9 Rules for Air Travel (This Means You!)

I travel. A lot! What’s a lot? Well, in the last 8 weeks I’ve been on 20 different airplanes. (And I’m writing this while waiting for a flight now…) And you know what I’m sick of even more than the overpriced airlines and late arrivals? The other passengers.
I’ve developed the following list of rules that people need to follow for the general betterment of mankind when traveling by air. If you violate them, just know that I – and probably everyone else – am cursing you and wishing horrible things upon your bloodline.

1. Your breath stinks! For the love of God, have a mint or chew some gum or something. I had to sit by a guy who went to sleep with his face pointing my way – punishing me with his foul breath for hours. I spent the entire flight hoping the smell was due to a horrible disease.
2. Yes, your farts stink! Dammit! I understand that you’ve got a problem, but if you have to do that go to the bathroom! This problem is becoming epidemic lately, and some people smell like something crawled up in them and died. So get some Gas-X or Tums or something and stop poisoning the air.
3. Stop touching my leg! You’ve been allocated the same space that I have. Given that my legs are longer than yours and I can keep them to myself, you can too. The only exception to this rule is if you are a smoking hot babe.
4. If you are spilling into my space, start the flight with an apology. I understand that you are overweight or a giant. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t be infringing on my space. The least you can do is be cordial and apologetic about it. Oh, and if you have to request the seatbelt extension, seriously, you owe it to your fellow passengers to book a first class ticket. Everyone understands you’ve got a weight problem, but we still shouldn’t have to suffer.
5. You don’t own the armrest. Sure, I don’t mind sharing, but don’t hog it all flight – even if you are huge and sitting by someone small… especially then. And if you are going to sleep, cross your arms. You won’t be needing the armrest!
6. Be gentle with the damn trays! Are you really too dense to realize that the tray is connected to my seatback? Well, it is. So when you are raising and lowering it do it slowly and with as little force as required. Oh, and if you have kids, control them. I’m going to choke the next one that is kicking the back of my seat or playing with the tray.
7. Look before you lean! I know they are packing us into these giant aluminum tubes like sardines, so you may need to recline a little, but there is no excuse for rocketing back into my face like it’s a LazyBoy recliner! If you need to recline take a quick glance back to make sure you aren’t going to crush my laptop in the process and maybe give me a heads up it’s coming. Also, don’t go all the way back unless you really need it. Usually half the recline is still sufficient and more friendly to your seat-mate.
8. Don’t bump me on the way to your seat! I know you’re carrying all your crap, but you know what? So did I. And I didn’t hit anyone. If you can’t carry it properly then check it and wait at the baggage claim with the other considerate people.
9. No perfume is allowed! Listen lady, you are in an enclosed space with 200 other people, some of which have allergies or asthma. You can wait until we land to torture your poor traveling companion, but spare the rest of us.

The bottom line is, don’t do anything on an airplane that you wouldn’t do in an enclosed car with your mother, priest, or daughters present.

View Source

Five Unspoken Rules Of Seatmate Etiquette

Just because your seat pocket doesn't contain a list of rules for Seatmate Etiquette along with the safety pamphlet and the SkyMall catalog doesn't mean the cabin is a place where anything goes. But sometimes we wish the unwritten compact of in-flight behavior was set down -- if only so we could throw the book at our favorite offenders. Are you one of them? We've come up with five regulations for our fellow passengers, and we'll try to abide by them as well.

The Five Unspoken Rules of Seatmate Etiquette

You control your own limbs but no one else's. We're all in this sardine can together, so keep your knees together, gentlemen, and the armrest stays down except under mutual agreement. And no pushing on your way out of the plane, particularly you window-seat partisans.

Keep your convos short, sweet and discreet. Remember, you're sitting in a metal tube which amplifies all the details about those "unfortunate" stitches you had to get, ahem. The sad thing is, the people most in need of this rule will never realize not everyone wants to know who pulled whose hair first.

Observe the imaginary wall. It's okay to exchange pleasantries with the person next to you, and we've all inadvertently elbowed 32B while trying to locate our seatbelts. The wall can be broached to offer gum or Xanax (please?) before takeoff without a problem. But don't strain to keep the conversation going like you're on a date, and just as you are keeping your elbows to yourself, eyes on your own tray. Keep fans and lights away, and for the love of all things Britney, use headphones.

Let sleeping dogs lie. Not just carried-on pets, but the people around you as well -- if you can't sleep on planes, that sucks, but don't share the misery. Shut-eye or soda? Definitely shut-eye. If your seatmate has nodded off and you have to get out, you are allowed to crawl over them if you know you can do it without waking them up. (A skill we've personally never mastered, but we hear some have!) This goes double on overnight flights, but it's the rare plane that doesn't feature at least one happy snoozer en route.

The squeaky wheel gets delayed. You don't need more than one pillow unless you are paying for them. You don't deserve a free cocktail because you've had a really long day. You don't get to take your shoes and your socks off. Is this your private plane? No. No, it is not. And you are the person breaking the invisible compact

5 Things NOT TO DO In Vegas

Over a few beers with my worldly friends the topic of what travelers should and shouldn’t do came up.

Two of my closest friends having just recently returned from a trip to Las Vegas expoused the virtues of Las Vegas (or Vegas to the very cool and hip) as being one the last places on the entire planet where provocative, drunken, lewd and loud behaviour is the norm rather than the exception.

As the saying goes……”what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!”

My friends did agree however, that this sort of behaviour can lead to costly mistakes, both financially and to your dignity.

So here are the Top 10 things you shouldn’t do when you visit Las Vegas.

1. Dress like a Hooker

Yes ladies, there is a big difference between sexy and slutty.

2. Use hotel internet

Save your money for the gaming and the games. There are plenty of free Wi-Fi spots throughout the city.

3. Arrive at the Airport with 30 minutes to spare

Security lines at the airport in Vegas are very long not to mention having to catch the monorail to get to your boarding gate.

4. Choose the cheapest buffet in town

60 items for less than $12 (USD) sounds fantastic but how does that other saying go……..”you get what you pay for!” And at this price you are likely to also get a case of food poisoning at no extra charge. Just ask one of my friends.

5. Get Married at the Chapel of Love by an Elvis Impersonator (or any other derivation of this)

Guaranteed, quicky weddings in a Vegas Chapel usually last as long as the line at the cheapest buffet in town. Just ask Britney Spears.

Book Los Vegas Accommodation with MetroStar.com

Old but not out: courting the 50+ market

There’s a lot of talk about the aging of America as record numbers reach the traditional retirement age of 65. But a previously neglected segment is the over-50 traveler who no longer is content with cruise ship croquet and upscale guided tours.
 There are no more limits on travel for the over 50’s, writes Deborah Thiele, Director of Africa Expedition Support, a safari company based in East Africa.
 

“Traditionally the over 50's have been marketed ‘soft’ tour options such as 5-star beach resorts, cruise ships offering bridge and croquet; and gentle coach tours through Southern France,” she writes in Travel by AcraMax.
 The over 50's are an affluent market, particularly in the tour sector. They have disposable income, time to travel, and a desire to experience the real culture in travel. But more importantly, perhaps, the over 50’s want more adventure.
 “They have a thirst for adventure,” said Archers Direct head of product David Binns. “They want to learn how to cook in Morocco, go walking in the Grand Canyon and explore South America.Touring in Jordan and Morocco is proving particularly popular for 2011.”
 

But the boom in cruise travel is also a reflection of this new market. This could also be a boon to around-the-world cruise operators. A large majority of the 1,800 passengers or 1500 cruisers signed up for all segments of a recent P&O world cruise.
“People usually book segments of the world cruise, but redundancies and early retirement among the 55-64 age group is prompting them to take a gap year,” said managing director Carol Marlow.
 

The 50+ market is a potentially large one. “It’s a big market — 75 per cent of the over 50’s take more than one holiday a year,” said Talia Laurence of Tui Travel.  “There is a continuing rapid increase in the number of outbound travelers aged 50 years old and over,” said Dr. Auliana Poon, head of Tourist Intelligence International.
 

But increasingly sophisticated marketing will be needed to capture the new tourists. “The days are passing when brochures handed out to an over 50's at their local travel agent are limited to cruise ships, all-inclusive beach resorts or gentle tours,” Thiele said. “They are more aware, active, Internet savvy and environmentally conscious and are also adventurous (soft, medium and hard) and willing to learn and experience new things unlike the senior citizens of the past,” said Tourist Intelligence’s Poon.
 

As more over 50's are computer literate, they are seeking out options on their own over the internet and are confident booking their own travel.  Wandering around in motor homes will escalate in popularity as the older tourists become even more prominent. “Twenty years ago people retiring early would have bought a villa in Spain; now they are buying motorhomes instead,” said Dan Yates, managing director of Pitchup, an online guide to campsites and parks. Campsites with spas and other luxury amenities are increasingly luring the older travelers.
 

Where has this shift come from and why has it taken so long?  In the tour market, the 20 to 30-year-old segment has traditionally been seen as the market with expendable income and time to travel. But that group is working harder than ever and has become less lucrative for the adventure and tour travel market, in particular. “We are seeing fitter and more active over 50's who have paid off the mortgage, kids have moved out of home; coupled with the age of internet and cable television making the global village more attractive and accessible,” Thiele said.
 

Also, more over 50’s are deciding there is more to retirement than gardening and playing bridge. “It certainly has taken a very long time for the adventure travel market to recognize and value the over 50's as prospective consumers of the global adventure travel. But as more and more recognize this market, options are set to increase in the future” Thiele said.
 

 Source: Travelmole By David Wilkening

Aussie Travelers Expect to be Robbed

More than half accepted they are likely to have cash or credit cards stolen while. travelling outside of Australia. Despite their concerns, the Australian 'she'll be right'  attitude means that a significant number of travellers are lax with protecting their money while overseas, saying that they 'never' or 'only sometimes' take precautions.

American Express recommends that some ways to avoid being caught short financially are to wear a money belt; take copies of travel documents or leave them with family; stay in accommodation with a safety deposit box in'room (and use it!); and use a 'mixed travel wallet' system, with cash for when you arrive, a credit card for larger purchases, travellers cheques for emergencies and a pre-paid card for everyday spending.

MAIN FINANCIAL CONCERNS OF AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING OVERSEAS

68%     Losing or having cash or credit cards stolen

56%     Not being able to access money

54%     Credit Card fraud

48%     Cards not working when they are used overseas

46%     Being ripped off

37%     Running out of money

34%     Being cheated when converting money

30%     Getting a low foreign currency exchange rate

24%     Spending more than intended

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN BY AUSSIE TRAVELLERS

65%     Wear a money belt

33%     Take copies of travel documents or leave them with family

62%     Stay in accommodation with a safety deposit box in room

77%     Take a variety of travel money. E.g. Cash, cards, travelers cheques, prepaid travel cards.

Lufthansa Official Airline of Eurovision Song Contest 2011

Lufthansa has been named the official airline of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. As Europe's largest airline it is quite logical that Lufthansa should fly fans and spectators to Düsseldorf for the largest European television event of the year. The airline connects the state capital of North Rhine Westphalia with over 700 weekly flights to 50 destinations in 20 countries. Lufthansa will be offering fans, who would like to follow the event live, especially affordable tickets to Düsseldorf from all over Europe on the official website of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The event, which will be staged by German television broadcaster NDR, will consist of two semi‑finals and a final that will all take place between 10-14 May and be broadcast live. As a partner and the official airline of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, Lufthansa will be presenting a cooperation logo of its own and will also appear on the credits for the television broadcasts. Besides being represented on the official website of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, there will also be countless Lufthansa attractions at the event itself and in the fan zone at the "Eurovision Village".

Last year the final of the Eurovision Song Contest was witnessed by a total of 65 million television viewers, of which 14.7 million in Germany alone. The international singing contest has been hosted by the winning country since 1956. In 2010 it was won by Lena Meyer‑Landrut from Germany meaning that the 2011 edition shall be staged in the German city of Düsseldorf. Lufthansa was already involved last year, flying the winner back to her hometown of Hanover on a special flight.

You don’t have to be a Eurovision contestant to experience the wonders of Dusseldorf. Check out the great accommodation deals on offer here http://www.metrostar.com/dusseldorf/

Top 8 Ways to Score Free Hotel Upgrades

Sometimes, just being personable and friendly can go a long way in scoring a free hotel upgrade. But for times when a nice smile and pleasant demeanor is not enough, here are some other tricks to try.

1. Timing -- Check in later, between 4-6PM as the front desk can see the cancellations and no-shows of that day. Also, if your dates are flexible, don't book on busy holiday times, as upgrades cannot be given if a hotel is at full occupancy.

2. Book a room in the middle price range -- It's not impossible to get upgraded when booking the cheapest room category available, but it doesn't help your odds. Book a room that is in the mid range for better chances.

3. Be nice -- It's that simple. Front desk staff and hotel managers deal with a lot of people and handle a lot of problems and stress during their day. Sometimes, just being personable, and friendly can go a long way.

4. Ask -- It doesn't hurt to ask, and the worst thing that can happen is that you get declined. Ask if an upgrade is available. If it's a special occasion, it doesn't hurt to volunteer that information either.

5. Hotel mistake? Sometimes a hotel's mistake can work to your advantage. Perhaps your room wasn't ready upon check-in, construction causing loss of sleep - you can always address a hotel issue with the management in a nice manner and see if they will do something (like provide an upgrade) for the inconvenience.

6. It's all about relationships, baby -- It's true, who you knows matter, and even more so if it happens to be the general manager at the hotel you're staying at. Don't have a connection? Don't fret. Book on luxury hotel site Kiwi Collection and they'll do the contacting for you. Half the hotels offer free perks and free upgrades, and if you book with a Visa Signature card at one of the 800 Visa properties, you get an automatic free room upgrade. Frequent Kiwi bookers can earn VIP status, and that's when they actually contact the hotel on your behalf to request for upgrades. There are some other sites that offer this as well, but you have to buy a membership.

7. Where you book matters -- If you're booking a standard room, a hotel actually can give you a different room just based on the booking source you made the reservation on. Ever experience a really crappy room right by the hotel's laundry area when booking on Expedia, only to find that your friend who booked elsewhere paid the same price but got a better room?

8. Loyalty -- You'll have better chances of a free upgrade if you are loyal to the hotel and provide repeat business. It doesn't hurt at the time of reservation to let them know that you've stayed there before. Hotels know that it costs a lot less to keep a repeat customer happy then it is to acquire a new one, so often they'll give special treatment to return customers.

9. Title drop -- There aren't any guarantees, but you may find that title dropping can increase your chances of special treatment and upgrades. Hotels may want to impress you more because they know you're an important businessperson, someone who can refer new business or have blogging or press power.

10. Volunteering information -- If you're at the hotel celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary, it can only help your case if you share the information with the front desk. Also, if you did book as a VIP on a site like Kiwi Collection, it doesn't hurt to mention your status and loyalty as a booker, and politely inquire about upgrade possibility.

Written by Amy Chan, Director of Marketing

http://www.metrostar.com/