Author ∣ Advocate ∣ Journalist
On Travel is a weekly column about being a smarter traveler. It covers practical travel advice for the readers of USA Today and the USA Today Network. If you’re interested in publishing this feature, please contact Elliott directly at chris@elliott.org or (202) 370-7934.
Be honest – you stopped playing the first class upgrade game a long time ago.
And for good reason. Airlines demanded way too much in exchange for a slightly more comfortable seat: unquestioning brand loyalty, an encyclopedic knowledge of their arcane and constantly changing loyalty program rules, or a briefcase full of cash.
Read more “How to fly first class for (almost) free”
Why do frequent travelers pack their own pillows?
“Because I don’t like putting my face on something that has been used for God knows what,” says Paula Miller, a retired teacher who lives in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. “I have an aversion to any pillow that isn’t mine. I would much rather give up the space of one outfit in order to get a good night’s sleep.”
Read more “Why do frequent travelers pack their own pillows?”
When it comes to a hotel room upgrade, ask and you shall receive.
That’s right, a polite request can sometimes do the trick, which surprises frequent guests like Allan Jordan. It might surprise you, too.
Read more “This is the secret to getting a hotel room upgrade”
If you hate paying cleaning fees on top of a hotel or vacation rental rate, then you have a lot in common with Laurel Barton.
Cleaning fees are Barton’s pet peeve. “Nothing annoys me more,” she says.
Read more “Here’s the dirty truth about cleaning fees”
Honesty. Respect. And a little space. That’s all travelers want in 2019. Are they asking for too much?
How did I arrive at this 2019 wish list for travelers? I asked. You said you’d like the industry to tell you the truth about its prices and fees. You want employees to treat you with respect, no matter how much you paid for your ticket or the color of your credit card. And you said you’re done with being cramped.
Read more “2019 wish list for travelers: Honesty, respect and a little space”
