Word to the wise: when claiming your luggage from an airline baggage claim carousel, don’t just check the exterior of your bag for damage, but make sure your personal contents are inside. Sometimes, your bag may look right and...
Miles, The Alternative To Sneaking Into Business Class
My post on a woman sneaking up to business class on my Singapore Airlines flight caused quite a stir, with many indignant about me calling her out. But she could have avoided the embarrassment of being marched back to...
The Airline Pillow Trick…Don’t Rest On It
A video has gone viral on TikTok that purports to show how to beat paying baggage fees by stuffing clothes inside a pillowcase. This is not a travel hack I would rest on… Pillow Flies Free? It Depends. The...
The Hotel Pizza Scam
Be very wary of flyers for pizza and other delivery food that may appear under your hotel door. There’s a decent chance such offers are nothing but a scam, even if you do get your pizza. Hotel Pizza Scam...
How Many 3.4 Ounce (100 mL) Bottles Can I Take Onboard My Flight?
15 years after an onboard bombing attempt led to restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags, limitations reman in effect in the United States and much of the world. But how many 3.4 ounce (100mL) bottles can you actually take...
When Will New Stimulus Checks Arrive?
Despite a veto threat if Congress did not include $2,000 direct payments to Americans, President Donald Trump ultimately signed the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. When can you expect to see the $600 in your bank account? Expect New...
How To Obtain A Visa On Arrival In Togo
The process of obtaining a visa on arrival to Togo was simple and straightforward, but I came prepared. Instructions: Visa On Arrival In Togo After stamping out of Ghana in Aflao, I walked directly across the road (sorry, no...
What Do You Do If An Airline Cancels Your Return Ticket And Blames You?
You fly to your destination. You have a great time. But when you check-in for your return trip, you find your itinerary (not your flight) has been cancelled. You call the airline or ask an agent at the airport...
My Global Entry Enrollment On Arrival Interview
My Global Entry was up for renewal this year. Rather than schedule an interview appointment and make an extra trip to the airport, I took advantage of the “Enrollment on Arrival” program to knock out my interview at San...
Today: Chicago Seminars 2020
Today marks the 11th annual Chicago Seminars, the “original” travel conference that brings experts and novices together to talk miles, points, credit cards, airline, and hotel loyalty programs in a low-key format. This year’s event will be in the...
The Perfect Gift For A Four-Year-Old AvGeek
My son Augustine recently celebrated his fourth birthday. Thanks to my bad influence, he’s an AvGeek by every stretch of the word. A small gift from my brother proved to delight him like nothing I’ve ever seen. A Perfect...
How To Cross The U.S. – Mexican Border With Ease
Last week I spent an afternoon and evening in Tijuana, Mexico. This border town in Baja California remains open during the pandemic for essential purposes and I want to address what to expect in terms of crossing in both...
My PPP Funding Arrived…It’s Not Too Late For You!
It came down to the wire, but I finally received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for Live and Let’s Fly. If you are still waiting on a conventional institution, it’s time to look elsewhere. PPP: Chase, You Let Me...
The Peril Of Buying Gift Cards…
I don’t buy gift cards, unless I am gifting them in small amounts. A recent bankruptcy illustrates why you should also be careful about ever stocking up on gift cards. First, perhaps, we should take a step back. The...
Why You Should Avoid Redeeming Miles For Merchandise
Put simply, using miles for merchandise is generally a horrible deal versus using your miles for travel. Airlines Are Happy To Send You Fancy Electronics In Exchange For Your Miles Most loyalty programs are happy to let you burn...
If The Airline Refund Doesn’t Impute, You Must Dispute…
Let me put it bluntly: if your flight is canceled and an airline doesn’t issue a prompt refund, you should dispute the charge with your credit card company. In 1994, charismatic attorney for O.J Simpson Johnnie Cochran told the...
Five Ways I Protect Myself Against Coronavirus As I Travel The World
As the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus continues to spread, raising more alarms, my international travel has not slowed. Here are five things I am doing to minimize my chances of getting sick while traveling. First, let me say what...
Considering A One-Way Delta SkyMiles Award? Check Round-Trip Pricing First
While I understand the economics of airline pricing to the extent that distance and price rarely correlate, the idea of charging more for A alone than A + B still requires the suspension of logic. Today, I’m not talking...
Checking Baggage Before Your Flight? Arrive Early. Get Aggressive, If Necessary.
What happens when you attempt to check-in late for your flight with baggage? The answer is, you get stuck. And may even forfeit the value of your ticket. This is the busiest travel week of the year and many...
How To Save Big On Uber And Lyft At LAX
As Matthew recently wrote, LAX shared ride pickups have been a mess since the switch to a central pick-up zone. But you can save money and perhaps even time on your next Uber or Lyft ride with a little...
