RailEurope - Passes - Discounts

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:55:54 -0600

Before you travel - check and see if a RailEurope issued transportation pass is a better value (it usually is) than purchasing point-to-point tickets.

For visiting a variety of countries, you may wish to obtain a EurailPass or for individual countries, a pass just for that country - such as a Swiss Pass.

If you have a family or a group of at least two traveling together, you get a discount. Passes are issued typically for first class and second class, and have a variety of pass types, such as travel within a certain number of consecutive days, days within a month, and other combinations.

A country pass (such as a Swiss Pass, Saverpass, Flexipass or Card) allow travel on all modes of transportation, including rail, buses and boats within the travel system of that country.

There are rail-and-drive options, as well as fly-rail-baggage service which checks in your baggage and sends it to your destination so you can travel by rail hassle-free. There are a multitude of pass types which can all be found on the RailEurope site.

Cruising Review (Global Energy Travel Services) can also book your RailEurope passes. We’ll give you free ticket shipping and a 5% cash rebate with orders over $400.

The best part of booking online (in advance) is that you hit the ground running - and get discount options only available online (such as lift passes to alpine peaks at a discount for Europe destinations).

Avoid Credit Card Convenience Checks for Miles

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:27:14 -0500

I recently got caught on a clever scam from US Bank VISA.

They sent me some convenience checks that I could write which would be charged to my VISA account, and I would get 500 bonus frequent flyer miles.

I wrote a check for $2,000 to a company that didn't take credit cards, and the day it was posted, I paid it off immediately.

To my surprise, they automatically charged me $75 for the convenience !

I called to complain, and they said it was like a cash advance, and even for one day, I'd be charged.
 It's another rip-off by the credit card companies.

Don't use convenience checks - they'll empty your wallet. 500 miles for $75 is not worth it.

Greedy US Bank VISA doesn't figure that you'll notice the hefty automatic fee they put on your account. Learn from my mistake - it will save you money.

Avoid the American Express Card - Leave home without it !

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:19:39 -0500

Last year I was convinced to get the Delta American Express (frequent flyer) Credit Card. I was upsold to the Platinum level for a high yearly fee and promised a free flight travel ticket on Delta.

After two months of waiting for the welcome kit which had the bonus airline ticket, I started to become suspicious. I called into the American Express credit card toll-free number to inquire about the issue, and I was told that a welcome kit would be sent shortly.

A month later, I still did not have it. I called again. Same promise - yet it never came.

A month later, I made a final call to American Express. They again assured me that the kit would be on it's way. It never arrived.

American Express is a disaster. First - not everyone takes their card. Second, you pay for services you never receive. It's only if you have alot of time on your hands that you can follow-up on their mistakes. Who has that much time ? They bank on the fact that you're probably not going to complain, and they save money - the bottom line increases for them.

Since I fly Delta I wanted to use the AMEX card - so I went to the lowest level possible that I could still get bonus points. Shortly, I'm getting rid of the card completely since American Express is a complete disaster.

It's not worth the hassle to get the extra frequent flyer miles.

This travel tip: AVOID American Express. They promise, and don't deliver.

Mobal GSM World Cell Phone

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:47:45 -0500

Mobal GSM World Phone
Quite simply the most convenient way of making and receiving calls in over 140 countries. There are no monthly access charges, so if you never use the phone there is never a charge. I just got a Mobal phone - and will review it on my next European adventure (Bacelona to Rome cruise - May 14-21st, 2007).

ORDER NOW (you will be taken to the Mobal Site with secure ordering)

Mobal GSM World SIM
Get all the benefits of the Mobal World Phone service on your existing GSM cell phone with the Free Mobal World SIM. Please check that your current GSM cell phone is not SIM-Locked.

Download the Mobal Phone FAQ and eBook....

Satellite phone rental
If you are traveling to areas where there is little or no cellular coverage, Mobal can supply you with an Iridium satellite phone rental that allows calls to be made and received anywhere in the world.

North American cell phone rental
For the occasions when you need to supplement your cell phone stock, for example for special events or when you have visitors from overseas, Mobal supply regular North American cell phones on a short-term rental basis.

Japanese cell phone rental
Japanese cell phones use highly specialized CDMA technology that is incompatible with most other cell phone systems. If you are visiting Japan you will need to rent a Japanese phone.

Korean cell phone rental
Korean cell phones use highly specialized CDMA technology that is incompatible with most other cell phone systems. If you are visiting Korea you will need to rent a Korean phone.

Activity Discount Cards

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:51:32 -0500

While in Engelberg, Switzerland last year, the hotel issued us a activity discount card which was good for local ski lifts and other vendors. At first, I almost threw it away, but a lift operator asked if I had it, and it was worth a significant discount on the service.

Always ask if there’s a local activity discount card when checking in - and see what it’s good for.

In most cases, you’ll also get a discount if you have some sort of rail pass - in this case, a Swiss Rail Pass was good for 10-15% discounts on most lifts, lake cruises and private rail.

Below is an example of a discount card...

Pre Trip Foreign Currency Purchase

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:42:42 -0500

After the hassles of going to the local bank to get Euro’s, or find out that the local branch doesn’t carry Swiss Francs, I decided on a web solution - Wells Fargo Online Foreign Currency Exchange.

You may purchase with a credit card, and it gets delivered to your location via Federal Express. It’s convenient, and worth whatever overnight delivery charges are added to your order. Plus, you may send currency back if you wish (after your trip).

While you may get slightly better rates at the airport, or just by using the local ATM’s, I find it more secure and convenient to order online. Plus, I’m not a big fan of using ATM’s with all the scams going on now - which record your card info and can be used for identity theft.

Your other option is to use travelers checks. I find this very inconvenient, and carry them only for emergencies. I tried exchanging some at a bank in Nice (France) a few years ago and had to waste alot of time - first, the banks are never open when you need them, and second, the exchange rate usually includes a large service fee. You’re better off just charging currency to your room bill and paying by credit card. I’ve done this before in Tahiti, and it works well.

Dealing With Jet Lag

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:28:10 -0500

Experts agree that traveling east compounds the effects of jet lag. Here are some suggestions:

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and drink lots of water
Sleep (if possible) on overnight flights
Exercise before and after a long flight (walking is great)
Try to adapt to the local time zone (eating/sleeping schedule)

Also set your watch to the local time zone - don’t try to live in dual time zones, it will only challenge your body to adapt less.

Pre Trip Packing - Luggage

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:18:22 -0500

Set out all your travel clothes and luggage, select only what you need for the trip.

Generally, I use only one carry-on for all my travels.

For cruises, I take a roll-aboard with a bath kit. I wear a evening jacket.

For alpine resort travel, I take a backpack, bath kit and waist pack.

Take one or two pairs of shoes - eliminate duplication if at all possible. It saves weight and space.

Traveling lighter not only is more efficient through the airport and customs, but makes packing and unpacking (during travel) more of a pleasure.

Packing Efficiently

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:15:17 -0500

Fold and roll clothes, then secure with a rubber band. This allows you to have almost wrinkle free cothes with easy access. You can pack and repack without having to re-fold.

Travel Tips Section

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:04:35 -0500

Coming soon... this will feature products, ideas and ways to improve and enhance your travel experience.