You can search by airline, there are 60+ represented so far, then enter your flight information, and up will come information about the size and weight allowances for checked and carry-on bags, what is free and what is for a fee, excess bags and overweight charges, any online discounts available, special baggage policies, and some general airline information.

Armed with this information, you can determine if you’ve got too much or too heavy of a bag, and decide if its balances out to pay the excess fees, or if you should look for alternate shipping arrangements.  Of course, you could always just pack a little bit less!

Luggage Limits swears that it keeps current on the policies and updates the site information regularly.  I chose a couple of airlines that I’m familiar with, did a search, and found the info to be accurate and quick to come up.  It’s a free service, so the site is jam packed with ads, at times making it a little hard to read, so keep reminding yourself it’s free and learn to deal with it.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Luggage Limits Sets the Limits Straight

Zero Baggage, expected to launch in Spring 2010, will be an online service where you can rent, or as they call it “borrow,” clothes for a short period of time on your vacation.  After wearing, items can be returned, exchanged, and even purchased.  You make clothing selections from an online store, select your rental period, and pay a rental fee commensurate with your selections.  You’ll be able to choose from New items, or rent “previously loved” items at a lower cost.  The clothing you selected will be waiting for you in your hotel room for your arrival.

At the end of your vacation, leave the clothes in your hotel room and a staff member will collect them.  After wearing and cleaning, the clothes are returned to the online store for future rentals.

What this all means is that you can travel with fewer clothes, meaning lighter bags, and not purchase clothing intended just for vacation wear.  If you live in a city that has Zero Baggage, it also means that you can occasionally supplement your special wardrobe requirements without the necessity of a major purchase.  If you have a special event coming up, but can’t justify the cost of a wardrobe purchase for a one-off wearing, you can rent appropriate clothing for a fraction of the cost of purchase.

The first two cities to launch this service will be Toronto, Canada and Gold Coast, Australia.  The company is currently seeking investors to keep on track for its Spring 2010 launch date.

What do you think?  Is this more-with-less an idea that’s time has come?  Would you rent clothing for your vacation?

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Pack Really, Really Light with Clothing Rental

Since I’m not a fan of prepared energy bars (or prepared anything for that matter), I look for the closest thing to real food that I can get, and that is still practical and convenient to carry.

Here are some snacks that are easy to pack:

1. Peanut butter sandwich – Add jelly, honey, or leave it plain, and make sure that it’s wrapped up good and tight.  This won’t need refrigeration, is tolerant to a little bit of squishing about, and offers a quick hit when your energy is sagging.  Make it really, really full of peanut butter, and you can use the excess as a bit of a dip.  (NOTE:  You can try bringing through a container of just peanut butter, but I’ve heard mix reports of whether it’s being considered a “gel” type product.)
2. Raw vegetables – The crunch of celery or carrots can be satisfying and healthy, and a baggie of them is easy to slip into a carry on bag or a purse.  Also good are jicama, cucumbers (add a squeeze of lime and some chili powder for extra flavor), and broccoli.  Choose your favorite.
3. Dried fruit – Fresh fruit gets bruises or smashed too easily, so try bringing along some dried.  I’m partial to dried pineapple and mangos.  Their sweetness if just enough to keep me away from candy.
4. Nuts – Put together a mixture of your own, or stick to your favorite(s).  Keep a big baggies of them in your carry on, so you can grab a handful whenever you need a bit of energy.  They go perfect with dried fruit as well.  It’s best to avoid salted nuts, if you can.
5. Cereal – With a cup and some milk, this makes a simple breakfast, and you can always snack on the dry mix for a little crunch.
6. Cheese – If you know you’ll be eating it within a few hours, a few slices of cheese is a good protein snack.  Much longer than a few hours, though, and you’ll need to worry about refrigeration.  I think hard cheeses travel best, and are least likely to deteriorate in packing.  A wedge of Parmesan is perfect!  String cheese is great for kids.
7. Crackers and chips – These are easily crushed, so I recommend taking them along only if you’ll be eating them fairly soon.  Chances are they are not going to stay undamaged more than a day.  There are healthy choices in this category, but honestly, I’m partial to Fritos.
8. Licorice – Sweet, chewy, easy to pack, and low in fat and calories.  A great way to assuage your sweet tooth.
9. Salami – You’ll have to be careful with this, as it will eventually need refrigeration.  Additionally, there’s some pretty strong smelling salami out there, and you don’t want to stink up the joint.  Still, paired with cheese and other snacks, it can almost make you feel like you’re having an appetizer plate somewhere in Italy.  Well, okay, that’s going to take a vivid imagination.
10. Hard candies – Great for a sore throat, or just one that’s a little dry, and they are available in sweet and sour flavors to match your taste bud preferences.  Also good for kids at take off and landing, when they need to swallow and clear their ears.

Do you have any packable snacks that are your travel favorites?  Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

10 Healthy & Packable Snacks for Travel Energy

Here’s a video that does a pretty good job of explaining how the systems works, as well as giving some suggestions for how to make the process as painless as possible.

It’s tough to make a definitive video on the topic, because regulations and requirements are constantly changing, but it’s a good starting point to help you learn to be a savvy traveler.

Post from: Blisstree

Video: How to Get Through Airport Security

Here’s how the airlines faired.

Alaska and Continental scored one and two among traditional carriers, and Jet Blue and Southwest and WestJet a close second among the low cost carriers.  Alaska scored highest for its inflight crew, Continental for its inflight service, JetBlue for its aircraft, and Southwest for its costs and fees.

At the other end of the list, United and US Airways were at the bottom for traditional carriers, and Frontier and AirTran for low cost carriers.

Do your flying experience parallel these results?  Who do you think ranks at the top and why?

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Airline Customers Continue to be Dissatisfied

Air New Zealand is hoping to change your mind with a safety demonstration video called Bare Essentials – starring employees with body paint.

What do you think?  Would this make you pay attention?

Post from: Blisstree

Naked Safety Demonstration from Air New Zealand

The Jamaican airline is now charging passengers $25 for a second checked bag on flights operating from New York to Grenada and Barbados.  OK, that’s pretty routine actually.

Here’s where it’s not so routine:  Your bags won’t be traveling with you.

That’s right, your first bag travels with you, but your second, that you’ve PAID FOR, will be sent on another fight.  Which “other” flight?  Sometimes within the next 7 days – and oh yeah, you’ll need to pick it up at the airport yourself.  One silver lining is that you can track your bags online and figure out when they’ll finally arrive for you to pick up!

The reason for the policy has been stated as due to weight restrictions for the aircraft.  Perhaps.  And perhaps its because the New York to Barbados route is in high demand by Barbadian national traveling from the NYC area back home during the summer.  When flights are full you can get a way with a lot.

But come on!  Pay for your bags and who knows when they’ll get there?  Sounds like you may be better looking into shipping your things as freight.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

$25 Bag Charge, but When Will it Get There?

Siggggghhhh! So wait — now you can take liquids onboard a plane? You know, I have to wonder, when are they going to start giving train and cruise-liner passengers the same twaddle regarding packing as they so strenuously give to plane passengers?

Anyway, as you start thinking about a winter break, it may be helpful to think about both the new rules and your in-flight needs.

There is New York Magazine’s list, suggesting a glamour-filled product pouch — which includes such must-have items as L’Occitane Pure Shea Butter and Darphin Eye Serum.

Aaaand, then there’s the official Do’s and Don’t’s list from the Transportation Security Administration :

Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.

With certain exceptions for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, baby formula and breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, the following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols you want to carry through a security checkpoint.

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

Please keep in mind that these rules were developed after extensive research and understanding of current threats. They are intended to help air travelers bring essential toiletries and other liquids, gels and aerosols for short trips. If you need larger amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols such as toothpaste or shampoo, please place them in your luggage and check them with your airline.

Was there ever a better time to do your own extensive research then by spending a Sunday afternoon at Duane Reade?

Post from: Blisstree

What To Take Onboard Now!