Fight or Flight

Have you ever had a fight with an airline fare, and it won? I've booked my fair share of great flight and vacation deals, but my recent misstep was a doozie, so I decided to use the misfortune as an example of what NOT to do!

Like stocks, airline fares fluctuate. Buy your ticket on a good, down day and you're happy. Buy it on a bad, up day and you're mad and out money. I was abruptly reminded of this fare dance when I booked a flight down south---apparently this youngish snowbird momentarily left her head in the clouds.

Fighting the Flight Recently my husband and I were in the market for a flight to Scottsdale, AZ. When we initially surveyed the options a month and a half before our departure date, the fare was $300 return YVR to PHX---not a bad price for a direct, weekend {friday - monday} flight. Why we didn't just book our flight right then is beyond me, but the story gets worse. A few days later, we remembered we had to book our flight, so we went back online and noticed it had gone up by $100. Great. At the time, we were on vacation in Mexico and again, forgot to book. I wish I could blame it on the tequila, but, I don't like it very much. Finally, the next day, we wised-up and booked the flight. The only problem? It was $200 more than a few days before. Yes, we could have flown out of an alternate airport or changed our dates for a slightly cheaper price, but it wasn't worth it. So, we swallowed our pride and handed over $500 to US Airways....thank God for the points on my travel reward card.

Taking Flight {Best Practices}

• Follow these recommendations {from Kayak's Chief Scientist} for the BEST TIMING to book a flight
• Set up a fare alert with Kayak or Yapta for the flight you're eying
• Worried your flight price will go down after you book? If so, Yapta can help you get back the difference.

Moral of the story: if you're within a month and a half of your estimated departure, don't fight the flight, just book it!

[photo by Victor Dee]

From the Archives :: Travel for Free

{This was originally published Monday, December, 7th, 2009---the month Trip Styler first started stylin'. It has been republished below with enhancements.}

Although the notion of traveling for free does sound too good to be true, it is completely and legitimately possible. All it takes is a little insider knowledge and planning. Whether you travel once or ten times per year, traveling free boils down to a) being strategic about your {travel} spending, b) being serious about your hotel and airline loyalty, and c) tracking your points and miles in order to take advantage in a timely fashion.

If you are serious about reaping the benefits of travel, here are 3 major ways to start accumulating points, miles and dollars toward travel.

1) Get a Travel Credit Card Getting a travel credit card was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made. Rather than selecting a credit card with points toward a GM vehicle or cash back, every time we spend money on our card our travel points go up. Our Travel Rewards Card has no black-out periods, an online booking portal and if you book your travel via expedia or the like, you can apply your points/cash to your purchase. The most popular travel redemption credit cards in Canada are RBC's Avion, CIBC's Aventura and TD Canada Trust's First Class. The Travel Strategy: Rather than using a combo of cash, debit and credit for your purchases, use your travel credit card{s} {responsibly} for everything, and the points will accumulate much faster. Another way to collect points quickly is to put business expenses, charitable donations or big-ticket purchases on your card. Both regular and one-time payments add up, so if you are disciplined, using a credit card for the majority of your purchases can get you one step closer…to Paris!

2) Join an Airline Loyalty Program As mentioned in Friday’s post, making a point of choosing one or two Airline loyalty programs can be advantageous. Since most airlines are part of larger syndicates, you gain points flying with multiple carriers through programs like One World or Star Alliance. Try to find flights with one of the carriers within your preferred airline’s alliance to amass points every time you fly. I hear the Seychelles whispering your name. The Travel Strategy: When possible, look for flights with carriers within your preferred airline alliance. Redeeming your points in low season will render the greatest bang for your buck. Here's an example. Also use airline points to upgrade to business or first class, or to redeem non-travel related items {like a slow-cooker} through their loyalty page. Finally, many carriers' points expire after 18 months. So keep track of your points through a website or app like PageOnce.

3) Join a Hotel Loyalty Program Choosing to be an Intercontinental Ambassador or Starwood Preferred Guest has its benefits, and this too can put you on the path to free getaways. When planning your trips, seek out your hotel group’s properties, and if the price is right, try to give them first right of refusal. Often, joining programs such as these will give you the inside track on new property openings and discounted rates, so it pays to be loyal and in-the-know. The Travel Strategy: When possible, stay at one hotel group's properties to continuously gain points. Most hotel points programs have a yearly cycle, meaning you need to achieve a certain amount of stays each year to keep your status. Also, knowing your loyalty program's benefits and fine-print is a must to fully take advantage. Some hotel loyalty programs offer more than just free stays. Between complimentary dinner or spa vouchers, additional points towards a partner airline’s miles program, free internet, upgrade or 3rd night free certificates, it is important to familiarize yourself with your program’s opportunities so you can effectively reap the rewards.

Using Free Travel Some people save up their travel points for that one, dream vacation. I know someone collecting and holding onto their points for a rustically fancy, over-water hut in Bora Bora. Or, there's the use your points as you go method. I've opted for the latter to ensure none of my points expire and I take advantage of everything. Both strategies have their time and their place. My biggest piece of advice for free travel is be intentional about spending on your travel credit card, be intentional about your flights and hotel stays and monitor your points and miles. Having lost points before---akin to losing money---I'm now committed to keeping track, so I can consistently redeem points and miles to offset the cost of puddle-jumping from one continent to another.

[photo by moi, taken at the Marriott Wailea, Maui]

Jewels & Jaunts

[See details below on how you can win a gorgeous fleur de lis necklace from Chantale Jewelry Designs.]

Knowing it's not always easy to select and plan the perfect jewels to accompany our outfits for each trip, I've asked one of my favourite Vancouver-based jewelry designers to share her expert tips on traveling with jewelry. Whether galavanting to Paris or Palm Springs, Chantale knows a thing or two about which pieces to bring, and how to transport our delicate decorations.

I've travelled with her necklaces and earrings for the past 10 years, and not one piece has EVER broken. Although times have changed, my once-all-the-rage chandelier earrings must have been packed and re-packed 50+ times, and the intricate, literally bejeweled, multi-piece Swarovski crystal danglies never once broke. This is a testament to the excellent skill and care that goes into to making Chantale's hand-crafted designs, in addition to packing things right!

Jewels & Jaunts 101

1. Wear simple jewelry through security a) so you don't hold up the line by removing multiple pieces, and b) so you don't beep in the metal detector and take a trip to the body scanner!
2. Let your trip style and destination dictate which pieces you'll bring. For example, the jewelry you bring to NYC will on the fancier side, whereas the jewelry you bring on safari will be on the minimal side.
3. If you go away semi-regularly, cut down your packing time by keeping a set of your basic, go-to jewelry cued-up for your next trip.
4. Always pack a long necklace that can be doubled or worn at its full length.
5. Bring pieces that can be worn apart or together for an eye-catching, layered look.
6. Pack your jewelry in little, clear ziplock bags {like the ones used for buttons when you buy a new garment}. Then, pack all your necklaces, earrings and bracelets together in one sandwich-sized ziplock. If you can't fit all your items into this size of bag, you're likely bringing too much. Plus, using clear bags means you can see all your jewelry at-a-glance and it stays organized!
7. Always clean your jewelry with a polishing cloth before you take off, so your adornments don't look dull and drab.
8. When getting ready, make sure your jewelry is the LAST thing you put on. Lotions and potions can damage and dull your treasures and trinkets.
9. Keep your jewelry out of the direct sunlight.
10. Always lock up your jewel-filled ziplock in the hotel room safe.

Win This Chantale has provided this gorgeous, hand-made {and apprpriately Canadian} necklace for one lucky winner to nab. Here's how you enter: 1) Comment on this post and tell us your favourite piece of Chantale's Jewelry, AND if you haven't already, "Like" the Trip Styler page on Facebook. 2) For a second entry, share any Trip Styler post on Facebook with friends and tell us about it in the comment you leave (per step 1). 3) For a third entry, follow @tripstyler on twitter and RT this: RT @TripStyler to learn how to win a fab necklace from Chantale Jewelry Designs & traveling with jewelry 101 http://ow.ly/3ENC1 Winner will be announced at the end of THIS week, on Friday, January 21, 2011. *Open to residents of Canada and the US.

{Thank you to all those who entered. Katherine KW, you've won and we've contacted you via Twitter!}

[photos and jewelry by Chantale Jewelry Designs]

Gifting Travel

Editor's Note :: Following last week's Christmas gift ideas for travelers piece focusing on stuff we can give those with the travel bug, here's an archived post from last December about travel experience gifts. Enjoy.

Give an experience rather than stuff this Christmas. Stuff sits around. Experiences get you out! Travel experiences are not often something people think of gifting, but are easy to give, as well as appreciated by sun-seekers and adventurers alike.

Here are some travel experiences you can give this Christmas: Your Airline Miles How it works:

• login to the airline with which you have extra miles
• navigate [or search] "transfer" or "give miles"
• as an example, here’s how to transfer and give away miles with Alaska Airlines
• if you are feeling like you want to give away more miles, you can also give to charities

Fairmont Gift Card How it works:

• pick up a gift card at any fairmont location
• use it toward a stay or at a restaurant within any fairmont

Travel Agencies How it works:

• contact your travel agency and see if they have a gift certificate option (some do, but unfortunately don’t advertise it) and make sure their business is stable so you won't lose your money in 6 months
• buy the travel gift certificate in your preferred denomination
• example

[photo by Robyn2175]

A Canadian's Guide To Black Friday

Have you ever shopped in the US for Black Friday?

Been there, done that. Black Friday, the GIANT shopping day after thanksgiving, is nothing short of shopping insanity. It's like Boxing Day shopping in Canada, but on steroids. My two Black Friday shopping experiences were both bewildering and bountiful. Two years ago in San Francisco, I just gave up. I couldn't handle the crowds, and I wasn't sure what I was looking for. On a more positive note, 4 years ago, I had a surprisingly fruitful experience in Miami. Both my husband and I still wear the items we purchased on that fateful shopping trip. Despite the crowds, we came and conquered!

If you're planning on braving the crowds for an immersive and cultural US experience, here are a few tips for Canadians willing to step into the shopping jungle across the line.

Black Friday Dos & Don'ts

• Get your research on! Prioritize stores based on deals and the timing of their sales. There's an app for that, check out Black Friday App.
• Leave the night before and stay in a hotel, so you're ready to hit the ground running.....early.
  • some stores---gasp---are even opening on Thanksgiving Day.
  • stores usually open on Black Friday at re-donc-u-lous hours like 3 - 5am, so check the times of the ones you're into.
  • an unofficial list of Black Friday hours for major US retailers
  • by the way, if you don't have a hotel yet and you're driving down to Seattle from Vancouver, the Westin Bellevue still has rooms available with its shopping package: $200 per night, and you get $100 back per night in gift certificates to any store in the Bellevue (collection) shopping area.
• Know what you're looking for, without a purpose, you won't last long.
• Line-ups are insane, so bring water, a snack and some advil:)  You might even want to schedule a post-shopping massage. Just saying.
• Online is your friend. Some sales start at 12am on Friday, so you may not even need to leave the comfort of your own home. Also, don't forget about Cyber Monday, the day after the US Thanksgiving Weekend when leftover inventory goes on super sale.
• Embrace boutique-y, smaller stores in addition to the inevitable large retailer gulch. Smaller stores will still offer savings!
• Don't forget about parking lot madness, again, get there early, OR, take public transport.

PS - I'm going to brave Black Friday this year. The bonus? I'm going to do so in a place without tax: Portland!  We'll see how that goes...

[photo by Kevin Spencer, altered with a heat map]