travel tips

(TSA on Instagram)

Bride & Groom’s “TNT” Wedding Favors Spark Evacuation At Denver Airport

No matter how clever it is to put you and your intended’s initials on glass jars filled with fancy bath salts and topped with wax seals and fuses — “T” and “T” becomes “TNT, get it? — it’s not a great idea if you’re headed to the airport. See, the Transportation Security Administration can’t let something labeled as an explosive through without thoroughly checking things out, which, in this case, turned into an evacuation of the Denver International Airport. [More]

(TSA)

TSA Finds Stowaway Chihuahua In Passenger’s Suitcase

We’re big fans of the Transportation Safety Administration’s hashtag-happy Instagram account, since we enjoy gawking at weaponry that people have tried to sneak on planes, from ammo-filled Bibles to throwing stars. Yet the TSA protected one traveler from a horrifying discovery at the end of her trip: her dog had stowed away in her suitcase, and she didn’t even know it. [More]

3 Moves To Keep You Comfy While Traveling Abroad

3 Moves To Keep You Comfy While Traveling Abroad

Those who are leaving the country for the first time or haven’t been abroad since college may not know what they’re getting into. Overseas travel presents myriad complications for newbies who don’t do what seasoned vets do to make things easier. [More]

10 Tips For First-Time Travelers

10 Tips For First-Time Travelers

Over at Jaunted.com, they’ve been following the journey of the Newbie Traveler, a young man making his first trip abroad. Now that the noob has successfully crossed borders without causing an international incident, he’s compiled this list of 10 bits of advice he has for other people making their first trek abroad. [More]

Tips For Scoring A Hotel Room Upgrade

Tips For Scoring A Hotel Room Upgrade

Several years ago, I began a cross-country trip in San Francisco, where I’d booked a night at the Marriott through Priceline for something like $85. But because I’d arrived so late in the evening, the only room left for me wasn’t the windowless heck-hole next to the ice machine I would usually expect, but a deluxe room with a sweeping view of the city. Little did I know I’d inadvertently followed one of Travel + Leisure’s tips for hotel upgrades. [More]

Bank of America Cancels Solo India Traveler's Debit Card, Shrugs

Bank of America Cancels Solo India Traveler's Debit Card, Shrugs

Does “Bank of America” actually mean “Bank of America Only”? After pulling another reader’s debit card access back in August even though she had explicitly notified the überbank about her travels, BoA has apparently done it again. Reader Bristol tells us that she has been penniless in India for the last week after the bank’s mysterious computers canceled her debit card.

Why American Credit Cards Suck

Why American Credit Cards Suck

If you prefer to use a credit card when traveling abroad due to safety and better exchange rates, bad news. Other countries have adopted smartchip technology in their bank cards, and soon we Americans may be forced to use cash when traveling.

Unlicensed Cabbie Welcomes Tourists To New York With High Speed Police Chase

Unlicensed Cabbie Welcomes Tourists To New York With High Speed Police Chase

Jean-Jacques Dulugat learned yesterday why you should never let an unlicensed cabbie give you a lift from the airport. Police tried to stop Dulugat and his family as they got into a van driven by a pair of known solicitors, but the duo took off and led cops on a high-speed chase through Brooklyn…

15 Ways To Beat Jet-Lag

15 Ways To Beat Jet-Lag

Summer is one of the most popular times of year to take a vacation. If you have ever traveled overseas, or just across many time zones, you have probably experienced jet-lag. For the uninitiated, jet-lag is that zombie-like sensation which could be considered akin to the feeling of starting the day with no sleep. To help prevent you from turning into a zombie at your travel destination, Reader’s Digest has compiled a list of 15 ways to fight jet-lag which are excerpts from the book “Sleep to be Sexy, Smart, and Slim” by Ellen Michaud. Check out some our favorites from the list, inside…

How To Avoid Being Victimized On Vacation

How To Avoid Being Victimized On Vacation

Whether you realize it or not, as a tourist, you are very conspicuous to would-be criminals who would like to take advantage of you. To help keep you safe, CNN and BudgetTravel have compiled a list of some common crimes at some of the most popular travel destinations. The list, inside…

Travel Tip: Avoid Northwest Airlines at End of Month

Travel Tip: Avoid Northwest Airlines at End of Month

Northwest Airlines canceled hundreds of flights — about 10% of its schedule — this past weekend because of a pilot shortage. This isn’t a new problem: It’s been happening consistently at the end of the month, like clockwork.

Holiday Inn's Online Reservations Are Non-Refundable?

Holiday Inn's Online Reservations Are Non-Refundable?

Make sure you read everything you click, warns reader Jason:

Just a tip to pass along that I am finding out the hard way…

Crazy Lady Spills Condoms All Over Aiport

Crazy Lady Spills Condoms All Over Aiport

Mellisa May attended an AIDS conference and stuffed her luggage to the brim with free condoms. Disaster struck at the airport, as she tells the New York Times.