May 29, 2012
United Airlines recently – and very quietly – announced they will no longer allow early boarding in economy class for families with children. Essentially, they are not adopting a longstanding policy from Continental Airlines, their recent merger partner. As expected, this has created a firestorm from some passengers as seen by the comments on this article by CNN.
Parents with small children are quick to point out that they require extra time, what with collapsing strollers and carrying items such as child restraint seats, diaper bags, toys to keep their children quiet, snacks, etc. Some note the FAA position that children in restraint seats should be in the window seats for safety reasons. By boarding early, Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs |
May 25, 2012
Nearly all airline passengers prefer an aisle or window seat over a middle seat when flying. The benefits are obvious.
As for me, I admit my preference is an aisle seat when flying. Nothing wrong with window seats but I prefer the extra room, even a little, that comes with sitting in the seat closest to the aisle. Also, I enjoy the freedom to get up and roam, visit the lav whenever I choose, and speak with flight attendants when they are not busy.
Of course, choosing an aisle seat means the window seat passengers controls the window shades. I am okay with this but I do not understand something. Why do passengers in this seat keep the shade up when they are sleeping? I see this on nearly all flights, whether daytime or redeyes – even internationals. Even more amazing to me are those who Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Places to See; Things to Do, Travel |
May 24, 2012
Carol was recently on KHOU Houston discussing new airline fees that may affect you.
Some airlines have initiated a new fee for aisle and window seats, so making sure your family can all sit together could cost you. Carol offers her perspective on the changes and even a few tips on how to avoid the fees.
More tips in this area of flight savings are in Carol’s new book, Business Travel Success: How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence!
Order now! Business Travel Success…How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel With Confidence!
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Radio/TV/Media appearances |
May 20, 2012
It was a rough night at my hotel by LAX last night. A few different issues arose that could have been disastrous for the hotel. In the end, the hotel’s actions caused more alarm than I’m sure they intended and I ended up with almost no sleep.
First, the fire alarm got pulled and management made an announcement across the loud speaker that they were looking into this. This woke me out of a sound sleep when a deep voice came over the sound system in the hallway (though it might have been in my hotel room since the voice was very loud). “Looking into it,” they said. Should I be concerned and leave my room, or Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Hotel Living, Safety |
May 11, 2012
The Global Business Travelers Association (GBTA) is a wealth of information for those traveling for business. In a new study sponsored by Concur, they offered a lot of insight into the world of the business traveler.
For example, we learned that the average business traveler is 42 years old, college-educated, and most likely to be male (67%). But we also learned from this study why they travel. The most frequent trips were for meetings (33%) while another 21% were necessary for training, seminars, and conferences, followed by a slightly smaller percentage for sales.
Nearly half of all business travelers are under managed guidelines from their corporate or government travel departments. However, one-third operate with no guidelines at all while 1 in 5 are managed by more structured policies with tighter budget constraints, often limiting their Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Travel |
May 10, 2012
My new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence is now published! This book has been written over thousands of miles and from many hotel rooms around the world with tips that I’ve learned over years and years of business travel.
Business Travel Success offer strategies to become healthier, less stressed, more productive and confident, all without sacrificing the personal relationships that make coming home worthwhile!
Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series and author of The Success PrinciplesTM, says that “this book is the bible for business travelers, even if you only do one business trip a year.” I’m so honored that Jack wrote the Foreword to my book. And I love his story of how a typical bad travel situation (a delayed flight that so many of us have experienced) totally changed course with the actions of one person. Amazing.
Utilizing the tips in Business Travel Success, you will learn ways to help conquer traveling hurdles like:
- Packing
- Solo travel
- Flying and driving
- Family relationships
- Safety
- Health & fitness
- … and so much more!
Business Travel Success is now available online at on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more in both printed and ebook format. You’ll be able to find the book in bookstores and airport stores over the next few months.
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, New Travelers, Radio/TV/Media appearances, Travel |
May 1, 2012
I met serial online dating entrepreneur Brandon Wade last week. We were both in New York City meeting with major tv networks, magazines and radio shows to promote our respective businesses. Brandon’s latest business misstravel.com is a new dating site that promises to match “generous” travelers who hate to travel alone with “attractive” travelers who’d love the opportunity to travel the world for free. The name got my attention … anything related to travel does. (And no, I wasn’t in NYC to promote an online dating site, but rather my newly-published book, which you’ll read about in my next post.)
According to the press release for MissTravel.com, this site “is the first of its kind travel dating website that matches Generous travelers, who hate to travel alone, with Attractive people who love to travel but lack the funds to do so.”
If you’re a Generous traveler, you’re willing to pay for the Attractive traveler’s travel expenses, or gift frequent flyer miles for her or him to use. Hmmm, an interesting way to burn through your accumulated miles and points.
This site just went live a week ago and it’s already making big news and attracting many Generous and Attractive travelers. Though what I don’t see in my non-member viewing of the profiles is what would get my attention: DDMPPHG seeks U1KHDEEE* for communal sharing of elite privileges around the globe. I’d like to really see what the potential travel gifter has to offer … Show me only silver and the relationship is over before it’s begun! Alternatively, if I played the Generous traveler with my millions of miles and points, I’d want to match up with someone who at least knew the basic travel procedures. If they embarrassed me by pulling out a K-Mart plastic bag of full size liquids, I’d be ending the relationship right in front of TSA eyes. J
All fun aside, be careful with any online dating site. To its credit, misstravel.com has posted Travel Safety Tips that should be observed. I am not promoting this site, just letting you know that it exists. Since you’re a traveler too, this site’s name is likely to catch your attention as well … any maybe some of your miles.
*Delta Diamond, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hertz Gold traveler seeks someone with United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Emerald Executive Elite status.
Order now! Business Travel Success…How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel With Confidence!
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Relationships, Web/Tech |
April 14, 2012
I’m proud of the fact that I’m very comfortable dining alone in any restaurant. Whether a casual outdoor lunch, a snazzy wine bar or a fancy “black or white napkin” kind of place, I am very ok with dining alone. Sure, I’d rather have my husband sitting across the table from me, but he’s not with me on the majority of my business trips. While colleagues are with me on some of my trips, I’m a solo diner the majority of the time, and I am quite content with this.
What I’m not content with . . . and downright ticked with . . . is hearing these two words as I enter a restaurant: “Just one?”
These two little words, asked so innocently, really get my goat.
I’ve often wanted to respond to “Just one?” with:
-
Yes, put me in the pity section please.
-
No, a table for 3, please. Me, my book and I.
-
I have my imaginary friend with me – you don’t see him?
-
Yes, I couldn’t decide which husband to bring along so I brought neither.
I know the question isn’t meant to offend, but dining solo is one of the most uncomfortable situations for many women. These words just make it more uncomfortable. I walk away feeling that the host thinks I have no friends, or no special person in my life . . . that I’m a loser who can’t find anyone to dine with. I want to defend myself, to say that I’m proud to be so comfortable in my own skin that I don’t need a companion to complete me, that I do know how to order a great glass of wine all by myself, but it’s not worth it. They wouldn’t understand anyway, since they meant no harm in their little question.
How about we turn this little question into something more empowering (and create more raving fans for a restaurant):
“A table in the successful women section?”
“A table where you 
can see and be seen?” or
“Table for one . . . let me take you to our preferred seating.”
Here’s a toast – to the power of one!
PreOrder now! Business Travel Success…How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel With Confidence!
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Food and Drink, Random Thoughts |
March 29, 2012
Ever need to explain the ins and outs of Aviation to kids? Have a young one gearing up for their first flight? Need something for kids to do while in flight? Junior Flyer offers all of this and more.
Junior Flyer is written by industry insiders, and includes the basics of flying in terms that kids can understand. Find out how an engine works or what keeps planes up in the air. You can even submit your own questions if it is not already covered on the site.
PreOrder now! Business Travel Success…How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel With Confidence!
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Relationships, Travel |
March 27, 2012
Whether it’s an airline merger that has recently taken place, a new airline you’re flying or just a routine flight on an itinerary you fly every week, always keep your boarding pass!
Why? So when airline miles come up missing on your mileage account or you need to apply your recent flight to a new airline, you have the proof necessary to get the mileage credit.
How? Saving the paper boarding pass is easy, but many of us have now switched to paperless electronic boarding passes. So how do you save that? Easy. Snap a photo of it on your mobile phone before you head to the airport. This not only serves as your copy of the boarding pass, but it’s also usually quicker to display a photo from your mobile phone than it is to go to your airline’s website to produce your boarding pass (and no worries about an internet connection being bad just as you walk up to TSA or the boarding pass not being available on a future date).
How long do you save your boarding pass? Just until you see the miles correctly posted to your mileage account. I say correctly posted because I recently received only partial credit for an international flight so now I’ve got a case logged with the airline to get the rest of the miles posted – so I’m hanging onto this boarding pass until resolved. Once correctly posted, toss that paper boarding pass into the recycle bin or purge the photo from your phone.
Here’s a video on this topic from my site Smart Women Travelers.
PreOrder now! Business Travel Success…How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel With Confidence!
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under New Travelers, Travel |
March 19, 2012
Most frequent fliers say the crown jewel of status benefits is the free upgrade to first class by legacy carriers. But this year the boards are lighting up with common complaints of no upgrades at the early window (usually 4-5 days before) while others are saying they are simply not receiving upgrades at all. The loudest chants come from United and Delta FFers but this should be no surprise. Often looking more like twins than competitors, these are the two largest elite status programs.
Of course, this varies depending on factors such as airline, airport, route, day of week, and time of day. Nevertheless, increasing chatter suggests looking to see if the dots connect.
So what changed? Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Travel |
