Bluetooth Zombies Stalk Our Travel Spaces

by Dave Seminara on

If you’re a frequent traveler you’ve seen them. Unlike real zombies, they don’t just come out at night; they stalk airports, hotel lobbies and various modes of public transport everywhere. They’re Bluetooth zombies, roaming our travel spaces, spewing words forth, loudly, into our public spaces.

This morning, at a business class hotel in the Midwest, I had breakfast next to a woman who spent her entire breakfast, and mine too, making a series of hands-free calls loud enough for the entire room to hear. I’m not sure why, but there is something about travelers who are constantly on the phone as they walk through airport corridors, eat their breakfast at the hotel or stand in line at the car rental counter that is disconcerting to me.At first, you hear them talking but see no phone and wonder if they’re talking to themselves or someone else in the vicinity. How are these folks any different than any other travelers who walk around using mobile phones? It might be my imagination, but it seems like they tend to talk louder in public spaces than normal callers. I’m not sure if this is because they’re overcompensating for the fact that they aren’t directing their voice into a device or if they only seem louder because their voice booms out into the air, rather than into a device.

Also, Bluetooth zombies are more empowered to multitask, since they aren’t using their hands to hold a phone. This means that many think nothing of continuing their conversation while ordering their coffee or meal at the airport, checking into or out of a hotel, renting a car and so on. Some businesses, like Arinell Pizza in San Francisco, refuse to serve people who are talking on Bluetooth devices, and I don’t blame them (see their illustration above).

If you have to physically hold a phone, it’s a bit more cumbersome to be taking your food tray, digging into your wallet or purse for ID, credit cards or money and the like. The Bluetooth zombie is free to keep talking, oblivious to the world.

I know that business travelers have to make calls while on the road to earn a living. I worked in sales for a time right after college, so I know how that goes. But I think this particular piece of technology, while perfect for making calls in a car, is a bit of a scourge in terms of inflicting noise into our public travel spaces.

If a traveler plans to make a longish call, or a series of calls, why not go to a spot in the airport with some privacy rather than doing so seated, in a crowded area, right next to a variety of other travelers waiting to board their flight?

Virgin Atlantic is already allowing in-flight phone calls on at least one route, and according to CNN, in-flight calls are going to be par for the course everywhere soon. That might seem like a frightening development, but there are two rays of hope. First, the calls will be expensive, so hopefully people won’t talk that much, and second, people are talking less and texting more anyway.

Some young people are barely capable of conversation, while old-school business travelers use new technology to inflict noise on the rest of us. But why is it that a traveler having a loud conversation on the phone seems more intrusive than two people having a face-to-face conversation at the same volume level in the same space? I have no idea, but there’s something about the army of Bluetooth zombies that march through our travel spaces that rubs me the wrong way.

[Photo by Disrupsean on Flickr]

Inside United’s First 787 Dreamliner At Boeing HQ

by Zach Honig on

We knew it was coming, but now that we’ve had a chance to step on board United Airlines’ latest jetliner in person, we’ll surely be counting the days until we can ease into one of those airborne recliners as the carrier’s 787 takes to the skies. Just days after getting its first coat of paint (and that unique nose-to-tail swoop), United opened up its Dreamliner for journalists, select customers and a handful of staffers to take a first look at the 787’s interior, which includes 36 flat-bed BusinessFirst seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, 72 Economy Plus seats with up to 36 inches of pitch and 111 Economy seats with a fairly standard 32 inches of pitch.

You could have garnered that from glancing at a seat map. What’s not so clear is just how magnificent this aircraft is to ride, or, in the case of our grounded demo at Boeing’s Everett factory today, how it looks from the ground. This isn’t our first trip down the aisles of a 787, having flown on ANA’s Dreamliner with Engadget in Japan last year. In comparison to the 777, however, where we’ve spent weeks of time in flight, it’s quite exciting to see how the in-flight experience is improving, even when compared to the pleasant ride on the carrier’s previous-generation flagship.

%Gallery-161659%United will be operating the Dreamliner on new and existing routes, and while we don’t know exactly where the 787 will fly first, service is slated begin later this year. The first confirmed route will launch on March 31st between Denver and Tokyo, growing direct service between the Japanese hub and the U.S. to 10 cities (including Honolulu and Guam). Passengers on board those flights will certainly appreciate the oversized dimmable windows and giant overhead bins, along with all-LED lighting, which sadly are limited to basic color configurations, rather than the ANA we’ve seen during boarding on ANA.


The 787 is more than a foot narrower than the 777, but United maintained the same seating configuration as its Continental acquisitions, which you might assume makes the aircraft seem a bit cramped. The higher ceilings and open feel made the difference almost unnoticeable, however, and the Continental-era BusinessFirst seats on board are still far superior to United’s own triple-7 layout, where four center seats mean you could end up paying for a bed yet still have a middle seat. Here, just like on those select triple-7s (mostly used on flights beginning in Houston or Newark), biz seats offer much more privacy, with more personal space and substantial dividers.

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In the Y-cabin, seats seemed cushier than what we’ve used on United’s existing fleet, and feature the same in-flight entertainment system installed on some of the carrier’s current aircraft. Like BusinessFirst, these seats also feature larger dimmable windows and overhead bins which reportedly offer 30 percent more capacity than those on United’s 777. Rows 16 and 27 have substantially more legroom than other Economy Plus seats. In fact, there’s so much space between the window-side seats in row 27 that you could plop down a sleeping bag and camp out on the floor if the FAA permitted it.


Surprisingly, the most spacious seats on the plane aren’t in this row or even in the business cabin, but instead are located up a flight of stairs in a hidden second level. Two sets of crew quarters are located at the far forward and far aft positions, behind doors marked “Crew Only.” Through those doors and up a small flight of stairs you’ll find two full-size beds in the front of the Dreamliner and six in the rear. There’s not much room to do much other than sleep, but thick, full-length mattresses will surely enable pilots and flight attendants to make good use of scheduled rest periods.


We felt quite comfy during our visit to United’s 787, even on the main level, and while we couldn’t experience the boosted humidity, increased cabin pressure, noise suppression and computer-assisted smooth performance, it’s clear that the Dreamliner will be very popular among United passengers. There’s a few months to go until you can take a flight of your own, but we have plenty of photos to tide you over for now. Thumb through the galleries for a closer look, then scroll down below for a hands-on video from Engadget.


The Traveler’s Guide To Credit Cards

by Jessica Festa on

When planning a trip, the most confusing aspect is often trying to figure out what type of currency to bring along and how to navigate your credit cards. With help from Anisha Sekar, VP of Credit and Debit Products at NerdWallet, as well as my own travel experience, I’ve put together this guide to help you travel more efficiently with credit cards.

Know Before You Go

There are a few things you should take care of before heading off on your trip. First and foremost, no matter what credit or debit card you bring along, you must call the card company to let them know you will be traveling. If you don’t, the card will most likely become locked and you will have to call to have it reactivated, a process that can be a hassle when using international phone lines. It’s also good to call to see what spending and withdrawal restrictions are on the card, as well as if there are any incentives like travel insurance, no transaction fees or coverage on rental cars. For example, with Visa, travelers can save money on basics like rental cars, as well as receive perks from the Visa Signature offerings, including the Luxury Hotel Collection and the Visa Signature Global Concierge.

Moreover, making photocopies of all your important documents, including your credit cards, is important. When I travel, I always bring a copy hidden somewhere in my luggage, away from my valuables, as well as leave a copy at home with my family just in case.Questions To Ask Yourself Before Choosing A Credit Card

Everyone has their own unique travel style, meaning while one card may be right for one person, it may not be as practical for someone else. Before deciding on a card, ask yourself:

  • Where am I traveling to? For example, if you often travel abroad, a card without foreign transaction fees is a must. However, if you’re more likely to do a domestic road trip, you’ll probably be more concerned with what types of car rental insurance a card offers.
  • What brands am I loyal to when I travel? If you tend to stay in hostels and use different airlines every time you travel, a branded card probably isn’t a wise choice. However, if you’re a loyal Starwood or Delta customer, signing up for one of their company cards can have a lot of benefits.
  • Can I travel hack? If you don’t mind putting in the time to do research, cards that pay out in airline miles or rewards points can offer serious benefits.
  • Is the annual fee worth it? While many people automatically reject all credit cards charging annual fees, it’s a better idea to do a bit of research and math before making the final decision. Advises Sekar, “Do a quick back-of-the-napkin calculation weighing a higher rewards rate and benefits against an annual fee, and let the numbers speak for themselves.”

Foreign Transaction Fees

When trying to choose a travel credit card, this is probably the most important factor to look into. Many cards will charge you 1% to 3% every time you use the card. While this may not sound like a lot, it adds up very quickly, many times ending up to be more than the card’s annual fee. In my opinion, if you travel abroad regularly, it’s a good idea to find a card that doesn’t impose a transaction fee, like Capital One and Discover. Some good ones to look into include:

  • Capital One Venture Rewards Card– This is the credit card I use for travel and highly recommend. Along with being able to use it abroad incessantly without ever being charged a fee, some of the perks include two miles for every $1 spent, 2% back on all purchases, 10,000 bonus miles when spending $1,000 in the first three months of signup and no annual fee on your first year. Moreover, every single time I have called them, I have received exceptional customer service. They overnighted me a new card when mine was stolen, taken off charges for returns that never went through and have always been extremely helpful.
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred Card– While I’ve never used this card myself, I’ve heard excellent things about it from those who have. Some perks include a $500 signup bonus, 40,000 Ultimate Rewards Points if you spend $3,000 in first three months of signup, no annual fee the first year and two points per $1 spent on most travel-related expenses. You’ll also receive one additional point per $1 spent and 20% off when you book travel through Ultimate Rewards.
  • BankAmericard Privileges with Travel Rewards– This travel card comes with many perks, and no foreign transaction fee. You’ll earn double points on each purchase, there’s no annual fee for the first year, and if you qualify you may have the fee waived in subsequent years. Additionally, points never expire and you’ll have access to 24-hour travel and emergency assistance as well as a concierge service.

EMV Compatibility

For those using a magnetic stripe card for travel, be aware that some places may not accept them.

“Around the world, credit cards are using embedded smartchips, called EMV chips, for verification rather than the traditional magnetic strips,” explains Sekar. “Though standard in other countries, EMV technology has yet to be adopted domestically.”

There are many cards that use the EMV technology, such as the BankAmericard Privileges with Travel Rewards card mentioned above, Chase Hyatt Visa Signature and all Citi MasterCards by request.

It is worth to note that even when cashiers say they cannot accept your magnetic stripe card, they probably can.

“Your magnetic-stripe card does work,” assures Ava Kelly, Head of Global Affluent and Cross Border Initiatives at Visa Inc. “When traveling internationally, if you encounter a business that says it cannot accept your card, just ask them to try again. Tell them to look for the slot for swiping a card, and follow the prompts on their payment terminal.”

Personally, I think this is worth taking into consideration. However, I think it’s more important to make sure you use Visa when traveling abroad. When other travelers have their credit cards declined, it is usually because they are carrying an American Express or Discover Card – unless they’re in China, that is, where Discover is the preferred method of payment.

Auto Rental Coverage

For travelers looking to rent a car, you should look to your credit card to help you with insurance. Often times, the policies offered to you by car rental agencies are already included in your credit card.

“All credit card networks provide some form of rental car insurance, though not all specific cards offer the benefit,” explains Sekar.

The questions you should look into include:

  • What is covered? For example, while Discover’s policy is limited to collisions and upsets, American Express Platinum covers theft, collision and other events.
  • How long do you have to make a claim? For instance, MasterCard holders get 60 days. On the other hand, American Express gives their clients 48 hours.
  • What will the company pay for? If you look into Visa, you’ll see they cover administrative and towing costs. However, Discover will not pay for “loss of use.”

Overall, Visa offers the best car rental insurance benefits of the four major networks. First of all, each of their cards includes rental car insurance for physical damage, theft, loss of use, towing and administrative costs. MasterCard is also pretty good, although its not offered on all cards. Remember, it doesn’t cover loss of use or theft of an unlocked vehicle like Visa does. American Express offers one perk that some may be interested in, the ability to add extra coverage for a small fee. Discover is hands down the worst card when it comes to auto rental coverage, and only a few of their cards even offer it.

Additionally, many prestigious cards also other types of travel coverage, such as lost baggage, travel delays, trip cancellation, accidental death and dismemberment, which is worth looking into.

Should You Consider A Branded Airline Or Hotel Card?

This will depend on how you travel. For example, if you regularly check bags, you may want to find an airline card that waives baggage fees. Just make sure to look at what the annual fee is, and calculate if you will end up spending more or less. If the annual fee is $50 and you usually spend $150 a year checking bags, it may be worth it to get the card. Moreover, hotel cards can often make your stay a lot nicer if you regularly book a particular hotel brand.

“Hotel credit cards can sometimes come with automatic elite status, which brings perks like late checkout, free newspapers, accelerated rewards earning and other goodies,” says Sekar. “Sometimes, these hotel cards will even have no annual fee, providing you with perks for free.”

Personally, I’m a fan of the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Card. Although there is an annual fee, it is waived during your first year. Additionally, you’ll get 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase, and 15,000 additional Starpoints when spending $5,000 in six months. Points can be redeemed for free stays in over 1,000 hotels in over 100 countries or free flights. And, they give you many chances to earn double points and sometimes even five points per dollar.

Do I Have To Pay An Annual Fee?

The truth is, even though many credit card companies charge an annual fee, you can often get out of paying it. Just simply pick up the phone and ask. It helps if you have a good relationship with the credit card company and are timely with paying the bills. Furthermore, because many companies are now relying heavily on social media, consider tweeting a polite comment about your displeasure with the annual fee, including the company in the tweet using the “@” symbol and the credit card company’s Twitter handle. Other fees you can try to get lowered or waived include the balance transfer fee, late fee, foreign transaction fee, interest rate and over the limit fee.

[Image via 401(K)2012]

Video: Burkina Faso Plastic Bag Recycling

by Elizabeth Seward on

“Burkina Faso Plastic Bag Recycling” from Corentin Banzet on Vimeo.

In Burkina Faso, hope doesn’t seem to always come easily. With one of the lowest GDP per capita figures in the world ($1,200) and a tumultuous political past that has led to widespread unrest, it’s no wonder so many people that make up the country’s near 16 million population count are struggling. But in this video, Vimeo user Corentin Banzet documents some of the women in Burkina Faso who are using the country’s garbage as a resource for moneymaking. With the hook method, 150 women in the town of Tiébélé Burkina managed to produce 1,000 bags and 500 pouches over the span of eight months. And they did it all by recycling used plastic bags.

Breakfast And Botox: Hotel Offers Cosmetic Procedures After Your Meal

by Jessica Festa on

Want to come back from your vacation more beautiful than when you left? Guests of the Four Seasons in downtown Austin, Texas, can now take advantage of a unique hotel package that allows them to get cosmetically enhanced after breakfast.

This week, Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery opened on the main floor of the Four Seasons Residences Austin, which is located on the same property as the Four Seasons Hotel Austin.

“It’s a major convenience,” Lorley Musiol, director of the Four Seasons Residences Austin, told NBC News. “It’s rare to find a plastic surgeon in a downtown market. So this should appeal to hotel guests such as women whose husbands are here for a meeting and to people who work and live in the city.”

The menu of procedures includes Botox, chemical peels and, starting next year, breast augmentation, liposuction and other services. According to Katie Davin, director of hospitality education at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, marketing cosmetic services to luxury hotel guests is a great idea because this type of guest usually makes use of extra add-ons and amenities. Additionally, it allows guests privacy and comfort during the initial recovery period.

While you won’t see the “Botox & Brunch” packages on the Four Seasons website, Musiol assures the hotel is working with Westlake to offer discounts and promotions to guests.

What do you think of the “Botox & Brunch” hotel package?

[Image via avlxyz]