Gas Prices Too High to Drive to a Destination? Try These.

Bus Travel:
A recent study at DePaul found city to city bus travel growing faster than any other form of city to city transportation. Motor coaches have improved greatly in the last few years. Many of them even have free Wi-Fi; as well as leather seats, more legroom, and some have reclining seats. If the distance isn't great, you might find going by bus is something to consider. It's also cheaper than air.

COMFORT MASTER travel neck pillow made from high quality memory foam that molds to your neck for comfort. "It's like sleeping on your own pillow at home". 

Includes special elastic strap to attach to luggage.

Train Travel:

Amtrak has upgraded with improved seating and believe it or not, you can print your boarding pass at home, eliminating standing in line.  With speeds up to 110 miles per hour, it beats driving your own vehicle, time wise.

It just might be worth considering bus or train for your next getaway.

I read a good tip the other day. We all take photos of the special sites when we travel to new areas. How about taking photos of the town signs to remind us of where those special sites were?

Good buy on Amazon right now.

Lightweight slim and stylish. Fits in small spaces.

Hidden Airline Fees and Delta's New 5 tiers seating for 5 different prices.

Remember the days when you called your travel agency and let them do the work to get you the best fares? Those fares were based on First Class and Coach. Soon came First, Coach, and Business. 

Now we go online to find out own best deals and Delta has just made it a little more difficult with 5 tiers and 5 different fares.

  

Here are your choices:

The "First Class" fare includes "first to board" rights, preflight alcoholic drinks, snacks on flights longer than 250 miles and meals on flights longer than 900 miles. 

The "Delta One" elite first class fare includes access to Delta Sky Clubs, full flat-bed seats on wide body aircraft, in-flight bedding, chef-curated menus, noise-reduction headsets and more.

.

The "Basic Economy" bare-bones coach fares will be available on domestic routes, and they're already available in some areas where Delta competes with deep discounter Spirit Airlines.

The "Main Cabin" coach fares on domestic and long-haul international flights will allow seat selection at time of purchase and flexibility for flight changes. On long-haul international flights, the fare will include alcoholic drinks, meal service and a sleep kit.

The "Delta Comfort+" coach fare on all flights will include priority boarding and dedicated overhead bin space, alcoholic drinks, premium snacks, premium entertainment, up to 4 more inches of legroom and quilted seat covers.

Will the other airlines follow Delta's lead? Most likely.

Hidden fees are happening on almost all airlines.

Carry-on bag: free to $45.

Checked baggage: first bag: free to $45. Second bag: Free to $55. Third bag: $50 to $150.

Pet boarding: $10 to $200.

Flight-reservation cancellation or change: free to $150.

Over-the-phone and in-person booking: free to $45.

In-flight TV or movie: free to $8.

In-flight Wi-Fi: $5 to $14 for a 24-hour unlimited pass.

Unaccompanied minor: free to $100.

Extra legroom and picking a seat: $4 to $199.

Snack: free to $10.

Meal: $3 to $14.

Nonalcoholic drink: free to $10.

Alcoholic drink: $5 to $10.

Pillow or blanket: free to $10.

Maybe it is time to go back to our travel agent and let them search for all the hidden fees and special tier fares.

                                     

Packing Perfectly for a Trip

Good to know before you go: All liquid and gel substances going into your carry-on bag must be in individual containers of 3-4 ounces or less, and must be in a clear, see through plastic zip top bag. Anything larger must be in your checked baggage.

Know the airline's rules for checked bags. How many, what is the weight limit, and how much must be paid per bag?

Don't over-pack. Screeners will have a hard time closing your bags if selected for inspection.

Packing:

Best packing tip I ever got was don't fold clothes the way they are in the dresser. It creases them. A seasoned traveler on one of my trips showed me how to roll them. You will be amazed at what a great way it is to pack.

For dresses and shirts, lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and roll from bottom to top.

For slacks, lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Take the other and fold it on the top. It gives each pair a cushion where it is folded and is much less likely to crease.

Simple Tips:

Staying at a hotel?  Don't bring your large containers of bath soaps, shampoos or conditioners. Hotels have them. If staying at someone's home, use the travel sizes found in most drugstores.

Most hotels have blow-dryers. Keep as many bulky items as possible at home.

Bring clothes in neutral colors that can be mixed and matched. At least one pair of shoes that can be worn with anything. My choice is black ballet flats.

Are you or your travel mate traveling with a disability? Check out this Senior Travel Tips Plus,

Traveling With Disabilities

Some of the best packing aids I have found to use when I travel.

                                   

My Favorite Cruise Lines

Cruising used to be a luxury. There was a time when only the wealthy could afford to cruise. It was luxury, it was elegance, it was a resort on water. Today cruises are affordable to almost any budget. Everything from the relaxed fun on a Disney cruise to the elegant Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2.

This Senior Travel Tips is a little bit about a few cruise lines and what they have to offer.  These are the ones I'm most familiar with.

Royal Caribbean:

Royal Caribbean is one of my favorites. It leads the cruise industry in innovations, especially with their newer cruise ships. They are like floating resorts, big, bright and lots of opens spaces. You can get a less expensive Royal Caribbean cruise, but you won't feel like you got cheap. It's luxury and pampering all the way.

Costa Cruises 

Years ago I took a group on a Mediterranean Cruise to the Greek Isles on Costa Victoria.  It was enchanting. It's festive, elegant and delightfully different service, is "Cruising Italian Style." No detail has been overlooked in bringing you the style and generous hospitality of Italy. I felt like I was in Italy enjoying all the cuisine and ambiance.

Princess Cruises.

Spacious staterooms, many with private balconies offer a luxury affordable to all. Comparable in size to other recently built vessels, Princess Cruises ships are smaller with  fewer passengers. They are proud of their multiple dining options. You can dine where you want, when you want, and more entertainment variety than ever before with as many as three different theaters playing nightly.

Celebrity Cruise 

Maintaining the very best aspects of classic, elegant cruising and enhanced current lifestyles. What sets Celebrity apart from other vacation choices today is the passionate dedication to providing guests with cruises that exceed expectations. This extraordinary performance level has become the definition of Celebrity Cruises. Setting the worldwide standard for today's expression of what makes cruising famous - high quality, superior design, spacious accommodations, grand style, attentive service and exceptional cuisine. There isn't a Celebrity cruise ship you wouldn't enjoy for its accommodations.

If you are an experienced cruiser, and you enjoy a higher category suite on cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Holland America or Princess; or enjoy deluxe travel or tours to Europe, the Mediterranean or Asia, then you may want to consider trying a luxury cruise. Even the lower category suites on a luxury ship will be comparable in size and amenities to the higher category suites you may have experienced on other ships. Considering the all-inclusive nature and personalized service, you may find that for the same investment, you may get more than anticipated.

If you have a question about any cruise line, let me know. And if you have never cruised, and are wondering about what and where and how to cruise, let me know. I love cruising.

Until the next Senior Travel Tips Plus, enjoy life, every moment of it. 

©2015 M. Bradley McCauley

                       

Credit Card Scams When Traveling.. Beware and Be Wary!

Using credit cards when we travel makes sense. It eliminates the need to have cash; we don't have to pay for the services charged right away; and we get receipts immediately. We can check those receipts with the charges on the credit card we used.

Credit card fraud has become rampant. There are scammers and hackers and plain old thieves that can't wait to get to your money one way or another.

Eating Out! 

Be wary and aware of your server. Most are honest, hard working men and women who take pride in their work. However, as in every field, there are those who are not quite honest. It is easy for a server to quickly take a cell phone photo of your credit card. For that matter, a cashier can also sneak a picture while checking you out. What to do? Make sure your credit card is never out of your sight. Or, take cash if you know about how much eating out might cost.

Hotel Telephone Scam!

It's the latest and easiest to fall for. We use credit cards to reserve and check into a hotel.

Here's the scam. You get into your room, getting settled and the phone rings. It's the front desk. Somehow your reservation was lost in the computer system. Could you please verify the information on the phone, including your credit card number, expiration date, and to be sure, the 3 digit number on the back. "Thank you very much, we appreciate the information." The call is ended.

That was easy, only the call was from an outside source, not the front desk. A scammer calls the hotel, asks to be connected to a room, any room will do, and pretends to be the front desk.  Solution is to tell the caller, be it the front desk or scammer, that you will be down with your information.

More travel safety tips coming in the next update. 

• ATM Skimming
• WiFi hacking
• Data on your cell phone

Mary Mc.

                  

Full Disclosure.
This Blog contains affiliate links. If you buy an item listed here, I will receive 4% commission from Amazon. Thanks.

Emergency Item, Not Just for Travelers, For Car Drivers Everywhere.

Doing research for this Senior Travel Blog, I've come across a lot of products that are good ideas for travelers. This has to be the greatest invention, and not just for those who travel by car. Anyone who drives anywhere should have one of these. It should be standard in all vehicles.

It's the all in one, Champ-ePrep 8-in-1 Flashlight, Glass Breaker, Seat Belt Cutter, Device Charging Survival Sidekick Multi-tool.

Click on either picture to get updated Amazon info and more reviews.

What I love most about it is the USB connection, hand crank charging compass, and a USB to micro cable. It can charge most mobile devices. It's compatible with iPhone, iPod and Android phones.

I want one for my car and my apartment. I'm serious. I like the fact it has a hand crank in the event of power failure.

There is also the one with AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio. Oh dear, what to choose.  For the house I don't need the radio, I have a radio in the car, but not NOAA weather alert.

I love the backup phone charging for my cell phone. 

Think of anyone you love who drives a car, give them one of these as a gift of love for their safety.

Traveling With a Disability, Yours or Your Travel Mate.

When I was escorting cruises and tours, I sometimes learned the hard way. One of those times was when a member of the group realized he had left his heart medicine at home. We were already at our tour destination, had checked into the hotel and spent one night. It was the morning of the 2d day when he realized he did not have his heart medicine. This was back in the old days, before cell phones and Internet communication.

Since that time, I stress the importance of putting your medications and copies of your prescriptions in your carry on bag. If you know you are going to take a dose of medicine before leaving on the trip, put the single dose on the counter, and pack your medicines in your carry-on. I cannot stress it enough.

Here are a few important things to know and do before going on your trip.

• Definitely know about medical facilities in the places you will be visiting.
• If you use a wheelchair or other assisting devices, make sure where you are going is accessible to your needs.
• If necessary ask your travel agent or booking company if there are tour/cruse lines that specialize in the needs of people with disabilities.
• If flying, call well in advance for special seating.
• Take a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses, and have a copy of your prescription.
• Be sure someone has your emergency contact number. Have it written where it can be quickly seen in the event you can't communicate.
• Since I'm on several medications, I take a pillbox with daily compartments. The kind I can see through, that way I know if I took my pills for a certain day.

 Always know before you go, especially on a tour.

• Can you handle whatever walking may be involved?
• Will there be long treks in the tour that could be tiring?
• If you will be sitting for a long period of time, check to be sure you can get up and move to avoid thrombosis
• If your Travel Agent can't give you the answers you need, go directly to the company you will be traveling with.
• If you have even a minor disability, it might be best to use a packaged tour with an escort.
• Be sure you have travel insurance with pre-existing conditions covered.

Be sure to keep updated with Senior Travel Tips Plus. Contact me on Facebook, Mary Bradley McCauley

                       

Beat the Cold and Flu Germs when Flying

Germs, Seniors and Travel

You know germs abound in airports and planes. Rarely have I flown anywhere at any time of the year that a day or two later I didn't come down with some bug, usually one that includes sneezing 
and coughing. 

Be prepared. A day or two before you are to fly, take some Coldezze or Airborne, and by all means eat foods with Vitamin C..like Chili peppers. Believe it or not they are higher in C than orange juice. Bell peppers, kale and broccoli are all good sources of Vitamin C. 

In her, 30 Surefire Ways to StaY Healthy When You Fly Pamela L. Garza writes, "Make arriving without having caught a cold or stomach virus as high a priority as arriving at your destination with your bags."

Don't forget the sanitizing wipes, and by all means don't hesitate to wipe any surfaces you are going to touch. The trays on the plane, as well as the seat arms, and seat belt are carriers for germs. Don't leave home without those wipes. 

Another important Senior Travel Tip is...bathroom door handles on the plane...wipe them thoroughly with the wipes. They can have all kinds of germs.

Last but not least. Don't have the air vent coming directly down on you, tilt it forward. It is filled with germs circulating in the plane. 

Be safe and keep germs away. 
Have a happy travel day.

Read more, "30 Surefire Ways to Stay Healthy When You Fly"

Kindle edition only $.99 on Amazon.

Click Here for Details

                  

Thanksgiving Travel

(If type is too small, hit control and + to enlarge)

Thankigiving, it's not too late, but better get to it now.

If you haven't yet, do it now, sign up for sale notifications from your preferred airlines and follow your favorites on Twitter and Facebook, where special sale notifications may pop up before they are available to the general public.

Believe it or not, the best day to travel at a good rate is  actually Thanksgiving day. Most people have gone a day or two before, making more available seats that day. And of course the more available seats, the better the price.

Using only a carry on bag will save you time at the airport.  During the winter months, flights are often delayed or cancelled so it is best to have everything you need easy to get to. 

Color Coordination is the key to efficiency. Every item you bring should be paired with every item you bring. Mix and multiple as needed. Darker colors are preferred, don't show any accidents as easily. 

 For just the weekend I would take one pair dark slacks and 1 pair of jeans. Probably wear the jeans on the plane. Casual tops to go with either one. Some nice jewelry, and a scarf or shawl to dress up for dinner or an evening out. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a good travel experience.

                               

M. Bradley McCauley

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Hotel Senior Discounts -

Booking your hotel:

Be sure to check out hotels in the area where you are going. Hotel websites often have Senior Travel Discount deals that you can take advantage of directly.

When you choose one, be sure to:

• Check out their cancellation policy.
• Ask about their Senior Travel Discounts
• Proximity to things you want to see.
• Restaurants in the area.
• Meals included in room rate.

With most credit cards you get rewards. You can usually get an instant refund when necessary, and you will avoid debit card fraud.

I recommend that you read customer reviews on TripAdvisor.com.

Reviews are written by people who have stayed in the hotels. 

TripAdvisor Traveling With Disabilities Forum

M. Bradley McCauley
Happy traveling!

Travel while we may, because there will come a day.....



M. Bradley McCauley 

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Senior Travel, Not What it Used to Be

Travel while we may, because there may come a day.....

Travel, it isn't like it used to be. Not for those of us who are over 60. Not that we move slower, well, maybe a little, but it's that the world seems to move faster. The Internet has changed many things in our lives and Senior Travel is one of them.

There was a time when you decided where you wanted to go, how long you wanted to be there, then went to a local travel agent, who took care of everything.

Now there is Expedia, Price Line, Travelocity, etc, etc, etc.  You can still go to your local travel agent, but I suggest before you go, you know...

Sign up for Blog updates at my personal, secure email: seniortraveltips@mail.com

Travel Agents don't always get the lowest fares, especially when it come to Senior Travel.  There are so many Senior Travel Discounts out there. You need to do your homework before you go.

Many times you will get better rates if you book directly with the supplier, i.e, the hotel, tour company or cruise lines.

This is the beginning of the Senior Travel Tips Plus, blog.  Future posts will cover many topics for the Senior Traveler.

Tips will be about:

• Traveling With Disabilities
• Budget Travel
• Solo Travel Tips - The Single Traveler
• Overseas Travel
• Group Travel
• Travel Insurance
• Cruises
• Tours
• International Travel
• Senior Discounts
• Hotel Senior Discounts 
• Tipping
• Medical/Medicare
• Senior Motorcoach Tours
• Packing Perfectly for Travel
• Cancellation
• Accident Insurance when traveling.

*You can use the Facebook and Tweet buttons on the right side to share with any friends who might be interested in the Senior Travel Tips. 

M. Bradley McCauley

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