Remember when traveling to the airport was so simple...
Well, times have changed and as grown ups we've come up with a few ways
not to dread the endless hours that we might be enduring in the airport!
A couple of adventures ago, we began googling each airport that we would be setting foot in.
We printed out maps, checked for food options before AND after security, we looked for free wi-fi, was there an hotel in the airport for the long layover? and what type of entertainment was available. Even the smallest of international airports provide extensive information!
Lucky for us, SFO is our international airport!
Their website was voted as one of the Top Ten Airport Websites.
Try using Google, or here's an extensive list of North American Airports
Were you interested in Free WIFI, check out these websites
WIFI free spot TravelPost JiWire
Many airports now have museum quality displays, here's further info.....
We have found that staying at an airport hotel, the night before an early morning flight relieves quite a bit of stress. If you find yourself in Paris, the Hotel Ibis at Terminal 3 is fantastic and adjacent to the RER station ...just 24 minutes to the Eiffel Tower
Here are our pictures of 2.5 hours in Paris While we've been there before, it's always magical!
Of course there are times, when the unthinkable happens
and you need to sleep in the airport!!!!!!!
You know I believe I in KARMA...so this story is ALL MY FAULT!
In 2005, we walked by these people just sprawled out in a corner at the Prague Airport sleeping, I said to John ..I'm too old for that, I would just pay for a hotel! Fast Forward a year later, 2006 our honeymoon...after being up for 36 hours and all the stress we had with the wedding plannng, our flight in Paris to Milan was delayed 6 hours...my body couldn't take it anymore...I found the most comfiest part of the cement floor grabbed my carryon for a pillow and just crashed! It's certainly worth browsing through this website.....
Sleeping in Airports
Having a Lazy day in a Airline Lounge
There's several ways to go about this, if you don't travel extensively enough in 1 year to warrant purchasing an annual pass
~ The day pass, almost all domestic carriers that have lounges offer these. In theory, they are a great idea..just make sure you read the very fine print in the rules and regulations, you might not be able to use it on partner airlines or internationally! Also, analyze your time frame to decide if it's really worth it.
~Priority Pass, now this concept seems more appealing to us, you can use it for any airline lounge that is in their system domestically AND internationally. For example, if you fly on UA, the DL lounge is available to you. They also have quite a few international lounges!
If I could only have just a few more inches of leg room.......
Well..... you can for a price! Depending on your flying patterns this could actually be quite the deal! United Airlines offers the Economy Upgrade Pass. You can use this with frequent flier miles, just decide who flies the most and put it in their name, then anyone can accompany them for 1 full year! We used our frequent flyer miles for this years trip and then as one of our Christmas gifts, my mom purchased this for us!
Flying 1st class REALLY is affordable, read on...
While Europe has a phenomenal train system, there are areas that we've visited
that simply isn't the case. The ferry might work, for example in Greece, but it's not as efficient if your itinerary is full and your time off work minimal.
When flying inter Europe, the coach fares can be very inexpensive. The flip side is your luggage allowance is very limited! Our flights on Air Baltic and Croatia Airlines were less than 25 euros per person to upgrade to 1st class! The benefits of this include a very generous luggage allowance, fully refundable fares-which allows flexibility , a dedicated check in line, and of course a little pampering on your journey is always a treat! Next time you are planning your itinerary in Europe be sure to check out this option!
Annoyances at the airport can be turned into an ahhhhhhh moment!
If you are fortunate enough to be in an Airine Terminal that has Spa Kiosk!!!
When our Air France flight was delayed for 4 hours in Paris on our return home from our Honeymoon. John took one look at me and realized that my chronic pain levels were rising, and this extra travel time could potentially send me up to a level 9. He said walk around, and check back in within the hour! As I set off on my airport adventure...I stumbled across Be Relax Spas and had a 30 minute backrub! When I returned to John, apparently I looked much better to him.
He said ...what did you buy? Nothing was my answer. He then said...smiling, ok what did you DRINK? Nothing I said again...He says you look soooo much better..so what's going on?
I responded..... I had a MASSAGE!!!!!
Here's a list I compiled of Airport Spas worldwide...
I hope it helps you as much as it did me!
Do you know the code?
Know the 3 letter airport code for your final destination, if you are checking bags make sure the ticket agent puts on the correct one..
For example:
SJC is San Jose, California
SJU is San Juan, Puerto Rico
SJD is San Jose del Cabo aka Cabo San Lucas
SJO is San Jose, Costa Rica
What do you mean, you can't find my luggage?
Before you depart take several pictures of your luggage, upload them into your computer, email yourself an attachment with the photos in it, and print out several copies for yourself.
That way if your luggage is lost you can present the pictures to make it easier to locate.
Especially helpful if there is a language barrier!
Invest in purchasing some blank business cards at an Office Supply store.
Each trip print out business cards and insert into your luggage for identification with your name, email address, and hotel itinerary Include an emergency contact phone number of a friend or family member since your cell phone probably won't work internationally.
Also place a large sheet of paper inside your luggage with this information
Having this printed out clearly on a business card, prevents confusion
from difficult to read handwriting
How are you getting to the airport?
We always joke that we can find our way around the most remote
parts of Europe and yet getting to and from the airport or cruise terminal locally
is the most complicated aspect of transportation for our trip
One of the greatest gifts to give or receive is a ride to the airport or cruise terminal.
If you are short on cash, but long on time..
this should be a handmade gift card that you give!
It will always be appreciated!
Shuttle service has it's pros and cons...
in our case the local companies that provide this service allow 7 people in a van
to be picked up or dropped off. What should be a 45 min. ride between our home
and the airport in a private car, has taken up to 3 hours!
When returning home, and traveling close to 24 hours this is NOT what you need.
We decided that it's worth sharing the van to save a few pennies on the way to the airport,
but on the way home we spring for the private sedan!
Our preferred supplier is Super Shuttle, with many locations in the USA
Parking your car...
Have you checked out Park n Fly or About Airport Parking?
Just a few other items
Have you checked out the Games section in the Journal?
There's a fun one from Lufthansa!
Business cards are great to have when you meet a fellow traveler along the way, that you would like to keep in contact with once you return home.
For example, if you're traveling by cruise ship~ create business cards that have your name, cruise itinerary, and email address.
If you belong to Cruise Critic you might want to include your screen name!
Flight Delayed or Cancelled? You may have a few rights!
Read and carry a copy of this with you anytime you fly
on a European carrier
Read and carry a copy of this with you anytime you fly
on an American carrier that utilizes this rule, not all do!
John's experience with Rule 240
John was flying home from a business trip to Austin on American Airlines, his flight departure was delayed from 6:20pm to 11:10pm. He went to a gate agent, explained the problem and requested that Rule 240 go into effect. The gate agent protected him on Frontier Airlines.That schedule had him leaving 1 hour later than American's original scheduled departure, but arriving home 3 hours later than the original scheduled arrival due to the fact that it was not a direct flight, but had to change planes in Denver. He requested a dinner voucher and that was provided. He was then asked to turn over his American Airlines Boarding pass. While this seems harmless, it is proof that he passed through security. When John arrived at the Frontier Airlines gate, this proved problematic, as he now had no proof for Frontier Airlines that he did indeed go through security. He then had to run back 15 gates to the American counter to get the boarding pass back.
We would like to commend Frontier Airlines. When John arrived into Denver his plane was late- he had been seated in the back of the plane on his 1st flight, and there was only a 30 minute connection time. When he arrived at the gate, the flight had already boarded, the door was closed and just a gate agent remained. The gate agent called the plane and gave permission to unlock the door and let John onboard! Usually unheard of!
A big Thanks to Frontier Airlines!
