waterbug123

Many? Other than Southwest, is there any domestic airline that includes a checked bag for pax who do not have an airline branded credit card or status with the airline?

Again though, we have been places that took only Visa (primarily in Italy). We have never been anywhere that took only MC. So if you're getting a new card and deciding between the two, I'd get Visa.

A quick search of their website and it appears that like many major airlines, tickets are available about 11 months out. And yes, your credit card will convert to dollars.

CHS used to be an ugly little hole-in-the-wall airport, but a few years back they completed a soup-to-nuts renovation and expansion and it's actually really nice now, for a second or third tier airport. Several nonstops a day to both LGA and JFK on Delta as well, if you're a Sky Miles loyalist. We even got a Priority Pass lounge during the reno. It's small, but given that there was no lounge at all before, it's a nice little addition. Brititsh Air had added a seasonal twice weekly nonstop to London the summer before Covid hit, and has never put it back on the schedule post-covid. That was huge, because it was the first and only nonstop to Europe from CHS. I keep hoping Virgin will come in offer that route in the wake of BA's departure but no luck so far.

Our experience in Europe is this: Visa is accepted virtually everywhere Mastercard is very widely accepted but there are places that only take Visa American Express is usually accepted at large hotels and elsewhere more widely than it used to be, but there are still a LOT of places that won't take it. I would definitely get a Visa to have as a back up.

Sorry, out of CHS we can get nonstops to both JFK and LGA and I figured GSP was a large enough market to be the same. That said, what time does your flight leave JFK? It's not the most ideal to have to get from LGA to JFK, but if DL keeps changing you back to the later flight to ATL, you COULD consider the early morning nonstop to LGA, and then transfer to JFK. You probably have time. I'd prefer just getting back on the earlier flight to ATL, but if that continues to have issues, GSP>LGA/JFK could be a plan B

Again though, if you are doing any tours on which you'll be tipping a guide and/or a driver, or want to tip a hotel bellman, a bit of cash if easiest.

You've already handled it, but I was also going to suggest that when you call Delta, I would see if there's a morning nonstop to JFK from GSP that you could take instead. While originally it may have been priced differently, the fact that they changed your flight by 3 hours probably would have been enough to ask to switch to the nonstop to JFK. At this point, just something to tuck away for next time!

What do you mean "it looks like we have to pick up our checked baggage....." What are you looking at that makes you think that? More importantly, is your air travel all on one ticket or did you book two separate tickets are two non-partner airlines?

I haven't found that to be the case. We fly Delta almost exclusively for international itineraries.

While the vast majority of expenses can be paid by card, a few things we've found where a bit of cash comes in handy: 1. tour guide and driver tips 2. sometimes in public restrooms 3. bellman and doorman tips Often it's 1€ and 2€ coins that are particularly useful, but if you get cash ahead of time it will be bills. In that case, I suggest stopping in the airport to buy a bottle of water or an espresso. You'll likely get some coins and/or small bills back as part of your change. Since we typically travel to Europe 1-2 times per year, we just keep whatever leftover currency we have for the next trip.

To answer your question, yes you are missing something. You're missing that it would be virtually impossible for the airline to know ahead of time what everyone's situation is going to be.....who is checking a bag and who isn't, who has PreCheck (or will acquire it before travel day) and who doesn't, who has to drive a long way and who lives next to the airport, who is getting dropped off vs who has to deal with parking a car, who has mobility issues and who doesn't, and probably a number of other factors. There is also the issue of checking passports for international travel. It generally doesn't take more than a minute or so, but it is an additional step, and it's often repeated again at the gate. Do you really expect the airline to know all of these things about every passenger, and issue them a personalized recommendation for airport arrival time? Of course not. So the airline needs to cover their butt and assume everyone will need to park a car, check a bag, dig around for their passport, go through the regular security line etc. or the airlines are the ones who will hear about it when someone misses their flight. But YOU know that YOU can get from door to gate more quickly than the average person, so you can adjust your arrival time accordingly.

I would hardly equate signing up for a loyalty program to be the same as signing a contract. By your logic, kids also shouldn't be able to get a punch card at the ice cream store.

And your point is what, exactly? That there should be an age minimum for acquiring status? Why, exactly should that be the case?

Why not? If someone books and pays, do you think their spouse should also not get credit/status? But if they go on a cruise at age 18 and daddy still pays, you're ok with them getting status simply because of they're age?

I understand your frustration but it's not really greed for a corporation to try to maximize profits. It's smart business. If someone is willing to pay $3419, why would they not charge that? We could go back to the days before airline deregulation when, accounting for inflation, airline travel was much more expensive than it is now. Prices are dictated by supply and demand. Right now, supply is down- A lot of airlines got rid of older planes and a lot of crew during covid and they're still playing catch up. Meanwhile, demand is high due to so many people not traveling for several years and trying to make up for it now. I look at some of the prices they ask and think "no way" but somebody must be paying them, and I say good for them.

If you paid extra for exit row and felt it was cramped, you probably had unrealistic expectations going in.

Assuming there is space available on that flight. That brings us back to the question of, what happens if the OP arrives into London a day late?

Depending on the airline, it is often a fallacy that the best redemption rates are always/only available that far out, when a date opens for booking. More and more airlines are going to a more dynamic pricing model, to allow for maximum revenue management. Ex. Just for fun, I just looked at flights from my home city to Paris on Delta. I looked at a Saturday 3 weeks from now and a Saturday next June. Both were the exact same mileage redemption rate for First/Biz class.

And therein lies your problem. When you book the first day that flights are available you are literally begging to have itinerary changes. Sure, certain seats will fill as time goes on, but you seldom need to book more than a few months in advance to be assured of a wide selection of seats, including preferred seats.

Thanks, I know there are a few fifth freedom flights such as the Emirates MXP-JFK but wasn't aware of the Norse flights.

Thanks, we have evacuation insurance through Med Jet, but have always self-insured for actual medical costs. But I don't want to be caught unaware if they ask for it!

Oh, another question I thought of- I have read that we may be required to show proof of travel medical insurance before the flight to Baltra or before boarding the vessel. Did you find that to be the case?

Thanks again, I really appreciate getting the details. Not knowing exactly how little things like that work makes me very anxious, so happy to understand it all better!!

Thank you so much for this, it is very helpful! Interesting about lack of underbed storage, but good to know in advance! Glad to get confirmation on wet suits and Celebrity transfers. Can you tell me any more about the transit cards? I had read something similar about Celebrity reimbursing and it was confusing, but it does make sense that you have to do it yourself and get reimbursed. So this is something you do at the airport when you fly from Quito to Baltra? And I think you said something about park entrance fees too? When and where do you buy those? An additional details or clarification on those things would be a great help. We are going with friends who are also apt to hear all kinds of things, so if I can share a firsthand account from someone who's been there, done that it will be much appreciated!