Comments on: Five ways to get an edge over other air travelers http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:49:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Steven Di pietro http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-19161 Steven Di pietro Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:20:18 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-19161 Checking in on-line and early is a bad idea. With some carriers it removes flexibility about changing flights. Even on cheap fares if you cancel BEFORE on-line check in you may be able to recover 'some' money or get a credit on another flight. If you check-in on-line, then cancel the trip - you are screwed. Checking in on-line and early is a bad idea. With some carriers it removes flexibility about changing flights. Even on cheap fares if you cancel BEFORE on-line check in you may be able to recover ’some’ money or get a credit on another flight.

If you check-in on-line, then cancel the trip - you are screwed.

]]> By: aaron http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18870 aaron Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:34:33 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18870 You can also go here to get a good list of timetables just for your airports. http://travel.airwise.com/schedules/ This way you have other airlines as an option. Sometimes one airline will shift you over to a partner (i.e, Northwest will be willing to put you on a Continental flight) You can also go here to get a good list of timetables just for your airports.

http://travel.airwise.com/schedules/

This way you have other airlines as an option. Sometimes one airline will shift you over to a partner (i.e, Northwest will be willing to put you on a Continental flight)

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18773 Mark Ashley Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:14:02 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18773 Depends on the airline. Generally, go to the airline's site and look for a "timetable" link. Some airlines offer a downloadable PDF, and/or an executable file that contains the current timetable. Depends on the airline.

Generally, go to the airline’s site and look for a “timetable” link.

Some airlines offer a downloadable PDF, and/or an executable file that contains the current timetable.

]]> By: Kango Suz http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18740 Kango Suz Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:36:10 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18740 Wow... I'm fairly well traveled and embarrassed that almost ALL of these suggestions are new to me! I'm going to have to get back up to speed! I especially liked the bringing the different flight options with you. Where can you get one of these lists of other flights? Wow… I’m fairly well traveled and embarrassed that almost ALL of these suggestions are new to me! I’m going to have to get back up to speed! I especially liked the bringing the different flight options with you. Where can you get one of these lists of other flights?

]]> By: Paul http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18625 Paul Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:32:49 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18625 The prior check in and printing boarding passes on line may be even more important in Europe. In Madrid in September the airport was a complete mad-house and the lines wrapped around and through each other. We bypassed the mess and went straight to the counter by showing our pre-printed boarding passes which we were able to print at our hotel. The prior check in and printing boarding passes on line may be even more important in Europe. In Madrid in September the airport was a complete mad-house and the lines wrapped around and through each other. We bypassed the mess and went straight to the counter by showing our pre-printed boarding passes which we were able to print at our hotel.

]]> By: Con http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18623 Con Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:37:57 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18623 Personally, I always prepare by putting these things into a folder. I always print my itinerary in addition to the boarding pass. I also make a sheet of the phone numbers of all airlines and airports, in case my cell phone's battery dies. Most airports provide diagrams of their terminals, which I always take. Also, sign up for security and flight alerts, which are available from your airline, and oftentimes the airports. Be there as EARLY as possible - you will be given priority if the flight has been overbooked. Look at the TSA's website to find the average wait times for the hour and day of week for travel. Be prepared. Plan for the worst scenario. Personally, I always prepare by putting these things into a folder.

I always print my itinerary in addition to the boarding pass. I also make a sheet of the phone numbers of all airlines and airports, in case my cell phone’s battery dies. Most airports provide diagrams of their terminals, which I always take. Also, sign up for security and flight alerts, which are available from your airline, and oftentimes the airports. Be there as EARLY as possible - you will be given priority if the flight has been overbooked. Look at the TSA’s website to find the average wait times for the hour and day of week for travel. Be prepared. Plan for the worst scenario.

]]> By: Ron http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18607 Ron Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:30:15 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18607 Great advice... This is the kind of stuff I tried to get across in my Letter to the Editor of USAToday in: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/10/blame-infrequen.html However, they (USAToday) edited out the parts I wrote about coming Prepared and ASKING QUESTIONS. Don't expect anything, except a seat, and a safe arrival. The rest is up to you. You can not expect the Airline is going to just 'take care of' you. Additionally, NEVER check a bag. Especially if your trip is 5 days or less. Good luck and Happy Holidays! Great advice… This is the kind of stuff I tried to get across in my Letter to the Editor of USAToday in:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/10/blame-infrequen.html

However, they (USAToday) edited out the parts I wrote about coming Prepared and ASKING QUESTIONS. Don’t expect anything, except a seat, and a safe arrival. The rest is up to you. You can not expect the Airline is going to just ‘take care of’ you.

Additionally, NEVER check a bag. Especially if your trip is 5 days or less.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

]]> By: Matt http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18606 Matt Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:34:14 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18606 The best way to increase flexibility when traveling is: NEVER CHECK A BAG The best way to increase flexibility when traveling is: NEVER CHECK A BAG

]]> By: aaron http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18604 aaron Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:22:17 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18604 Regarding point #4, when the airline cancels a flight and everyone lines up overloading the gate agents, head over to the airlines lounge if available and you can get in. The line is often much shorter and the agents generally seem to be empowered. Regarding point #4, when the airline cancels a flight and everyone lines up overloading the gate agents, head over to the airlines lounge if available and you can get in. The line is often much shorter and the agents generally seem to be empowered.

]]> By: Jo http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18598 Jo Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:56:13 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18598 I used to think and live like this when I lived in Africa. We had slightly different rules of thumb of course - like call the tower to find out if the incoming aircraft is on its way - but the principle was the same. We didn't trust the people who had taken our money, and lordy, who were flying us across the continent in their plane. I was so surprised when I got to the States and found a worse shambles. It is election year. Time to suggest to politicians that they should make the state of the airlines a priority? I used to think and live like this when I lived in Africa. We had slightly different rules of thumb of course - like call the tower to find out if the incoming aircraft is on its way - but the principle was the same. We didn’t trust the people who had taken our money, and lordy, who were flying us across the continent in their plane.

I was so surprised when I got to the States and found a worse shambles.

It is election year. Time to suggest to politicians that they should make the state of the airlines a priority?

]]> By: Yof http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18597 Yof Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:10:45 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18597 You can google your flight number to get gate/departure & Arrival time and the airline phone number. Text message your search query to 466453 ('GOOGLE' on most devices) and google will text message back results. For example, text AA123 to get the status on the American flight 123. You can google your flight number to get gate/departure & Arrival time and the airline phone number.

Text message your search query to 466453 (’GOOGLE’ on most devices) and google will text message back results.

For example, text AA123 to get the status on the American flight 123.

]]> By: Luis http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18596 Luis Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:01:34 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/18/five-ways-to-get-an-edge-over-other-air-travelers/#comment-18596 Hi, Nice tips. I learned that it is also important to pack early and keep your bag in the car. Say 3 days before your flight. I once had a flight canceled, from one day to the next. I immediately went to the airport to rebook it and they asked me if I could leave right away. I was going to a conference and it would have been much better to arrive earlier instead of late. Unfortunately I hadn't packed, so I could not go :-( Next time I know better. Hi,

Nice tips. I learned that it is also important to pack early and keep your bag in the car. Say 3 days before your flight. I once had a flight canceled, from one day to the next. I immediately went to the airport to rebook it and they asked me if I could leave right away. I was going to a conference and it would have been much better to arrive earlier instead of late. Unfortunately I hadn’t packed, so I could not go :-(

Next time I know better.

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