How to Get the Best Seat

Okay so flying...
You always want the middle seat open if you are flying with two, or if by yourself....the entire row??? Can it happen? It can.

First, we basically have to talk about Southwest .... as if there are assigned seats well....there are assigned seats.

So Southwest....
Here are my tricks....
1. Of course, check in 24 hours before - now with the $10 pre check in option, you'll be lucky to get an A.
2. If the flight is full....consider the $10 pre check in. Think of the others things you spend $10 on...compare...
3. If you are flying just two....don't sit next to each right away. One take the aisle, one take the window. This leaves only the middle seat open. People are a lot less likely to take a middle seat than an aisle if you sit next to each other.
4. If the attendants ask everyone to move in, it's a full flight....take your time but move in. Karma.
5. Pull out the Pepto and hold your stomach. Carry on ginger ale and look sick. (Okay - just saying...how long is that flight?)
6. If you want the entire row, it has to be a pretty empty flight. So you need to ask the attendants and be aware of if your flight is full or not. Then you are going to have to go to the back of the flight for your row. For some reason ..... rows 1-5 will always be full even if there is only 15 people on your flight. Strange but people find comfort there???

Okay I've flown A LOT this summer and those are my tricks soo far :) Happy flying!

How to Pack Your Bags!

How to Pack Your Bags SO when flying you never pay for checking luggage.

I refuse to check luggage when I have to pay. It's silly. I pay enough for the ticket.



But how do you pack correctly to make sure you get everything you need in that carry on?



Read on.



And remember these are just my tips (everyone has their own!)



1. Brown or Black rule, if traveling for 4 days or less chose a color. That's right all your outfits either are in the black or brown family. That means one purse, one pair of shoes, one belt, one set of accessories. If you can keep your outfits all in the same family; you'll pack a lot less.



2. Know your outfits. DO NOT dump your entire closest in a suitcase, pay $100 to fly it, and then wear 2 things out of it. Seriously. DO NOT. Lay out your outfits completely. Know what the proper undergarments you need are, what the accessories are, what socks or shoes will go with. Then once they are all layed out - pack.



3. Twice is Nice. If you are traveling for 7 days or more - don't pack it unless you can wear twice. Seven pair of jeans for seven days. Puh-lease. Every thing should be in the complimentary family so you can mix and match.



4. Keep the colors in the same family so you can mix and match and be spontaneous on site. The more you can mix and match the better. BUT of course you want to be fabulous....so read on to number 5.



5. ACCESSORIZE!!!!! Scarves, Earrings, Necklaces, bright colorful pieces will add tons to your outfits and not add to your precious suitcase space.



6. Know the climate. Is it 80 or 40? Snow or Sand? Don't bring unnecessary items but don't have to make emergency runs to target and then have to figure out how to get it all home. (God forbid buy another suitcase for that emergency parka purchase.)



7. Travel Size. I love the amenities from any hotel, I keep them for my next trip. I have honestly tipped and just said "need toiletries, bed is fine". It's true! I also save makeup, deodorant, and lotions when I get to the end for the next trip, this way I use the rest of the trip and then throw it away there. That means I have just enough foundation left, I put it in the travel bag for the next vacation. You can also ask any makeup counter for trial sizes....(trust me they want you to buy their product, they'll give you a tester.) This goes for perfume as well. Any free samples you might get? Save them for your next travel! My travel bag of toiletries is impressive and probably a prize possession.



8. Rules. Lots of people think "Well I can't do a carry-on because I have to bring....xyz." Not true. Razors....fine in carry on. Shampoos....get the right size. Phone Chargers....fine in carry on. Besides the biggies, most items can be carry-on. Just ask for samples and save the small sizes for traveling. Don't go raid the travel size section of any store, please. They are just too expensive. Just call me. :)



9. Save room. No matter where you go you'll end up with some souvenir. So please don't waste money on shipping it home, just leave a little extra room in the suitcase.



10. Pack ahead of time and leave the suitcase open. Edit Edit Edit. If you pack ahead time; you'll always come up with one or two things you can remove, and one or two things you forgot.





Seriously, I follow these rules every time. I LOVE TO PACK, but only by my rules. It's stressing me to see others pack.....on a mission for the perfect carry on pack!



***Disclaimer...I am going to Europe for 2 weeks and get a free checked bag up to 55 lbs so I will check a bag (GASP!) but only cause it's free and I'll be there so long....but trust me the outfits are already layed out.



Want me to pack for you? Just call. I would love to hear anyone's tips! I love to pack!

The Art of The Bump

Ah yes.
The Art of Bump.
No.... not Sookie, a Bump it, or some move that fits with a butterfly dance move.

Airlines bumps!

This past weekend I was flying over one of the busiest airline seasons, Spring Break! I have read that during Christmas and Spring Break there are actual "professional" bump artists, that buy tickets only to rack up credits. Funny enough - airlines are now tracking these people down....

Anyway I am not a professional, I have only gotten lucky 3 times...but here is the most recent story.

So I was flying back from San Francisco to Orlando, they asked for 3 bumps and promised $200 airfare credit for each person and confirmed tickets on a later flight. My husband is very scared of flying (he says he just doesn't "like" it) and was already mentally prepared for the flight we were in line for. I couldn't convince him. So we boarded. I had the biggest pit in my stomach - WHAT DID I JUST PASS UP? I made it clear to the airline attendant, if they were going to force people off the flight I was still interested. My husband was convinced someone had taken it - usually people are running for those deals....so I sat back and pouted.

Then the attendant said for me to go to the front of the plane and talk to a customer service rep....my heart leaped~ (true sign of a dealaholic). They were now offering refund of one way flight, $400 airfare credit each, and confirmed tickets on a direct flight that would only get in 2 hours later!

I was sold! I waved my hand at my husband and said SOLD! He was not happy (I think he might still be mad). BUT it was such a good deal......

We got it all and after that our flight got in an hour early. So was an hour worth $800+++ --- if you are looking for the Next Best Deal - YES!!!!!!

Let's review my guide for "Bumps"

1. Only expect them in Holiday/Busy Season
2. Make sure that what they are offering you is a good trade for your time. You have to feel comfortable with the trade.
3. If you really want it, bumps often go quickly.
4. BUT if you can hold out, the pot will always get sweeter. always.
5. Make sure that they offer a CONFIRMED ticket on the next flight, people will get tricked into standby and then well....who knows when you'll get home.
6. Make sure your schedule is flexible; don't go skipping work or school on my account ;)
7. Know the expiration dates and any blackout dates
8. Start planning the next great trip!

ENJOY!