Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the travel industry to a virtual standstill and credit card companies are tightening applications, it still might be a good time to look into travel credit cards. Despite not being able to immediately use some of the cards’ benefits, you can still start to rack up points or miles to use in the future. Some have even adapted to the ongoing situation and are offering their users additional—and currently, more applicable—benefits. For example, Chase recently announced that eligible cardmembers will be able to apply points on the Ultimate Rewards site to pay for purchases in select categories, starting with grocery stores, dining, and home improvement stores.

Whenever travel restrictions are eased, the best travel credit cards available in 2020 provide attractive perks such as skipping through airport security lines, relaxing in comfortable airport lounges, and scoring free benefits like checked bags or in-flight Wi-Fi each time you fly. Others let you upgrade your travel by making it easy to book suites in luxury hotels, cozy business class seats on international flights, and more.

Travel perks are nice, but you’ll want to make sure you earn a lucrative sign-up bonus and generous rewards for each dollar you spend on your card as well. To help with your search, we’ve studied and compared hundreds of travel credit cards in terms of their earning rates, welcome bonuses, travel benefits, and fees.

This list of top travel credit cards for 2020 highlights the absolute best credit cards for travel whether you want to plan a weekend getaway or a luxury trip thousands of miles away from home.

Important Things to Know About Travel Credit Cards

The top travel credit cards let you earn rewards for each dollar you spend. However, you need to think long and hard about the type of points you’d like to earn before you sign up. With some travel credit cards, you earn points that are only good for a few redemption options, such as flights with one airline or stays with a specific hotel brand.

*Don’t automatically write off cards with high fees. Most travel credit cards offer lucrative annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and other perks that can make paying an annual fee well worth it. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, a credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, and more in exchange for its $550 annual fee.

*Many of the top travel credit cards charge a high APR whenever you carry a balance — even as high as 25.49%. To make the most of travel credit cards and other rewards credit cards, you should strive to pay your balance in full each month so you avoid long-term debt. If you need to carry a balance, it’s better to pick up a low interest credit card or a 0% APR credit card.

Travel Credit Cards and the COVID-19 Pandemic

While many of the benefits and rewards remain unchanged, credit card companies such as Chase and American Express have extended the eligible purchase periods by an additional three months so customers have extra time to earn their cards’ welcome bonuses.

Further, since many travel credit cards usually provide bonus points for purchases made at airlines, hotels, and car rentals–most of which are currently unavailable– some companies are providing additional bonus points for purchases that have picked up due to the pandemic such as streaming services and food and grocery deliveries.

To read more about travel credit cards please see the following link: Money Magazine – Travel Cards

The post Best Travel Credit Cards of 2020 appeared first on SuperSmartTag.

I fly a lot, mostly long-haul international flights. I’ve got a short list of items I have with me on every one. I also keep an eye on what other, seemingly seasoned, travellers bring with them, so I have a few of those on this list too.

NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES OR EARPLUGS

Some airplanes can be loud especially during take-off. Good noise cancelling headphones can cut the engine noise down significantly, making the whole flight a lot more relaxing. They won’t help with the crying baby, or talkative neighbors, nor are all noise cancelling headphones the same.
If you don’t want to invest in some NC headphones (the cheap ones are rarely worth it), some ear plugs are certainly a cheap alternative. Not quite as good, and not nearly as comfortable as the QC20s, they’ll at least dim the din.

USB CABLE

Many new planes have USB plugs at every seat. They won’t recharge your phone/tablet very quickly, but they should keep it from running low. A cable long enough for you to still use your phone comfortably, or store the phone in the seat pocket, is ideal.

Not all USB cables are the same, however. Some don’t let your phone charge at its maximum.

If you’re an Apple AAPL +0% user, this counts for Lightning cables too (as they’re basically just USB with an expensive connector).

USB BATTERY PACK

I’m pretty sure I recommend these in every article. They’re an external battery to recharge your various mobile devices. Never run out of juice again. An easy add if you plan on watching movies on your tablet for the whole flight. Check out Best USB Battery Packs.

CAMERA OR A PHONE

I’ve seen many people, those who don’t use their phone for entertainment on a flight, store their phones in the overhead bins. Big mistake, especially if you’re in the window seat.

If you’re on the aisle, well, maybe this is more optional.

AN EXTRA LAYER

Airplanes can get cold, especially at night. I’ve seen people fly in shorts, and I just don’t get that. Some long flights will give you a hankie they optimistically call a “blanket” but others don’t. Personally, I bring a Smartwool long-sleeve pullover, which is warm but breathes.

It’s worth noting that being on the window, unless the sun is on that side, is likely colder than the aisle. If you’re in an exit row, that window is is almost always a LOT colder.

TRAVEL PILLOW

If they give you a blanket, they’ll probably give you a flat synthetic cotton ball claiming to be a pillow. I know some people who swear by those neck half-donuts, but I can’t get comfortable with them. I like my REI roll-up foam pillow, though it’s a little bulky. Wirecutter recommends a similar one that’s half-inflatable.

A BLACK PEN

Most countries require you to fill out a short (and sometimes, not so short) form with some basic info. Flight attendants almost never have spare pens, and even if they do, they probably won’t give them to you (they need them!). Most, but not all, airports will have a place after you arrive where you can fill out this form. But often these won’t have pens either.

It’s just easier to have a pen with you (blue or black ink only). Who knows, maybe you’ll make new friends with your seatmates as everyone asks to borrow your beloved ballpoint.

DESTINATION ADDDRESS

Again, most forms require you to list where you’re staying, including the address. Some countries are more strict about this than others. “Is this where you’ll be staying for your whole trip?” is a common question. Generally you only need that first place you’re staying, but you might get asked about others. My guess is they just want to make sure you have an answer.

SMART TAGS

Your carry on items are easily forgotten so be sure to place smart luggage tags to your carry on’s.
You can buy them from supersmarttag.com

Editorial thanks to Forbes.

The post Essentials to carry on board a plane appeared first on SuperSmartTag.

Allconnect is a free tool for home service shopping, sure, but it’s also a resource for learning how to make the most of those services.

From smart wearables to voice assistants, the latest tech has never been a more integral part of our lives. From the nephew who knows it all to the tech-challenged friend, we found something for everyone. Here are our picks for the best tech gifts of the 2019 holiday season.

Checkout what our friends at Allconnect have for you here: Allconnect

The post The best tech gifts for the coming season appeared first on SuperSmartTag.

“My flight was delayed 6 years ago.
Back then, I had no idea that I could get compensated for that. Can I still get a compensation for that flight delay?”

This is what many passengers who have only recently been made aware of their air passenger rights wonder.

Well, yes, you can probably still claim your cancelled or delayed flight compensation – but there is a time limit. How far back you can claim varies from one country to the next.

If your flight was cancelled or delayed by at least 3 hours, you can get up to 600€ in compensation from the airline. Check if you’re eligible by filling out your flight information here – it takes only 3 minutes!

CHECK YOUR FLIGHT NOW

You-Might-Get-a-Compensation-for-That-Old-Flight-Delay-After-All

How Far Back Can I Claim Compensation In Each Country?
So you can claim for flight disruptions which happened years ago. But how many years exactly?

The time-limit depends on the legislation of the country you bring the claim to.

Here is an extensive list of countries in Europe, with how far back you can claim for each of them:

How-Far-Back-Can-I-Claim-a-Compensation-for-Flight-Delay-or-Cancellation

And here again in full text if that’s easier for you. This is how far back you can undertake court actions to claim compensation for your delayed or cancelled flight:

Austria: 3 years (Source: § 1489 ABGB („Allgemeines Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch“, Austrian General Civil Code))
Belgium: 1 year (Source: Belgian Law of 25 August 1891 (article 9))
Bulgaria: 3 years (Source: Article 111 (2) of the law of obligations and contracts – damages from contract obligations. It was also confirmed by the Supreme Court of Cassation (case No 1799/2014))
Croatia: 2 years (Source: Article 127. of Law on Obligatory and Proprietary Rights in Air Transport
Cyprus: 6 years
Czech Republic: 3 years to bring the case to the attention of a National Enforcement Body (NEB) (Source: Civil Code No. 89/2012 Coll., § 629 par. 1
Denmark: 3 years from the date of departure (Source: Danish limitation period Law, No 1063 of 28 April 2013)
Estonia: 3 years (Source: Section 146.1 of Estonian General Part of Civil Code Act)
Finland: 3 years (Source: Finish Statute of Limitations Act)
France: 5 years
Germany: 3 years (Source: Section 195 of the German Civil Code (BGB))
Greece: 5 years (Source: National law)
Hungary: 5 years
Iceland: 2 years (Source: Icelandic aviation act 60/1998 as per the Montreal Convention)
Ireland: 6 years
Italy: 2 years (Source: Italian Civil Code has rendered applicable in Italy the 2 years prescription of actions under Montreal 1999 also for claims arising from EC261)
Latvia: 2 years. Note also that the court will reject a claim if the carrier was not contacted within 6 months after the flight (Source: section 110, paragraph 2 of the Aviation Law and section 109 of the Aviation Law- Likumi Par aviāciju)
Lithuania: 3 years (Source: Civil Procedure Code §1.125, para 8) + confirmed by the courts (e.g. case 2-77-494 / 2013, Vilnius District Court)
Luxemburg: 10 years (Source: Article 189 du code de commerce)
Malta: 2 years
Norway: 3 years (Source: Law On Limitation Of Claims (Limitation Act) 1979 § 2)
Poland: 1 year (Source: Article 778 Civil Code + Sygn. akt III CZP 111/16 (Supreme Court decision))
Portugal: 3 years (Source: Article 498 Civil Code)
Romania: 6 months for a complaint to the NEB, 3 years for a court action (Source: Government Ordinance no. 2/2001 on the legal regime of contraventions)
Scotland: 5 years
Slovakia: 2 years (Source: Act No. 128/2002 Coll. on State Control of Internal Market in Consumer Protection Issues and on amendments to certain acts)
Slovenia: 2 years (Source: Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o prekrških – ZP-1B (Uradni list RS, št. 44/05 z dne 5. 5. 2005))
Spain: 5 years (Source: Amendment of article 1964 of the Spanish Civil Code that reduces from 15 years to 5 years such period for the exercise of personal actions that did not have a special term. The calculation of the time limit, applies the fifth Transitional Provision of the Law 42/2015, in reference to article 1939 of the Spanish Civil Code.)
Switzerland: 2 years for a complaint to the NEB. You cannot undertake small court procedures (Source: Swiss Administrative Penal Act)
Sweden: 10 years (Source: Preskriptionslag (1981:130))
The Netherlands: 2 years (Source: Dutch Civil Code (Book 8:1835))
United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland but NOT Scotland): 6 years
As you can see, there is no harmonization at the European level: each country has their own legislation on the matter.

For instance, in France, you can claim up to 5 years after the flight – but only 3 years in Germany and 3 in Italy. But you can still claim up to 6 years after the flight disruption in the United Kingdom.

However, keep in mind that to this day, no passengers on a flight disrupted over 6 years before got compensated. Even though it is possible, in theory.

In-Which-Country-Should-You-Claim-Compensation_

How Do I Know Which Country To Bring My Claim To?
If you let ClaimCompass do all the work for you, then you don’t need to worry about that. Our legal experts will get in touch with the airline and the appropriate legal body.

Submit your claim now, it takes less than 3 minutes!

Now, if you decide to take the matter in your own hands, I suggest you first read this guide on flight delay compensation or this one on compensation for cancelled flight. They’re packed with everything you need to know about flight disruptions and how to claim compensation.

Should you need to escalate your claim to a legal body such as a National Enforcement Body (NEB) or an Alternative Resolution Dispute (ADR) scheme, know that you can bring the case to the country of the departure airport or the arrival airport.

Whenever you have a choice, contact the legal body of the country where the legislation is most favorable to you: for example, in the case of a flight between the UK and Germany, contact the British NEB, since their statute of limitation is 6 years, versus 3 for Germany.

What-If-My-Flight-Wasn-t-In-Europe_

Can I Claim Compensation if My Flight Wasn’t in Europe?
When the EU Regulation 261/2004 isn’t applicable, can you still get money for your delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flight?

For international flights, the Montreal Convention acts as reference for your passenger rights – and it sets a time limit of 2 years to claim:

“The right to damages shall be extinguished if an action is not brought within a period of two years, reckoned from the date of arrival at the destination, or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived, or from the date on which the carriage stopped” – Article 35, Montreal Convention

When the EC 261 isn’t applicable, you can still hope to be compensated under the Montreal Convention. Do not, however, that the time limit is shorter than in most European countries.

Plus, keep in mind that with the Montreal Convention, you are “only” eligible to compensation for damages incurred by the flight disruption. “Just” being delayed isn’t enough for you to get any money from the airline.

Whenever you have the choice, claim compensation under the EU Regulation instead.

Article thanks to: Claim Compass

The post How Far Back Can I Claim a Flight Compensation? appeared first on SuperSmartTag.

Similarly to the European Economic Community and the EU Regulation 261/2004, the US Department of Transportation has established certain rules for airlines to follow.

Dive in and learn about your passenger rights!

TRANSPARENCY AND HONEST FARES

The displayed price of a ticket should be the final price you pay. In other words, it should include all government taxes, mandatory airline charges, fuel surcharges, and so on. This rule applies not only to airlines, but also to other travel retailers, be it online or offline. Note that the price of the ticket includes taking you from point A to point B.

Add-ons such as Seat selection, excess baggage, extra airport services are normally not included in the price and not subject to the above rule.

OVERBOOKING AND DENIED BOARDING

Overbooking simply means that the airline has sold more tickets than it has seats on the plane. When you get involuntarily “bumped” off the flight, you are entitled to compensation, unless the airline can get you to your final destination within an hour of the scheduled arrival time. The rate of the compensation depends on the flight and the length of the delay.

If you arrive at your final destination between one and two hours late (on domestic flights) or two to four hours late (on international flights), you are entitled to 200% of the value of the one-way fare to your destination, not exceeding $650. For delays that exceed these times, the airline owes you 400% of the fare, but not exceeding $1,300. In these cases you get to keep your original ticket and can ask for either a full refund, or travel credit, which you can use at a later time.

DELAYS & CANCELATIONS

When your flight is substantially delayed, canceled or rescheduled, you have the right to reroute via a different airport at no cost, regardless of the difference in the fare, or request a full refund.

What constitutes a “substantial” delay or schedule change is up to the airline. The latter is described in a type of policy called “Customer Service Plan”, which outlines what are the airlines’ responsibilities vis-à-vis its passengers in case of a delay, cancelation or a schedule change, as well as a number of other circumstances.

Most airlines will offer a meal voucher for shorter delays, and hotel accommodation for overnight delays, yet the policies and their implementation varies. It is important to note that, unlike for cases of overbooking and flights in-and-out of Europe, US regulations do not require airlines to pay compensation when a flight is delayed or cancelled.

TARMAC DELAYS

A tarmac delay would arise when you have boarded the plane, but haven’t taken off yet, or upon landing and have no access to the terminal. In these cases, the airline cannot keep you on the plane for more than three hours (domestic) or four hours (international) and should allow you to disembark if you wish.

The airline must also offer you food and water after two hours, as well as provide access to the lavatories and an update on the delay every 30min. Again, unfortunately for you, when these rights aren’t respected, you are not entitled to compensation, but the airline would get fined.

AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS: BOTTOM LINE

European and US regulations clearly differ, yet they exist nevertheless. If you believe your rights haven’t been respected on a US flight, we suggest you get a hold of the airline’s customer service. For disrupted European flights, you can calculate your compensation with the help of our Compensation Calculator.

And don’t forget to subscribe to the ClaimCompass newsletter: in addition to travel tips that you won’t find on the blog, you’ll get a free checklist to know if you’re entitled to compensation from your airline!

Editorial thanks to: Claim Compass

The post Air Passenger Rights USA: When Can You Get Compensation appeared first on SuperSmartTag.

You’re ready to fly off to your destination when the flight schedule board at the airport breaks the news to you:

Without a doubt, you’re first going to be frustrated – although not necessarily surprised.
Then, you’re going to wonder: why is my flight delayed?
In this post, we detailed the 20 most common (and not so common) reasons for flight delays.
Chances are, one of them is the cause of your flight disruption.

TABLE OF CONTENT:

Why are flights delayed?
The most common reasons for flight delays
Other (less frequent) causes of flight delays
How to find the real reason your flight was delayed
Track your flight to know why it is delayed

WHY ARE FLIGHTS DELAYED?

Operating a flight is challenging on so many different levels, largely because of all the different people involved.

On the one hand, there are factors that are under the direct control of the carrier, such as aircraft turnarounds between flights, passenger punctuality, technical and crew performance, etc.
On the other hand, there are perhaps even more factors that are outside of the airline’s control, such as weather, air traffic control, security, airport conditions, etc.

The reality is such that so long as airplanes continue flying, flight delays will be a part of the experience. According to the Bureau of Statistics, about 20% of all flights are delayed by 15 minutes or more.

(During our airline ratings case study, we found that it’s closer to 24.30%)
Let’s start with the 15 most frequent reasons for those delays.
The most common reasons for flight delays

1. Air Traffic Control (ATC) restrictions
Since the 80’s, air passenger traffic has grown from half a billion to well over three billion passengers a year.

That is a lot of airplanes in the skies carrying a lot of people at any given point. And most of this traffic is concentrated around just a handful of hubs, such as London, Paris and New York.

Longer flights also come with more restrictions and regulations, with airlines often changing their routes at the last minute due to weather and jet streams. The latter gets even more complicated because of airlines’ effort to be cost effective and optimize their fuel efficiency.

INFRASTRUCTURE IS ANOTHER ISSUE:

Certain areas of the world do not get the same radar coverage as Europe or the United States, for example. This forces air traffic regulators to require larger periods of time between take offs and landings to ensure safety, which easily turns into a chain reaction if one or more flights are delayed.
In case you’re wondering, when your flight was delayed or cancelled due to air traffic restrictions, you are not eligible to compensation, since the decision has to be respected by the airline. It’s part of the extraordinary circumstances clause under EC261/2004 Regulation, which exonerates them from liability.

2. Adverse weather conditions
Different airports have different standards when it comes to delays caused by adverse weather conditions, usually determined by national regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the US, for example.

Adverse weather conditions are often cited as one of the main reasons for flight delays, however they are not as common as most people think. That is because even if the weather does not appear to be optimal, it is not a given that the flight cannot be operated on time.

When we speak of adverse weather conditions impacting the performance of a flight, we’re mostly speaking of extreme weather conditions – i.e. tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes, etc – which typically account for only about 6% of all flight delays.

What this means in practice is that even though airlines often cite bad weather as the reason for a delay, that is more often than not, not the actual reason.
It’s also why you could be entitled to a compensation even if the airline told you that the flight was delayed due to bad weather.

In order to determine if weather was indeed the reason for a flight delay, we look at something called METAR reports. The latter are a format of reporting weather information used in aviation. These reports contain various information, including temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, precipitation, cloud cover, visibility and barometric pressure.

The information is encoded and needs to be decoded and analyzed in order to understand whether or not a flight could have been operated on time. That’s why passengers usually entrust their claim to ClaimCompass: we have the technical expertise to check whether your flight was facing adverse weather conditions or not.

3. Bird strikes
Sometimes, a flight can be delayed as a result of a collision between an aircraft and an airborne animal (usually a bird).
In aviation, these events are called “bird strikes”, or more rarely “bird hits”.
Unlike what you may expect, they are not that rare an occurrence: there are on average about 13,000 bird strikes per year in the US alone.

Most of these strikes happen during takeoff and landing. While they typically cause little damage, they are nevertheless regarded as a security threat.

WHY DO BIRD STRIKES CAUSE DELAYS?

Security protocol requires airlines to perform a particular set of procedures following a bird strike, which may impact its on-time performance. This may result in what’s called a “rotational delay” or a “knock-on effect”, which we’ll look into next.

When it comes to EC261 claims for compensation, while the European Court of Justice deemed bird strikes as extraordinary circumstances in which no compensation is due, the airline cannot deny a claim without proving that it did all within its control to reduce the impact on subsequent flights.

4. Knock-on effect due to a delayed aircraft
A knock-on effect is the main cause for what’s also known as rotational delay – i.e. when a flight is delayed because of the late arrival of an aircraft.

Since airlines are optimizing the utilization of their fleet, it is not uncommon that your flight may be delayed because the aircraft which is supposed to operate your flight has been delayed on its previous route.

It is important to specify, however, that knock-on effects do not automatically exonerate the carrier from liability to pay compensation under EC261/2004.

A claim can be denied on grounds of knock-on effect delay only if the delay was caused by what’s considered an extraordinary circumstance and the effect of the disruption cannot be extrapolated indefinitely, but is capped at 24h post the original event.

TOO COMPLICATED? TO PUT IT SIMPLY:

If you’re flying on Friday on an aircraft which was operating a flight on Monday and happen to experience a bird strike, which
affected the entire schedule going forward, the airline cannot cite the knock-on effect as a reason to reject your claim.

5. Strikes
Just like in most industries, airline staff can decide to go on strike to leverage labor power and enter into negotiations with their employer.

The impact of these strikes can be minimal just like it can completely cripple the business and cause enormous expenses to the airline.

For example, in September 2019, British Airways pilots decided to go on a 48 hour strike, which affected hundreds of thousands of passengers. To many, these strikes are ill-understood and unleash a wave of discontent (and rightly so) among affected passengers.

However, if one was to consider the dynamics of an industry which relies almost entirely on a workforce of specialists, it becomes clearer that staff does have a considerable amount of negotiation power.

At first sight, a strike is considered an extraordinary circumstance and no compensation is due if your flight has been affected. That being said, there are certain exceptions, which need to be considered. If a flight does not fall within the immediate strike period, but is disrupted, then the carrier cannot invoke the extraordinary circumstances clause and must honor your claim.

6. Waiting for connecting passengers
In certain cases, the airline may slightly delay the flight in order to board connecting passengers.
As a general rule of thumb, carriers will not wait for connecting passengers. However, they seem to approach this on a case by case basis.

For example, if there aren’t other passengers who will be impacted and won’t miss their connection, or if the connecting passengers’ bags have been already loaded and unloading them will take longer than the anticipated wait time for them to board, then the first officer may decide to wait for them.
Other circumstances which may lead a flight to wait for connecting passengers is if their slot time has been pushed back and will end up being delayed anyway.

7. Waiting for connecting bags
When passengers having one or multiple connections are travelling with checked-in luggage, it must also be transferred onto their next flight. In some cases this may be the reason for a minor flight delay as ground handling will require a bit more time transferring the luggage.

Just like the case of waiting for connecting passengers, this will be treated on a case by case basis. That being said, it is highly unlikely that a flight will be delayed several hours because ground handling is transferring luggage.

8. Waiting for cargo
Commercial airlines are not only carrying passengers and their luggage. In fact, cargo makes up between 5 and 10% of their total revenue.

One of the most common examples is the US Postal Service which leases cargo space on 15,000 out of the 25,000 commercial passenger flights. Hence, a flight can sometimes be delayed because of the late arrival of freight.

Again, we’re probably not talking about a major delay of 4 hours being caused by delayed cargo, but it isn’t uncommon for a small deviation from schedule to be the result of just that.

9. Waiting for crew
Typically, a flight cannot take off if it doesn’t meet the required number of crew, which is somewhere around one flight attendant per 50 seats. In fact, passengers cannot begin boarding, unless that requirement has been met.

As a result, your flight can be delayed if the crew hasn’t arrived yet (which is not that uncommon).
For flights departing from an airline’s hub or typically out of a busy airport, such as Paris or London, however, this is not that common, as the airline probably has crew on staff. In certain other situations, however, there’s a chance that the crew may be arriving from another destination, and if that flight is delayed, so will be the crew.

It is not impossible for a flight to be delayed by several hours if the crew is late. As these situations fall within the carrier’s control, passengers are entitled to claim compensation.

10. Complying with flight crew rest requirements
Regulations are set in place to ensure that members of the crew, meaning pilots and flight attendants, are well rested before the flight. Sometimes the crew may max out their hours because of scheduling difficulties or a rotational delay (a flight, which was delayed because of the late arrival of a previous flight).

In these situations, unless the airline can replace the crew, there’s a good chance that the plane will be grounded.

Just like in the previous case, these circumstances fall within the carrier’s control (i.e. ensuring the appropriate scheduling, having crew on stand-by, etc) and do not exonerate them from liability. Hence, according to EC261/2004 if your flight has been delayed because the crew maxed out its hours, then you are entitled to compensation.

11. Waiting for catering
Another less known reason which may cause the delay of a flight is waiting for catering. The latter does not only include food, but also utensils, service ware, hygienic and miscellaneous items for assisting passengers.

All of the above are managed by an airline catering agent, which is responsible for all aspects of catering line operations, such as loading and unloading equipment and supplies, driving large catering trucks, managing inventory, etc. Obviously, there are a lot of moving parts involved and things sometimes don’t go as planned, which may cause an additional delay.

Again, just like in the previous paragraphs, if that is the case, the airline cannot be exonerated from liability even if catering is managed by a third party service provider and must pay compensation if the flight falls within EC261/2004 Regulation.

12. Getting security clearance
The list of things that need to happen before the engines of an aircraft are even turned on is long. In summary, some of the major events that take place are:

THE PILOTS PREPARE THE AIRCRAFT FOR TAKEOFF

Crew closes the doors and Air Traffic Control (ATC) is contacted
ATC will either immediately or after some time give clearance for pushback and startup
ATC specifies the taxiway, however, pilots stay clear of runway
Finally, ATC clears to enter runway and the aircraft begins takeoff
Needless to say, there are a lot of things that have gone in preparation for each and every step and that will determine whether or not the aircraft can take off on time. For example, airline dispatch and operations control will decide and plan the route, which the aircraft will take, considering the weather conditions, fuel capacity, passenger load, etc.

These security requirements are split between factors, which are within the airlines control and those who aren’t. That may have an impact on whether or not the delay of the flight would qualify under EC261/2004 for compensation.

13. Preparing the aircraft
The preparation for take off of your aircraft begins as soon as it lands. Some of the main activities are :
Hooking up the aircraft to a ground power system so there’s power to power the AC
Loading the catering and disposing of used galley carts
Cleaning the toilets and the entire aircraft
Refueling
Preparing for pushback
Boarding

Once again, there are a lot of things that can delay the preparation of the aircraft, and consequently, its take off on time. Something as simple as not having the aircraft cleaned on time because of lack of staff, could have an impact on the boarding time, which can result in a flight missing its slot, etc.
It is rather rare (but not impossible) for a flight to be delayed by several hours because of issues surrounding preparation.

14. Fixing a mechanical issue
Aircrafts are subject to very strict technical maintenance and rightly so. It is not uncommon for a flight to be delayed because of a technical issue which requires immediate attention.
While this does sound scary, most of the time it poses no risk to passengers and is relatively easy to repair.

Some of the most common issues that occur before take off are related to:
Aircraft parking issues
Problems with the water draining system during winter
Contamination of the air conditioning system
Issues with the engine fan blades
Fuel contamination

Again, these may sound scarier than they actually are.
When it comes to flight delays caused by a technical malfunction which requires immediate attention, the EC261/2004 Regulation is clear that passengers are entitled to compensation.
Similarly, the Department of Transportation in the US also states that a technical issue, even if it is extraordinary, does not exonerate the carrier from liability.

15. Complying with weight restrictions
Every airplane has something called maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), which is the combined weight of cargo, passengers and their luggage, fuel, catering, etc. If an airplane exceeds that weight, it cannot take off.

What’s even more interesting is that this isn’t a constant number – it depends on things like atmospheric conditions and elevation. So an aircraft taking off at sea level will have a different MTOW than an aircraft taking off at a higher altitude.
This is yet another reason for a delay, or even worse – a boarding denial. Luckily, just like the technical issue, it does not qualify as extraordinary circumstances and the airline must pay compensation.
Other (less frequent) causes of flight delays

16. Problems with the coffee machine
This may come as a bit of a surprise, but coffee machines on board of aircrafts are quite different than the ones we’re used to in our daily lives. They are made in a way which allows water to boil properly even at high altitudes and the electric circuit is only compatible with that of an airplane.
The Federal Aviation Administration in the US and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency require coffee makers to have safety features to prevent fires caused by electrical malfunctions. Should a coffee maker go out of order, then much like the technical issues which we previously mentioned, it must be fixed before take off.

Unfortunately for you, this sort of delay is considered to be the responsibility of a third party, not the airline. As a result, you won’t be compensated for arriving late.

17. Waiting for turtles to clear the runway
This is an actual reason. No joke.
JFK airport in New York will occasionally become the private passage for turtles which are headed to lay their eggs in Jamaica bay. In 2016, for example, the Port Authority of New York reported that over 500 turtles have been carried off the JFK runways and returned to their natural habitat.
While it isn’t clear what attracts the turtles to the airport runways, some scientists believe that it has to do with the sand surrounding the airport, which is at a natural elevation above the tide, and therefore a safe place to lay eggs.

Needless to say, there’s no compensation in such cases, but it makes one hell of a story.

18. Passengers going nuts
Here we’re referring to the infamous nutgate incident, also known as “nut rage incident”, which took place on a Korean Air flight at JFK airport a few years back.
In a nutshell (pun intended), Korean Air Vice President was travelling in first class when peanuts were served in their original packaging instead of a plate. The horror, right?
Apparently, this caused the VP of the airline to lose her cool and assault one of the crew members, which resulted in a 12 month prison sentence for obstructing aviation safety.
It is not uncommon for unruly passengers to interfere with the normal operations of a flight, in which case no compensation can be claimed as the latter are considered circumstances outside of airline’s control.

19. There is a French person on board
Similarly to the previous point, the French can be a handful (full disclaimer: I’m French, I can say that).

Luckily, being a famous actor does not absolve one from the rules. After embarking for his flight to Dublin, one of France’s most prominent actors, Gerard Depardieu felt the sudden urge to relieve himself. With the seatbelt sign on and right before take off, he was naturally denied access to the restroom.

Mr. Depardieu’s course of action from that point on involved a bottle and a not so elegant relief. This resulted in grounding the airplane for an extra 2 hours.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the airline’s responsibility: the passengers were not eligible to compensation, although they arrived late at their final destination and most likely – in distress.

20. There is a criminal on board
Don’t freak out, but if you’re reading this at the airport, the guy next to you may be involved in illegal business and wanted by the police. Granted, you’re probably more likely to win the lottery. Hopefully.
But this is true, though:
During a flight from Washington to Beijing, the plane had to turn back around so that the FBI could apprehend a kidnapper.

Again, if that happens to you, you’re probably one of the unluckiest people on earth. I would not go out when there’s thunder if I were you.
How to find the real reason your flight was delayed
Start by asking information to the airport staff. It is your right to know why you won’t be departing on time.

If you’re likely to reach your destination 3 hours late, or miss your connection because of the delay, you can even ask a flight delay certificate as proof. This will come in handy when you claim a compensation for delayed flight.

THE PROBLEM?

Information provided by the airport staff isn’t always accurate.
Worse: the airline sometimes lie about the cause of the delay to avoid paying compensation.
Do some research on your own to find out if other planes were delayed at your departure airport, and if there were delays at the arrival airport, or if your flight was an isolated case.
The problem, this time, is that it might be hard to find access to this kind of information.
If your flight was delayed, you can entrust your compensation claim to ClaimCompass: we have the tools to determine the real reason of your delayed flight.

Track your flight to know why it is delayed
Flight tracker for US flights
Several tools exist to help you determine why your US flight is delayed. One of them is Flightview: it lets you track your flight or a specific route to know your flight status.
The FAA also has this cool map that lets you visualize flight delays across the US, by providing an overview of conditions in US airports.
Flight tracker in Europe
There are no equivalent to the FAA’s map in Europe. The best option is to track your flight from the airline or the airport’s website.

Depending on the reason for the delay, you may or may not get compensated
No matter the reason for your flight delay, it will put your journey on hold.
But at least, if it’s the airline’s responsibility, you might be able to turn this bad experience into something a bit more positive.
This article was originally posted on ClaimCompass.eu
Author Bio:

Thomas Busson
Thomas is the SEO and Content Strategist at ClaimCompass. Frequent traveller, he loves sharing tips and news about the industry in a simple way.

Editorial thanks to Claim Compass

The post Why is My Flight Delayed? The 20 Main Reasons for Flight Delays appeared first on SuperSmartTag.

Do you love to travel? Of course you do!
By being exposed to new places, people and cultures, you’ll develop a wider world view.
Another reason why people love to travel: it helps open your mind. … By being exposed to new places, people and cultures, you’ll develop a wider world view. And that will make you a better-rounded global citizen.

The Travel Search Engine is a fantastic resource to find exactly what you’re looking for!
Hotel, flight, rent a car or attraction it’s all just a few clicks away.

The Travel Search Engine offers official quality travel related websites for convenience.
Test it out yourself: The Travel Search Engine

WHY DO PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND VOYAGE ALL OVER THE WORLD?

The reasons why people love to travel are varied, and very personal. Take a look at these motivations, and see which ones ring true for you.

You might feel like you’re stuck in a rut in your daily life. Or you’re yearning for something exciting and different. You’re craving new experiences and new challenges. Travel is the ideal place to test yourself. It pushes people to their limits and gets them outside their comfort zone.

You’ll discover how resourceful you are when you’re exposed to new places, people and experiences. Maybe it’s finding your way around a busy city. Or ordering a meal when you don’t speak the language. Or zip-lining. You’ll feel pride when you finish your trip successfully. Overcoming challenges will bring you joy and energy for future tests. You’ll realize how capable you are and build your confidence.

WE LOVE TO LEARN

They want to experience something unfamiliar and leave with new skills or knowledge.

Seeing the world is more educational than a high school or college class. This condensed crash course in discovering how the rest of the world lives actually will cover subjects like history, geography and sociology. Every destination has something unique to teach visitors, and immersing themselves in a completely different world is the best learning experience.

People may travel to learn something specific: a new language, a new cuisine, aspects of a different culture, or a deeper appreciation of faith or spirituality. As a bonus, they’ll take away more than their specific goal. They’ll discover totally different ways of doing things. They’ll also gain awareness of new customs, cultures, people and places. And because you’re actually experiencing this learning in real life, not reading it in a textbook, it will stay with you for a long time. You’ll gain a deep sense of satisfaction with the new skills you’ve learned – and new insights you’ve gained.

EXPAND YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Another reason why people love to travel: it helps open your mind. You realize that there’s no one way to live life. Meeting people from other places will show you that your world view isn’t the same as everyone else’s.

You can’t imagine how different life is in another place until you see for yourself. Everything from work to family to beliefs to interests is not what you might expect from your own experience. The different setting will also help you discover and consider fresh ideas you hadn’t thought of before. You’ll come home with different notions and possibilities.

By being exposed to new places, people and cultures, you’ll develop a wider world view. And that will make you a better-rounded global citizen. It’s a great reward and big reason why people love to travel.

APPRECIATE YOUR LIFE

When you’re mired in your daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of what you have. Your eyes aren’t open to what’s really special about your home. Exploring another place will give you a fresh appreciation for your hometown, country and “real life.” Once you’re back, you’ll feel lucky to live where you do. You’ll see that there really is no place like home.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

The shared experience of travel brings people together. A family getaway, a romantic trip, or long weekend with the girls or guys can strengthen important bonds.

The latest Virtuoso Luxe Report names multigenerational travel as the top trend of the year. Travel with immediate family also made the top 10 trend list. With the demands of today’s lifestyle, and relatives spread across the country and world, families don’t have much time together.

That travel could be grandparents, parents and children together on a Caribbean cruise. Or it could be parents and children going across the country to visit Grandma and Grandpa at their home. Or just the immediate family renting a Mediterranean villa. Whatever it looks like, travel is an opportunity to connect with each other. It may even smooth over any family grudges and build happier relationships.

Couples, too, need to bond with each other away from home and work demands. Sharing travel experiences can ignite fresh sparks that last long after the couple returns home.

Travel is a special way to deepen friendships as well. Whether it’s a quick ski break with co-workers or a week-long sun-and-sand getaway with your high school gang, travel will remind you why you became friends with them in the first place, and how good it is to spend focused time together.

Travel is also a great opportunity to make new friends – either fellow travelers or locals. Meeting and befriending new people is a valuable travel benefit. And once you’ve bonded, new possibilities for future travel unfold – either to visit them or journey with them.

CONQUERING FRESH TERRITORY

One more reason why people love to travel. Humans crave new experiences and travel lets us tap into that craving. A trip is the perfect time to do something different and exciting, especially something you can’t do at home.

The thrill starts the minute you land in a new place. Conquering that territory could be trying spicy Thai street food or conversing in Madrid with your rusty college Spanish. Or it could be a physical experience, like scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef or hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You’ll have lots of fun. You’ll revel in the rush you get from your exploits. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment. And you’ll return home with the best souvenir of all: a memory of your incredible adventure.

ESCAPING

A demanding job. A bad breakup. The loss of a loved one. Just like the heroine in Eat, Pray, Love, travel can be a great relief from the stress and unhappiness that come along with those.

People seek from their travels what they don’t have back home: better weather, nicer scenery, the freedom to do what they want, experiences they can’t normally have, a slower relaxing pace. Admiring masterpieces in the Louvre or lying on a Hawaiian beach are wonderful breaks from the regular grind.

Travel is particularly helpful for workaholics who have trouble leaving their job behind. Stepping away from the workplace is good for you both mentally and physically. When you return to the job, you’ll have had the space to look at issues with fresh eyes. Travel has the power to let you not only escape but also heal. A new place with lots of fun distractions can work wonders. You’ll return home more at peace with yourself and your challenging situations.

RELAXING & REJUVENATING

Maybe you’re not looking to escape your problems. But everyone can benefit from a break from our usual diets of all work and no play. You may not realize how much you need to disconnect from the ever-present pressure of being available by phone, email or social media.

A restful vacation is just what you need to renew yourself. In this year’s Virtuoso Luxe Report, 44 percent of respondents named this as a reason why people love to travel. A relaxing natural setting and good weather are common ingredients for the R&R-focused trip. But everyone’s idea of the perfect rejuvenating vacation is different. One person might want to trek through a rainforest. Another may want to lie poolside at a Mexican resort. Yet another might opt for a wellness retreat in the mountains.

What should you do when you’re there? Nothing, really. Relax and be present in the moment. Let sensations like the lapping water and the warmth of the sun, along with the sound of waves, recharge your batteries. Live day to day: focus on where you want to go sightseeing (if you decide to leave the beach), what activities you want to pursue (if any), what you’re going to eat, what souvenirs you want to buy. Travel helps your mind and body reboot in a way you can’t achieve at home. In fact, 86 percent of people believe it improves their mood and outlook on life.

There’s always a happy reason to take a trip. It could be a landmark birthday or anniversary. A graduation. A wedding – or pre-wedding festivities. Even a babymoon before a little one arrives. A special occasion is made even more special by celebrating away from the hectic pace of life at home. It’s also a good way to gather family and friends from distant corners to mark the milestone. Celebration vacations provide a lasting benefit as well: shared memories for a lifetime.

Editorial with amendments thanks to: Virtuoso

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Looking to enjoy year round sunshine, perfect beaches and crazy nightlife? You’ve come to the right place!
Welcome to WhatIbiza, your comprehensive Ibiza travel guide with up-to-date and accurate information on all things Ibicencan! Whether you are planning to live, work or holiday on the beautiful ‘White Island’ of the Balearics, we’re here to help you plan your trip and get thoroughly prepared.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

So, you’re going to Ibiza? The island of sun, sea and fun. Before you rush out to buy your new sunglasses take a moment to read our planning your trip section. All that nitty gritty practical information you need to know before you leave but would rather leave till the last minute. We’ve got everything covered, from the best ways to travel to, from and around the island to some great accommodation options. Then there’s some basic safety advice to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

IBIZA BEACHES

Many people who choose to holiday in Ibiza have one principal objective – to enjoy the island’s plethora of sun-drenched beaches. The beauty of Ibiza’s coastline is that there are beaches to suit all tastes. Whether you want an isolated cove to bask in the sun, to continue partying from the night before, or seek out a family friendly place, there will be an Ibiza beach to suit your needs – you just need to know where to look for it.

Whilst many of Ibiza’s biggest resorts are packed during the summer months with clubbers and families alike all fighting for a place to set up camp, there are endless places to escape to if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet or are in search of a more unique beach bar experience. Check out our Ibiza beach guide and get the lowdown on the best places for fun and total relaxation.

TOP REASONS TO GO

1. Nightlife

Surprise surprise, Ibiza’s nightlife is one of the main draws to the island. With award-winning international dj’s fighting to play there, the world’s biggest clubs and most famous bars, if you’re looking to party then Ibiza is the place to go. We’ve got the lowdown on the island’s best bars and top Ibiza clubs so you make it to all the best fiestas. Visit Ibiza Nightlife for more information.

2. Beaches

The ‘white island’ is world renowned for its long, beautiful coastline and endless choice of beaches. Whether you’re looking for a lively spot to continue partying or an isolated cove to relax in, Ibiza has it all. Check out our guide to Ibiza beaches for more information and be prepared to sizzle in the sun and splash about in the clear blue waters.

3. Weather

Ibiza has such a great climate it makes it a perfect holiday destination at any time of year. You can either choose to make the most of the boiling hot summer days and long balmy nights or escape for a bit of winter sun when the temperature is milder but the sun still shines. See Ibiza weather for more information.

4. Hippy Markets

Famous for its laid back boho vibe that has attracted hippies to Ibiza since the 70’s, a trip to the island will not be complete without visiting one of its infamous hippy markets. You can pick up trinkets, jewellery, clothes and keepsakes to remind you of your trip. See our Ibiza Shopping page for more information.

5. Festivals

Summer parties aside, Ibiza has a whole lots of festivals which fill up the cultural calendar no end. Whether you want to catch a religious celebration or a traditional Balearic party, there is always something going on in Ibiza. Check out our Ibiza Festivals calendar so you can plan your trip around one of the island’s unforgettable fiestas.

WATER SPORTS

If you’re looking for some high adrenaline fun outside of the clubs then why not have a go at some Ibiza adventure sports?

Whether a challenging hike around the island is up your street or trotting along on horseback sounds more your kind of thing, you can be guaranteed to have fun and see Ibiza in a different light. Follow the links for more information.

CULTURE & ARTS

Many people think of Ibiza as a beachside modern metropolis designed to entertain the untiring needs of ravers and clubbers defunct of a history or culture to call its own. Whilst Ibiza does house the world’s most fantastic and elaborate clubs, the little island also nurtures age-old traditions which showcase its past. From a jam-packed calendar of festivals to varied museums and a splattering of cultural hotpots, there is much more to Ibiza than meets the eye.

Information thanks to whatibiza.com

Remember getting to Ibiza without your bags would spoil your trip so be wise and buy a Smart Luggage tag before you go!

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If you’re looking for a cheap hotel room, it’s only gotten more difficult over the years. In fact, the average daily rate for U.S. hotel rooms has increased in the past seven years, to $121.37 in 2015, according to statistics resource Statista.

That doesn’t mean you can’t find deals to save money on a hotel room. There are many hotel savings tricks that you can use to tame the wildest of hotel bills. Find out how the experts get hotel rooms on the cheap with these 20 tips.

BUY SOMEONE ELSES RESERVATION

RoomerTravel.com allows you to purchase other travelers’ unwanted hotel room reservations at a cut rate, said consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch. “The site connects you with travelers who are stuck with a reservation they can’t cancel, but are willing to sell and transfer the reservation at a discount.” The site offers discounts of up to 74 percent.

COUPON CODES

Hotels don’t regularly offer coupons, said Woroch. But if you search, sometimes you can find coupon codes for third-party booking sites that will score you a cheaper room. “For instance, Coupon Sherpa offers 40 percent off select hotels at Hotels.com, and $20 off $150 booking at HotelWiz,” said Woroch.

PRICE MATCH

Price matches aren’t just for Target shoppers. Although they might not advertise it, many hotels will match a competitor’s lower price if you ask, Woroch said. That goes for third-party sites, as well.

“Hotels.com offers to price match any competitor or hotel’s price ― just book, then submit the cheaper-priced link,” said Woroch. “I do this because I earn a free night through their site after 10 stays, so it’s a win-win.”

NEGOTIATE

Sometimes, the best leverage you’ll have is not with hotels, but with individuals who are renting out their vacation home, said Woroch. “If you find last-minute availability through VRBO or HomeAway, haggle with the homeowner for a cheaper price,” she said. “He or she will be motivated to negotiate in fear of missing out on the last-minute booking.”

STAY MIDWEEK

If you can avoid staying in hotels Friday and Saturday, you could save some cash. “Most hotels offer a significant discount on rates starting on Sunday through Thursday,” said Woroch. As an added bonus, the pool, restaurants and spas will be less busy and sometimes offer deals, she said.

FIND INCLUSIVE DEALS

It can be incredibly frustrating to find a seemingly great hotel rate, only to see it get jacked up with daily parking fees, internet fees and even “resort fees.” “Free breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking are big perks that should be considered when comparing hotel rates, as those daily fees can add up quickly depending on the length of your stay,” said Woroch. A family of four can save nearly $40 a day by opting for a hotel with free breakfast, she added.

MAX CREDIT CARD DEALS

No, no, we’re not saying go hog wild with your Visa. But often, credit card holders get exclusive deals that are pretty attractive, said Woroch. “For instance, MasterCard card members can get an extra 10 percent off select hotel bookings through Hotels.com, via a deal posted on Coupon Sherpa,” she said. The deal is good through the end of 2016.

MEMBERSHIPS

Warehouse members and credit card users aren’t the only ones who get deals from memberships. If you’re an AAA, military or AARP member, there’s a good chance that can help you score a cheaper room, too, said Woroch. “For example, Hilton Garden Inn offers 10 percent off for senior citizens ages 65 and older, and 15 percent off for military,” she said.

DISCOUNT GIFT CARDS

Gift cards are good for much more than Starbucks or California Pizza Kitchen. And on sites like GiftCardGranny.com, you can find discounted gift cards that will effectively make your hotel room cheaper. For example, Woroch found BedandBreakfast.com gift cards discounted more than 16 percent at the GiftCardGranny site.

DOWNLOAD APPS

If you’ve never used the HotelTonight app, Woroch thinks you should. “The app aggregates unsold rooms at high-end hotels and provides cut-rate prices to users,” she said.
She has seen last-minute luxury accommodations up to 70 percent off. That might make the breakfast buffet affordable again.

USE YOUR MILEAGE

Many consumers don’t realize they can use their credit card airline miles for savings on hotels, too, said Woroch. You can also often redeem credit card rewards for gift cards to use toward a hotel room, she added.

So when asked, “What’s in your wallet?” The answer could be, “A free hotel stay.”

SELECT BUSINESS HOTELS

Business hotels might not offer all the flashy and splashy amenities a resort does, but they could help you save enough to bolster your vacation with more fun in the sun. Parasailing or scuba diving can make up for a smaller pool in no time.

“During the summer months and on weekends, [business] hotels are typically slower,” said Coupons.com savings expert Jeanette Pavini. “You’re more likely to get a good deal at these hotels if you book a room during those off-peak times.”

TRAVEL ALA CARTE

It might be assumed that any hotel will have minimum features, such as a queen- or king-sized bed, towels, private bathroom and more. But that’s not always the case in Europe, and it could work to your advantage.

“Many hotels allow you to pay less for a “single” room, which often means a twin bed or a shared bathroom,” said Pavini. “There are even budget hotels where you pay a low base price and a la carte for add-ons, like daily housekeeping, towels or an in-room TV. If you’re open to bare minimum accommodations, then you stand to save a bundle.”

CHECK IN LATE

Waiting until late in the day to check in could get you a better room for the same price, said Pavini. “Once your hotel has checked in the majority of its guests for the night, they can better evaluate their

PRIORITISE APARTMENT HOTELS

Apart-hotels are serviced apartments, routinely found in Europe, that come with a small kitchen, which can save you money on eating out. These might cost a little more upfront, but the amenities can help you save in the long run, said Pavini. Plus, they are listed on many travel sites that offer coupon codes.

“For example, three nights in a highly rated apart-hotel in Kensington, London, cost $896 ― including taxes, for a family of four,” she said. “We had a coupon code for 15 percent off on Orbitz, bringing the cost down to $784. Plus, you earn $23.53 in Orbucks rewards dollars, which you can immediately use to book the hotel on the next leg of your trip.” That’s a lot of saving.

AVOID CHANGING MONEY

When booking hotel stays in foreign countries on your credit card, foreign transaction fees can start before you even leave the states, said Pavini. That’s why it’s important to know which credit card offers the lowest, or no, foreign transaction fee ― and book travel on that card.

“You could avoid foreign transaction fees by booking on a third-party travel site where your money does not need to be converted,” she said. “Those sites like Orbitz and Hotels.com also typically have high-value coupon codes at Coupons.com.”

JOIN HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Like most businesses, hotels love loyal customers and are willing to offer them perks, said Woroch. “For instance, Best Western Rewards members can save 10 percent or more, and earn points for free nights,” she said.

Loyalty rewards can apply to third-party sites, as well. “At the coupon codes pages on Coupons.com, we found that Hotels.com will give you one night free when you stay 10 nights through their loyalty program,” said Pavini.

LOOK FOR RECIPROCAL DEALS

Many hotels and airlines have point partnerships, but often the chance to earn points doesn’t stop there, said Pavini. “For instance, right now Starwood Preferred Guests can earn one Starpoint per dollar spent with Uber, and two Starpoints per dollar spent with Uber during Starwood Preferred Guest stays,” she said.

And as always be sure to protect your bags with one of our Smart Luggage Tags!

Editorial with amendments thanks to Huffington Post

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Hardside or softside, two-wheel or spinner, suitcase or backpack: whatever your preference, we’ve selected the top carry-on bags in every category.

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

We know the original “Keep Calm and Carry On” slogan wasn’t initially intended to have anything to do with luggage, but we really do believe in skipping the checked bag whenever possible. With all of your belongings on board, you can take comfort in knowing everything you’ll need upon landing is with you — not headed to a different destination because it didn’t make the connection or lying alone on a tarmac somewhere, probably in the rain, which is how we tend to visualize our luggage when we’re feeling particularly anxious watching dozens of not-your-bags roll out onto the baggage claim carousel.

And less stress isn’t the only pro to going carry-on-only. A carry-on bag is also much easier to handle. Have you ever had to schlep a 50-lb. bag up four sets of broken escalators to catch a train that’s about to depart? Trust us, the extra three pairs of shoes won’t be worth it again. Though, if you’re a very clever packer and can squeeze quite a lot into a small space, you generally won’t have to worry about weight limits like you do with a checked bag. As long as you can compress that thing back to its original size dimensions and lift it above your head without throwing your back out, you can fill a carry-on with bricks and no one will call you out. Except maybe the TSA’s Instagram account.

Here are a few more helpful points to consider when choosing your new carry-on luggage.

DOMESTIC VS INTERNATIONAL SIZE

While there are generally only a few inches of difference between carry-on luggage dimensions you’ll want to pay attention to the carry-on size restrictions of the airlines you fly most often. A good rule of thumb for domestic U.S. flights is to adhere to suitcases sized 22″ x 14″ x 9″. If you’re often flying internationally, you may want to opt for a bag that stands at 21 inches instead, just to be sure you won’t run into any issues when boarding. I’ve found that international carry-on luggage rules tend to be a bit more strict, especially if you’re flying with a budget carrier.

SOFTSIDE VS HARDSIDE

If you always seem to be forced to gate check, you may want to opt for a soft-sided bag. They generally hold up best to wear and tear, though hard-shell bags are adopting more aesthetically durable materials as their popularity grows. Hardside luggage is generally a little more protective of what’s inside, while softside bags may allow you to squeeze in an extra bit of baggage for the way home because the fabric has that added give.

TWO WHEEL VS SPINNER

Spinner luggage has four wheels, usually multidirectional, that will allow you full control of the bag. This is helpful if you feel more comfortable wheeling your bag beside you when walking instead of hauling it behind you, and if navigating the bag down tight airplane aisles always seems to be a struggle. Do keep in mind, however, that two-wheeled suitcases don’t have to lend as many inches dimension-wise to the wheels — so you may be sacrificing already precious packing space if you opt for a spinner.

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR CARRY ON WORKS FOR YOU

Once you receive your bag, test it out before your trip. Did you just like the look of it or is it really, functionally the best suitcase for how you travel? Stuff it full and wheel it around to see how it handles. Pick it up and lift it over your head to mimic putting it in the overhead bin. Familiarize yourself with all of the pockets and features. Even if you’ve read tons of luggage reviews and bought a bag from one of the best luggage brands, you’ll want to evaluate the quality before traveling with it, because if there’s one true law of luggage it’s that if your luggage is going to break, it will absolutely find the most inconvenient time during your trip to do so.

How to Avoid Over-packing and Actually Sleep on a Long Flight, According to a Travel Expert
Most travelers have a tendency to over pack or under prepare for a long flight, resulting in two travel no-nos: bag fees and jet lag.

THE WINNERS LIST

Best Softside Carry-on: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Spinner
Best Hardside Carry-on: Briggs & Riley Sympatico 21-inch Expandable Spinner
Best Carry-on Spinner: Samsonite Spettro 20-inch Spinner
Best Two-wheel Rollaboard Carry-on: Victorinox Lexicon 2.0 Global Carry-on
Best Lightweight Carry-on: Delsey Turenne Hardside Spinner Suitcase
Best Large Carry-on: Away The Bigger Carry-on
Best International Carry-on: Briggs & Riley Baseline CX Carry-on Spinner
Best Underseat Carry-on: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Rolling Underseat Carry-on Bag
Best Affordable Carry-on: AmazonBasics 20-inch Hardside Spinner Luggage
Best Zipperless Carry-on: Arlo Skye The Polycarbonate Carry-on
Best Leather Carry-on: Hook & Albert Gen. 2 Garment Weekender Bag
Best Luxury Carry-on: Rimowa Original Cabin Spinner Luggage
Most Durable Carry-on: Tumi Latitude International Carry-on
Best Wheeled Duffel: eBags TLS Mother Lode Mini 21-inch Wheeled Carry-on
Best Carry-on Backpack: Tortuga Setout Backpack
Best Hard-shell Carry-on: Briggs & Riley Sympatico Expandable 21-inch International Spinner

Don’t leave without attaching a SuperSmart Luggage tag!

Editorial with amendments thanks to: Travel & Leisure

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