A1 Technology & Travel

The number of bags lost or delayed by airlines is rising thanks to new carry-on rules that are forcing more passengers to check their bags.

 August 2006 was the worst month for baggage losses since the one-time meltdown in December 2004. In August, the daily average of lost bags reached 14,089, or 8.08 bags for every 1,000 passengers, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported.



But there are steps you can take to help prevent your luggage from getting lost–or at least enable you to survive the ordeal with less difficulty, according to Susan Foster, author of “Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler” (Smart Travel Press, $19.95).



Here are Foster’s tips for smart packing, which are also available online at http://www.smartpacking.com.


§ Use a sturdy identification tag with a durable strap on each bag. The best tags have a cover hiding your name to protect your privacy; use your business address and phone whenever possible.


§ Include your identification information inside the bag, in case the outer tag is lost. Place a travel itinerary in an outside pocket or inside your bag on the top so airlines can easily track you down.


§ Tie a colored ribbon to your bag or mark your initials in big letters so no one else will take it from the luggage carousel. Take a digital photo of the bag to show to the baggage agent should it be misplaced.


§ Remove old baggage tags to avoid confusion among baggage-handlers.


§ Check your bags early. Airlines suggest 90 minutes in advance (two hours for international travel) but at daily high-traffic times, you should add 30 minutes. Last-minute checked bags may not make it onto your plane.


§ Make sure your bags are ticketed correctly before you leave the luggage check-in area.


§ Complete the lost-luggage reports at the airport and don’t leave without a claim number and contact information so you can check the status of your missing bags.


§ Create a packing list that includes every item in each bag and leave a copy at home in case you need to claim compensation.


§ If you can, carry with you on board whatever personal items you’ll need to survive 24 hours in your destination without your suitcase. If you’re heading to a beach, tuck a bathing suit in your carry-on; if you’re headed to a meeting, carry with you a copy of that important speech or presentation, or better yet, fax it, FedEx it or email it ahead so that it’s there when you arrive. Content Source: 
Associated Press

You Did What?

Follow these overseas-etiquette tips and avoid international incidents:

Ditch the Doggy Bag: When dinning in European restaurant, it is considered gauche to take your leftovers home.

Don’t Blow It: In Japan, it is deemed disgusting to blow your nose in public.  Also, cloth handkerchiefs are used only to dry hands and mop brows.

Wipe Your Mouth … but Not With That Hand: Always eat with your right hand in the primarily Muslim countries of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  The left hand is used to “toilet yourself” and is considered unclean.

Give’Em the Thumb: The A-OK sign, a circle formed with thumb and forefinger, may get you KO’d in Brazil and other parts of South America, where it is the equivalent of “giving the finger” in the States.  Instead, you should used a “thumbs up.”

Keep Your Hands to Yourself:  In Thailand, don’t pat children on the head; it is believed the spirit resided there.

- J Haupt

Stumped for a gift? Travel gift certificates can solve that problem. They allow recipients to choose when they want to travel and where they want to go. (And they can help to ensure a recalcitrant traveler will get moving!)

Depending on when you buy travel gift certificates, you may be able to take advantage of promotional offers that can include free shipping, a free gift, even a small gift certificate for yourself to accompany the purchase.

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Know a luxury-loving someone who adores going first-class? Small Luxury Hotels of the World sells travel gift certificates good at its 360 member properties in 59 countries including Barnsley Gardens outside Atlanta and the Pink Beach Club in Bermuda. SLH gift certificates are sold online in 100-500-1000 denominations in US dollars, British pounds, and Euros and are good for travel within 15 months of purchase.

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Cruise Brothers — ranked among the top 15 cruise brokers by MSNBC — offers gift certificates for cruise travel through its customer care office. Before contacting the company, you may want to compare prices for specific cruises at our online travel website before making a final commitment.

4) American Airlines Vacations

American Airlines Vacations offers travel gift certificates in denominations of $25 - $1,000 that can be used for air and hotel or just hotel bookings. Larger denominations are also available. Gift certificates are not valid for flight-only bookings and are good for travel within one year from date issued. And if you have extra AAdvantage miles on your own account, you can apply those towards the purchase of a travel gift certificate.

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Site59 offers last-minute travel to 165 destinations and offers travel gift certificates redeemable up to one year after purchase. Do acquaint yourself with Site 59’s terms of service before you buy or contact Travel Agent at 866.544.0258 for assistance.

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Jet Blue, one of America’s favorite low-fare airlines, offers air travel gift certificates applicable toward all the routes it flies. These gift certificates are valid for a year. They cannot be purchased online; call 1-866-544-0258 to order.

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Good at more than 3,000 bed and breakfasts and inns in the United States, these gift certificates do not expire and are available in denominations from $50 to $3,000. They can be delivery by, email, FedEx Ground, and overnight delivery.

Technology Travel Gift Certificates

We offer gift certificates redeemable for all travel products. You may buy gift certificates online in many denominations; they are then delivered to your recipient’s email inbox as per your instructions or gift card can be mailed. They may not be used exclusively for airfare. Gift certificates and unused portions of travel gift certificates expire one year from date of issue.

9) City Pass Gift Certificates

Know someone who’s planning to visit a popular city and would appreciate the opportunity to see the sights without spending a bundle? CityPass ticket booklets provide great savings on major attractions. You can purchase a book for friends or family heading for Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Hollywood, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, and Toronto.

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