EZTravelpad

To Insure Promptness - TIP

It Can Make or Break Your Trip

by Becca Smith

 

If you’re like me, you struggle with figuring out how much to tip and when is the appropriate time to even leave a tip. I never know if someone simply putting coffee in my cup entitles them to a 15% tip, or if I have to tip the delivery guy on top of the extra dollars I get charged for having pizza delivered in the first place.

 The thing to keep in mind is that many establishments count tips as part of the wage that they are paying their workers. Many servers are underpaid if they do not receive the share of tips that the establishment predicts for them. According to the graphic, the average employee that counts on tips is only paid $2.13 per hour by their employers. It is also used to gage how good their service is. 

Hospitalitymanagementschools.org provides a graphic to help customers know when they are supposed to tip, and how much is the appropriate amount. It provides a lot of information about tipping service workers that is important for us consumers to be aware of. 

 

    

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was one page that was especially helpful if you are going to be staying at the same hotel during the entire duration of your trip. 

To Insure Promptness = TIP

The origination of the tip was from 16th century England and it was “To Insure Promptness,” so tipping well at the hotel at which you are staying will help to insure a pleasant stay and great service. For best possible service make sure that you get a good reputation for tipping with the people that will be serving you throughout your stay.

But what about "All-inclusive" resorts?

 

It is important to know your hotel/resort rules on tipping because some all-inclusives do not allow tipping at all, while others are very tip dependent.

 

So ask Scott while you are planning your trip about how much to budget for tips or if you even need to budget anything at all.

The graphic also provides tips on tipping during your everyday life - at bars, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. Click here to check it out and find the answers to all of your questions about tipping - hospitalitymanagementschools.org tip guide

 

We All Make Mistakes (Especially in Traveling)

By Becca Smith 

On my eight month journey to Spain and Southeast Asia, I spent time in six different countries, and went through customs 12 different times- so there were sure to be some bumps along the way. I feel like it is not a successful trip unless something a little cooky happens- like the time in Madrid when I dropped my full suitcase down an escalator, nearly taking out an entire family. Anyway - I made some mistakes when it came to getting through customs and continuing my journey in the smoothest way possible.

 

For instance, I switched airlines in Milan on my way to Madrid and I guess I did not get the memo that I was supposed to pick up my suitcase and recheck it in with my new airline. So of course, when I landed in Madrid - my suitcase was not there to greet me. Definitely talk with stewardesses if you have a short layover, especially if you have to go through customs. I thought that I knew what I was doing - and I was wrong. So a week later - I received my luggage. Always make sure that you pack a change of clothes, toothbrush, comb, soap or anything that you might need in the case of lost luggage.

I would always look up any information that I would need to cross a border before I left on my trip- like the exact requirements for obtaining a visa (documents, money, length of stay that was allowed.) And then I would always double check the requirements for getting back into the country to which I would be returning.  I found that embassy’s websites are usually the best sources. However, I once made a huge mistake.

It is important to pay attention to if visas can be issued upon arrival or if you need to apply for it beforehand.

There was one morning I woke up at 5 in the morning in Bangkok, gathered all my luggage, hailed a taxi, and took the long drive to the airport only to be told that I was not allowed on my flight to the city of Hanoi in Vietnam. I had applied for my visa too late and the paperwork had not gone through (I forgot to take into account that the weekends were not business days- rookie mistake.) So $200 to change my flight and two days later - I made my way to Vietnam with the proper paperwork in hand.
I made another silly mistake of overstaying my visa by just a couple of days. Well... it was a continuation of my first mistake of not buying a multiple entry visa. If you are going to one country for a long period of time, I would definitely buy a multiple entry visa because you are going to want to travel to other countries in the region. 

Anyway...  I’ll never forget handing my passport to the customs officer as I departed Thailand - feeling like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. Of course I knew that they were not going to throw me in jail for staying two days longer than I was supposed to, and all that I could expect was a fine. But still, it was scary. There’s a certain amount of corruption that occurs in Thailand so I use that to justify my fear. Luckily, for whatever reason, I did not even get fined (but I paid with years off of my life, let me tell you.)

So I guess my general advice to you is to

•Careful when carrying a heavy suitcase on an escalator

•Make sure you know what to do and where to go when your layover is only an hour

•Pack some essentials in your carryon

•Check with embassies about visa requirements and be prepared

•Make sure you purchase the proper visa for you & know its limitations

 Of course, you can always use a travel agency to help with some advice, advance planning, and to be there as a back up when things do go wrong.... EZTravelPad is here to help in advance planning and consultations - all without any fees!

Travel Agents Have NOT Gone Away - In Fact, We're Hiring!

Great Opportunities Exist in Becoming A Travel Consultant

I was spending some time the other day on one of the hardest things to do in my profession, cold calling. Is wasn't totally "cold" calls, I was working from a list of attendess at a Bridal Show that I had a booth at a few months ago, but it is still tough to get the motivation sometimes, but I digress.....

One of the calls I made was answered by the mother of a soon-to-be-bride. As I described to her the message to pass along to her daughter I was mildly surprised at her total surprise that I was calling - I'm certain she was wondering "hadn't travel agents all gone away?" President Obama recently proclaimed it, the media has been talking about it for years - there definitely are fewer travel agencies downtown or in your nearest stripmall, but travel agencies have NOT gone away.

The simple truth is that with the advent of the information age - the internet - and telecommuting, travel agencies now work remotely. Many, if not most, now work from home.

With the sudden realization that travel agencies do still exist, this lady was genuinely interested in the possibility of whether she could have a career as a travel consultant as she transitions from her current career (soon she will be retiring). The short answer is - ABSOLUTELY!!

Without going into an immense amount of detail, there are opportunities for people throughout the travel industry, and EZTravelPad is hiring. There are no salaries, no hourly wage, no health insurance benefits - but there are most certainly opportunities to earn good money by doing what you love - helping people vacation better.

Most travel consultants specialize in a particular niche. Some of the niches, both broad and narrow include-

• Romance Travel
• Family Travel
• Cruises
• Luxury Travel
• Corporate Travel
• Group Travel
• Incentive Travel
• African Safaris
• Volunteering Abroad
• Adventure travel
• LGBT
• Scuba Diving Vacations
• Student Travel
• Travel for the Deaf

and there are so many more that the list could go on for pages...

 

If you have any interest in learning more about what possibilities do exist, please get in touch. I would be more than happy to share what I know, and who knows where that might lead....

 

Free Press is Great Press!! - Appearance on WSBT's Business Break

Scott from EZTravelPad appears on WSBT Business Break

Recently EZTravelPad was invited to a segment called Business Break on South Bend's WSBT TV.

Business Break is a regular segment that features local businesses and community events to help viewers become better informed about what is available in their community.

 

   

Remember- you can go out into the wilderness of the internet on your own to plan your vacation, or you can get help - AT NO ADDITIONAL COST - from an agency like EZTravelPad

The choice is yours

IF you choose to go it alone, here are a few links that can help.

Booking simple flights or flight/hotel combos this link or this link

Booking hotels only at hotels.com

Finding Vegas deals on shows and more at this link

Finding deals in Orlando at this link

Big savings on restaurants all across the US at this link

Beat the fees for checking luggage with a new bag at this link

Find deals on cheap all inclusives and more at this link

Handle your own cruise at this link

Insure your vacation investment with better insurance coverage at this link

Thinnk you're going to save a little money using bookit.com? It's at this link

So these are just some of the best of the multitude of options for handling your own travel planning. There's nothing wrong with doing it yourself so feel free to take my suggestions for some of the best places to shop- but there's also nothing wrong with getting a little help from a travel pro.... a travel pro who will no doubt make your life easier, and makes save you a few dollars in the process!

Oh, there is 1 other place you can go to shop without picking up the phone or composing an email to EZTravelpad, and that is www.eztravelpad.com

Save travels!

 

 

 

Murphy's Laws - of Flying

When Flight Go Worng Blame Murphy

Who was this Murphy character anyway? Many of his "laws" are just not to my liking!

I received this in my inbox recently and thought I would share - if you fly for fun or business I'm sure you can appreciate....

MURPHY’S TRAVEL LAWS! 

1.    No flight ever leaves on time unless you are running late and need the delay to make the flight.

2.    If you are running late for a flight, it will depart from the farthest gate within the terminal.

3.    If you arrive very early for a flight, it inevitably will be delayed.

4.    Flights never leave from Gate #1 at any terminal in the world.

5.    If you must work on your flight, you will experience turbulence as soon as you touch pen to paper.

6.    If you are assigned a middle seat, you can determine who has the seats on the aisle and the window while you are still in the boarding area. Just look for the two largest passengers.

7.    Only passengers seated in window seats ever have to get up to go to the lavatory.

8.    The crying baby on board your flight is always seated next to you.

9.    The best-looking woman on your flight is never seated next to you.

10.  The less carry-on luggage space available on an aircraft, the more carry-on luggage passengers will bring aboard.

Why Consumers DO NOT Use Travel Agents - Please Allow Me To Retort

Study on Why Some Consumers Use Travel Agents - And Why Some Do Not

This was in my inbox this morning - the results of an extensive study into why some consumers use travel agents and why some do not.

It's funny! It's sad. It's real perceptions, correct or not.

Some of it rings true, and some of it just doesn't - see my views on the reality of the perceptions below each and let me know what YOU think because I would love to know...

• They don't trust travel agents and think of us as used car sellers or real estate agents; we don't work in their best interests.

Is that to say that all real estate professionals and all used car sellers think only of their wallet?

I disagree - and in fact I have been trying to think of a profession that does not include some "bad seeds" and cannot think of any. Do you think that there are not dentists who will sell you a crown you don't need, or furnace repair people who won't sell you a furnace when what you need is your filter cleaned- even clergy who don't truly believe or abuse their position? Every profession includes individuals who will not have your best interests in mind- the trick is to seek out those individuals in whatever profession you are in need of help from, ask for references and trust your instincts. Do an internet search about them and see what it returns - look at their facebook page for comments- positive or negative.

Many travel professionals will go to great lengths to serve and think only of YOUR best interests.

 

• They don't see the value of using a travel agent since everything they could possibly want is available online.

Sure- all the information is on the internet. To that point I just did a quick Google search for "best Sandals resort" and got 11,400,000 results. Even something narrow like "things to do while in Grand Cayman" brought 536,000 results so I hope you have some time on your hands because some critical information that you seek might just be on page 637 of those search results...

Think Tripadvisor is a great resource? Think those an unbiased reviews? Sure, some are - others are written by the hotel manager's wife or the competitor next door. Reading those reviews is almost like reading a Dickens novel-

Review #1 "It was the best of beds"

Review #2 "It was the worst of beds"

Review #3 "The food was superb"

Review #4 "I was eaten alive by bedbugs"

Seriously- who can trust anything there? Your travel pro can source accurate, independent and professional hotel reviews plus network with peers to find out the real story....

You need a friend in the travel business that you can turn to for advice. Most travel professionals put their reputation on the line with each client that they help- and they work for YOU independently. They can let you know if YOUR best fit may be at the resort down the beach, or on the cruise ship that you may never have even considered. Travel pros dedicate their lives to building a loyal following and do it by building trust one trip and one client at a time which earns not only repeat business but more importantly- Referrals.

 

• They don't perceive travel agents as professionals; titles, designations, and certifications mean nothing to them.

Designations and certifications on their own are meaningless, except that they do signify that training has been completed and honors have been earned in sacrifice of time and energy. I do not spend time to earn certifications, I spend time to better understand all the nuances of each product - the certification or designation is simply the acknowledgment  of time spent in training. From that perspective they do mean something- they mean dedication.

 

• They think it's more expensive to use a travel agent and they think they can find a better deal themselves on the internet.  They see commissions as a form of kickbacks which cloud our judgment and don't understand how we are compensated.  They hate being upsold, cross-sold, and being presented with solutions that are over the budget they stated.

Sometimes it is more expensive to use a travel agent - other times it is not. Many agents do not charge fees over and above the list price (EZTravelpad does not). Besides, if your price to book the Holiday Inn is the same price as your travel agent's price to book the same Holiday Inn, what difference does it make whether someone earned commission?

Commissions are not "kickbacks" - they are the cost of doing business.

If a hotel or resort or cruise line must service the reservation themselves they must hire staff, pay insurance, perhaps provide work space - they must pay taxes, legal fees, administration, communications infrastructure, provide equipment, supplies and more- and these expenses are largely "fixed" overhead. If they can outsource many of those functions to independent businesses (travel agents) they can offer more competitive pricing. Additionally, what are Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline & DirtCheapResorts.com? They are travel agencies plain and simple.

As for being upsold- I did a search yesterday in the course of quoting a Honeymoon for a couple to Florida. The online provider offered Loews Don Cesar in St Pete - a great resort, but there was no option to upgrade to an oceanview and I have personally stood in the room category they quoted and know that if it were MY Honeymoon I would not appreciate the view of the parking lot. Sometimes being made aware of premium options is a valuable service!

 

• Even if they wanted to use an agent, they don't know where to find one since agencies have all gone out of business (or gone home based).  Those agencies that do still exist have agents with no enthusiasm, they're overly negative, fat, old, pushy, semi-retired smokers who work in dusty offices with faded posters and may still live at home with their mothers.

That is SO funny! That is ME!! I just can't seem to get my hands on any of those faded posters though- Dang it!

Ok, seriously - that is not the portrait of me (although I could stand to lose a few pounds)...

But- One thing in life that is certain - change. Some agents have become burned out and moved on- victims of changing times. Other agents stubbornly hang on wishing for "the good old days" that will never return.

Yet, there are MANY great agencies that do fantastic work and their clients LOVE them. Many agents reinvented themselves because technology and communications liberated them to be able to do business outside of their traditional office from 9-5 M-F. Now you are likely to be able to reach your travel professional be phone, email, text, Facebook, Skype, etc. late into the night, very early in the morning, on holidays or even while THEY are on vacation (which is probably more of a working holiday as they experience new destinations so they can better provide opinion and experience for their clients).

There are many well established agencies that are totally client focused, and many new agencies that have opened within the past several years. New agencies mean new and fresh ideas and energy. I may be old and fat and smoke and live with my Mom (or not), but I have an energy and a zeal that many seasoned agents no longer possess. I love the opportunities to see and experience new things in my life, and I am constantly excited to help others experience some of those things as well -

THAT is why I am in this business.

Where do you find an agent? Look on your Facebook page - do a Google search for agents that specialize in the type of trip or destination that you desire, use the search field on the website of the resort or cruise line or tour operator you are considering - in short, use the internet! Or- ask a friend...

 

• They might use an agent if the agent could give them "special" knowledge or deals that they could not do themselves or find on the internet.  Those that do use an agent recognized that there can be a value to expertise and they may save time and money.

If your selected travel professional is not giving you "special" knowledge then find one that does!

Deals are great- but sometime the best "deal" is free advice or an insider's tip or a word dropped to management to take special care of my special client. Can your travel agent find you a good deal? Sure- but they can offer a great deal more than that! If not, contact EZTravelpad and see for yourself.

 

What Travel and Tourism Will Be Like in 2050

What WILL Travel and Tourism Be in 2050?

I just read an interesting article by Bruce Hodge of Goway Travel about some predictions for what travel and tourism will be like 40 years from now- quite different, no doubt. Think back 40 years ago- no Disney World....Cruise ships were rare, and strictly for the well-heeled - as was going on Safari. Flying overseas was also for the wealthy. All-inclusive resorts were very, very rare. Touring meant spending endless hours on buses with rigid schedules and limited photo opps. Sailing to Antarctica was strictly for the most adventurous scientist - now it is widely available for the leisure traveler!

So what predictions were made? here are a few beauties which may, or may not become a reality

• High-Tech Ceramic Fuselage on planes could make plane transparent for better passenger viewing
• Space Tourism offering both orbital and sub-orbital flights
• High Speed Rail (I think this guy isn't from the U.S.) becomes mainstream
• Airship Hotels will become the new cruise ship offering flights low and slow with breathtaking views
• Space Hotels (ok, thinking probably not the Super 8 chain)
• Beaches and Resorts you know today may need to relocate to higher ground due to rising sea levels
• China will be #1 destination & there will be more Chinese tourists worldwide than any other nationality
• Book Years in Advance for Top Tourism Sites and Monuments (due to increased population growth - very likely)
• Wilderness and Wildlife areas of today largely gone - several huge managed areas available to get back to nature
• Small Ship and Boutique Cruises to Exotic locations much more common
• Virtual Tourism has arrived and you can simulate most any experience

Do I believe that all of these predictions will materialize? Probably not, but many most likely will due to factors such as global climate change and global population growth. Many are inevitable, and as the global economy expands, once poor and remote countries will no longer remain so. Spreading Democracy will mean fewer wars and fewer countries that are inaccessible. Could you have imagined vacationing in Russia or China or Vietnam in 1970? Oh, you will be vacationing in Cuba and Iraq in 2050 - most likely LONG before that!

What does this mean to you? Hang on for the ride! If you want to see The Great Migration in East Africa

 

or experience certain glaciers you better plan to go soon because 40 years from now they may be a fading memory...

Oh, and the last prediction was for travel agents. They WILL still be around, but may be referred to as "Lifestyle Managers" - I like that.... see you in 2050, when EZTravelpad will still be "Your friends....in the travel business"

Touring Manila in Pinillipines

Manila Must-Sees

by Marcela Dias

If you’ve never been to the Philippines, then you might want to take it into consideration for your next vacation in Asia. It has very interesting culture, and amazing sights. Don’t forget that whenever overseas, get yourself a travel insurance; you don’t want to be caught with a health problem and no way to pay for it. Here is a short list of some of the sights you can visit in the Philippino capital, Manila.

A favourite spot is the 0km Point, from which all distances are measured in the country. It has an interesting history: the first 0km Point was the Manila Cathedral, but when the Americans took the country under their protection, they moved it to a secular point, just across the Rizai Monument.

Speaking about the Cathedral, it’s another great spot to visit in Manila. The original cathedral was destroyed during the Second World War, and it was rebuilt in 1951. It looks suitably old: the architects reproduced a Romanesque architecture with proper sculpture and stonework. The inside is as beautiful: there is an enormous pipe organ, a beautiful rosette stained glass window, and a gold gilded altar. It’s the perfect spot for fans of religious architecture.

If you like civic buildings, you will find Malacanang Palace fascinating. It is the current residence of the President of the country, Tours of the palace are no longer available, but you can still see it from the outside. It is a palace of traditional Spanish colonial architecture, and is suitably big for the grandeur the Spanish lavished on their governors. There is a museum outside the grounds to inform you of its history; you should be careful about wandering too close to the building since civilians used to mass in front of it to request changes in policy and government. Just be safe, and ask before doing anything that might be construed as suspicious by the authorities.

For history buffs, the Intramuros is the best spot. It was built in the 16th century for the Spanish ruling class, on the ruins of an Islamic settlement. The populace settled around the fortress. It is basically a small walled city, enough to house a few thousand people; it had a size of 64 hectares. Today you can only see the ruins, as it was destroyed during the Second World War, but there are still enough traces of it to be interesting. You can even walk on the rampart. Visits are recommended during the day, as the place is badly lit and is rather seedy at night. There are some guided tours; you can request information at the visitor’s center.

These are only a few of some of the amazing sights you can see in Manila. The city is full of historical monuments and sights; you’ll definitely have a handful. You’ll need to spend a lot of time if you want to visit everything! Just make sure you have a cheap travel insurance, and buy some tickets for Manila. You won’t be disappointed!

New Brides, Honeymoons and traveling under Maiden Name

Should You Travel Your Honeymoon in Your Married Name?

You may have already thought about it and answered the questions, or you may have not even given it any consideration- what name do you travel in shortly after you get married?

Assuming you are a bride that is changing her name from the Maiden Name to the Married Name this can be confusing, and you want to make sure that you do it correctly!

Here's what Carnival Cruise Lines says-

For newly married or soon-to-be married brides, we recommend that if the government-issued picture ID is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be in the maiden name. If the reservation was made in the married name, but the government issued picture ID is in the maiden name, the guest must bring proof of the marriage certificate or marriage license with them.

Remember that for a cruise you do not necessarily need a passport (although it is highly recommended!)- if you leave and return to the same US port (a closed loop cruise) you can board with just the birth certificate and photo ID (plus in this case, proof of marriage).

So here's what we are suggesting at EZTravelpad-

If you are taking your Honeymoon shortly after you are officially married (within the following 8 weeks) travel under your maiden name. After all, you've got enough to think about without worrying over little details like getting your passport at the last minute!

If you are traveling much later, and have time to be certain that your passport will be in your new married name, then book your travel in your new name.

In any case, don't stress- use a professional travel planner to help you along the way, and most of all- enjoy YOUR Honeymoon!!

If you have additional questions please contact your travel agent - or if you don't have one, EZTravelpad is here to help

Top 5 Tourist Attraction in Sydney, Australia

5 Must-see Tourist Stops in Sydney

by Marcela Dias

There are literally hundreds of tourist attractions in Sydney, some are famous and some a little less well-known. And when it comes to accommodation, Sydney has probably more to offer than any other capital city in Australia. 

In compiling a list of the best tourist attractions in Sydney it is difficult to anticipate the needs and preferences of every tourist, so we will try to provide you with a blend of both.

No one can visit Sydney without seeing the Harbour Bridge and the famous Sydney Opera House.  They are Australian icons and have become the symbol of tourism in Australia.  As Australia gained more exposure during the Olympic Games in 2000, Sydney was at the forefront of this and the Harbour was the centrepoint of many celebrations before, during and after the games were completed.

Here is a list that should whet the appetites of many tourists irrespective of your individual preferences.

• Sydney Opera House.  Abuzz with tourists at any time of the day or night, the Sydney Opera House is the Australian image that pops up in anyone's mind whenever Australia is mentioned.  The spectacular and unique architecture provide a magnificent memory especially with the backdrop of one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.  Don't forget to pop inside too, after all it is a theatre to be enjoyed for cultural reasons as well!

• Taronga Park Zoo.  Located on the shores of Sydney Harbour, it is simply wonderful to stroll around enjoying the animals against the backdrop of the Harbour as a stark reminder that you are visiting a wild animal haven in the centre of a bustling city.  Re-developments and improvements over the last 15 years mean that Taronga Park Zoo is now one of the most highly regarded in the world in terms of humane and appropriate treatment of captive animals.  You will need at least a full day to appreciate the full splendour of this wonderful zoo.

• Sydney Skywalk at Sydney Tower.  For something a little more modern this challenging experience will exhilarate tourists who are willing to get outside of their comfort zones and experience Sydney's highest outdoor adventure.  At twice the height of the Harbour Bridge, and some 260 m in the air, you will walk along outdoor walkways with glass floors in the platforms that extend from Sydney Tower.  Not for the fainthearted!

• Saturday Secret Sydney Walking Tour.  Although the details of this tour are only revealed after you make a booking, the theme of the walk is historical in nature.  You begin at the GPO where you will uncover some secret information about Sydney's early history and then end up learning some secret cooking tips to take home with you. Plus, you will also enjoy a fabulous lunch.

• The Sydney Sightseeing Pass.  Not a destination in itself, this pass gives you access to 5 of Sydney's top tourist destinations and comes with a very helpful guidebook.  With around 40 places to choose from, this is a value for money opportunity you should not miss.

Once you have established yourself in your chosen hotel accommodation, Sydney has some great places to visit and driving yourself is another option which gives you the flexibility of spending as much time as you wish in each place.

 So go Down-under, see the sights and experience the feeling of one of the great destinations in the world- after all, what is life all about if not creating experiences like this?