Travel agents know travel hacks. After all, they've been in the business for years and know how to get around by using better packing, booking and travel tips. Our travel hacks article provided so many great tips that we did it again:
Travel Agents Love Their Apps
Debra Kasen's favorite app is the free US Mobile Passport app from the US government. "Wow, what a time saver," said Kasen of Romance Globe Travel. "Download it to your phone before you travel. Scan your passport before you leave home. When you land, open the app, answer a few questions for customs, and get a paperless receipt on your phone. The lines are shorter for people using this app and it can save valuable time if you need to make a tight connection."
"The resort app is my best travel hack," said Margie Lenau of Wonderland Family Vacations. "It tells me about events and extra information that can make my stay much more fun. I can see where I am with the map, and some resort apps have tour booking included so you can see what is available. Many resort apps include a free Wi-Fi connection so that you can phone home at no charge while you are connected to the internet. Some even have menus for their dining locations so you can choose what you are in the mood to eat that night."
[READMORE]READ MORE: Experts Dish on Their Favorite Travel Hacks[/READMORE]
Use EPRBs
Oli Russell-Cowan, founder of Rad Season suggests EPRBs, otherwise known as Emergency Personal Response Beacons. "They now cost around $300 and will get professional medical help to you quickly in a first-world country," he said. "When these are activated, helicopters and/or rescue boats are scrambled to the activation point."
He also loves SatSleeves, which turn your ordinary smartphone into a satellite phone. "The call rates aren't great, but if you need advice in a hurry they are fantastic," he said. "The great thing about this technology is there is no need to learn how to use an unfamiliar phone in an emergency situation and all your contacts are in the usual place. Scan your passport, ID and itinerary and email them to yourself so you have a digital copy in the event of loss or theft."
Carley Knobloch is a digital lifestyle expert and once learned the hard way the havoc that a misplaced passport can wreak on a vacation. "From then on, when I travel, I keep copies of all my documents online in a secure password manager like LastPass," she said. "Credit cards, bank accounts and copies of health insurance cards or any other forms of ID are all stored safely in my digital wallet in case of emergency."
[READMORE]READ MORE: Travel Hacks to Make Trips a Breeze[/READMORE]
Good Old-Fashioned Suitcase
When Trapper Martin is traveling, he carries as large a suitcase as possible if visiting one location for an extended period of time. "I pack everything on cheap disposable hangers and roll them up with the clothes around them, packing smaller items in the corners," said Martin, Dream Vacations Franchise Owner and Vacation Specialist.
It takes up a bit of extra room, but when Martin is heading home he leaves the hangers in the closet for the housekeeper and uses the extra space in the suitcase for gifts and souvenirs from the destination.
James Berglie of Be All Inclusive advises travelers to pack carry-ons for the beach. "Many flights from the US come into the Caribbean in the morning, and return to the states in the afternoon," he said. "Often this means you will be arriving at the resort before it's time to check in. Make it easier on yourself by packing some beach clothes in an easy-to-reach pocket in your luggage so that you can quickly grab them and get changed once you get to the resort. You'll have full access to the property, so leave your bag with the bellman and let the vacation begin."
Additionally, Martin urges travelers to pack a spray bottle for water.
"Just fill the bottle wherever you are, spray lightly on wrinkled clothes and then quickly shake the garment for three good shakes," he said. "It is faster than and just as good as an iron on any cotton clothing."
Lillie West maximizes her computer travel hacks when planning a vacation. "Always make certain you clear your cookies after searching or use a different browser if you return to search the same itinerary," said West of Independent Vacation Specialist with Cruises Inc. "Some websites keep your information and you may find yourself with even higher fares than previously."
What's your favorite travel hack?
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