Rapid Travel Chai: Introduction to International Travel - FTU TPA 2013

1. Introduction to International Travel Stefan Krasowski Rapid Travel Chai

3. Who Am I? I lived in China for 8 years I work in international business I plan obsessively I travel fast I come back exhausted My wife is the opposite I lived in China for 8 years I work in international business I plan obsessively I travel fast I come back exhausted My wife is the opposite ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

5. Who Are You? You have more miles than some nations… …what matters to you? The flight? The hotel? The destination? The people? The food? What else? You have more miles than some nations… …what matters to you? The flight? The hotel? The destination? The people? The food? What else? ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

11. Air – Passes If you think awards are confusing and frustrating… Passes come and go, often Complicated booking Gotchas abound If you think awards are confusing and frustrating… Passes come and go, often Complicated booking Gotchas abound ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

13. Air – Budget Airlines skyscanner.com and whichbudget.com Price all the extras Know the airport – where in ‘London’? Know the terminal – Malaysian remote LCCTs Air Asia is awesome skyscanner.com and whichbudget.com Price all the extras Know the airport – where in ‘London’? Know the terminal – Malaysian remote LCCTs Air Asia is awesome ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

15. Air – China Flights China domestic flights have full-fare set by government Full-fare free to change flight and even airline!* Global sites only price full-fare tickets China sites price discounts: ctrip, eLong, travelzen Payment process can be a hassle *Can be a challenge, easiest to attempt at airport China domestic flights have full-fare set by government Full-fare free to change flight and even airline!* Global sites only price full-fare tickets China sites price discounts: ctrip, eLong, travelzen Payment process can be a hassle *Can be a challenge, easiest to attempt at airport ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

21. Bus – Tips Beware the near empty bus that is ‘leaving soon’ Your stuff will be either with you or with someone else Prepare for heat, prepare for cold Be a camel Beware the near empty bus that is ‘leaving soon’ Your stuff will be either with you or with someone else Prepare for heat, prepare for cold Be a camel ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

22. Taxis - Tips Beware taxis hanging out at hotels Hail taxis that are moving If the locals use radio taxis, you should too Taxis for day trips are impromptu guides Beware taxis hanging out at hotels Hail taxis that are moving If the locals use radio taxis, you should too Taxis for day trips are impromptu guides ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

24. Driving Exhilarating or stressful? Know your companions Driving on the left is surprisingly easy International Driving Permit (IDP) is an annual pain What to do in hitchhiker countries? Exhilarating or stressful? Know your companions Driving on the left is surprisingly easy International Driving Permit (IDP) is an annual pain What to do in hitchhiker countries? ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

25. Rental Cars – Booking Booking sites often ‘location not found’/’sold out’ Try rental agency websites …but status is often worthless Try AutoEurope (not just for Europe) Booking sites often ‘location not found’/’sold out’ Try rental agency websites …but status is often worthless Try AutoEurope (not just for Europe) ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

27. Rental Cars – Insurance Credit card CDW exclusions – Ireland, Israel, Italy and more Citi ThankYou & Dividend Platinum Select True worldwide CDW Get a certificate of coverage Chase Ink & others may be worldwide 11/1 – stay tuned Insurance often mandatory, sometimes included Supercover expands coverage/lowers deductible Credit card CDW exclusions – Ireland, Israel, Italy and more Citi ThankYou & Dividend Platinum Select True worldwide CDW Get a certificate of coverage Chase Ink & others may be worldwide 11/1 – stay tuned Insurance often mandatory, sometimes included Supercover expands coverage/lowers deductible ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

28. Hotels Don’t stress – too many options Chain hotels…are chain hotels trip advisor for brainstorming Local hotels at hotels.com Mom & Pops at booking.com Don’t be afraid to walk-up Alternative accommodation Don’t stress – too many options Chain hotels…are chain hotels trip advisor for brainstorming Local hotels at hotels.com Mom & Pops at booking.com Don’t be afraid to walk-up Alternative accommodation ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

30. US Passports Get the large passport book Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI and add to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck Have scans and copies Get the large passport book Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI and add to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck Have scans and copies ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

31. Duplicate US Passports Great for frequent travelers who need visas A must for frequent Israel/Middle East travelers Easy process Only valid for two years Great for frequent travelers who need visas A must for frequent Israel/Middle East travelers Easy process Only valid for two years ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

33. Visas for US Citizens Embassy websites are getting better travel.state.gov is reliable Specialist visa agents vs big generalists like CIBT 10-year India and 3-year Russia tourist visas Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance Yes, you need a visa for Australia Embassy websites are getting better travel.state.gov is reliable Specialist visa agents vs big generalists like CIBT 10-year India and 3-year Russia tourist visas Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance Yes, you need a visa for Australia ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

34. Money – Cash Cash is still king – be like a first date, crisp and clean Carry a cheat sheet of fx rates Change money on arrival, not departure Avoid Travelex!!! Traveler’s checks are dead Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements Cash is still king – be like a first date, crisp and clean Carry a cheat sheet of fx rates Change money on arrival, not departure Avoid Travelex!!! Traveler’s checks are dead Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

35. Money – Credit Cards Card acceptance still low outside upscale bubble Logo in the window may only mean local cards Chip and Signature cards work most of the time Chip and Pin cards for heavy Europe travelers – Andrews FCU, PenFed (FlyerTalk list: bit.ly/195PoQS) Card acceptance still low outside upscale bubble Logo in the window may only mean local cards Chip and Signature cards work most of the time Chip and Pin cards for heavy Europe travelers – Andrews FCU, PenFed (FlyerTalk list: bit.ly/195PoQS) ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

36. Handy Credit Card Benefits Chase – several cards have trip delay coverage Diner’s Club – lounge access, airport shuttles in Brazil Discover – accepted all over China via UnionPay Chase – several cards have trip delay coverage Diner’s Club – lounge access, airport shuttles in Brazil Discover – accepted all over China via UnionPay ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

37. Tech Prepare to be offline – Google Maps offline Unlocked phone + local SIM card Encrypt – TrueCrypt Get a VPN – WiTopia Prepare to be offline – Google Maps offline Unlocked phone + local SIM card Encrypt – TrueCrypt Get a VPN – WiTopia ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

38. Insurance Insure yourself, your trip, or your stuff? Annual or per trip? Credit cards often insure your trip and your stuff I insure myself – GeoBlue Trekker Choice annual plan insubuy.com, travelinsurancecenter.com Insure yourself, your trip, or your stuff? Annual or per trip? Credit cards often insure your trip and your stuff I insure myself – GeoBlue Trekker Choice annual plan insubuy.com, travelinsurancecenter.com ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

39. Health CDC Yellow Book cdc.gov/travel Know generic names of your meds Plan ahead for vaccines Malaria pills pros and cons International Certificate of Vaccination CDC Yellow Book cdc.gov/travel Know generic names of your meds Plan ahead for vaccines Malaria pills pros and cons International Certificate of Vaccination ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

41. Safety Don’t be: Drunk Drugged Debauched Especially when you don’t speak the language or know the legal system The Rapid Travel Chai ‘3 Ds’ of Travel Safety Don’t be: Drunk Drugged Debauched Especially when you don’t speak the language or know the legal system ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

42. Luggage Backpack = maximum flexibility, bag never leaves you Wheeled = less flexibility, sometimes more comfort Convertible = good at nothing Checked luggage = asking for trouble Backpack = maximum flexibility, bag never leaves you Wheeled = less flexibility, sometimes more comfort Convertible = good at nothing Checked luggage = asking for trouble ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

46. Some offbeat flight awards Star Alliance: Copa in Central America Ethiopian and South African for Africa Avianca Taca for northern South America, Tam for Brazil while still in Star Turkish Airlines for Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa OneWorld: Avios for Australia (Qantas), Europe (Iberia and Vueling), Russia (S7), southern South America (LAN) SkyTeam: Tarom for Eastern Europe AeroMexico for Central America and even Europe and Asia China Eastern + China Southern for trips around Asia, especially Central Asia Delta + Air France to Europe via Dominican Republic or Haiti Delta seasonal JFK flight to Prince Edward Island, Canada Star Alliance: Copa in Central America Ethiopian and South African for Africa Avianca Taca for northern South America, Tam for Brazil while still in Star Turkish Airlines for Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa OneWorld: Avios for Australia (Qantas), Europe (Iberia and Vueling), Russia (S7), southern South America (LAN) SkyTeam: Tarom for Eastern Europe AeroMexico for Central America and even Europe and Asia China Eastern + China Southern for trips around Asia, especially Central Asia Delta + Air France to Europe via Dominican Republic or Haiti Delta seasonal JFK flight to Prince Edward Island, Canada ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

47. Hotel Awards Expand to Carlson, IHG, Best Western, Choice Hotels International locations often much better than US ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Executive Lounge Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai

48. Earning Miles at Local Hotel Chains Local chains often earn miles – Delta alone has 29 partners! Hilton HHonors Worldwide Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Marriott International InterContinental Hotel Group Accor Hotels Best Western International Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Choice Hotels International Hotel JAL City Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Langham Hospitality Group The Leading Hotels of the World Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group MARITIM Hotels Millennium Hotels and Resorts New Otani Hotels Nikko Hotels International Okura Hotels & Resorts Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts The Plaza Hotel Prince Hotels & Resorts La Quinta Inns & Suites The Ritz-Carlton® Rotana Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces Worldhotels Wyndham Rewards ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Hilton HHonors Worldwide Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Marriott International InterContinental Hotel Group Accor Hotels Best Western International Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Choice Hotels International Hotel JAL City Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Langham Hospitality Group The Leading Hotels of the World Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group MARITIM Hotels Millennium Hotels and Resorts New Otani Hotels Nikko Hotels International Okura Hotels & Resorts Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts The Plaza Hotel Prince Hotels & Resorts La Quinta Inns & Suites The Ritz-Carlton® Rotana Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces Worldhotels Wyndham Rewards

49. Elite status Carry all your frequent flyer cards Carry hard copies of key benefits Expect disappointment…and pleasant surprises ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Airport VIP Lounge, Livingston, Zambia

Rapid Travel Chai: Introduction to International Travel - FTU TPA 2013

Esté a ler uma amostra.

Confira estes a seguir

Rapid Travel Chai: Introduction to International Travel - FTU TPA 2013

Mais Conteúdo rRelacionado

Quem viu também gostou (6)

Semelhante a Rapid Travel Chai: Introduction to International Travel - FTU TPA 2013 (20)

Mais recentes (20)