Airlines with Cheap Upgrade Options

Sure, you can get an airline seat upgrade with frequent flier status or using extra miles, but sometimes that's a hassle. To simplify travel, here are some airlines who offer cheap upgrades for purchase:

Alaska Airlines If seats in business class aren't booked upon check-in, they'll offer them to economy passengers from $50 extra.

Air Transat Air Transat Club Class books early because the cost is only $300 ($150 each way) on top of the economy fare. On a 7-hour flight, many would argue, it's worth it...

AirTran, America West, Spirit & Sun Country Like Air Transat, these US discount airlines offer relatively low prices for upgrades, from $25, but based on this chart, I'm not sure the upgrades are worth it.

Hawaiian Airlines If seats are available in Business Class, Hawaiian has been known to upgrade economy passengers for $250 each way. If you book a base economy fare of $170 from SEA - OGG + $250 upgrade, this is still cheaper than buying a full-fare business class seat for $650.

US Airways Finally, a airline who gets it!  If you're flying economy and have the option to upgrade for a reasonable amount, WHY NOT?  It seems US Airways has tapped into this culture with GoUpgrades, a program which allows passengers the option to upgrade their seats 24 hours before the flight, based on availability.  And, it costs as little $50 depending on the duration of your flight.  To ensure you get 'out of the gate' first and have the best chance of an upgrade upgrade online or via phone (800) 428-4322, remember to contact within them 24 hours of your flight departure.

Virgin America Virgin's first class is epic yet costly, but sipping bubbly in first could be within your reach.  Take advantage of Virgin's same-day upgrade pricing 6 hours before your transcontinental flight try and snag a $270 upgrade online or .

Know of any other airlines with cheap upgrade options?  If so, let me know and I'll continue to expand this post.

Flight Attendants or Safety Attendants?

In the wake of airlines trying to stay afloat in a discretionary spending market, I've noticed a major shift in the verbiage and attitude of flight attendants.  What I mean by this, is ever since things like having a Sprite or mini package of too-salty nuts became an in-flight luxury, airlines' announcements have changed from "please let us know if there's anything we can do to make your flight more comfortable" to "we are here for your safety..." with no mention of service.

The Chicken or the Egg Has this shift in focus become more and more accepted and evident in the wake of 9/11, or is it due to less service offerings on the flight so attendants can focus more on safety? Or both? I'm not sure, all I know is that a monumental shift has occurred and if you travel in both economy and business class, the shift is all the more pronounced. On some economy flights I've taken, the feeling like flight attendants are only "there for your safety" rings very true. As in, the focus on safety is so strong, there can be a serious lack in service--and not just because I have to pay for a water. On the flip side, when traveling business class, the service side of airline travel is still alive and well.

The Same Plane This is what the service and safety breakdown 'seems like' between economy and business class: Economy = service 10% / safety 90% Business or first class = service 90% / safety 10% I know you get what you pay for, but really, it's the same plane, so why is the safety message so much stronger in economy?

First Line of Defense I have a friend who used to be a flight attendant with Air Canada. During her rigorous training my inquisitive nature and fascination with all things travel came out, and I'd always get the "411" on the ins and outs of her training. As a frequent airline passenger, I'm happy to know that her training was very safety-intensive. Because flight attendants are the first line of defense, I know their roles are an invaluable to travel. And I also know they put up with a lot.  Among other things, it's not easy to calm someone down or deal with a 'situation' in front of hundreds of people.

Safety has Always been Important It's not like all of the sudden airlines decided to focus on safety in the New Millennium, it's always been important. My concern is that a PR-esque change has taken place, and I wonder if the 'new focus on safety' has given some flight attendants a carte blanche to forget about the needs of passengers?  There are ways of still having a service-oriented attitude even if the airline has completely stipped the in-flight services.

Updated Announcement? I know this could be a controversial post.  Let me be clear; I have a deep respect for flight attendants.  I am the type of passenger that abides by the golden rule and values both the safety and service parts of their roles.  I wonder if in the constantly evolving aviation field, perhaps the in-flight announcements should say something like "We are primarily here for your safety...and...please also let us know if there'a anything we can do to make your flight more comfortable. Thank you for flying with Awesome Airlines, we hope to see you again soon." This message would hopefully remind passengers and airline staff about the balance of priorities while traveling.

Nakation

[trip style = sun + all-inclusive]

Just when you thought your Thursday was going to start off normally, we talk about naked vacationing....

On our honeymoon, my husband and I went to a resort with two sections: clothed and 'au naturel.' We didn't pay much attention to this 'feature' in our pre-vaca research, yet when we arrived, did a double-take upon seeing naked people (not the sculpted bods you'd think may lounge around in the buck) in the distance and remembered what we'd read. It didn't bother us, in fact, we admired their freedom. If the people from the other side of the resort wanted to vacation naked, so what. We were all clothed at night for dinner and nobody knew what side you were from anyway.

Converts I failed to mention above that we opted for the "clothed" side of the resort, although I'm sure the our honeymoon may have been a little more spicy had we stayed on the naked side. Enter "Jim" and "Joanne" (names changed for purposes of this article), also on their honeymoon. Jim and Joanne were originally slated to stay at a Couples Resort in Jamaica, but something went awry upon check-in, so they moved over to our resort (the former Grand Lido Negril). The only problem was, honeymooners were out in full force and there was no room on the clothed side. With an aire of excitement and perhaps slight apprehension, they checked-in to the naked side....and not only LOVED IT, but also took advantage of its freedoms. Every few nights around the bar we'd hear comments like "weird, i saw that person naked today, now we're sitting across from each other at the bar"--which I would assume would be a typical response for a first-time nakation-er.

Naked Vacation Benefits 1) Travel Light, all you'll need is a carry-on 2) Save money, you won't have to check baggage 3) Be free (in every sense of the word) 4) No need to buy pre-vaca bathing suit or clothing 5) Don't worry if your bathing suit is flattering/slimming/the right color

Nudist and Clothing-Optional Resorts Here's a link to Nudist and Clothing-Optional Resorts in the Caribbean.

My only question is, what does one do about sunscreen on their nether-regions?

Life-Changing Trips

Most trips impact your life. Whether it's providing some much-needed relaxation or escape, challenge or adventure, or growth and learning, but these aren't the type of trips I'm talking about.

Life-changing trips change your perspective, impact your soul and enlarge your heart. This trip style is one that's less about "self" and more about "other." It's in the interest of helping the needy world around you, usually in response to a 'calling' of some sort--it's a tugging on your heart to give time and resources to those less fortunate. This is the 'benevolent' trip style, similar to 'voluntourism' but perhaps more rooted in one's constantly evolving passion to help the world's community versus a one-off trip (which is also a good thing).

I've had the privilege and opportunity of taking a few benevolent trips over the years. Whether building latrines at a World Vision camp in the Dominican Republic, helping at a clinic in Mexico or visiting my Food for the Hungry (FH) sponsor child in Peru. With each of these trips, a great irony occurred:  the trip's intention was help others---and I say this next part with the utmost humility---yet I was the one who felt helped and transformed by the experience. The trips became mutually beneficial versus one-sided.

My gut feeling is that most people would be interested in helping cross-culturally in a benevolent capacity, but don't know where to start.  How does one even find out about trips where they can lend their hands, energy, skill set or talents?

Finding a benevolent trip opportunity - Start with your passion (counseling, building, cooking, human rights, health, etc...) - Find an organization whose mandate shares your passion - Get to know that organization - Find out about their domestic and international opportunities

Organizations offering benevolent trip styles Habitat for Humanity (CAN) (USA) FH Canada + USA Doctors Without Borders Red Cross

"If we open our eyes to the needs around us we will find plenty of opportunities to serve." (excerpt from a recent FH Newsletter)

Travel Pet Peeves

I'm a glass half-full kinda gal who always makes do when I travel, irrespective of my 1-5 star accommodation du moment.  Yet, here are a few things I wish the travel industry would pay more attention to AND the hotels or airlines that exceeded my expectations:

• Beds that feel like plywood.
  • Best hotel bed = Balboa Bay Club & Resort
• No conditioner/Bad conditioner.
  • Best hotel conditioner = Wailea Marriott
• Weak hair dryers.
  • Best hotel hair dryer =  Anywhere that doesn't have a dinky wall-mount unit or one with air vents on either side vs the back
• Watered-down lotion/Shower gel.
  • Best hotel lotion/Shower gel = Neutrogena lotion & shower gel at the Doubletree SeaTac
• Tile floors (and then the hotel provides no slippers???).
  • Best Slippers = Oceania Cruises
• Small cups at all-inclusives.
  • Best cups = Yet to find good, tall cups
• Airlines who don't recycle (no the papers and plastic cups don't go in the same bag - ahhhhhhh).
  • Airlines who do recycle = Continental
• Resorts with no day facilities to change in when departing after 11am
  • Best day facilities = Sandals WhiteHouse
• No Free Wi-Fi in the year 2010
  • Best free wi-fi = Most hilton brands have free wi-fi in the lobby, Fairmont gives it to anyone who becomes a member of their loyalty program
• Airport Hotels without Airport Shuttles
  • Best Airport Shuttles = ...the ones that have shuttles
• Weighted mini bars (not because I want a Snickers Bar, but so I can put cheese or apples I buy in the fridge)
  • Best hotel fridges = ...the ones that have fridges like the 3Palms Scottsdale

What are your Travel Pet Peeves & best-in-category?