Travel expert Joanna Hall, the editor of the Ultimate Travel Magazine, teaches you how to save money and reduce stress whilst travelling.
Travelling can be really stressful today, from getting to the airport and the endless queues at check-in, to going through security and lost luggage. But it’s not just airports and airlines which stack on the pressure. Have you ever arrived at a hotel after a long haul flight only to be told your room isn’t ready? Or, worse still, that they don’t have your reservation, and the hotel is full?
As well as racking up air miles, frequent travellers quickly learn the ropes of getting from A to B, and enjoying their stay, as painlessly as possible. For the rest of us, however, there are several tips anyone can use to improve their traveller status, and look like they are travelling like a pro.
Tip 1: Join a frequent flyer program
Many programs do not charge for membership, and there are potentially many benefits to enjoy especially if you travel regularly. For one, you will collect miles every time you fly with that airline or its partners, which can earn you a free flight or an upgrade.
Programs also have additional benefits depending on how many miles you earn. Take Velocity, the Virgin Blue and V Australia program, for example. When you reach silver status, you receive a complimentary pass to The Lounge for you and a friend, free checked baggage up to 23 kg, and priority check in. Another good reason to join up is the potential for an upgrade, as you will be higher up the pecking list than someone who isn’t a member.
Tip 2: Join free hotel loyalty clubs
These are free programs offered by hotel groups, offering various perks for members, such as late check-outs and room upgrades.
Take Hyatt’s Gold Passport membership, for example. As gold card holder – the basic level – you will earn points for every stay which can be redeemed for free nights (without blackout dates), and a late check-out if available. And like airline frequent flyer programs, if an upgrade is on the cards, you are more likely to receive one than a non-member.
Tip 3: If you are travelling in economy, consider joining an airport lounge club
Airline lounges are great; you have a quiet place to wait before or in between flights, free drinks, food, newspapers and magazines, and there is often complimentary internet access so you can check your email.
If you are fortunate enough to be travelling in business or first class, access to one will be included in your ticket. If you are in economy, however, the only way you can get through those hallowed doors is being a member of the airline’s lounge program. The problem here is often the expense; the Qantas Club, for example, costs $405, or 150,000 frequent flyer miles, to join for one year. An independent program like Priority Pass, however, is an affordable alternative, allowing access to a network of lounges throughout the world. Standard annual membership costs only US$99 dollars, and you’ll pay US$27 per lounge visit.
Tip 4: If you want the chance to be upgraded on a flight, dress nicely
The old days of politely asking for an upgrade on check-in have long gone. Outside of a flight being oversold, with most airlines they rarely happen; upgrades have to be approved in advance, and it has to be for a good reason. The only exception to this rule are frequent flyers, with high ranking members moving forward in the plane if there is space available.
For a non-member travelling in economy, however, the best you can hope for is that economy is oversold on your flight, requiring some people to get “bumped up” to the next class. If this is likely, and you are not a member of the airline’s frequent flyer program, you will stand a better chance if you are smartly dressed, are polite to staff, and are not travelling with kids.
Tip 5: Choose your seat carefully, then ask for an upgrade to an exit row
In an earlier blog, I wrote about how choosing your seat on a plane can make a big difference to your comfort – especially when travelling long haul. Different aircraft have different seat configurations, and some seats in economy are also better than others when it comes to the level of recline, or quietness of location (meaning not near a galley or bathrooms).
Another great tip for economy travellers, however, is to upgrade your seat an emergency exit row for more leg room. Most airlines today do not allow you to book these in advance – you have to ask on check-in – and you will have to pay extra for the privilege. You will also need to meet specific exit row requirements, which include that you are not travelling with children or anyone who may need assistance, and you can carry out certain tasks if necessary.
Joanna Hall is the editor of the Ultimate Travel Magazine – Australia’s first online magazine dedicated to the best in luxury travel.