IHateTaxis Blog: Travel

Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Wednesday, 17 October 2018

Canadian Airports with US Border Pre-clearance

With the legalization of cannabis in Canada today, there are new considerations for Canadians travelling to the USA. While we won't delve into these here, we offer the following in response to increased interest in Canadian airports with US customs and immigration "pre-clearance" facilities.

What is pre-clearance?

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) service operates border pre-clearance facilities at eight (8) major Canadian airports. If you fly to the USA from one of these airports, you will pass through U.S. Immigration and Customs, Public Health, and Agriculture inspections before boarding your flight.

What are the benefits of pre-clearance?

Leaving the security check and baggage area,
transitioning to US CBP pre-clearance

You will not need to clear customs after landing in the USA, eliminating delays if you have a connecting flight.

Your baggage will be checked through to your final destination (in other words, you won't need to collect and recheck your bags if you have a connecting flight).

If you are denied entry into the United States by United States Customs and Border Protection, and are not allowed to board your flight, you can simply leave the airport (as contrasted to the complications resulting from being detained by CBP in the USA).

Are there any downsides?

Entering US CBP preclearance in Vancouver

Any delay in US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance could cause you to miss you outbound flight from Canada (arrive early, especially at Toronto Pearson Airport, which is prone to delays).

US Customs and Border Protection hours may differ from airport open hours. You should be aware that if your flight departs outside US CBP operating hours, you will clear customs at your destination airport.

What Canadian airports have pre-clearance?

After preclearance at Vancouver International Airport,
travellers are considered to be in the USA

Canadian airports with US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance are:

Is pre-clearance available at other crossings?

Yes.

US Customs and Border Protection operates pre-clearance at:

Pacific Central Station in Vancouver - for Amtrak Cascades train service to Seattle
Port of Vancouver - for cruise ship passengers embarking at Vancouver

US CBT preclearance at Victoria ferry port

US Customs and Border Protection offers immigration-only pre-clearance at these crossings (meaning you will still clear customs upon arrival in the USA):

Port of Victoria - for Black Ball Line MV Coho car ferry service to Port Angeles
Port of Victoria - for Victoria Clipper passenger service to Seattle
Sidney, BC - for Washington State Ferry service to Anacortes

What else should I keep in mind?

While flying from a pre-clearance airport means that you will arrive in the USA as a domestic traveler, you are, of course, still subject to reinspection at the discretion of US Customs and Border Protection service.

This article is posted as general information only and is not to be considered as legal advice.

Related resources
The 420 From PDX
Is Uber Doomed?
How to Get Away from the Airport
Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!
Dealing with Taxi Drivers
14 Great Cities Where You Can Eat Like a Cabbie

Thursday, 20 April 2017

Trump and the impact on travel - 100 days

A vanishing sight in USA skies...

Sigh. Has it really been just 100 days? Amid the chaos, accusations and flip-flops, there appears to be no good travel news arising out of the Trump (unoccupied) White House. A few highlights (lowlights):

What Trump’s First 100 Days Tell Us About Travel’s Next Four Years - Skift

Trump’s first few months in office... have dispelled the notion that his administration would be tourism and tourist friendly. Following one failed travel ban executive order, with another still tied up in the appeals process, the tenor has changed completely... [read the story]

Emirates Reduces US Flights Due to Trump Travel Policies - Travel Pulse

One day after the president of Qatar Airways told CNN that the ban on carry-on electronics was “not necessary to frighten passengers,” Emirates has announced that it will reduce U.S. flights due to the Trump administration's restrictive policies. “This is a commercial decision in response to weakened travel demand to US"... [read the story]

More Singaporean travellers giving US a miss, say travel agents - The New Paper

For the first time in 38 years, Sino-America (SA) Tours has had no confirmed group booking for all three of its US tour packages. Most US tour packages for June are usually booked by February, and SA Tours has stopped advertising them. SA Tours was among five travel agencies that (have) seen a fall in demand for US tour packages.... [read the story]

Trump's travel policies hurting 'U.S. brand' and discouraging tourists - CNN Money

One study forecasts a 10.6 million decline in visitors this year and next. The drop -- nearly 7% of expected travelers -- will cost the U.S. economy more than $18 billion and about 107,000 jobs, according to Tourism Economics, a forecasting firm used by the industry. More than half of the lost business will be caused by reduced travel from Canada and Mexico. But experts say they are concerned about tourism declines from the U.K. and western Europe as well... [read the story]

Mexican tourists don't want to visit Trump's America. It will cost us billions - LA Times

Tourism Economics, a global research firm, estimates that lost visits from Mexico to the U.S. this year will total 1.8 million... with direct economic loss of $1.1 billion. The firm estimates that Mexico-to-U.S. travel will diminish even further in 2018, with 2.6 million lost visits and direct economic losses totaling $1.6 billion... [read the story]

Make no mistake: the new travel ban is targeting LGBT people - 100 Days and Me

President Trump’s new travel ban... restricts the total number of refugees admitted to the U.S. to 50,000 per year. The fact is that this new executive order will bar thousands of LGBT and HIV-positive people from seeking refuge in the United States. This order and the political climate regarding immigration has dashed the hopes of LGBT people fleeing persecution in some of the countries in which they face the worst abuse and discrimination... [read the story]

Top lawyers say Trump travel ban would have 'chilling' effect on tourism - WSAZ

The top attorneys from 16 states and (DC) say President Donald Trump's revised travel ban would hurt their higher education and medical institutions and have a chilling effect on tourism. The attorneys general (seek) ... to uphold a ruling that blocked the travel ban targeting six predominantly Muslim countries. The full 4th Circuit will hear arguments in the case May 8... [read the story]

Tourism officials watch for political turmoil that could keep international visitors away - Concord Monitor

New Hampshire tourism officials... have a concern that we’re going to see a dip from our key markets, which would be the United Kingdom and Germany... [read the story]

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Trump and the impact on travel - Travel bloggers

Claudia Rabin-Manning has owned Trump Travel & Tours since 1989.
The fineprint on her business cards and signage is a disclaimer that reads,
"Not affiliated with Donald J.Trump or the Trump Organization" - as required
by the conditions of a lawsuit initiated by The Donald in 1989 (which she won).
(Photo from NYDailyNews - read the original story on their website)

Not long after the surprising election result south of the border, we captured a few stories in the news about what Trump-as-President could mean for travel.

Now we take a look at what travel bloggers have had to say on the subject. Here is a sampling:

These are pre-inauguration stories, or course, captured for all time... (we are wondering what the stories will be afterwards?)...

Why I Think Travel Is So Important Now - Wendy Perrin

"Since last week’s U.S. presidential election, there’s been a lot of talk about how certain groups of voters... are living in a bubble. But isn’t it true that everyone’s always lived in a bubble? That’s the reason why we travel—to get outside the bubbles we were born and raised in or currently inhabit, see how other people live and think, and broaden our worldview. Whatever your political leanings, I think this election reinforced how important it is to experience new places (especially within our own country), connect with people who aren’t like us, listen to different perspectives, and find common ground. As Mark Twain put it, “Travel is fatal to prejudice.” With America’s role on the international stage unclear, though, some people are wondering how they will be treated when they go abroad now.

As someone who has traveled in a number of risky countries at times when U.S. government policies were not in favor, I’m here to tell you that, in my experience, as long as you don’t behave like an “ugly American,” people don’t judge you based on your government. That’s because they don’t want you to judge them based on their government..." [read this story].

How the Trump Presidency Will Affect Travel Bloggers - Global Girl Travels

I didn’t plan to write this post and I’m not happy that I need to. I’m also aware it will be misinterpreted, so please read it carefully...

Jessica Peterson's thoughtful post goes on to explore a number of troubling possibilities, including the future of sexual harassment online (it will get worse), sexual harassment of women in the USA (it will become excusable behaviour), the possibly impossible travel to environmental hot spots and, yes, travel to Muslim countries becoming more dangerous for Americans... [read the story]

Disappointed yet Undaunted, We Shall Keep on Travelin’! - Rick Steves

OK, the forces of Trump have taken the White House. For people who love our world and celebrate diversity, it’s a setback…a big setback. We internationalists, progressives, and people who want to build bridges rather than walls lost... [read the story].

Traveling Abroad In The Age Of Trump? Wear Dark Clothes - Around The World

Roland and I just got back from 3 weeks in Thailand. People there aren’t obsessing over Trump... Roland has been asking me for weeks how I thought travel for Americans would be impacted by Trump’s presidency. I started traveling abroad while Nixon was president and found people sympathetic. In Holland I was... [read the story].

Traveling as an American in the Age of Trump: What to Expect - Twenty-Something Travel

I realize that having to travel internationally when you president is an unpopular orange blowhard is small potatoes on the scale of potential issues with a Trump presidency. But as travelers it’s something we have to deal with. So here’s what you can expect... [read the story].

Travel Is Political: Inauguration Day Digital Trump Protest - Dopes on the Road

I’m one of those lucky people who have multiple passions - travel, the queer community, and digital activism. It’s no secret that I started my career as an LGBT activist. I’ve facilitated social justice workshops and given speeches all over the world, I’ve even written a book about it. But I haven’t been implicit about how I see the intersection of these passions. Well - travel is political. And to be a queer traveler is a radical act. Every time I step foot in an anti-LGBT area I’m making a political statement. We live in a world where there are still 83 countries that... [read the story].

There are many more, of course, but we hope you found this cross-section of perspectives interesting.

Related resources
Trump and the impact on travel - News stories
Trump fallout - from Uber to F1
Donald Trump was a 'bully' when he sued a tiny travel agency in 1989
Comedian Joy Behar on Travel During the Trump Era and Why She Never Takes Red-Eyes

Suggested reading
Brexit and the impact on travel - travel bloggers
Brexit and the impact on travel - new stories
Headed to one of the 10 most dreaded airports (2016)
Airports of the Future - New Perspectives

Sunday, 20 November 2016

Trump and the impact on travel - News stories

Just 10 days ago we captured some headlines in Trump fallout - from Uber to F1.

Now, just as we did for Brexit - when we captured news stories predicting the impact of Brexit on travel, Brexit perspectives from travel bloggers - today we begin the same process of sharing stories about the impact of Trump-as-US-President on travel.

As the tone has changed in the days that followed the Trump win - from a sense of alarm during that first week, to more reflective analysis in the following week, we've organized these stories by date. For an interesting take on the reactions, start at the bottom, on November 9th, and go forward from there.

NOVEMBER 20

What impact will Trump have on tourism? - My Statesman

NOVEMBER 17

The Trump Effect on Travel: Some Early Indicators - Smarter Travel

How The Consumer Media Views Election’s Impact On Travel - Travel Market Report

Travel in the Trump Era: What Will His Policies Mean For Tourism? - Oyster, the Hotel Tell-All

Fears surface that Trump may jeopardize U.S.-Canada pre-clearance border plans - Vancouver Sun

NOVEMBER 16

Travel Industry Speaks Out about the Election of Trump - Inbound Report
Readers of the industry publication share their reactions. Read perspectives from tour operators and other travel industry stakeholders, from companies with operations in China, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the US

TravelPulse Radio: Mark Murphy Discusses Donald Trump's Impact on Travel - TravelPulse
An interview with the President and CEO of travAlliancemedia

NOVEMBER 14

Measuring The Trump Presidency’s Impact On Caribbean Leisure Travel - TravelPulse

Demand for US travel plummets - World First Insurance

Travel, Trumped: Some Canadians reconsidering trips to the United States - Globe and Mail

NOVEMBER 11

How Will Trump Impact Travel and Tourism? - TravelPulse

NOVEMBER 10

What Impact Will Trump Have on Tourism? - New York Times

President Trump: The Travel Industry Reacts With Caution, Not Enthusiasm - Skift
Interesting story, with reactions from CEOs of Expedia, Norwegian Cruise Line and Priceline, and spokespersons from Marriott and Trip Advisor. There are also views from Airlines for America, American Society of Travel Agents, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, Black & Abroad, US Travel Association and the World Travel & Tourism Council, to name just a few.

What Does a Donald Trump Win Mean for the Travel Industry? - Market Realist

Travel Industry Reacts to Trump Victory - Smart Meetings

Post-Election, U.S. Travel Aims Industry Positioning Campaign at Incoming Lawmakers - US Travel Association Press Release

NOVEMBER 9

One million British travellers predicted to boycott Trump's United States - will you still visit? - The Telegraph

Donald Trump Wins US Presidential Election: Travel Agents React - TravelPulse

How a Trump White House could impact global travel & tourism - Travel Week

Donald Trump's stunning victory and its impact on the hospitality industry - Hotel Management

Trump presidency could impact US travel, says events industry - CitiMagazine, Conference & Incentive Travel

Travel Industry Looks Forward to Working with Trump Administration - US Travel Association Press Release

We hope you found the stories illuminating, insightful or at least entertaining.

We'll return to this theme down the road with travel blogger perspectives on the impact of Trump on travel. Stay tuned...

Related resources
Trump fallout - from Uber to F1
Brexit and the impact on travel - travel bloggers
Brexit and the impact on travel - new stories
Headed to one of the 10 most dreaded airports (2016)
Airports of the Future - New Perspectives

Monday, 26 September 2016

Brexit and the impact on travel - Travel bloggers

Have 3 months really passed since the Brexit vote?

At the time the Brexit decision was a done deal, we did a high level capture of predictions on what the UK's move out of the EU could mean for travel. Since then, we have been watching, and listening.

What interests us most is what travel bloggers have to say about the subject. Here's a sampling:

Day after Brexit on Paros
Pamela Munro Travel Blog

Less recent, but still thought provoking...

Brexit and the Traveler: Europe Just Got Even More Interesting - Rick Steves
Why We Need Travel More Than Ever - This Battered Suitcase
What Does Brexit Mean for Accessible Travel? - Barrier Free Travels
Reflections on Brexit - The Last Ditch
Brexit: Why Brexit won’t happen - The Flaneur
What happens to expats after Brexit? - Sage & Simple
What will be the impact of brexit on travel? - Amanda's Wanderlust
What Does Brexit Mean for Travellers? - Twins That Travel
What does Brexit mean for Brits travelling abroad? - My Funky Travel
Brexit: How will this impact the travel and tourism industry - Life as a Butterfly
Brexit: How much should Politics Impact Travel? - Soul Travel Blog
Getting Dumped By Your Homeland - Chucking Roosters
20 Reasons To Move To New Zealand If You’re Pissed Off At The Brexit - Anita Hendrieka Travel Blog
We could all do with a holiday (Brits Abroad) - The Mum Blog
7 Reasons Leaving the EU Will Affect Travel Loving Families - The Family Freestylers

Have you seen the Patrick Stewart sketch?

On a lighter note...

'Brexit: the Musical' is coming to London - TimeOut
Patrick Stewart sketch: what has the ECHR ever done for us? (video) - The Guardian

Sunday, 26 June 2016

Brexit and the impact on travel - News stories

Let's face it, no one knows what the impact of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. The referendum result is only 2 days old, and no one really thought it would happen. But here we are.

There are more questions than answers at this point, but here are some highlights of travel related commentary on the Brexit.

Brits abroad

First, a few surprising stories of a number of immediate travel-related impacts, not all of which will necessarily continue:

Thomas Cook suspends euro 'click and collect' cash service as panic over pound grows following Brexit - Daily Mail
Brexit leaves CBA and Travel Money cardholders in the cold (story about actions taken by Commonwealth Bank, suspending some Travel Money MasterCard functions) - Banking Day
Greek hotels refuse to swap British tourists' money amid Brexit market turmoil - Daily Mail

Speculation is the name of the game, with a range of reactions, which we'll organize loosely within the UK, in the EU, in British Overseas Territories, within the British Commonwealth and around the globe. Here is a sampling:

Impact of Brexit on Travel - reactions in the United Kingdom

The potential impacts on travel Brits are enormous. The stories coming out of the UK are both alarming and alarmist, but there will be real impacts on the freedom of movement of both British citizens and expats.

Brexit is terrible news for travelers - QZ
Shock and uncertainty: travel industry reacts to Brexit - Telegraph
What does Brexit mean for YOUR holiday to Europe this summer? - Daily Mail
Brexit risks higher fares and fewer flights for UK tourists - The Guardian
Brexit and the UK's Hotel Industry - Travel Pulse
Brexit reaction: 'Third runway at Heathrow now much less likely' - Get West London

Impact of Brexit on Travel - reactions in Ireland

Ireland (as in the Republic of Ireland, a sovereign state that is a member of the EU - as opposed to Northern Island, which is part of the UK) is facing numerous implications, including several that will ultimately impact travel.

Dublin faces policy crisis over Irish implications of Brexit vote - Financial Times
Brexit creates uncertainty surrounding maintenance of Common Travel Area - Breaking News Ireland
Brexit could boost transit traffic at Dublin Airport: Ryanair and Aer Lingus could be hit by fall in passengers - Irish Times
Post Office RUNS OUT of Irish passports forms as Brits scramble for new citizenship following Brexit result - Mirror

Impact of Brexit on Travel - reactions in the European Union

Reactions and concerns vary among other European Union member countries.

Brexit Means Trade and Tourism Suffer Most in These Six EU Nations - Bloomberg

Impact of Brexit on Travel - reactions in British Overseas Territories

Speculation is rampant in and about Gibraltar, the tiny British Overseas Territory (think "Rock of Gibraltar", bordering southern Spain). Residents here voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU.

People are thinking about moving to Gibraltar after BrExit vote - AOL UK
Spain to seek co-sovereignty on Gibraltar after Brexit - Cyprus Mail

Impact of Brexit on Travel - reactions in the British Commonwealth

Speculation is also taking place in the 53 countries in the British Commonwealth as to the impact of the Brexit. It's early days, but a few highlights...

Brexit referendum: Australians to enjoy cheaper British holidays - Sydney Morning Herald
Brexit decision may cut flow of much-needed British tourists - Queensland Times
Travel agents welcome Brexit, say it's good for Canadian travellers - News 1130
Cypriots told to “keep calm” over Brexit - In Cyprus
No impact of Brexit on Tourism, says Thomas Cook chief - Hindu Business Line

Impact of Brexit on Travel - reactions around the globe

Reactions are mixed around the globe, from airline stocks in the USA dropping 9-11% to enthusiasm for travel bargains in both the UK and the EU.

Airlines exposed to Brexit volatility - Gulf News (Dubai)
Brexit a possible boon for China, say analysts - Live Mint
Impact of BREXIT on the Caribbean’s tourism industry - St Lucia News
Tourism industry reaction after UK votes to leave the EU - Tornos News (Greece)
Airline stocks drop on fears Brexit could depress trans-Atlantic travel - Dallas Star Telegram
'Brexit' vote means travelers to Britain may get more for their money - LA Times
Here’s How Brexit Will Affect Your European Travel - Time
Thanks to the Brexit, the U.K. Just Went on Sale - Travel + Leisure
U.S. bargains to Europe may follow 'Brexit' - USA Today
With Brexit, the UK just became a great travel bargain. So did a whole lot of other countries - VOX
Priceline: 'Brexit' Doesn't Change The Long-Term Story - Seeking Alpha
Brexit, and how it might impact golf travel - Golf Digest

More perspectives will emerge in the weeks ahead. We are particularly looking forward to perspectives by travel bloggers, so stay tuned for a follow-up post soon.

Related resources
Fateful O'Hare Airport pizza meeting sealed Brexit vote deal: British media - Chicago Tribune

What is The Commonwealth? - World Atlas

What's the Difference Between Ireland and Northern Ireland - Choose Ireland
London: Closest Airports to LHR Heathrow Airport - IHateTaxis

Monday, 16 November 2015

Should you travel to Paris?

creativecommons image danielygo on Flickr

No one can tell you whether you should travel to Paris or not, but we offer a few perspectives that may help you weigh your options.

7 Keys to Traveling Without Fear Despite Terrorist Attacks
Published yesterday, travel vetran Wendy Perrin puts things in perspective.

You may be making travel plans—or trying to—and you can’t help but wonder: If I go, what is the risk that I will get caught in a terrorist incident? How do I minimize that risk? If I can’t minimize it, how do I get over my fear? I believe the solution is to put your risk in perspective. Here’s how... [read Wendy's full article]

What Should I Do If I’m Traveling to Paris?
Published yesterday, Yahoo Travel turns to Dan Richards of Global Rescue for advice.

For now, Paris is a city in mourning. As we often see in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, the security situation in Paris remains extremely fluid. And that could pose an issue for tourists, students and businesspeople who are traveling, or planning to travel, there. But it might be comforting to know that after Friday’s devastating and tragic attacks, Paris is still open to visitors... [read the full article]

Paris attacks: is it safe to travel to Paris?
Published today in the Telegraph's travel section, this piece contains practical information on a number of fronts.

Despite the announcement that France was closing its borders following a series of terror attacks, flights, ferries and trains have been running as normal - but security has been stepped up. Tourist attractions in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre, are due to reopen on Monday afternoon... [read the full article]

Related resources
What to do in a city where there's been a terrorist attack - Johnny Jet
Government of Canada France travel advisory - read the latest advisory
May the odds be ever in your favour
Travel in the time of Ebola

Thursday, 2 April 2015

Don’t let sensationalized travel fear invoke paralysis

creativecommons image by charleskremenak on Flickr

by Todd Romaine

Let’s face the obvious fact – you will die at some point. Now, getting over this depressed reality should not paralyze you from living life and seeing the world in real-time versus from in front of a television set.

It seems all too often that the world is becoming a small place to travel within when the broad strokes of generalization of ‘no-go zones’ are factored into trip planning. Generally speaking, the Middle East is considered very volatile with the usual images of suicidal bombers and revolution. Africa is considered dangerous for contacting deadly viral diseases to war and to horrific crimes against locals and tourists alike. Much of Asia, with the exception of the southeast portion, is considered to share the same traits as the Middle East and Africa.

Right off the bat, most people now eliminate 2/3rds of the world and stick to safe countries in safe regions to ensure a continuance of life as they know it. And with the overload of information in people’s lives, we thrive and make decisions based on a combination of news or research snippets followed by gut reasoning.

When Ebola hit the news, people were avoiding Africa and all parts of it, despite the fact it only impacted three countries in West Africa and left the remaining 51 countries alone. While images of the Middle East show chaotic conditions, much of the region is peaceful or safe to travel, or countries considered dangerous generally have pockets of it, versus a wide swath of territory (exception being ISIL in Iraq, Syria).

Unfortunately official country reports tend to reinforce these stereotypes and this compounds the issue further with insurance companies, travel companies and the likes also terminating or intensifying their view of the area.

I am not suggesting you shrug this information off completely but spend time doing research on where you want to travel and what areas to avoid.

Admittedly, I went to Yemen last year as a tourist, a country that only receives a handful of American tourists and likely even less Canadians. Despite the political issues, kidnappings etc., I was able to find pockets of the country that were very safe and was able to enjoy it without dealing with hordes of tourists.

Traveling solo or with a small group tends to attract less negative attention and spending money with a reputable tour group also greatly assists with navigating away from potential dangers.

Maybe the world is going to hell in a hand-basket, but most of the world is still relatively safe and if do your own detailed research, and do proper planning, you have the opportunity to see reality in your own eyes versus the often drummed up sensationalism of mass media.

Related resources
Fear, Risk and Travel - Gary Arndt, Everything Everywhere
Travel warnings and advisories - Independent Traveler
Why you should ignore travel warnings - Reid's Italy
Travel in the time of Ebola
May the odds be ever in your favour
What counts as a country visited?

Monday, 9 February 2015

Orbitz drops Skiplagged lawsuit

We recently told you about the lawsuits launched by United Airlines and Orbitz against Skiplagged. Here's the story, in case you missed it: Going into court with dirty hands? Airline and online travel site sue Skiplagged.com.
Today it was reported that Orbitz has dropped its lawsuit. Here are the details:

Orbitz reaches settlement with fare-search site - Travel Weekly
Skiplagged and Orbitz Worldwide Agree to Terms to Settle Lawsuit - Orbitz press release

The jury is still out on the United Airlines suit.

Saturday, 3 January 2015

Going into court with dirty hands? Airline and online travel site sue Skiplagged.com

by Todd Romaine

Ever heard of Skiplagged.com before? If not, you should definitely check it out. It promises the lowest online airline fares through the use of some creative programming that allows travellers to fly to their desired particular destination at a discounted rate by pretending to fly somewhere else when they book. It does seem odd but routine that flying a shorter distance is many times more expensive than flights at a further distance. The most expensive flight options are direct flights, followed then by flights that stop in numerous locations (milk run) before your final destination. And in many circumstances you need to burn up more airline fuel flying all over the place to get that cheaper ticket.

This is where skiplagged.com comes into play... it searches for the cheapest milk run options and then you need to attempt to get off the plane in your desired location rather than carrying on to your ticketed destination. This requires you to travel with carry-on luggage only and quickly de-board and vanish into thin air. An example would be that you need to fly from Seattle to Minneapolis but find it cheaper to fly from Seattle-Minneapolis-Houston and therefore book the latter option. You show up at the airport and collect your boarding passes to Houston, cognizant you have no plans to go there.

Orbitz and United Airlines are now suing skiplagged.com because the website's circumvention around the system makes it seem unethical and could result in continued airline delays for missing passengers and empty seats. Yet arguably the system that charges people more money for going shorter distances seem unethical in itself.

A crowdsurfing site has already raised 50K to help skiplagged.com fight off the lawsuit and to continue its business to provide travellers with cheaper flight options. Seasoned online travellers have already worked the system for years but skiplagged.com has now raised notoriety for the practice and hence why a legal battle is now brewing.

If anything comes from this, perhaps airlines need to recalibrate how they tabulate traveler fares so that individual users pay the true cost for traveling and not zig zagging around the world to reduce costs for a direct flight.

Tip: follow @Skiplagged on Twitter - and @SkiplaggedDeals for the best hidden city deals

Related Resources

Thursday, 1 January 2015

What counts as a country visited?

by Todd Romaine

If you missed it, see our 2014 New Year's post,
How Many Countries Have You Visited?

Ready, set go... 2015 is here, time to add to your country tally!

For the many international travellers that like collecting countries to quantify or reaffirm their status as a seasoned globetrotter, this is the time of year when the previous year is tallied, and the year to come is planned out.

As we kick off 2015, we return to the country-counting subject with a closer examination of the oft-debated question of "what counts as a country?"

As you commence this year's travels, please note the following commonly held ground rules:

A layover at an airport or an airport hotel without leaving the physical premise does NOT count as a new country. Even if it means collecting a passport stamp and walking by the taxi rank. If you catch a taxi, bus, or subway into the nearest town where non-airport, everyday civilian activities take place then it counts. Even if it is only for a few hours, chalk it up as another country with the caveat of a very limited snapshot of time.
A cruise ship stop in various ports and islands DOES count as individual countries even it just means walking along the dock or beachside tourist areas. Even if the islands in question belong to a country on the other side of the planet, they count. However note if the islands are part of the same political jurisdiction, you cannot double, triple count etc. An example would be the Cook Islands, a New Zealand possession spread out over a huge geographical distance cannot be counted multiple times if you visit several of its islands. The Caribbean is a goldmine to enhance your country count during a cruise. Simple offshore islands in close proximity to the 'mother country' (i.e. within 200 miles) do not get separate country status so do NOT count in your tabulation. This coincides with the international rule of exclusive economic zone status. Therefore, while Prince Edward Island in Canada does NOT count as separate from Canada, Cocos and Christmas Island DO count in respect to Australia, or Svalbard Island with respect to Norway DOES count simply based on geographical distance from the main country.
A train through various countries only counts if you physically get out and get into town somewhere outside of non-train activities (i.e. train station). Therefore, listening to your iPod as your train screams through the Luxembourg countryside does NOT count.
Flying over a country does NOT count unless you land and leave the airport premises. If you land on an isolated beach somewhere with a helicopter, then technically it DOES count.
Geographical locations not deemed a country could count. Antarctica counts. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Western Sahara, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Tibet, Somaliland, Nagorno-Kabarkh, Azafad and arguably ISIS controlled territories all DO count. These locations are in dispute and are politically unique and contentious from the 'mother country'. These treat themselves with their own customs departments, their own flag and militaries and or own governments in exiles. Ficticious or dubious deemed countries such as Sea Island, Swan River, Cascadia do NOT count.
Small official countries count such as the Vatican City, Andorra, Singapore, Hong Kong, Aland, Liechenstein all DO count.
Swimming or running through one country to the next DOES count. Yes I have swam between Namibia and South Africa along the Orange River with no customs department present and technically this counts.

Check it out: There are numerous tools that can assist you graphically catalogue your travels. The newest country-tracking tool is #Travelstoke, created by the globetrotting folks at Matador Network. Once you create your personal #Travelstoke map, you can publish it to your social media networks, such as Facebook.

If you have any technical questions on country counting feel free to contact us. Happy 2015 travels!

Related resources
Introducing the #Travelstoke World Map: Create yours today! - Matador Network
How many countries have you visited? - IHateTaxis
Countries of the world: how many have you visited? - interactive list from listchallenges
Where on earth have you been? Create a custom map to show your life's travels - the Guardian

Saturday, 20 December 2014

Spot the deadly fake taxi on your international travels!

Would you be able to pick out a fake taxi in a foreign land, where everything is new to you?
What if you're extremely tired from a long-haul flight? Or you've had too much to drink?
Can you spot the signs that this is a fake taxi?
Tip: right click the picture to open it in a new window, for a close-up view.
Once you have given the picture a good look over, scroll down to see the answers below.

It happens all over the world and has resulted in numerous rip-offs, robberies, sexual assaults, kidnapping and murder – taking a fake taxi could be your last trip.

All too often, most assume everything that looks like a taxi must be a taxi and therefore, by default, we numb our minds and jump-in without a second thought. More often than not, our minds are even more trusting of taxis in foreign lands where everything is new or when we have consumed considerable alcohol.

The most likely locations of taking a fake taxi are China, Lebanon, Colombia, Brazil, Belgium, France (Paris), and Nigeria though it has and can literally take place anywhere in the world.

Most fake taxi drivers do it for economic reasons – no insurance, no taxi license, and a cash only system that generates considerable profits.

Other fake taxi drivers have more nefarious objectives, such as:

Purposefully rigging their meters to jump wildly (China, Thailand)
Counterfeit money laundering (China)
Violent robberies (Brazil, Colombia and Namibia)
Intent to sexually assault women (Brussels, Paris, Toronto, UK)

How to spot a fake

There are some common things you should look for with respect to fake taxis:

Different colour scheme from the dominant registered licensed taxis you see driving about
No taxi license in the vehicle
Cash only
No presence of an actual meter
Taxi driver approaches you and encourages you to use their vehicle versus waiting in a queue
Physical characteristics (really a judgment call) on whether they look like an official taxi driver
Several occupants in the vehicle
Displayed photo identification does not match driver's facial features
Removable or flimsy taxi sign on roof
Substandard working condition
Invalid or non-existent license plates
Non-existent dispatch system
No GPS in vehicle yet such units are readily seen in other taxis in the area you are visiting 7

How to avoid or deal with the fake

Tips on avoiding or dealing with fake taxis:

Always travel with a companion, especially if you a woman leaving a bar at the end of the night - a fake taxi driver will be less likely target you if you are less vulnerable (with a companion)
Do research on the internet (i.e. ihatetaxis.com) beforehand, to familiarize yourself with what official taxi cab companies operate in the city you are visiting OR upon arrival at the airport go to the information desk to ask "what does an official taxi look like?"
Always call or book online for a taxi from a licensed company - Google such companies online, or have your hotel call you one (often called a 'radio taxi')
If a radio taxi is not available, go to an official taxi queue line near a major hotel, shopping mall etc.
The taxi driver should recite your name when picking you up, and if they don't, then they are not the designated pick-up person for you
Always sit in the back seat of a taxi to avoid any contentious situation, albeit a legitimate taxi or fake one - you want to be unencumbered should you need to flee
If there is a meter present, and it is behaving erratically without a legitimate explanation, if you are in a safe area, ask the driver politely to pull over, place the money on the seat and get out (while this may or may not be a fake taxi, there is a scam going on and best you remove yourself from the situation)
Have your cellular phone charged up and ready to either videotape and or call the police at a moment`s notice
Carry small change so as to avoid getting fake currency change back - you should also be able to drop the exact fare (or a bit more) on the seat and walk off in a dispute
Under all circumstances, where possible, travel with your bags with you in the car and not the trunk (access to the trunk will be used as unfair leverage if you refuse to comply with unreasonable demands)
If you are being attacked or placed in a very vulnerable situation, scream or yell to alert nearby people of your plight – this could force the driver to stop his nefarious plans with you

Truth be told, fake taxi drivers are getting more and more clever all the time in order to dupe travelers, but if you follow the above guidelines you should minimize your chances of being in a very unfavourable situation.

To the trained eye this is a fake taxi. It has magnetic removable sign on the door that is slightly misaligned, the top TAXI sign on the roof is out of proportion and the company's logo or dispatch telephone number do not appear on the rear of the vehicle.
So be it, ride it and you'll be unaware that the fare is then mechanically controlled by the driver who will charge at his own will, regardless of the destination or distance. Upon reaching your destination, the shocking high price will be demanded. Hanoi, Vietnam, SE Asia.
Source: Emilio Labrador on flickr (permission requested)

Have a scary story about a fake taxi? Please contact us so we can update our travel pages and alert other future travelers.

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Wednesday, 15 October 2014

Make your own bed and sleep in it at Westin!

Heavenly Bed in Room 470 at the Westin Maui

Do you feel like making your own Heavenly Bed at Westin?

The Westin Hotel chain is now offering you money to make your own bed!

If you ever plan to spend a night or two at Westin Hotels & Resorts in North America, you will now be offered up to $5.00/day voucher for meals or club points to forego housekeeping. The Make a Green Choice microsite touts the green benefits of the promotion. As Westin is part of the Starwood Hotel & Resorts brand, the club points available for those who opt in are Starwood Preferred Guest (aka SPG) points.

The $5 a day can add up quite quickly, if you are a frequent traveler and spending multiple nights in the same hotel chain. And let's be perfectly honest here - who really needs their room cleaned every day anyhow? There are enough towels in the room to last several days and most of us are quite hygienic to avoid daily bed sheets being changed.

Do I get a treat for making my own bed?

Undoubtedly what Westin is doing will spread amongst other competing hotel chains, where the practice of incentifying customers with discounts, in order to pass on expected hotel services, will become the norm. Arguably, this could be yet another silent war to reduce the costly requirement of human labour in society, but ultimately, in the era of reward points, it will likely be widely popular among consumers.

At Westin, the front desk staff will offer you this incentive once you check-in, but thereafter they place the onus on you to bring down your coupons upon check-out or earlier in order to cash-in. If you forget these coupons in your room, or misplace them somewhere else, then your benefit becomes null and void and the hotel wins free and clear.

The program is also loaded with restrictions. You can't, for example, use your $5 towards an alcoholic drink. While you can use the coupon at the local Starbucks, how far does that $5 go? A small coffee, perhaps?

And how green is printing all those coupons? "If this was a truly green choice there should be an option not to get the cards and for Starwood to just post the points or take $5 off your bill for services. It can't be that hard to do it electronically and it would save paper," argues OasisNYK on FlyerTalk forums.

Regardless, the truth is in how the program is working out - from the customer's perspective. A quick read of the Make a Green Choice Issues thread in the FlyerTalk forums reveals many inconsistencies, from coupons promised but not delivered and hotels running out of the cards, to inadequate garbage cans for guests to dump their own trash in to promised SPG rewards not assigned. Or how about the room cleaning that takes place despite opting in - or, worse, no room cleaning for guests who opt out of the program entirely? It does seem guests are spending an inordinate amount of time chasing down the supposed benefits of going green.

The hotel's argument is about "making a green choice" but let's get real: ultimately, this about saving money and passing a (small) portion of such reductions onto the consumer. Is it worth it to you as a guest?

Look for Westin Hotels & Resorts to extend their program globally later on next year. Let's hope they make it a whole lot greener (goodbye paper cards?), simpler and consistent before doing so.

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Thursday, 9 October 2014

Travel in the time of Ebola

Perhaps a fitting symbol for worldwide sadness about Ebola
Photo: John LeGear, creativecommons (more info)

With all the buzz about Ebola and airport screenings, what's a traveller to do? Is it really OK to be "out there"? In a word, yes.

If you already travel saavy, you know about - and hopefully practice - road warrior street smarts: wash your hands (frequently, with soap), wipe down surfaces, carry sanitizer (but don't overuse it), drink plenty of sealed bottled water, get plenty of sleep and enjoy your journey.

Weighing in on the subject, is Robert L. Quigley, MD, D.Phil, Regional Medical Director and Vice President of Medical Assistance, Americas Region, International SOS. In his piece, Ebola Outbreak Spreads Across Three Countries: What Do Travelers Need to Know? for @HuffPostTravel, Quigley advises, "For travelers, it means staying away from affected areas, and avoiding contact with people who are sick as well as practicing strict attention to hygiene."

Unless you are travelling to one of the Ebola hot zones in Africa (it's a big continent), then these actions will serve you well. Of course, pay attention to travel advisories for your destination, and check for updates periodically. Common sense will get you further than panic.

DON'T be alarmed if you see overt health screening in an airport. Rather, see this as the authorities taking the necessary measures to protect everyone.

An excuse to buy gloves?

If you tend towards the panic end of the spectrum, then add some face masks and disposable gloves to your backpack. Hopefully, knowing they are there, will help you relax. Heck, pick up a lovely pair of gloves on your travels and wear them whenever you feel like it (who cares how silly you look?). They won't necessarily protect you how you imagine they will, but if they keep you from giving in to panic, then fine, whatever it takes.

And if you do feel yourself starting to get run down, take it as a sign to take time out - get a decent place to stay, curl up with a book, eat well and rest. Then hit the road again. Your immune system will thank you.

In her piece for @Forbes, Ebola, Erupting Volcanoes, Terrorism: Travel Tips For Scary Times, author Lea Lane brings much needed perspective, "The bottom line is to keep traveling: using your head, trusting your gut, controlling as much as you can — and realizing that you can’t control everything."

We couldn't agree more.

"Travel should continue and be an exciting adventure. With the right precautions in place, it should also be a safe endeavor," says Quigley.

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