave your dog at home with a trusted friend, family member of boarding facility (you vet will know of some). Flying and travel in general can be very stressful for dogs. If you absolutely cannot leave your dog at home make sure it is wearing a snug fitting buckle collar or harness with your cell phone number on a tag. The last thing you want is for your beloved animal getting lost in a strange place without a way for you to be contacted should someone find it.
hahahahahaha great tips i might actually use em cos i am goin 2 africa
at 1st i was very spectical. but im gonna try them now.
Try to buy your tickets about 90 days before the departure date. That's when they're cheapest.
Do a lot of research on different travel websites. Also, you can get A LOT of great deals if you are in college or under 26. Best of luck!
hey the tips were so helpfull i used them last week when i was stuck at the airport i thank you so much for them. they saved my life.
lol
cool
http://www.kayak.com
awesome site, it checks EVERY single other site and airline.
Vin, yeah, pay attention dumb ass!
last year my mum and i did a moterbike tour to Nord Kapp which envolved a bit of Finlande (i really loved it and want to go back!)
).
we stayed in youth hostles and they were all VERY nice (a couple of them even included a sunnna in the price of the room, which ws pretty cool, well hot but u know
yeh its great!!!! dont really know about other stuff. SORRY!!!!!
Don't laugh. But BENADRYL.
It works.
lol if that balloon pops someones gonna think your a terrorist and your really not leaving the airport lol.
You can travel with a lady's razor in carry-on luggage. Here is the quote from the TSA on razors:
Razor-Type Blades – such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors.
Carryon – No Checked- Yes
Because they list safety razors being excluded from the list, you are fine to pack a ladies razor in your carry-on luggage.
Minneapolis and Detroit both have fabulous airports. They both offer the DVD rentals so you can rent a portable DVD player and movies and return it at your next airport. I am guessing you are flying with Northwest airlines as Detroit and Minneapolis are both Northwest hubs. If that is the case, you will really enjoy the Northwest Terminal at Detroit's airport. It is beautiful, easy to navigate and lots of stores to keep you busy during layovers.
I would also suggest registering for your WolrdPerks card online. WorldPerks is a free frequent flyer awards program. Also keep in mind, on domestic flights depending on the class of your ticket, you can upgrade to first class sometimes for as little as $30.00. So its worth while to find out if your ticket is "upgradeable".
Expect security lines to be extra long and busy for the holidays. The people moving through the lines are not "typical business travelers" and it will take security longer to process people not familiar with the routine. (Coats off/shoes off/laptops out and in a seperate bin..etc)
Hi
Usually i consider travel comparison sites like last minute expedia and opodo
but try emirtaes site booking its always cheap
Always book 30 days in advanced to have the best option for cheaper fares. The closer to departure the more expensive it is. Stay away from booking Friday and Sunday departure or returns. Tues and Wed are the cheaper days, but booking Mon-Thurs or Saturday are your best options.
Southwest has one way fares from LAX to Oakland, which isnt far from San Francisco for $49 each way before taxes and they are non-stop flights. Frontier LAX-SFO non-stop is $118.60 after taxes and was the cheapest next to SW.
You can check the travel websites, but Ive always found better deals with the airlines itself. You avoid paying booking fees that way.
You can check flying into Oakland or San Jose when comparing prices. They are both co-termials of San Francisco.
can you do a vid about how to pick up chicks on the street?