How to Avoid the Biggest Flight Problems
Airlines have a well-earned reputation for poor communication, inconsistent service, confusing rules, and cramped seating. The unintended consequence has been an impressive ability to transform a routine transportation transaction into a group therapy session at Gate B21.
The Air Travel Reality
- We always debrief our clients’ vacations and normally, the trip was great, but getting to and from their vacation is where 90 % of the negative feedback occurs.
- The DOT reports average on-time performance of 77%… not great for tight connections.
WHY Airline Travel is Consistently a Problem
- There’s no true competition. All they have to do is suck a tiny bit less than others.
- Poor Regulations. In an oligopoly, consumers rely on government for regulation. Successive federal governments for the past 50 years have failed their constituents.
- Logistics. Weather and conditions beyond the airlines’ control also have an effect.
STRATEGIES to Minimize Air Travel Pain
- Avoid Codeshare Flights. A codeshare is when you buy your ticket through one airline (ie: United Airlines), but end up on one of their partners’ planes (Lufthansa). The most important thing to notice is “OPERATED BY”. Here’s the problem with codeshares:
- You probably WON’T be able to choose your seats prior to check-in.
- The operator controls your loyalty status, baggage rules & check-in counter
- Avoid Third party bookings (such as cruise lines, consolidators, or travel agents)
- Third parties may buy up a block of seats, but those seats may have restrictions on them that don’t recognize your loyalty status with the airline. Last year American Airlines declared that any seat NOT booked directly, would not have the traveller’s loyalty status recognized, nor would they accrue points. They have temporarily backed away from this, but it’s clear which way this is going.
- You want as few layers as possible between you and the airline for rescheduling and credits. Cut out the middleman in an already unpleasant transaction.
- Unless you’re saving A LOT of money, you’re much better booking direct, and it’s better if you’re controlling all the variables.
- Connections: Pay for non-stop if it’s available. If a connection is unavoidable, consider your worst-case scenario. Is there a flight every hour, or once a week?
- Get the Airline’s APP: You’ll get better information, and rebook faster if things go awry.
- Build a BUFFER: Arrive the day BEFORE a cruise. It helps with jetlag too.
- Insurance: Check your Trip Interruption Insurance for help when things go wrong.
- Mind Your MANNERS: It’s not the ticket agent’s fault you’re in this situation, but they might be able to help you solve it. Abuse them at your own peril.
- DON’T BE CHEAP: When you’re spending $20,000 on a vacation, it doesn’t make much sense to save $100 on air if it means a poor routing or connection. That’s NOT a deal.
Air Travel has become a lot like trench warfare. You spend a lot of time sitting in an uncomfortable position before you rush over the threshold, hoping you don’t get picked off. A bit of planning can minimize your risk.
The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob to put together a practical air travel coping guide for experienced travelers—especially those flying to Europe for cruises, river cruises, expedition trips and longer vacations.
In Case You Missed It:
SPENDING OUR KIDS’ INHERITANCE… and loving every minute of it. How about you?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/spending-our-kids-inheritance-on-family-travel/
NATIONAL PARKS: Spectacular by nature, and often overlooked as a vacation choice. Here’s some different ways to experience these national treasures.
EXPLORA JOURNEYS: They’re new, and with a strong focus on the culinary experience, large suites, and a unique entertainment concept, they should be on your radar:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/explora-journeys-explained-is-this-the-new-standard-in-luxury-cruising/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
EXPLORA I SHIP TOUR: Join Bob as he walks through EXPLORA I
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
EXPLORA JOURNEYS: European Luxury Lifestyle Experiences
Explora has huge suites, a great culinary offering, and a unique entertainment concept.
PORTUGAL & SPAIN in Quiet Season: Lisbon to Barcelona departing December 21 for 7-nights
- A great opportunity to visit Europe when it’s less busy.
- Start in Lisbon and visit Gibraltar, Málaga, Alicante, Ibiza, and finish in Barcelona.
- Fares from $3675
- OR stay on board for a second week, and disembark in Rome with fares from $9940
WEST COASTER: Los Angeles to Vancouver departing May 3 for 7-nights
- Try out small ship cruising close to home.
- Start in Los Angeles and visit San Diego, San Francisco, Victoria, and finish in Vancouver from $4575
- OR stay on board for 18-nights and also visit Wrangell, Juneau, the Endicott Arm (Dawes Glacier), Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Prince Rupert with fares from $11,445
EXPLORA I SHIP TOUR VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0
EXPLORA ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT: https://youtu.be/9ELX0zxNjZ0
AMERICAN CRUISE LINES: River Cruises in the United States
If you’d rather not fly overseas, here’s some options closer to home:
MISSISSIPPI RIVER: Memphis to New Orleans for 9-days
- Start in Memphis and visit Cleveland, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, Oak Alley and finish in New Orleans.
- Departures October through June from $4610 per person
COLUMBIA & SNAKE RIVERS: Portland OR to Spokane WA departing in November for 8-nights
- Start in Portland and visit Astoria, Kalama, The Dalles, Pendleton¸ Lewiston, and finish in Clarkston.
- Fares from $6390 with complimentary air.
ACL includes pre-cruise hotel night, gratuities, open bar, and shore experiences.
SEACLOUD Sailing Yachts
You don’t have to be a sailor to enjoy SEACLOUD. If you prefer a river boat experience to a megaship, and love great food and wine, then you’re a great fit for SEACLOUD
CARIBBEAN: Bridgetown (Barbados) round-trip departing December 7, 2027 for 7-nights
- Start in Bridgetown and visit Port Elizabeth, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Saint-Pierre, Cabrits, St. Lucia, and finish back in Bridgetown.
- Experience the Caribbean completely differently than the mega-ships do it.
- Fares from $6495
FRANCE & ITALY: Nice round-trip departing May 4, 2027 for 7-nights
- Beat the crowds and the heat, and visit ports you’ve never seen before in the Med.
- Start in Nice and visit St. Tropez, Viareggio, Portofino, Calvi, Menton, and finish back in Nice.
- Fares from $7995
Oberammergau – The Passion Play with VIKING
Every ten years since the 1630s, the residents of this small Bavarian town put on this play to give thanks for being spared from the Bubonic Plague in the 17th Century. Your next chance to see it will be in 2030, but it will sell out long before that. Here are TWO Viking River Cruise itineraries that include Oberammergau and tickets to the Passion Play:
Oberammergau, Innsbruck & the Rhine from Amsterdam to Munich for 13-days
- Board your ship in Amsterdam, and visit Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach and Basel. Next transfer to Innsbruck, and then to Oberammergau for 2-nights where you’ll see the Passion Play. Finish in Munich for 2 nights.
- Optional land extensions to Amsterdam, Belgium, Munich or Prague.
- Departures May to September 2030 from $8299.
Oberammergau & Salzburg on the DANUBE: Oberammergau to Budapest for 12-days
- Start with 2-nights at Oberammergau where you’ll see the Passion Play, and then head to Salzburg for 3-nights. Next board your river boat in Passau, and visit Linz, Wachau Valley, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava and finish in Budapest (overnight).
- Optional land extensions to Munich, Prague, Budapest or Croatia/Slovenia.
- Departures May to September 2030 from $7999.
Additions to normal ship inclusions: 5 or 6 hotel nights (dependent on itinerary), transfers, admission to the Passion Play, and an included excursion at each land stop.
Learn More HERE: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/specialty/oberammergau/index.html
AZAMARA Small Ship Experiences
Remember Pacific Princess? She’s now Azamara Onward, along with her three identical sisters carrying just 680 guests. They offer an affordable way to get on board a smaller ship for a more intimate experience, and better destination immersion:
GOLF CRUISE in JAPAN: Kobe to Tokyo departing May 6, 2027 for 14-nights
- This one is great for golfers, OR those really wanting to explore Japan.
- Visit Kobe (overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Nagasaki, Busan, Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Aomori, and Toyko (overnight)
- Verandas are currently priced at $8519, but we’ve blocked 2 more staterooms available for $7409. Once these two sell, they’re gone.
- GOLF: 5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person.
NEW ENGLAND & QUEBEC: Boston to Montreal departing October 4, 2027 for 12-nights
- Start in Boston and visit Portland, Rockland, Saint John, Halifax, Corner Brook, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Sept-Iles, cruise Saguenay Fjord, Saguenay, Quebec City, Trois Rivieres, and finish in Montreal.
- Saguenay, Havre Saint Pierre, and Saint John all are near National Parks
- Veranda fares from $6379
TAUCK Luxury Land Journeys
UNITED KINGDOM: England, Scotland & Wales from Edinburgh to London for 14-days
- Start in Edinburgh for 2-nights, and then move on to the Lakes District. Next visit the walled city of Chester before moving on to Wales to experience Caernarfon and Conwy. Visit Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon, and then to Blenheim Palace and Oxford. Next, it’s over to Bath and a visit to Stonehenge, before finishing in London for 3-nights.
- 2027: Departures April through October from $10,690
SWITZERLAND from Geneva to Zurich for one-week
- Spectacular scenery at every turn. Start in Geneva, and then visit Lausanne for chocolate making, and a winery visit. Next take in the Olympic Museum, and take the Golden Pass train across the Swiss Alps to Interlaken. Spend a day in Brienz to experience rural crafts and cheese making. Visit the “Top of the World” at Jungfraujoch, and then on to the charming old town at Lucerne.
- Departures April through October from $8590
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REMOTE EXPLORATIONS
If you’re a photographer, or otherwise just someone that enjoys seeing more remote places that others don’t get to, then NATGEO is a good fit:
WHALE WATCHING in Baja California round-trip from Loreto for 8-days
- Experience the best of the Sea of Cortez. Get up close encounters with gray whales; do zodiac tours in search of dolphins, sea lions and whales; go snorkeling to see the sea life; go for a walk in Espiritu Santo Archipelago NP; go bird watching for Blue-Footed Boobies and other species.
- Departures January through March from $7000
COSTA RICA & PANAMA CANAL: San Jose to Panama City for 8-days
- Start in San José and visit the Osa Conservation Area, Golfo Dulce, Coiba National Park, Gulf of Panama Islets, Gatún Lake, and finish in Colón
- Departures November 2026 through April 2027 from $6228
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
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
