Leave the plane with more bags than you came with – Packing tip

by Kyle Ellison on

With baggage fees constantly climbing, travelers are having to get creative to skirt unwanted costs. One unconventional method involves actually leaving the plane with more carry-on bags than you boarded with.

How is it possible? Simple:

  1. Wear extra clothes while entering the plane (layers of t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, jackets, shorts beneath pants, etc.).
  2. Pack an empty duffel bag in your allowed carry-on.
  3. Once you reach cruising altitude simply shed the extra clothing into the empty bag on a trip to the lavatory.

Peculiar? Undoubtedly. Effective? Highly.

Buy a cookbook – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Part of the fun of travel is eating new foods. But why restrict yourself to only eating these fabulous dishes while on vacation? If you’re impressed with the food during a trip, buy a local cookbook and a few area-specific ingredients.

When you get home, recreate your favorite dishes there. If you’re feeling like a party, invite your neighbors over and feed them, too. When they’re devouring your delicious meal, they may even be interested in hearing about your fantastic experience.

Check-in 24 hours in advance, to get better seats – Airline tip

by Gadling Staff on

Have you ever made an airline reservation and been told the only available seats are those in the middle? What you probably weren’t told is that airlines hold a number of prime seats for last-minute bookings to elite customers. When those seats aren’t sold, they’re released about 24 hours prior to departure.

To take advantage of this, visit your airline’s website and look for the “check-in” link. There you will see what (newly released) seats are available, and you can change yours if necessary.

If that doesn’t work, use the check-in kiosk when you get to the airport. It offers the same option.

Bring a camera – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Bring your camera.

It doesn’t have to be an expensive camera with all the bells and whistles. You can even get great shots with a disposable camera.

You never know when you’ll see a hilarious sign, odd landmark or spectacular sunset, so have your camera at the ready.

Carry a notepad – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When traveling in countries where you don’t speak the language, always have a notepad and pen handy to help you communicate with others.

Written communication is clearer than spoken communication when there is a language barrier to overcome. The French train ticket agent might not understand what you are saying, but when you write your destination on a piece of paper, there will be no problem.

Offer the notepad to those with whom you are interacting in addition to using it yourself. Your Balinese taxi cab driver will be happy to confirm that he heard your hotel name correctly.