AIR TRAVEL SURVIVAL GUIDE — When I was in Business School, there were numerous terms and concepts we studied that perfectly describe the nature of the aviation industry in this country: COLLUSION, OLIGARCHY, PRICE-FIXING, BRIBERY (of our elected officials), ANTI-COMPETITION, CARTEL.
Not a very flattering list. In reality, air travel has improved since its lowest of lows a couple years ago. To refresh your memory, the airlines were given a bailout to the tune of $50 BILLION, so they wouldn’t lay off pilots and flight attendants. The airlines took the money, and then got rid of people anyway. So it created a massive skilled labor shortage that resulted in cancellations, late flights, lost luggage, and general disgust with the whole industry.
It’s marginally better now, but still not good enough. So what do you do?
- Contact your elected representative – you’ve been ignored as a consumer for the past 50 years, by governments of both parties. The airlines make massive campaign contributions to both parties, so that they DON’T have to be accountable to you (the bribery, I mention above).
- Fly on foreign-flagged carriers whenever you can. We’ve been particularly impressed with Turkish Airlines. They fly to more countries than any other carrier, and Istanbul Airport is very large, but much more organized and comfortable than any airports we have domestically.
- Pack Light. Your life is always easier with less luggage – particularly as more and more people attempt to smuggle a refrigerator sized bag as “carry on”.
- Pay more. If you can fly Premium or Business, your life will be easier. Sometimes the price is out of sight, but you should always check. If you’re spending $20,000 on a vacation, an extra $1000 for better air arrangements is worth considering.
- Fly direct. Every stopover and/or connection offers more opportunities for delays and lost luggage.
- Travel in segments: If you can’t avoid a connection, maybe stay the night (or maybe a few days if it’s an interesting location). We recently had one client hop-scotch her way across the Pacific to avoid the 16 hour flight to Australia. First to the West Coast for 2-days in Seattle, then onto Hawaii for a few days. Fiji was the next stop, then into New Zealand for a few days before landing in Sydney. The longest flight day was 6 hours.
- Book directly with the airline. When you book your air through a consolidator, a cruise line, or a travel agent, it is entirely possible you won’t accrue points, or have your loyalty status recognized. This is an AIRLINE problem… not who you bought your ticket from.
- Manage your own details: You want to control all the micro-decisions involved in booking air (connection times, carriers, layovers, refundability). If you’re saving several hundred dollars by booking through a third party, it may be worth it. Otherwise – book it yourself directly with the carrier.
- Take a chill–pill. Set your expectations to the lowest setting when dealing with airlines. There is NOTHING you can do in the moment to fix delays, lost bags, rude “service”, or long line ups. Take a book to read, and expect to wait in long lines.
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:
Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Coping with Air Travel:
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
CRYSTAL CRUISES
We are getting great feedback from Crystal clients that knew the brand in its previous incarnation, and are now enjoying it again. They’re also running a promotion with up to $4000 off per suite: https://www.crystalcruises.com/offer/us-sensational-savings
ST. LAWRENCE & NEW ENGLAND from Quebec to New York departing October 22 for 9-nights
- This is the 35th anniversary cruise, and Gary Hunter – the cruise director that everyone seems to know will be hosting.
- Visit Quebec City (overnight), 2 stops at Quebec Eastern townships, Halifax, Boston (overnight), Bayonne (NJ).
- Fares from $6100 per person (save $1000) with a $250 pp OBC
CARIBBEAN from Ft. Lauderdale to Costa Rica departing December 22 for 8 nights
- Visit Grand Cayman, Cartagena (overnight), full daylight transit of the Panama Canal, Puerto Caldera (for San Jose, Costa Rica)
- Fares from $4700 pp
JAPAN INTENSIVE from Tokyo to Seoul departing May 20, 2026 for 11-nights
- Visit Toyko, Hokkaido, Aomori, Sakata, Niigata, Kanazawa, Maizuru, Sakaiminato, Busan, Seoul
- Fares from $4540
- Stay on board for 23 nights, and also visit Jeju, Nagasaki, Miyako-Jima, Okinawa, Aburatsu, Hiroshima, Kobe (overnight), and finish back in Tokyo with fares from $11,350
TAUCK RIVER CRUISES
Tauck offers the most inclusive river cruises: if you missed our feature in January about Tauck, here’s the link: https://pamperedcruiser.com/what-about-tauck/ . They also have a whole series of trips (both on river boats, and land-tours) that are especially designed for traveling with multi-generational groups:
CHRISTMAS MARKETS BRIDGES TOUR on the Danube for 7-nights from Bavaria to Budapest
- BRIDGES TOUR: Take children or teens with you, on this specially designed itinerary to the Christmas Markets!
- Visit Munich, Regensburg, Passau, Wachau Valley, Melk, Vienna (overnight), Bratislava, Budapest.
- 2025: Depart December 21 or 22 from $4590
GERMAN OKTOBERFEST: Amsterdam to Munich for 10-days in September
- Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf (to visit local craft breweries), sail the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg for a beer-paired lunch, Strasbourg, Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, Lake Konstanz, and then on to Munich for 2 nights for the world’s largest festival!
- 2025: Limited availability on September 17 or 24 from $8190.
TAUCK Egypt – 10-days with departures January through May, and September to December
- Spend 2-nights in Cairo, then fly to Luxor to pick up a river boat for 4-nights, followed by one hotel night in Aswan, then back to Cairo for 2-nights.
- Optional extensions to Jordan
- 2025: September to December from $11,190
- See details of Tauck’s Egypt trips here: https://www.tauck.com/destinations/africa-tours-and-safaris/egypt-tours?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser
EXPEDITION CRUISES with ATLAS
ANTARCTICA in 2026 – 2027 Season. Round-trip from Buenos Aires
- Planning ahead? Get a complimentary upgrade from Ocean view to Veranda, or Veranda to Suite if you book for the 2026-27 season.
- All fares include 2 landings per day, Zodiac Safaris, and Parka/Vest to keep.
- 10% to 20% off for active or former military members
- 9-nights voyages with 4-days of scheduled landings from $9944.
EPICUREAN Adventure in the MEDITERRANEAN for foodies
- Lisbon to Barcelona departing September 27 for 10-nights
- Visit Portimao, Cadiz, Marbella, Cartagena, Ibiza, Nice, Marseilles, Port-Vendres, Barcelona.
- Besides a strong focus on culinary for the foodies, explore wineries by 4 X 4, craft breweries, and chocolate making.
- Fares from $4819
LUXURY RAIL with ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
Check out these domestic (and Canada) luxury train trips for spectacular scenery and wildlife spotting, all while enjoying fantastic food and wine.
CANYON SPIRIT: Denver to Las Vegas for 6-nights
- Denver (2), Glenwood Springs, Moab (2), Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas
- Prices range between $5215 and $6270 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October
Vancouver to Banff for 6-nights
- Vancouver (2), Kamloops, Banff (2), Calgary.
- Prices range between $2988 and $6004 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October.
Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights
- Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3), Lake Louise (2), Jasper (2), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
- Prices range between $8254 to $11,983 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October.
In Case You Missed It:
QUIET SEASON MEDITERRANEAN: You might have to wear a long-sleeved shirt, but there will be far fewer people, and it will cost you less if you travel to the Mediterranean October through April:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/quiet-season-mediterranean/
LAND-CRUISE with TAUCK: You can’t go everywhere on a cruise ship, but many of our clients really prefer the structure of cruising, and the convenience of having all the details arranged for them. Try Tauck for a land-cruise:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/land-cruises-with-tauck/
Latest YOUTUBE Post:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: If you’re a photographer, or outdoor enthusiast, this destination is already on your radar. Check out our itinerary video from our recent trip there:
Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?
Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:
- $100 per person on board credit
- 6-month final payment date
- $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.
We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:
https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
