Airline Services that might Sweeten the Deal

In recent years, airlines have cut services such as meals and free on-board entertainment. They've also raised booking fees, and started charging for baggage. But what, if anything, have they added to their service list that might make flying more affordable and/or enjoyable?

WiFi
American Airlines, Delta, Virgin, Southwest, and Jet Blue airlines offer, or have plans to offer, WiFi access on many fleets. Unfortunately, access isn't offered for free. On American Airlines, for example, laptop users will pay $9.95 for flights under 3 hours, and $12.95 for longer flights. Other device users will be charged a flat fee of $7.95.

Frequent Flyer Programs
Nearly all major airlines offer frequent flyer programs, but some claim to be better than others. Check out this article from Smarter Travel, and pick the program that's right for you.

Non-Stop Flights
It's often hard to get a non-stop flight between destinations, but as the travel industry continues to struggle, airlines are adding more non-stop flights to try and lure travelers their way. Many of these non-stop offers are seasonal, however, such as Alaska Airlines service between Seattle or Portland to Cancun, Mexico. Check airlines for specific details.

6 Easy Ways to Save on Vacation Expenses

• Book your airline ticket after midnight on Wednesday in the time zone where the airport's hub is located. This is the time when budget fares hit the market.

• Use alternative airports. Big city airports aren't always the cheapest. Compare surrounding areas.

• Check out "Driveaway Deals." Car companies often have too many cars in certain locations, so you can get great deals on renting these cars and driving them to different destinations.

• Skip car rental insurance. Your car insurance on your personal vehicle usually covers you driving a rental car. Check with your insurance company for details.

• Book hotel rooms with kitchenettes. That way, you don't have to eat all of your meals out.

• Negotiate. Many hotels, resorts, and other vacation destinations offer freebies, such as the 3rd night free. Work them. Ask for a better rate, an extra free day, and the like. You'll be surprised on the deals you can get!

Solar Radio

Powered by the sun's rays, this portable AM/FM radio will play for seven hours when fully charged. On rainy days, use the hand crank to play your favorite tunes and programming. One minute of hand cranking will give you thirty minutes of play back time. The Solar Radio measures just 3.25" x 3" x 2.25", which makes it easy to store in windowsills, garages, workshops, vehicles, and even camping boxes.

Solar Radio from Useful Things.

What's the Most Eco-Friendly Way to Travel?

How should you get to your destination? Via car, train, plane, bus? A lot will depend on road conditions, the type of car, how far you're traveling, and how many passengers are involved.

Airplanes emit more CO2 than buses, trains, or cars, but they carry more passengers and make traveling longer distances feasible.

Trains pollute more than cars, but they too carry more passengers.

On the other hand, the materials that go into road construction aren't green at all, so even if you're traveling via fuel efficient car, there are other variables to consider. Likewise with buses.

So, what's the most eco-friendly way to travel? Sadly, there is no right answer. The best we can do is continue to improve our technology, so that green travel will one day be a reality.

Herbs that Ease Travel Ailments

Traveling is often stressful and hard on the body. If you experience motion sickness, anxiety, nausea, headaches, or any other ailment from traveling, try the following hears to ease your troubles.

Peppermint
Peppermint's calming effects will soothe your nerves and help your stomach digest. As a bonus, it freshens your breath.





Ginger
Ginger is well-known for its ability to curb nausea and upset stomachs. Ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory, so it's effective for muscle aches and headaches.





Chamomile
A great all-around relaxant, chamomile is sure to put you at ease if you have any anxiety about your upcoming trip.





Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm contains mild sedative properties. Use it for anxiety, restlessness, and irritability. It can also help still a racing heart.

How-to Combat Jet Lag

Drink plenty of water during the days before you leave, and during the flight itself.

Don't caffeinate, especially at night.

Get plenty of sleep the week before you leave.

Sleep on the plane, if you can. If you're sensitive to light, an eye shade will help. If sound is the problem, pack ear plugs.

Try to schedule your arrival during the afternoon or early evening, so you're not faced with an entire day of activity.

Exercise helps combat fatigue. Set an exercise schedule for the week's before you leave, if you don't have one already.

Relax, and try not to think about it too much!

Point It: Traveller's Language Kit

Point It: Traveller's Language Kit by Dieter Graf enables you to travel anywhere in the world and communicate what you need and want without misunderstandings. With 1200photos generated from the author's own travels, this picture dictionary allows you to simply point to what you're after instead of trying to cross-reference the word and pronounce it. It's compact, light-weight, and full color.

Point It: Traveler's Language Kit from Useful Things.