Travel hacks and advice

[jackattack]

Your first mistake was booking United

Never again.

[jm2e]

Your first mistake was booking United

Never again.

Most of the time these day, I’m finding that there is only one good airline option when/where I’m going. Obviously different if you only travel between massive hubs, but as soon as I include a small town on either end brand loyalty goes out the window.


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[riser4]

Your first mistake was booking United

Never again.

They broke your guitar?

[subtle plague]

They broke your guitar?

They bombed Pearl Harbour!

[bennymac]

I bought and tried the TRTL travel pillow (the more expensive height adjustable one cause I have a giraffe neck) on an overnight flight - had the best sleep on a plane I’ve ever had in a seat (vs a lie flat) - could also have been the wine, the sleeping pill, the post ski touring trip fatigue. But usually I don’t sleep great in a seat so I think the pillow helped. It’s not a perfect solution but it’s decent. I don’t regret buying it and will bring on any overnight flights not in a lie flat.

[Ted Striker]

They broke your guitar?

That's a deep cut.

(3 actually)

[patxi]

thanks for the advice. I was able to get seats on United for no extra charge. Got two isle seats across from each other. Have to look into the passport control. I arrive in Munich than over to Vienna so maybe I do the passport control in Munich where I have more time. Booked through the carrier thinking it would be easier to deal with situations like this. I will work on trying for new reservation but am probably locked into what I have based on flights out of Denver. Thanks again.

Not related to your primary question. However, if your destination is Innsbruck, I would skip the flights from MUC-VIE-INN. Just get off in Munich instead and either take public transport or a shuttle to Innsbruck. I'm not sure if they have finished construction on the rail line to the airport but even with the temporary bus line to Munich, and then continuing via train, the travel time is less than 2.5 hours. There are fewer chances to lose luggage as well.

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[singlesline]

thanks for the advice. I was able to get seats on United for no extra charge. Got two isle seats across from each other. Have to look into the passport control. I arrive in Munich than over to Vienna so maybe I do the passport control in Munich where I have more time. Booked through the carrier thinking it would be easier to deal with situations like this. I will work on trying for new reservation but am probably locked into what I have based on flights out of Denver. Thanks again.

Once your original itinerary is blown, they generally have a LOT of flexibility to get you where you need to go. Flight prices no longer really matter and you don't have to be bound to your original connections or flight times.

Get on the phone and try to get a "good" agent. If you've got someone who doesn't sound like they know what they are doing, just say you have to go and call back. Ideally you want some lady sitting in Houston who has worked for United for 20 years and knows her shit. Let them know if you're flexible in your timing or destinations.

There's an "international help desk" that they can call--not sure if you can get directly connected to those agents, but they'd be your best bet. Some of the front-line United agents really just don't have a good handle on what is happening with international partners. In my recent trip to Switzerland, agents would claim flights didn't exist, but the app would show them available for purchase...the United agents just couldn't figure out how to show certain codeshare flights operated by foreign carriers (especially SWISS...SWISS was like a black box).

You may have some much better routings...e.g. United defaults to trying to hop you across the USA until they can get you a direct flight to your destination or run you through one of their big hubs like Frankfurt. But once your schedule is blown, you can do something like a flight through London Heathrow (which is normally avoided when you are buying tickets as the taxes/fees are very high) and then bump from London to Vienna.

That said--some of the Euro carriers are sticklers for things like seat assignments...you just can't do it if you didn't book directly with them and pay extra for the privilege.

[plugboots]

Once your original itinerary is blown, they generally have a LOT of flexibility to get you where you need to go. Flight prices no longer really matter and you don't have to be bound to your original connections or flight times.

Get on the phone and try to get a "good" agent. If you've got someone who doesn't sound like they know what they are doing, just say you have to go and call back. Ideally you want some lady sitting in Houston who has worked for United for 20 years and knows her shit. Let them know if you're flexible in your timing or destinations.

There's an "international help desk" that they can call--not sure if you can get directly connected to those agents, but they'd be your best bet. Some of the front-line United agents really just don't have a good handle on what is happening with international partners. In my recent trip to Switzerland, agents would claim flights didn't exist, but the app would show them available for purchase...the United agents just couldn't figure out how to show certain codeshare flights operated by foreign carriers (especially SWISS...SWISS was like a black box).

You may have some much better routings...e.g. United defaults to trying to hop you across the USA until they can get you a direct flight to your destination or run you through one of their big hubs like Frankfurt. But once your schedule is blown, you can do something like a flight through London Heathrow (which is normally avoided when you are buying tickets as the taxes/fees are very high) and then bump from London to Vienna.

That said--some of the Euro carriers are sticklers for things like seat assignments...you just can't do it if you didn't book directly with them and pay extra for the privilege.

All great advice. Also use the seatguru app.

[anotherVTskibum]

And if you have a Euro flight cancelled or delayed, look into the EU passenger rights. I got 600 Euros out of Lufthansa after getting bumped a day on a return flight to BOS (direct from Munich, so only one a day).

[BFD]

Not related to your primary question. However, if your destination is Innsbruck, I would skip the flights from MUC-VIE-INN. Just get off in Munich instead and either take public transport or a shuttle to Innsbruck. I'm not sure if they have finished construction on the rail line to the airport but even with the temporary bus line to Munich, and then continuing via train, the travel time is less than 2.5 hours. There are fewer chances to lose luggage as well.

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thanks I think I will take your advice. Supposed to arrive Munich 2:05. There is a 5:34 train that would put me in Innsbruck at 7:18. Than 10 minute walk to hotel. my scheduled flight was supposed to put me in Innsbruck at 6:10 and I would still have to pick up my bags and clear the airport. Plus would get rid of 30 minute Vienna to Innsbruck flight connection which seems rushed. There is a service Munich airport to train station I think I will use to make that part easier. Singlesline I think your advice is probably good but after finally getting Blue Cross out of my life I do not know if I have the patience to waste hours on the phone. I will try and see if I can get the last two legs of my flight refunded.

[riser4]

There's a reason I have found direct flights to FRA and then taken the train literally to my sister's door rather than make connecting flights to STR and make her have to drive 45 each way to pick me up. Public transportation from STR to her place is a lot more of a hassle than from FRA.

[skaredshtles]

So what's the best/easiest way to book a flight for 3 people on the same flight to/from Europe, when we want to book one for business class?

Book the 3 economy tickets then upgrade one to business after initial booking?

Book 2 economy then try to figure out how to get another with business class on the same flights?

Just go through a travel agent?

It seems like this should be easy, but doesn't appear to be, on the face of it.

[Foggy_Goggles]

It seems like this should be easy, but doesn't appear to be, on the face of it.

What about it is difficult? Get it all configured with multi tab browsing that push the buttons.

...and fanny pack. Free your pockets and rock it proudly!

[ötzi]

My mental picture of Foggy just changed a lot.

[Meadow Skipper]

My mental picture of Foggy just changed a lot.

Might be the only fanny pack endorsement I’ve seen here. And not the advocate I would have guessed.

[Foggy_Goggles]

No fucks given. And I'm talking about international travel. Passaporte, boarding pass, wallet, phone, earbuds. That shit don't fit in my pockets. If it makes you feel better about yourself by calling it a cross bag and where it like that feel free.

[dunfree]

I’d always thought of him as French.

[Supermoon]

The kids call them slings now, and wear them cross body

[mrkbrnblm]

No fucks given. And I'm talking about international travel. Passaporte, boarding pass, wallet, phone, earbuds. That shit don't fit in my pockets. If it makes you feel better about yourself by calling it a cross bag and where it like that feel free.

Or, alternatively…. Get a passport cover. One credit card goes in passport cover, rest of wallet goes in carry on. Passport cover goes in back pocket of pants or outside of carry on and takes boarding passes and whatever other literature is accumulated. Last thing I’d want is another bag to wrangle, but I bet you look good!


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[mrkbrnblm]

So what's the best/easiest way to book a flight for 3 people on the same flight to/from Europe, when we want to book one for business class?

Book the 3 economy tickets then upgrade one to business after initial booking?

Book 2 economy then try to figure out how to get another with business class on the same flights?

Just go through a travel agent?

It seems like this should be easy, but doesn't appear to be, on the face of it.

Are you a frequent flier? If so, just call the desk and they’ll book them all for you and link the reservations, even if you’re the lowest tier. If you’re flying and aren’t a member of their frequent flier program, you’re doing it all wrong.


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[alpinevibes]

So what's the best/easiest way to book a flight for 3 people on the same flight to/from Europe, when we want to book one for business class?

Book the 3 economy tickets then upgrade one to business after initial booking?

Book 2 economy then try to figure out how to get another with business class on the same flights?

Just go through a travel agent?

It seems like this should be easy, but doesn't appear to be, on the face of it.

If you don't want to book online: Call the airline (ideally the mileage plan desk), say you're having trouble booking this together and want to "make sure you get on the same flight" and have them book it. Make sure you know what the pricing online is and have them match it. If they try to charge you a phone fee, ask them to waive it because you "couldn't figure it out online." Phone fees are usually Free-$30.

[El Chupacabra]

Kind of a trip-specific long shot here, but in case anyone has done this before and can give me tips: Mrs C and I are going to Thailand at the end of the year, and if not excessively costly, would like to add a stop to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. I'm going to try to do the flights using points -- have a lot of AmEx Membership Rewards points and also Capital One points, both of which can be transferred to other airlines. We'll be flying out of the west coast somewhere -- based in Reno, but likely ticketing this from LAX or SFO.

Anyone done a similar trip? I have a lot of googling to do -- need to see if/how I can route this to start or end in Siem Reap (near Angkor Wat) -- for example, if I can route our outgoing flight like LAX-SIN (Singapore)-BKK (Bangkok), then do the Thailand trip, fly BKK-SAI (Siem Reap), visit Angkor Wat, and then fly SAI back to the US.

Doesn't need to be Singapore on the way, that's just an example -- initial searching shows other stopping points from the US include Taipei and Hong Kong in southeast Asia, and Seoul and Tokyo in east Asia. A layover of a day in Singapore or Taiwan would be fine; we've been to Hong Kong and Tokyo, and want to leave Seoul & Korea for another trip.

[alpinevibes]

Kind of a trip-specific long shot here, but in case anyone has done this before and can give me tips: Mrs C and I are going to Thailand at the end of the year, and if not excessively costly, would like to add a stop to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. I'm going to try to do the flights using points -- have a lot of AmEx Membership Rewards points and also Capital One points, both of which can be transferred to other airlines. We'll be flying out of the west coast somewhere -- based in Reno, but likely ticketing this from LAX or SFO.

Anyone done a similar trip? I have a lot of googling to do -- need to see if/how I can route this to start or end in Siem Reap (near Angkor Wat) -- for example, if I can route our outgoing flight like LAX-SIN (Singapore)-BKK (Bangkok), then do the Thailand trip, fly BKK-SAI (Siem Reap), visit Angkor Wat, and then fly SAI back to the US.

Doesn't need to be Singapore on the way, that's just an example -- initial searching shows other stopping points from the US include Taipei and Hong Kong in southeast Asia, and Seoul and Tokyo in east Asia. A layover of a day in Singapore or Taiwan would be fine; we've been to Hong Kong and Tokyo, and want to leave Seoul & Korea for another trip.

No specific help for that trip, but some thoughts: CapOne and AMEX both have pretty good travel partners for Asia, mainly between Cathay, Kris, EVA and Qantas. I think two separate one-way itineraries may be your best bet. SAI appears to get a high volume of flights, but combining both a trans-pacific flight with a Bangkok and Siem Reap stop seems hard to figure out with one carrier group on one itinerary, but not necessarily impossible. You may be able to book an open jaw milage award ticket to get into Bangkok and out of another stop, then just buy cheap, BKK-SAI-HKG/SIN hopper for the in-between. Cathay allows open jaw award tickets. I don't have a lot of knowledge about the Asian carriers' mileage programs, but I have flown Cathay, EVA and Kris as partners for American/United award tickets.

It will take some legwork and a lot of research, but you can probably coordinate at least two one-way tickets through one of the airline partners through a specific mileage account to transfer your MR or CapOne points to:
Star Alliance bookings (United + Singapore, EVA, Asiana, Thai, etc) entry would come through AMEX via a Singapore Kris account.
OneWorld (American, Alaska + Cathay, Qantas, Japan) would come through Cap One via Cathay.
SkyTeam (Delta + China, Korean, Vietnam) would come through AMEX via Delta

Either way, try to book through a program that you can get your RNO-LAX/SFO leg included; a leg in America doesn't add cost to an overseas mileage award

[Kevo]

Kind of a trip-specific long shot here, but in case anyone has done this before and can give me tips: Mrs C and I are going to Thailand at the end of the year, and if not excessively costly, would like to add a stop to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. I'm going to try to do the flights using points -- have a lot of AmEx Membership Rewards points and also Capital One points, both of which can be transferred to other airlines. We'll be flying out of the west coast somewhere -- based in Reno, but likely ticketing this from LAX or SFO.

Anyone done a similar trip? I have a lot of googling to do -- need to see if/how I can route this to start or end in Siem Reap (near Angkor Wat) -- for example, if I can route our outgoing flight like LAX-SIN (Singapore)-BKK (Bangkok), then do the Thailand trip, fly BKK-SAI (Siem Reap), visit Angkor Wat, and then fly SAI back to the US.

Doesn't need to be Singapore on the way, that's just an example -- initial searching shows other stopping points from the US include Taipei and Hong Kong in southeast Asia, and Seoul and Tokyo in east Asia. A layover of a day in Singapore or Taiwan would be fine; we've been to Hong Kong and Tokyo, and want to leave Seoul & Korea for another trip.

Siem Reap isn't a particularly well connected airport. https://www.flightconnections.com/fl...-siem-reap-sai

That said, it is usually pretty damn cheap to get there if you are already in BKK or SIN. I highly recommend booking yourself into and out of BKK, SIN or HKT (Phuket) with points and then just pay for a round trip to Siem Reap from BKK. Trying to originate a flight to/from to the US and Siem Reap is going to be problematic, especially with points.

Couple other points of advice-
-Singapore Airlines is IMHO the best airline in Asia. I strongly prefer them over Thai. I have flown both long haul and short haul. SQ is awesome.

-If I had to choose another option for a layover on my way to Thailand besides Singapore, I'd prefer to go through a Japanese connection (NRT, HND, etc) on ANA. ANA is a great airline, especially in business class. The ANA lounges have a "noodle window" where you can order ramen, Japanese curry, etc. It's all great food.

-Angkor Wat is cool, but it is overrun with tourists. You should make sure to add Beng Melea as an additional temple to visit. It is very easy and inexpensive to arrange a dedicated round luxury car/ SUV to get you from Siem Reap to Beng Melea and back via your hotel front desk. Dirt biking through the jungle on single track to get there is another option if that is of interest to you.

-Avoid the Bangkok Don Muang (DMK) airport at all costs. I would gladly pay 3x the price to fly through BKK than deal with DMK. It is a disaster of an airport in every possible way- security, immigration (coming and leaving), check in, etc. Trust me- don't go through DMK.

-You may find that it Reno to BKK or Reno to SIN is no more expensive or even cheaper than going LAX or SFO to BKK or SIN.