2010 Travel Resolutions

Happy New Year!  I'm a big fan of New Years Resolutions. In my life they have provided the opportunity to goal-set and maintain focus. Don't get me wrong, I've also had those resolutions which go nowhere, like workout 5 days a week no matter what, or eat salad everyday---both doable but not necessarily achievable every.single.day. So, this year I resolve to make REALISTIC travel resolutions.

Pack Lighter My desire to pack lighter has always been 'a desire.' This year, I want to turn it into a full-on resolution, not a '2 steps forward, one step back' type of thing. Looking back, I had glimmers of hope this year. I went to Napa for 6 days with just a carry-on, it wasn't difficult, even with a little shopping in San Francisco. The only sad part is that I wasn't able to bring back any wine due to the limited liquids carry-on rule. Oh well, there's always shipping. I took two steps back when I went to Europe and Africa in one trip. Packing for so many different climates threw me for a loop and sent my packing methods into my teenage angst bring everything phase. This was really dumb since we were on the move every 2-3 days. I've learned my lesson. I promise. 2011 Update - Every trip I did in 2010 was with my carry-on, including a two week adventure exploring eastern Canada and the Maritimes!

Take Another Last-Minute Getaway Jetsetting somewhere tropical for the weekend has always been a HUGE excitement/goal of mine. I was lucky enough to achieve it in 2009, going to Maui for an extended weekend. Since it was such a positive experience, I resolve to do it again. If this idea sounds good to you, here's how. 2011 Update - I'm addicted. All throughout the year I did extended weekend trips to destinations like Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Portland and most recently for 3 days to Maui.

Travel Credit Card with Lounge access Although I love my travel rewards credit card and have booked many-a-trip with the points, I realize there's a flaw: it doesn't have an Airline Lounge Access component. Looking into it recently, I found that I get a discount to Priority Pass. Depending on how much I travel this year, a Priority Pass membership might be in my near future. 2011 Update - Haven't got a Priority Pass yet, but still hoping to!

Be Smarter About Amassing Points with ONE Airline and ONE Hotel Group This year I made bigger strides forward in this arena, but admittedly, I still have a long way to go. I resolve not to just book the cheapest flight, but to book flights and hotel stays (still within a reasonable price range) which match the major airlines and hotel groups with which I collect points. For some travellers, this is an easy task, for the web-savvy, price-conscious, mid-to-high-end travel shoppers, this is a more difficult.  Either way, I'm up to the challenge. 2011 Update - Have continued to be diligent about collecting airline and hotel points, and booked a few trips and hotel upgrades with points. Who doesn't love free travel?

Sort Through My Airline Points This year I started sorting through all my airline memberships and categorized each membership and the points to date in a spreadsheet. I know, pretty organized, yet perhaps a little old-school. This next year, I want to take this to the next level by deciding which airline loyal program memberships make the most sense (given where I travel, where my home airport is and how I like to travel) and then gift the rest of the points! 2011 Update - Done and done, and now I have an app for that!

Go to Australia!!!!! Here is what beckons me in Australia: snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, taking a harbour tour in Sydney, navigating Fraser Island, embarking on a sailing tour of the Whitsundays and so much more. This is my year to go to Australia....I hope! 2011 Update - Australia is the trip that I keep meaning to take, then something comes up. This will hopefully change in 2011, with a tentatively planned trip Down Under in the spring!

Go on the Oasis of the Seas I had my first taste of the flowrider (and on-ship surfing and body boarding simulator) on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas and I've been longing to go back ever since. Just this year, they came out with a new, bigger and more impressive ship: The Oasis of the Seas featuring dual flowriders, a zip line, aqua amphitheater and all the other activities normally featured on Royal Carribean's ships. 2011 Update - After The Oasis launched, its equally impressive sister ship The Allure came out in December. I can't wait to try both, but didn't get a chance in 2010. Hopefully, I'll set sail on one of these mega ships in 2011.

[photo by Electric Images]

Access Airline Lounges with your Credit Card

[trip style = luxury]

Further to yesterday's post about enjoying Airline Lounge entry with a day-pass, we wanted to further expand on the topic and review which credit cards also allow access.  Generally, lounge access is a benefit for most platinum or equivalent card holders.

Credit Card Access to Airline Lounges

• American Express Platinum - $395 Annual Fee.  USA - Access to Continental, Delta and Northwest lounges. Canada - Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges plus free membership to Priority Pass, the world's largest independent lounge access program.
• Visa Signature -  Fee varies.  Cardholders get a subscription to Priority Pass.
• MasterCard Black - Fee varies. Cardholers get a subscription to Priority Pass.

Relax in an Airline Club without a Business-Class Ticket

[trip style = lux]

When travelling, there is nothing better than escaping the airport crowds and waiting for your flight in the peace and quiet of your Airline's Lounge. Yes, I would like a glass of Pinot Gris please; yes, I would like a mini chocolate mousse pick-me-up; oh and yes, I would like to watch TV and surf the internet from my plush chair. All this makes me want to get the airport well before my flight.

Are you delayed or have a long layover but lack a business or first-class ticket or status with your said airline? Most airline clubs offer a day pass for $30-$50 giving you a great place to relax in comfort and style.

Airline Clubs Allowing Day Access Air Canada - $30-$45 with same-day ticket and purchase of permissible fare class Alaska - $30 American Airlines - $50 Continental Airlines - $45 or 10-pack for $350 Delta Airlines -  $50 with same-day Delta or it's Connectors' Tickets Northwest Airlines - $55 or $85 for 60-day trial. United Airlines - $50 US Airways - $40 Find the Complete Chart here.

More tomorrow on What Travel Credit Cards allow Airline Lounge Access...

Mr. Firecracker and Travel Delays

Dear Mr. Firecracker.  I am glad your plan (or lackthereof) got botched on Christmas day, and the people on your flight were OK.  Couldn't you have chose another time of year to do this?  Holiday travel is congested at the best of times, notwithstanding a pat-down from security and the use of only ONE/no carry-on.  There was the shoe incident, then the liquid incident, now the firecracker incident (and later bathroom incident).  I don't even want to ask what's next and what the repercussions to travellers will be. Travelling in a bathing suit? Might be a little chilly...

Many of the temporary measures set in place after all the aforementioned threats were supposed to be just that, temporary, but many of these regulations have stayed in place.  I hope the no carry-on rule is short-lived.

Current Regulations - Post Christmas Day Firecracker Incident Because of the threat and responsive security measures (see below), many planes are significantly delayed, and in some cases, short-hauls have been outright cancelled.

Prior to Leaving Double-Check your - flight status - carrier's website - outbound airport for the most up-to-date regulations

Federal officials said there would be heightened security for both domestic and international flights at airports across the country, but the intensified levels would likely be "layered," differing from location to location depending on alerts, security concerns and other factors.

Passengers can expect to see heightened screening, more bomb-sniffing dog and officer units and behavioral-detection specialists at some airports, but there will also be unspecified less visible precautions as well, officials said.

Transport Canada Official Temporary Emergency Measure (Dec 2009) Temporary emergency measures include no carry-on bags to U.S.A.

Effective immediately, CATSA is implementing temporary emergency measures at security checkpoints under the direction of Transport Canada. These measures are in response to a failed terrorist attack on board an aircraft from Amsterdam to Detroit on December 25, 2009. These new measures will affect all flights from Canada to the United States.

U.S.A. bound passengers are permitted zero carry-on bags effective immediately and lasting until 9:00pm EST on December 29, 2009. Passengers travelling within Canada are still permitted two carry-on bags (although to make the screening process most efficient, no carry-on is preferred).

These rules will be strictly enforced during this period. There will be no flexibility.

Carry-on baggage means items to which a passenger has access to during a flight, but does NOT include small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, diplomatic or consular bags, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, medication or medical devices, musical instruments, or a special needs item.

The temporary emergency measures at the security checkpoints will be in effect until further notification from Transport Canada.

Jan 5th, 2010 US-Bound Passenger Security Measures Update Passengers traveling to the United States from Canada are banned from bringing carry-on luggage onto the plane, with the following exceptions: • laptop computers & cell phones • small purses • cameras • coats • canes, walkers and crutches • medication and medical devices • supplies for the care of infants • musical instruments • containers carrying life-sustaining items • Huh? No Books or Mags? Travelers also are advised to arrive at the airport three (3) hours before their flights. Transport Canada expects the measures to remain in place until further notice.

For international travellers to the US, according to the TSA: "every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights."

High/Low - Booking a Vacay in Maui

[trip style =  sun + beach]

Booking a vacation in Maui can be wildly expensive or moderately priced depending on: - when you book - how you book - who you book with - your penchant for luxury - whether you eat-in or go out - the number of activities you do while there

All these things considered, here's how to do Maui High, Med and Low: {do one or combine all three} High

• Flight: fly business class with your preferred airline. Note that airlines carrying on to Australia, etc... will have a more luxurious offering than those just doing direct or one-stop runs back and forth to the islands.
• Accommodation:
  • Ritz Carlton Kapalua
  • Four Seasons Wailea
  • Fairmont Kea Lani Wailea
• Car: Avis and Hertz offer the best high-end car rentals at the Kahului Airport (OGG)
• Eating out:
  • Mama's fish house (all fish is fresh and caught by some of the servers)
  • any restaurant at the Four Seasons Wailea
• Activities:
  • charter a helicopter over the mountains and/or to Hana
  • luau at the Hyatt Ka'anapali [much better than the luau at the Wailea Marriott]
  • for more activities, see lists below

Moderate

• Flight: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines offer friendly service in economy class, but many other airlines like Air Canada or West Jet fly direct to Maui. If you want to splurge a little, Hawaiian Airlines' business class has semi-reasonable prices, from around $550 each way (out of Seattle).
• Accommodation: take an educated risk and book your hotel via hotwire or priceline. When you book in the "Resort Class" of properties for the Wailea/Makena or Ka'anapali areas, you end up with one of two hotels for the each area.  Prices can be as low as $120/night (not including taxes). *If you book through one of these websites, your hotel has to ask you whether or not you want to pay the resort fee, usually $25 extra per day.
• Car: Get your car through priceline or hotwire and pick it up at the airport. 
• Eating out:
  • Humu-humu at the Grand Wailea
  • Mala at the Marriott Wailea
  • Joe's at the Wailea Tennis Club
  • Roy's in Ka'anapali
  • Hula Grill in Ka'anapali
• Activities: see high or low activity lists.

Low

• Flight: set up a Kayak Fare Alert for airports in your area and OGG, Maui's airport. Book when dates and prices appeal to you.
• Accommodation: staying at a rental condo/home with a kitchen is an excellent way to control costs. Some best bets are: vrbo.com, ownerdirect.com
• Car: if you want any flexibility while on Maui, renting a car is required, especially since grocery shopping and self-guided excursions will be a big part of your getaway. Bidding for a car on Priceline can be a cheap way to get a vehicle.
• Eating out: take advantage of your kitchen and make some nice meals in your rental condo---most of which have BBQs in the common outdoor areas. If you're set on eating out, the Barefoot Bar at the Hula Grill in Ka'anapali has an excellent Happy Hour complete with live music. In Wailea, Cheeseburger Island Style has excellent prices and a great breakfast special.
• Activities: There is so much to do in Maui that doesn't require a tour guide. Here's a sample:
  • drive to Hana
  • watch the windsurfers and kite-boarders at Hookipa beach
  • browse the shops in Paia
  • take advantage the beaches in front of any hotel --all beaches are public
  • snorkel at Black Rock in Ka'anapali or Ahihi Bay in Makena
  • stand-up paddleboard in Kihei
  • take surf lessons in Lahaina
  • drive to watch the sunrise at Haleakela (wear warm clothes, it's cold at 5.30am!)
  • walk the seawalk in Ka'anapali and/or Wailea
  • swim at Black Rock while the Sheraton's torch-lighting ceremony is taking place (watch for 'the dive' at the end)

[photo by @tripstyler]