Use zip ties – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Since the increase in security, airports recommend you keep your luggage unlocked because if they find any reason to check your belongings, they will be forced to break open any lock on your bags.

So, you think you have 2 options:
1.) Have multiple spare locks (which can be costly!); or,
2.) Keep your luggage unlocked and risk your suitcase bursting open with your undergarments flying (unfortunately, speaking from experience).

However, there is one more option: use zip ties to secure your zippers. Zip ties will keep your zippers closed tight, but are simple enough to cut open if security needs to check your bag.

Bonus: Not only are zip ties cheap, they come in a variety of colors, which is useful when trying to spot your luggage amidst dozens of other identical suitcases.

More road trip apps for your phone – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

The iPhone and other smart phone applications are making our lives simpler every day. Road trips are no exception. Before leaving on your next road trip, try these apps, all available on the App Store (warning: links open iTunes):

  1. Free WiFi Finder (free) helps you find strong and free WiFi hotspots on the road;
  2. Where To? ($2.99) helps find places of interest like museums and shopping centers and is great for unfamiliar places; the special ‘Surpise Me’ feature helps when you’re indecisive;
  3. Road Trip ($4.99) allows you to keep records of fuel prices, mileage, and travel expenses so you may graph them and export to a CSV file.

Related: Road trip tip: 6 useful iPhone apps for road trips

Load your car the night before – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

How many times have we planned on leaving at 7 in the morning for a road trip only to find that we’re running two hours late before it’s even started?

With the exception of the cooler and (maybe) the kids, everything that’s needed — from luggage to GPS to toll transponder — can all be put into the car the night before.

If you cannot do this because you park your car in the street and not the garage, have everything you need right by the door so you can just grab and go the next morning. Remember: the fun part of the road trip start right after all the work finishes.

Laminate maps and printed directions – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Passengers eat, drink, and frequently move in and out of the car during a road trip. A paper map or set of printed directions easily gets shoved into a seat during a stop, or worse yet, ruined if food or drink is spilled on it. Upon arrival, directions and maps are even more likely to get misplaced or damaged. To keep maps and directions safe during the trip, laminate them.

For around $30, a home laminating machine will seal standard letter size pages. Copy and print stores have the capability to laminate larger maps for a minimal fee. Alternatively, you can use contact paper to cover paper maps.

Pro tip: you can draw your route on a laminated map and easily wipe the mark off, if you change your mind.

Get upgraded to first class for free – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Work for a company that will only reimburse coach fares? Book a full-fare economy class ticket with a Y booking code.

Commonly referred to as “Y-up” tickets, travelers with a Y booking code may request complimentary upgrade to first class seating. Airlines created the Y booking code to get around tighter corporate travel policies, while still catering to their most lucrative passenger segment.