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Archive for September, 2009
The Best Seat in the Plane (Part I)
I take my airplane seating assignments very seriously. After all, I do a lot of “long-haul” travel where I am confined to a seat for 8+ hours. In today’s post, I will be defining the different seating options and their pluses and minuses. In a future post, I will follow-up with how to secure your optimal seat. After these two posts, you will be fully prepped to select the best seat on the plane for yourself!
Aisle Seats: People covet these seats for the freedom to get up as you please and the ability to turn the plane’s aisles into extra legroom (pending that the meal cart isn’t out!). While this is nice, you have to consider that you will typically have 1-2 other people next to you so you will need to get up to let them out (unless you’re the mean person I sat next to last year from Paris-Delhi who practically refused to let me out of my seat!). Additionally, one other downside is that you may occasionally get bumped by the beverage cart or a person walking by.
Window Seats: Another popular seating selection, people opt for the window seat as you get something to lean on, the ability to sleep uninterrupted for extended periods of time, and a view! Downside is that it can be tricky to get out if your neighbors are sleeping.
Exit Rows: Tall people, rejoice! While you do get a few more inches of legroom, you also get the responsibility of potentially assisting the flight crew and sometimes less than optimal seats. You see, on most medium-sized planes in the US, there will be two rows of exit. The second row fully reclines but the first row typically has a very limited recline since the airline wants a clear path in the event of an emergency. Be sure to check with the airline directly to confirm their layout. Also, per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, you must be at least 15 years old to sit in these seats.
Bulkhead Rows: These seats are the ones that have a wall directly in front of them. In some cases, you get a little more legroom and your meal is usually one of the first out since you’re at the front of your seating section. While this seems great, consider that the tray table is usually in the arm of your chair (versus the back of the seat in front of you) so you can sometimes notice a very slight difference in the width of your seat. Also know that on long, international flights, many airlines have bassinets that plug into the wall for infants. So, if you’re not a fan of babies, you may want to avoid this child-friendly section!
Got a follow-up question? Send it to kristina@diwyy.com or post a comment here.
Another Reason to Shop Online
Shopping online is fun to begin with but when you add in the incentive of airline miles, which could cover the flight for your next vacation, things get even better. The three major US carriers all have programs that act as an affiliate site to the merchants you buy from everyday. By accessing the merchant site through airline’s page, you earn a certain amount of miles per dollar spent. Ready to shop? Let’s get started:
-Depending on your preferred airline, visit American’s AAdvantage eShopping Program, Delta’s SkyMiles Shopping, or United’s Mileage Plus Mall.
-If this is your first time using one of these shopping sites, you will need to register first. Be sure you have your frequent flyer number for the airline handy as this is a critical part of the registration process.
-Start shopping!! Just be sure you are logged in before you click on the merchant’s link to ensure you will receive the mileage credit. Typically, miles are posted to your account within a few weeks of the purchase.
-There are often promotions for higher accrual rates, especially around major holidays. Another reason to avoid the mall!
Now you can earn miles without ever leaving your house! Stay tuned for more mileage accrual tips from Kristina. If you have any questions, please email Kristina@diwyy.com or post a comment here.
Websites We Love: SurvivalPhrases.com
I love trying to fit in with the locals when I travel. Being almost six foot tall with blonde hair does not lend itself well to this in most countries but I can make a good effort to communicate with the locals in their native tongue. Before any trip, I try to brush up on hello, goodbye, please, thank you, among other common words and phrases. My previous plan was buying a phrase book or finding a friend who spoke the language but my new approach is an amazing website called SurvivalPhrases.com. Here’s why I love them:
-They have their podcasts broken down into themes than are usually anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on the topic. They clearly pronounce the words and phrases several times giving you time to repeat it back. The speakers also throw in some cultural tips and tricks to help you use the phrases in the right context.
-They currently have 19 different languages available. Pick an unusual one—perhaps it will inspire a trip or encourage you to take additional courses in that tongue.
-By having the podcasts on your iPod, you can easily listen to a couple whenever you have time. I have been listening to them at the gym. Getting in shape and learning a new language…can it get any better?
Ready to start learning? You can register on their site and download 10 podcasts for free in any one language or you can also search for their podcasts on iTunes. I am personally using the iTunes method and, so far, it hasn’t limited me to just 10 downloads. To find them on iTunes, put SurvivalPhrases.com in the search field.
Want to enhance your language abilities even more? Check out the foreign language books and software available in the Do It While You’re Young marketplace, hosted by Amazon.com.
How to Lose Weight and Save Money in Europe
Having relatives in Europe is ridiculously convenient. I can usually stay with them so hotel costs and most meals are a non-issue. This led me to believe Europe was much cheaper than it actually is. So, imagine my surprise when I visited Russia and parts of Scandinavia this past summer. Russia, Finland, and Sweden are just plain expensive! Finland has something like a 22% tax on everything. That makes even a simple coffee way pricier than it needs to be. But luckily, I developed a strategy on this last trip that kept my Rubles/Euros/Kronor in my pocket while actually losing a couple pounds in the process.
-First off, plan ahead. I was able to get Euros at one of my bank’s branches without any conversion fee which saved me money and also saved me the $5 fee I usually get charged for using another bank’s ATM. Call your bank and ask them if they offer this service for their customers. From my experience, they keep “normal” currencies like Euros and Pounds in stock and only require a couple days to get less common currencies.
-If breakfast is included at your hotel, make the most of it. After I enjoyed a normal-sized meal, I filled up a water bottle and grabbed a couple pieces of fruit for my daytime snacks. Bananas, apples, and oranges are usually readily available and easy to tote around. If you’re like me and don’t like your banana to get smashed in your bag, check out the Banana Saver. Great for every day use–even if you’re not on vacation!
-For lunch, dinner, and snacks, I tried to eat one meal at a restaurant and the other at the grocery store. Grocery stores are magical! You can run in and grab a loaf of fresh-baked bread, some cheese, and some chips and, for almost nothing, you can have a meal. A ready-made sandwich at the corner cafe will easily cost two to three times as much.
-Grocery stores are also good for grabbing reasonably-priced beverages and fun souvenirs for your friends. Chocolate and candies abroad always seem to have better packaging and make great, inexpensive gifts.
-To save money on transportation, try renting a bike, walking, or taking public transportation during the day. At the Scandic brand of hotels, there are bicycles in the lobby that you can use for the day. It is a great way to see the city and get some exercise at the same time. But, please, put safety at the top of your list—don’t try to save a couple dollars and compromise your safety! Be smart: travel in groups, use taxis after dark, and be mindful of your belongings on public transport.
Who knew a European vacation would shed a couple pounds?? Got other tips for a European trip–post them here or email kristina@diwyy.com
Frequent Flyer Miles 101
It all started on March 29, 1997. I was on the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. and had become intrigued when the flight attendants discussed their frequent flyer program. Being the precocious 13 year old I was, I quickly hopped on that white courtesy telephone to enroll myself during our layover. No one questioned my age and I began accruing miles for flights. And that’s how the madness began!!!
Now, to put it mildly, frequent flyer miles run my life. I have learned now that a little loyalty with one airline or alliance can make all the difference. I used to have to board last, pay for my extra luggage, and would look at the first class cabin with envy. Now I am boarding first, checking three bags for free, and actually sitting in the first class cabin. How did this happen? I started flying one airline alliance and was able to reap the rewards of the elusive Elite Status.
Getting started, let’s give you a general overview. The three major U.S. carriers, American, Delta, and United all belong to a different alliance (a partnership of airlines worldwide). Respectfully, they are oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance. When you fly a partner airline within your alliance, you can earn miles on the same carrier (example: you can earn Delta SkyMiles while flying Delta, Air France, or KLM, among others). By keeping your loyalty in one place, you can begin to earn some clout with the airlines which is when free upgrades and other perks come into play.
Every time you fly, you earn miles based on the fare you purchased. Typically, for a normal economy ticket, it will be 1 frequent flyer mile per mile flown. If you purchase first or business class, the rate typically goes up. These miles are golden because they accumulate towards your elite status. Each airline has different rules so, instead of getting into too much detail, here are the links to their programs, what you need to get to qualify, and what the perks are at each level: American’s AAdvantage program, Delta’s SkyMiles program, and United’s Mileage Plus program.
Additionally, you can also earn miles by never leaving the ground. While these typically do not count towards your elite status mileage bank, they do count towards the miles you can leverage for free flights, upgrades, and other incentives. Everything from using the airline-affiliated credit card to hotel stays to online purchases can count towards miles. For info on these programs, please visit the airline’s website and search for the page that highlights how you can earn miles.
When choosing an airline to align with, consider the availability of flights from the airport closest to your home, where the “hub” cities are located since you’ll be making connections at these airports, and where they fly to. Also, consider how much you’ll be flying internationally. These long-haul flights are a gold mine for miles! Combining one big trip with lots of shorter, domestic trips can help get you to elite status faster. This is when signing up for a larger, international carrier like American, Delta, or United will prevail over domestic-only airlines like Southwest.
In future posts, I will be highlight specific earning opportunities as well as airline-specific programs in an effort to educate you on the earning potential. If you have specific questions, please post them here or email kristina@diwyy.com.
New Q&A: Travel Deals for Students
I would LOVE to travel more but, being that I am still a student, budget is still a top consideration when I am planning my trips. Where can I find the best deals on flights and tours? -Submitted by Amy
Being in college is usually a Catch 22: you have the time to travel but don’t have the income to be doing so. As a result, you need to get creative in your travel planning which can sometimes mean planning way ahead or waiting until the last minute. Since these planning styles are not suitable to everyone, here are some additional strategies for the people who prefer something in between:
-When you begin researching flights, check out websites like Kayak.com. Kayak is great because it searches all airlines and has a ton of search parameters to use (nearby airports, flexible schedules, weekend travel, etc). I usually do my research here and then ticket on the airline carrier’s website.
-Look for tour companies that incorporate the flight cost into the overall price—this can equate to a substantial cost savings, although you sometimes do not get to choose your airline. I recommend checking out Gate 1 Travel and Contiki who both offer deals for flights and tours. Gate 1 Travel travelers are of all ages and their tours typically hit the major sightseeing spots in the region you will be visiting. Contiki, who coordinates tours specifically for travelers ages 18-35, occasionally run specials where there is a flat rate for airfare which can also be to your benefit, especially if you are flying to a popular country during high season. For both of these companies, I recommend subscribing to their newsletters so that you are the first to hear about any deals.
-Along the lines of “being in the know”, I recommend becoming fans of your favorite airlines on Facebook and also subscribing to their email newsletters. This way, you will be alerted for flight deals and also packaged vacations specials. I am a fan of Virgin America on Facebook and they are constantly advertising their amazing fare deals within the United States. I also get the email newsletters from the major US carriers (American, Delta, and United) to see if any routes are deeply discounted in the near future.
-Since you are a student, be sure to also leverage the deals you can get from flashing your school ID. Vendors like STA Travel specifically cater to the college audience in terms of flights, tours, and rail passes and usually have physical locations near college campuses. If you are between the ages of 16-25, you can qualify for certain Rail Europe discounts.
Good luck in your travel planning! If anyone has other suggestions, please post a comment here or on our Facebook page.
Do YOU have a travel question you’d like answered?? If so, use our submittal form on our website.
AAA…More Than Just Roadside Service
I have been a member of the American Automobile Association (AAA) since I was 16 and they have definitely helped me in a few awkward situations: when a BBQ got stuck under my car on the freeway (true story!), when I drove over a curb by accident and got stuck, and the multiple times I got a flat tire while having to park on the streets of Berkeley, California during college. While I still rely on them for roadside service, I have discovered the many travel and dining discounts they provide for members.
In addition to their full-service travel agency, AAA also provides discounts on individual hotel bookings so you can plan a more independent trip. To do a search, either go to AAA.com and search for properties or search your preferred hotel brand’s site. Many hotel sites, like Hilton.com, offer a space to input your membership number to quote you the preferred AAA rate. A nice perk of Hilton.com is that it compares other available rates to the AAA rate so you can see which is lower. If you are taking a road-trip and will not be booking reservations ahead of time, I recommend picking up one of their guide books (available at most branch offices) which lists properties by city. If you are concerned about spotty cell or Internet access, a good old-fashioned book may be the best way to go.
I have also used my AAA card to get discounts on sightseeing tours. While in Mexico, I showed my card and got a 10% discount on a Gray Line Tour to Chichen Itza from Cancun. Gray Line offers tours all over the world so I usually check out their site before departing on a trip.
Additionally, you can save money on car rentals, restaurants, online purchases, admission tickets, and even passport photos by visiting their user-friendly site. For those traveling abroad, they have separate sites that will allow you to search for discounts in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
For more information on joining AAA, please visit their site to learn more about the various levels of membership.
If you have any comments of questions, please post here or email kristina@diwyy.com.
-Kristina
Step One: Get a Passport
Before we get you all excited about traveling, you need one key document: a passport! It can take a few weeks to get one, so keep that in mind when planning a trip. If you’re under age 18, you may need parental consent.
FIRST TIME APPLICANTS:
If you will be getting a passport for the first time, you will need to visit one of over 9,000 Passport Acceptance Facilities. When you have your appointment, you will need to bring:
-Application for Passport, Form DS-11
-Proof of US Citizenship (original birth certificate works great)
-Proof of Identity (ex. driver’s license)
-Photocopy of document shown to prove identity
-Application fees (note what type of payment the office you are going to accepts beforehand–some only take check or money order, some take credit card too)
-Two 2″ x 2″ photos (get them taken at a place that specializes in Passport photos so the size, coloring, etc. is acceptable)
You will also need to have your social security number handy for the application. Please reference the US Department of State website for detailed information and a further explanation of the items mentioned above. The website can also answer questions about current processing time.
If you plan on traveling from the United States to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by either a land border (Canada or Mexico) or by a sea-port (cruises that stop in ports of any of those countries), you can opt to get a Passport Card instead. But, be aware, that this card cannot be used for international air travel. Check out this quick comparison guide so the main differences in the two types of documents.
Once you have your passport, it will be valid for ten years. And trust us–the renewal process is much easier!!
If you have further questions on the process, please post them here or email kristina@diwyy.com.
Welcome to Do It While You’re Young!
Thank you for checking out Do It While You’re Young!
We are excited to share our passion for travel with you! Collectively, the three of us have been to over 75 countries and territories spanning from Antarctica to Zimbabwe. Our experiences range from studying abroad in Australia to volunteering in India to working on luxury yachts in the Caribbean. Our site will be adding new features over the next few weeks so please continue to check back. We also want to make this site as interactive as possible so please post comments/questions and take advantage of our Q&A and Travel Forums when they become available.
Get your passport ready because the journey is about to begin!
Kristina, Jerri, and Morgan
