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Top lists of interesting statistics that are frequently researched. Here you'll find travel knowledge that is fun and useful.

You Now Have Less Than a Year to Obtain a Real ID

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

2023 BEST AIRLINES

https://www.businessinsider.com/20-best-airlines-in-the-world-skytrax-2023-6

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Qatar Airways
  3. All Nippon Airways
  4. Emirates
  5. Japan Airlines
  6. Turkish Airlines
  7. Air France
  8. Cathay Pacific
  9. EVA Air
  10. Korean Air
"Singapore Airlines has been voted 2023's best airline, taking the prestigious title over the previous seven-time winner Qatar Airways. 

Airline ranking company Skytrax releases what it calls an "independent and impartial" annual list of the top 100 airlines around the world based on data from an online traveler satisfaction survey."

Healthy Snacks On The Go!

September 24, 2014
Traveling can be stressful and whether you are preparing for a short flight or a multiple leg trip, there are healthy snacks you can pack yourself to help make the journey much healthier and more enjoyable!

1. Dried Fruit (no sugar added!)
2. Whole Grain, Low Fat Granola
3. Unsalted Raw or Dry-Roasted Nuts
4. Fresh Fruit
5. Whole Grain Crackers with Peanut Butter 
6. Whole Grain Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter or Dried Fruit
7. Air Popped Popcorn
8. Whole Wheat Pretzels
9. Homemade Trail Mix (whole grain granola, dried fruit, dark chocolate chips)

Common Travel Problems Create Major Business Disruptions
Brian Kelley:  askbk@thepointsguy.com
 July 2022

 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH LOST LUGGAGE
Travel these days is a challenge, to say the least, and one of the key risks to try and avoid is checking luggage.

Now, I know a lot of frequent travelers will never check bags — and for good reason. Checking a bag can slow you down, especially when you have to change flights at the last minute due to a delayed or canceled flight. But sometimes, you just can’t avoid it, like my recent trip to Europe when I was gone for 16 days and attended a black-tie wedding. I am 6 feet, 7 inches tall and wear a size 15 shoe; a carry-on just wouldn’t cut it for a trip like that.

Here is what I do to protect myself whenever I check a bag.

Have your bag stand out (and use AirTags)

The first thing I recommend is not having a regular old black bag because, if your bag ends up in a huge storage facility, good luck finding it among dozens of other bags that look just like it. I have a salmon-colored Rimowa bag that I can spot as soon as it comes off the belt. If it ever gets lost, I can assure you that it will stand out like a sore thumb in a storage facility, thus making it easier to find. If you don’t want to get a brightly colored bag, add something like a ribbon to your checked luggage and take a picture of it just in case you ever need to show the airline what it looks like.

I’ve said this before, but it’s worth saying it again: I put an Apple AirTag in my luggage so I always know where my bag is. Airlines are understaffed and most of the time when your bag is lost, they have no idea where it is. But when you tag your bag yourself, you can track it on your phone and even tell the airline where it is, saving you a ton of time and frustration. Several of my Instagram followers have shared with me that they’ve had success using this technique.

Fly nonstop whenever possible

I was shocked to hear that Allegiant Air was the best airline for checked bags. But the airline pretty much works on a nonstop system without connecting flights, meaning that it doesn’t lose bags from one plane to the next. But sometimes layovers and connecting flights are unavoidable so when you have to connect, make sure to avoid short layovers. When I had to connect through Heathrow, I built in a five-hour layover. In fact, I actually collected my bag myself in London and rechecked it just to be sure that it made it onto my new flight.

Contact airline executives directly

When I asked my Instagram followers what they do when their luggage is lost or stolen, they had some interesting advice: Contact airline executives on LinkedIn. One follower confirmed that this works, stating that they’re the baggage manager for an airline and when you get the attention of someone higher up, that email goes directly to them with high priority. Another suggestion was to reach out to the airline on all of its social media accounts — including Twitter and Instagram — to get help with tracking down your lost luggage. And if that doesn’t work, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation ASAP.

THINKING OF TAKING YOUR PET?

February 2017
Many travelers prefer to take their pets with them when they travel. The list of web sites available with 'pet friendly' information is wide and varied. Ask your travel agent to check potential hotels and resorts before you book to weed out the best resources for you and your companion.

Eating Healthy and Exercise Top The Stress List For Travelers

March 21, 2013
A survey from TripIt, revealed that eating healthy, exercising on the road, and coming home to a to-do list are more stressful for frequent travelers than airport security.

When asked how stressful certain travel-related activities are, 67 percent of frequent travelers said exercising was either somewhat or very stressful; while 66 percent said eating healthy was stressful. The top five activities identified by the majority of respondents as stressful include:
Travel-related activity Somewhat stressful Very stressful Total
1. Exercising 50% 17% 67%
2. Eating healthy 47% 19% 66%
3. Coming home to things waiting for me 45% 19% 64%
4. Airport security 44% 15% 59%
5. Driving in an unfamiliar city 42% 12% 54%
To help travelers exercise and eat healthy while on the road, TripIt recommends these tips:
  • Carry healthy, portable snacks, like whole almonds or a banana to curb cravings
  • When ordering from a menu, substitute an appetizer or small plate for the entree
  • Opt to walk or take the stairs, instead of the people mover or escalator
  • Aim to increase your steps with an activity tracker or app, and take the scenic route
  • Ask the hotel concierge for a map of local running routes or trails
  • Take advantage of hotels that loan guests workout gear, yoga mats or shoes
  • Use the hotel room to do crunches, push-ups, and chair dips any hour of the day

Nasty Truth About the Dreaded Bedbug

November 2010
This may be an unsavory subject for discussion, but it is important to check (even the at best hotels) for bed bugs, before you settle in for your stay. Make your own quick inspection for peace of mind. The National Pest Management Association provides a short video outlining the 'how to' for checking your room.  

The Best Time to Book a Flight for Domestic, International, and Summer Travel 2024


When to Book Flights for Domestic Travel

'On Average, the best time to purchase plane tickets for a domestic trip is between 164 and 46 days before your departure. But the sweet spot is 28 days before your domestic flight. '


When to Book Flights for International Travel

'Overall, you're better off booking earlier rather than later for international travel — ideally no more than four months before your desired flights, with a sweet spot around 60 days. "This is a big change from 2022 data, which showed the cheapest fares were secured when travelers booked four to six months out. 2023 data revealed that people who booked that far in advance actually paid more on average," -Christie Hudson.

But there is some regional variance.  But do note that they're vast ranges, which goes to show how difficult it is to predict airfare these days.

Canada: 3 to 10 months before departure

Mexico: 1.5 to 10 months before departure

The Caribbean: 2 to 10 months before departure

Central America: 3 to 10 months before departure

South America: 2.5 to 10 months before departure

Europe: 1.5 to 10 months before departure

Africa: 2.5 to 10 2 months before departure

Oceania/South Pacific: 1.5 to 10 months before departure

Asia: 4.5 to 10 months before departure

Middle East: 2.5 to 10 months before departure

As you can see, booking in advance is always ideal. But the real trick to finding good deals on international airfare is to avoid peak travel times, which include summer and major holidays (don't forget — that includes holidays in your destination, too).'

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                                                                                        https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/when-to-book-flights-for-cheapest-airfare