Air Travel Trends: Looking Ahead to 2010

Rick Seaney reports:

The year 2010 sounds so far away, but - face it - it’s really just around the corner.

I was thinking about this, after being asked to participate in a panel discussion on the future of air travel - a discussion hosted by Southwest Airlines.

So will the future be all that different? To an extent. What I’ve done is isolate some of the trends I expect will continue - so take a look - and add to the list if you like, in the comments section.

14 AIR TRAVEL TRENDS: 2010

1. Decline of Human Interaction: it started with Alaska Airline’s “virtual customer service agent Jenn” and kiosks galore

* Ticket and luggage barcodes sent directly to phones, handheld devices
* Retinal scans at TSA checkpoints
* Noise-canceling headphones — for relief from the cell phones on planes

2. Airplane Cabins Resemble Subway Cars: the advertising age meets flying

* Ads on tray tables, overhead bins and boarding passes have already started
* Look for future ads on barf bags and on “free” blankets/pillows

>>Read Story

Hat tip: One Bag, One World

More Vacation Money-Saving Ideas

Of course, one of the best ways to save money on your vacations is to start with a resale timeshare, which will save you 60% to 80% right off the top. But here are a few articles that offer other suggestions as well. Not all of the ideas are directly related to timesharing, but others can be quite helpful for stretching your vacation dollars.

Saving Money While On Vacation

Save Money for Your Family Vacation

Save Money on Vacation Dining (Also, don’t forget to utilize your timeshare’s kitchen as often as possible for making meals. Cut down on food bills by planning ahead where and when to dine out.)

Ten Money-Saving Vacation and Travel Tips

Do You Know Your Travel Personality Type?

Planning on taking a vacation this year with someone else? Chances are good that your travel personalities will differ. She loves the beach; you hate sitting around, baking in the hot sun. He likes concerts and lots of action; you prefer museums and out-of-the-way historical sites. When it comes down to it, your picture-perfect vacation might not match the travel personality of your significant other, your family members, or your friends.

So, what’s the solution? Have all members of your next vacation take a travel-personality quiz before you start planning your next vacation. It’s a great way to discover the true “inner-traveler” of your fellow vacationers. And, remember, the sanity you save just might be your own.

Even if you don’t agree with some of the results, it’s still fun to take “personality” quizzes. So go ahead, find your “inner-traveler”!

Plog Travel Personality Quiz

What’s Your Travel Personality?

JetGurl Personality Quiz

Vacation Personality Quiz (top of page, in the middle)

flerdle’s one-bag adventure

Via One Bag, One World

August 25, 2008
Posted by Registered CommenterBrad in Luggage, Packing

OBOW reader flerdle went one-bag for one month in Europe and here account read likes a textbook for the novice light traveler. Enjoy:

One month, five countries, one bag: Europe!

(flerdle’s one bag adventure)

I live in Australia, which is a long, long way from just about anywhere (except New Zealand), so when the opportunity to attend a conference in Lausanne, Switzerland arose for mid July, I decided to combine work and play, extend my stay to a whole month, and see how I went traveling as lightly as possible.

I was also recovering from recent major shoulder surgery, so traveling light was an absolute necessity.

Verdict: it certainly worked for me, and I would not hesitate to travel this way again.

I would like to echo John’s comment on a recent thread: “Pack the right gear, get the high-tech, lightweight, quick drying gear, and pack right”. I got an MEI Voyageur, a Rick Steves Civitas daypack, an Asus EeePC, three pairs of light pants from Ex-Officio, and went from there. A complete (women’s) packing list is at the end of this post, with a photo of it all. Yes, despite how it looks all spread out it all fitted in the bag, with room to spare. I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything. [read more]

Ten Ways to Save Up Money for Your Timeshare Vacation

Whether you’re planning to purchase a timeshare or rent a timeshare unit for an upcoming vacation, here are a few ways you might be able to sock away the cash you need without feeling the pinch:
1. Dedicate your income-tax refund to your timeshare vacation fund.
2. Got a raise this year? Put the extra money in your vacation savings account.

3. Forego your fancy latte from the neighborhood barista, and brew your own instead.

4. Put your monthly gym membership on hold–or negotiate a membership for less money with fewer perks.

5. Women: Do your own nails instead of visiting the manicurist once a month. Men: Try to limit visits to the barbershop; if your wife, girlfriend, daughter or friend can wield some clippers, you might consider investing in a set for future haircuts.

6. Rent movies from online DVD memberships that arrive by mail so you never have to pay late fees for film rentals. Already belong? Change your membership to a cheaper option, such as one that limits you to renting only two or three at a time.

7. Stop drinking pricey bottled water at home. If your tap water is icky, buy an inexpensive filter for your faucet (the environment will thank you, too).

8. Reduce your energy bills by making sure your house or apartment is as efficient as possible–close blinds at night, check for air leaks at your doors and windows, turn off lights when you leave the room.

9. As you shop for clothes, ask yourself: “Is this a want or a need?” Put down the item, and if you’re still pining for it, return to the store tomorrow. Better yet, host a clothing swap with friends. Ask a bunch of buddies to bring their gently used clothes to display in your living room; have fun trying them on and modeling for each other over (cheap) bottles of wine.

10. Talk to your friends and family about not exchanging birthday or holiday gifts this year, or draw names so that each person buys only one gift for one other person. If your mom really wants to get you something, suggest that she donate to the cause–ask for cash to deposit in your vacation savings account!

Maria’s 7 Secrets to Timeshare Exchange

Learn to Exchange Like a Pro
If there is one thing about timesharing that causes grief for people, it’s got to be exchanging. Now for me, I believe there are two reasons for this:
Over-promising at the resort, and understanding how it works.

ARDA, the American Resort Developer’s Association, says that exchanging is one of the main reasons why people buy. I don’t know about that, but it’s certainly one of the big promises made by every timeshare salesperson on earth. “Just bank and go,” they say, “it’s that easy!” Well, it’s not and you and I know it! But before I reveal to you Maria’s Seven Secrets of Exchanging, let me introduce myself and tell you what I do at Holiday Resales. [read more]

Also: Timeshare Exchange System

Tips for Saving Money on Your Timeshare Vacation

If you’re feeling a pinch in your pocketbook, and would like to stretch your dollars on your next timeshare vacation, consider these hints:
Remember to pack toiletries and first-aid items

It’s a hassle, and it’s expensive, to pick up sunscreen, make-up and other toiletries once you’re on vacation. Make a check-list of all your personal items, medicines, band-aids and ointments that you don’t want to forget to pack before you leave home. Also, be sure to pack anything that might be confiscated at the airport in your luggage rather than your carry-on bag. It can be expensive to replace these items after you’ve reached your destination.
Use your timeshare’s kitchen

Stock your timeshare’s refrigerator to store milk and juice for cereal breakfasts. Same goes for sandwich fixings for lunch, beer for happy hour, and fruit for late-night snacks.

Eat like a local

In Europe, pack a picnic lunch of a baguette, cheese and ham. In the Caribbean, eat fresh fruit from roadside markets. Find neighborhood restaurants or pack lunches made from items picked up from local grocery stores, and you’ll save a bundle of money that you can then spend at a more upscale restaurant once or twice during your vacation.

Don’t use the phone in your timeshare unit

Buy a local phone card or purchase an international calling card before you leave home.

Explore on your own

In touristy locales like Mexico, there are plenty of outfitters offering snorkeling, ruins and other sightseeing tours–for a lot of money. Oftentimes, it’s cheaper just to rent a car or take a taxi to the sightseeing location or beach and enjoy it at your own pace. Ask the front desk or the concierge at your timeshare resort how to rent a car, take public transportation or otherwise get to where you want to go. Be sure to ask if the public transportation or the area you’d like to visit is safe for foreigners to check out on their own.

Bargain for souvenirs

Again, going off the beaten path will help you save money while you’re on vacation. Hit a touristy shopping area and you’ll spend much more than if you seek out less-traveled markets. In places like Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean don’t be afraid to bargain if you’re shopping at an open-air market. Bargaining for items it typically expected. Just don’t come down too low if you’ve found an item you really want to bring home!

Tips for Traveling Abroad (Dept. of State)

For detailed information about steps you can take to ensure a safe trip, see How to Have a Safe Trip. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to make your travel easier and safer:

• Register so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency: Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This will help us contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.

• Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.

• Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

• Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.
• Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The State Department web site at has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.

• Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

• Contact us in an emergency: Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov. Also note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas.

[more]

Holiday Travel With Kids

One of the country’s leading experts on family travel, author and television personality Deb Geigis Berry spends up to 16 weeks on the road each year with her husband and two young children to seek out the best destinations to recommend to consumers. Here are some tips for holiday travel she’s picked up along the way.
Keep planning simple: Traveling with kids in tow involves many details. To make the process easier, consider using a travel agent, who can recommend vacation destinations tailor-made for your family’s interests and budget, find great deals on airfare and hotels, and fill you in on the latest airport security news.
Make getting to your destination fun: Use time traveling together for zany sing-alongs, family storytelling sessions and scavenger hunts. Parents can draw up a list of things you might expect to see from a car or plane, such as two-toned cows, a car toting a Christmas tree, or a man wearing a red hat, then have the kids vie to see who spots the items first. For the ultimate treat, splurge on a portable DVD player, and watch a new holiday movie in transit, the just-released A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is a good bet this winter.

[more]

Buying a Timeshare - RCI Points vs RCI Weeks Timeshares

Emma Martin
October 4, 2007
Since RCI Points are the standard for timeshare vacations when it comes to the point system, let’s take a look at points versus timeshare weeks.
First, let’s look at the primary benefit of timeshare points which is the flexibility. With points, you are not limited to a timeshare vacation in the same place every year and at the same time every year.

RCI Weeks owners have their timeshare unit and week and that is where they will be each and every year, unless they decide to do an exchange to another resort. There is a lot to be said for knowing where you will be and not having to waste even an hour of your vacation time getting oriented every year. If your Weeks timeshare is the perfect spot for you and you don’t want any surprises, then RCI Weeks is the place to be. [Read More]
Check out Holiday’s selection of RCI Points timeshares!

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