A Not Too Crowded Flight, Author, Charlie Brewer Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Let’s face it; this and many other things have happened to a lot of us. Lately, due to airline cutbacks, canceling flights, and cost-control measures, more flights are flying that are completely booked. This means we’re often traveling in what amounts to an almost cattle-car-like situation.  And to be honest, sometimes, we do get seats next to overweight passengers who overflow their own, taking up some of ours. I mention this specifically, because of the recent news media flap over Director Kevin Smith being refused a right to fly for being overweight. I have no real opinion on that incident, but I do understand that both sides have some valid points regarding this matter. But sometimes, sitting next to such a person can be worse than just uncomfortable. It can be downright painful.

Case in point; I flew from Tampa to San Diego, about a seven-hour flight, all told. I was in a three-row seat, in the middle (window seat on my right). A heavy-set gentleman had the aisle seat. Now, mind you, he was a friendly fellow, and I enjoyed his company, but he did overlap his seat into mine—a lot! He literally and completely enveloped the armrest between us with his body, and his large arm and thigh were well into “my territory” (meaning he was absorbing about a good third of my seat). And unfortunately, he wore only a tee-shirt and so did I, because it was hot on that plane! With so many people on the flight, no matter how high we put our air-conditioning, it was still hot! His flesh pressed against my entire side in such an intimate way for those seven hours as to make me wonder about the morality of it all. I think you get the picture.

Director Kevin Smith, Author, Nehrams2020 Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

For seven hours I had to endure leaning to the far right of my seat. My traveling companion pressed herself against the window to give me a little more space. We were, to use an old saying, “packed like sardines in a tin” and sideways at that, in this case. It wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was painful, at times almost unendurably so. Before the end of the trip, I had a stiff and sore neck, and this lasted another two days. I was much too hot the entire trip. I couldn’t get up to go to the bathroom, because, frankly, it was such an effort for the poor man to get out of his seat that I just didn’t wish to disturb him, although he was very good-natured about it when I absolutely had to do this. And eating meals was a nightmare! I couldn’t lower my tray to place my food on it. There was no room!

Now, am I attacking overweight people, not wanting them to be on planes? Absolutely not! He was a pleasant man, a good conversationalist, and I think he had every bit as much right to be on the plane just as much as anybody else did. I feel it is up to the airlines and/or the FAA to establish rules and/or procedures for this problem, but with the rights of all travelers being thoroughly protected in the process. How they resolve the issue is for all of them to decide and not me. I’m no expert on such matters.

My only concern was that I paid for a ticket for a seat, and I felt I should have gotten the entire seat, not one-half to two-thirds of it! I can barely afford my own flights, without subsidizing other people’s flights in such a way. And if you think I’m exaggerating this episode, let me just say this; when we landed in San Diego and went to collect our baggage, I was waiting a long time for my luggage to appear. So was an Asian gentleman. He asked me if I was on the flight from Tampa. I nodded. And he said; “Oh, that’s right. You were the one having to sit sideways next to that obese guy! We all felt so sorry for you.” See? It wasn’t just my imagination. So my feelings on this whole issue, just to mention them in passing, is that everyone who pays for a seat, should be entitled to the whole seat or seats for which they’ve paid. It’s that simple, and regardless of anyone’s size, all of our rights need to be respected.

But even though this issue is much in the news right now, it is just one possible problem we face when flying. Above, I’ve mentioned others. And all those, combined with the airport terminals themselves, finding parking, finding your correct terminal, locating our flight gates, etc., it can get very stressful to fly these days, indeed.

So here are some tips to make taking a flight a little better, a little easier:

Portland International Airport Security, Author, Aboutmovies Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

First and we say this many times here, because it is so important; get to the airport well before your flight time. This way, if you make mistakes, take wrong turns, end up at the wrong terminal, or have trouble finding your parking location, you will have time to correct the situation without the chance of missing your flight. This helps relieve a lot of stress. And call the airline before leaving home to confirm you flight, that it is still flying at the same time. You don’t want to get to the airport to find your flight’s been moved up an hour and is now about to leave. That would be very stressful!

Secondly, when you arrive, check in as soon as possible. Remember, if you arrive late, your chances of getting bumped off your flight increases some, so get there early! And security is taking ever longer these days to pass through, so it helps to arrive early. To speed your ability to get through security, avoid wearing belts with metal, metal jewelry, or anything with metal (watches, etc.) for that matter. This will keep you from having to repeat trips through the detector. This can be nerve wracking and embarrassing for some, because inevitably, it starts to hold up the line behind you. Also, try to wear shoes without metal in them for the same reason. Slip-ons or loafers are a good way to go, because they do make you remove your shoes these days. It’s best to wear shoes that are easy-on, and easy-off. Again, watch out for metal bits.

Make sure your carry-on luggage has the right things in it. If you take medications and need to take them during the flight, you will need them with you. And, make sure you have those other things you know you will want. Whether pills, a book, or whatever, if you have them with you, rather than in the overhead compartment, it will save you having to hop up and down, blocking the aisles, and discom­moding other passengers in the process.

Baggage Check In, Author, Mattes Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Finally, settle in and enjoy the flight. With headphones for music or a movie, and/or your own ear plugs, you can block out most sounds around you, including those of screaming kids. A sleep mask will do wonders, too. Virgin Atlantic, at this time, issues a small free gift bag on its international flights. This includes a pen (for signing those destination country’s passport info cards, slip-on socks (for strolling about the plane in—a great idea), a sleeping mask, and several other items. I heartily recommend you bringing something like this with you. It will make your trip that much more comfortable. As for the flight being crowded, or having obnoxious neighbors who won’t stop talking—well, some things we just have to live with in this world, unless, of course, we can afford to travel first class.

But remember, flying is only a relatively short part of your travel experience. So, calm down. Try to relax and do those things mentioned above that may help you to do so. I even take along a safe, over-the-counter, sleeping aid on overnight flights. These help me to get some rest. Truth is, I have a very hard time sleeping on planes even if I manage to have my entire seat to myself.

Finally, when traveling internationally, arriving at a foreign country without local currency can be very stressing. How do you pay for anything you might need? Well, do a little checking on the Internet before you leave. You will find most airport terminals now have ATM cash machines where you can get local currency. However, beware of something else they also have, Change Bureaus. Where withdrawing cash with your debit or credit card is a relatively cheap transaction, the “Bureaus de Change” are not! They charge a higher exchange rate; often it is a much higher one to exchange money.

The best way to not fall for this, and end up with that stressful feeling of having been “robbed” by such a transaction, is to know the current exchange rates for the countries that are your destination. Check out Currate.com to find the current exchange rates for any currencies, because they have regularly and so reliably updated exchange rates for over 180 of the world’s currencies, so it’s almost a sure bet you will find the rate for the money you need. And Currate.com has an online currency conversion calculator, so you can figure out what things will cost you in your own money. No stressful surprises there! And with its “point-and-click” earth map, all you have to do is click on your destination to see it. Don’t forget that Currate.com can also be used by mobile phones with Internet Browser capability. Just go to http://currate.com/m.php or http://currate.com/e.php, if your phone is capable of utilizing more features.

Take all this advice and you will help to reduce your travel stress when flying. And remember, short, tall, thin, or heavy, we are all fellow travelers embarking on adventures. So concentrate on this aspect of things, rather than any negatives, and you will have a much better, less stressful flight.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Getting Through Security
http://www.magellans.com/store/article/451?Args=

Flight Delays—What You Need To Know
http://www.magellans.com/store/article/438?Args=

Fly Next To A Fat Person, Get $250
http://www.bigfatblog.com/fly-next-fat-person-get-250

Travel Tips For Making Airline Travel Less Stressful
http://www.travelpost.com/articles/airline-travel-tips.aspx

Kevin Smith “Too Fat” To Fly Southwest
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20344142,00.html

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Travel Suitcase - Author, Producer, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

How do you avoid this growing problem? Well, one way, obviously, is not to travel unless you have to for some particular reason. As our last article stated, times are tough all over, and traveling is an expense many people are foregoing, for now, at least. However, some people just can’t do this, such as students, businesspersons, those with jobs that require travel, and those needing to visit friends or relatives. For these people, and for others who still want to travel, but need to do it as cheaply as possible, here are some more cost-cutting methods to use. Follow them, and they will save you money. These are designed for all cost-conscious travelers, and not just those going on vacation. If you combine these measures with those mentioned in our previous article, you can further, and considerably, defray the costs of travel.

FLYING: We’ve talked about researching airlines. However, no matter which one you end up with, as the saying goes, “it ain’t cheap” these days. Airlines are getting very good at tacking on hidden fees any which way they can. They do this by taking away free services, cutting employee staff, and generally charging more for existing services, as well as inventing new fees. These include fuel surcharge taxes, charges for reserving flights over the phone instead of the Internet, and added costs for checking baggage, among other things. Weight limits for luggage are being strictly observed by airlines these days. Why? Well, one reason is that if you slip up on this, “they” make more money. Go even slightly over that weight limit and it can really cost you! Checking extra bags will cost you. And for some airlines, even that first checked bag will have a charge coming with it.

Airline Travel Services - Take Off -Author MarekV, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Also, some are charging for the use of headphones, even onboard food, and standard, non-alcoholic beverages. One friend of mine flew from Jamaica home to Raleigh. When he found out that he had to pay seven dollars for a measly cheese and tomato sandwich, and extra besides that for a beverage to go with it, he was so furious that he refused. Result? He arrived home thirsty and very hungry, after not having eaten anything of consequence for an entire day.

Yes, I know that most people don’t think seven dollars is very much. But add on drinks, add it coming and going, and add the costs of any other family members you are paying for, and believe me, that then becomes a substantial cost. What’s that old saying; “watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves?” The airlines, hotels, and everyone else are sure doing it, so you had better think about doing it, too, if only as a defensive measure. You don’t want to become the proverbial “plucked pigeon,” monetarily speaking, just because you want to travel abroad.

So Rule Number 1: Call or go online and find out what all air flight charges are going to be. I mean the TOTAL charges for that flight, including the return trip; from fuel surcharges, taxes, and costs for extra baggage,to prices for headphones, food, and anything else for which they may want extra money from you. That “low” advertised price for a ticket will have expenses added to it; believe me, and sometimes, a lot! To know the total price, you must take the time to inquire up front. Otherwise, you could be very unhappily surprised and only after you’ve purchased your ticket.

Author, Sfllaw, Hong Kong International Airport Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Check to make sure that things you assume are free are in fact, still without a charge. And, try to think BYOB, if you want to save costs and cut corners. That is, bring along with you whatever you can legally do so to defray costs. If they charge you for food, this can include some easy-to-eat food or prepackaged snacks. Beverages are a problem because of liquid prohibitions on planes, but you can supply your own headphones and such, at least. And remember to do this for both legs of the trip, coming and going. If they are charging for that little pack of peanuts, bring a package of your own for you, and for your family members. Again, these so-called “nickel and dime” costs can really add up, if you aren’t careful. The airlines know this, and so play this game. If it wasn’t worth their while to “nickel and dime” you, they wouldn’t bother – trust me!

Rule Number 2: After you have purchased your ticket, pay particular attention to your baggage. Again, airlines now often charge for extra baggage, and many charge even for that first piece of checked luggage. Go over the weight limits (or even the size limits), and you could be paying a hefty extra fee.

So remember that old adage; “he who travels light, travels quickly.” And remember, in this case, “he,” or “she,” will also travel more cheaply. So take stock of what you are taking. Consider the items carefully. When traveling to Europe, I pack layered clothing. By this, I mean I pack undershirts, shirts, sweaters, and a light jacket. Combined, all these can come to less than the weight of a single full coat, and yet offer the same warmth, if necessary. Also, this method is flexible. It allows me more choice in what I choose to wear, how much I wear, and when.

Combination Suitcase And Chair Public Domain, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Think about what you really don’t need to take. Travel irons for pressing wrinkled clothes, hair dryers, even such sundry items as toothbrushes, razors, shampoo, soaps, and such, can usually be had at the destination hotel, most of the time for free. Almost all hotels I stay at (and these aren’t expensive ones, by any means), supply irons, hair dryers, shampoo, and soap. And if these aren’t to your liking, then local shops will supply them cheaply. Buy small quantities, enough to last your stay, so you aren’t wasting money in this respect. Better to do this than pay as much as $50.00 extra because you are just a pound or so over your weight limit. That would equal one very expensive bottle of shampoo! Even if there are two of you, airlines don’t average the weight of bags. If one is over a pound, and the other is still under by several pounds, it doesn’t matter. You will still pay extra!

Rule Number 3: Have a meal, if necessary, before going to the airport. Or, bring along a snack, even a beverage. You may not be able to take liquids on the flight, but if you haven’t passed through security yet, you usually can have beverages in the main terminal. Food and drink in airports can be enormously expensive, depending on the airport. And if you get hungry while waiting for your flight, or you are just in between flights, airline food can add on costs to your trip and in a hurry! For two adults, a simple meal with a beer, for instance, at some airports, can run you $60.00 or more. So try not to give in to temptation while at the air terminal. It can cost you. The simple expedience of bringing along a bag of trail mix, or a candy bar or two, could save you big bucks – coming and going!

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: When traveling to other countries, check ahead of time as to what ground transportation is available, where it is located (with regard to airports, points of interest, and hotels). Find out the different methods and ascertain which are the cheapest and most expedient.

Subways: Although subways are usually a great bargain just about anywhere, if you are lugging heavy baggage along, climbing and descending numerous flights of stairs, struggling to get suitcases onto trains, pushing through rush-hour crowds, then subways may not be a good idea. (This is another reason to travel light, baggage-wise.) However, subways are usually very cheap and I use them. If you are planning to stay in one city for a while, you can usually get multiple-day passes, which are a real bargain. Do it.

Buses: I also use bus lines. These, too, often have multiple-day passes. In London, I buy a pass that allows me to use either the “tube” or the bus service for several days. It’s absolutely the cheapest way to get to just about anywhere in that city, and even some points beyond it. Again, lots of luggage can be a problem for this method, struggling on and off buses with heavy bags, but it’s still a very good and cheap way to go.

Taxies: Taxies in Europe or the United Kingdom, as well as other places, are usually the most expensive way to travel, and sometimes the drivers can be a bit shady, although I’m sure most are not. However, as an example, I came out of the “tube” (subway) at Notting Hill Gate in London. I hailed a taxi to take me to my hotel, which was nearby (where exactly, I didn’t know). He didn’t recognize the name of the hotel and so couldn’t find it. I told him it had to be within a few streets of the station at most, according to the description the hotel manager had given me over the phone. Nine British Pounds Sterling later, we arrived at the hotel. It was around the corner from the subway station, not more than 75 feet away. Was the driver being honest in not knowing the location of the place? I just don’t know. But in American money at the time, that cost me $20.00 to find out my hotel was less than a hundred feet from where I had hailed the taxi. Why did I hail a taxi? Because I had lots of luggage on that trip, that’s why. See what I mean about traveling light? Yes…I learned the hard way.

eurostar european high speed train Author, Leon Brocard, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Trains: Trains in Europe are generally a good bargain, and although not so much in the United Kingdom, they still are much better than here in the United States. Also, both mainland Europe and the United Kingdom have very good train systems. Although the British system over the last ten years has worsened some, in my opinion, they still travel to many places. Trains are often, and the rides are comfortable. You can “get there from here,” on them in mainland Europe, and the United Kingdom. However, as mentioned in the prior article, you might want to consider renting a car if you plan many long-distance trips, because train fares can really add up over time, especially if more than one person is traveling.

Car Rentals: First, please understand this; car rentals always cost more than the advertised price, almost without exception! This is true whether we’re talking about here in the United States, or abroad. Fees always are tacked on. These can include insurance fees, road use fees, surcharges of various sorts, extra charges for that “extra” driver, taxes, and fees for any type of navigational devices, among others.

So, here’s that BYOB rule again; if you have a navigational device, pay for a map of your destination before leaving home. Download it, and use it when you get there. Even though maps for such devices aren’t cheap, as I’ve found out, they are far cheaper than renting that navigational device from a car rental agency. On my trip last year, I was charged the equivalent of almost $32.00 USD a day for the device! And you know, it was still worth it. I saved countless hours of time in not getting lost and in gas savings. Europeans just are not great on posting street signs, or at least not where one can see them in time to be of any use. All that extra saved time went to see more things. But do check out car rental costs carefully. Know the total amount. It can be high. Still, for a family, as mentioned in the prior article, a car rental could very well be the way for you to go.

KNOW THE CURRENCIES: This is essential. Whether you are flying to locations that use different currencies, or your trip just involves one different one – know the currency! You need to know it by sight, so you don’t use the wrong bills for tips and such (as I did in Austria), and you need to know its current rate of exchange. If you don’t know that, then you don’t know what those meals, tourist sites, gasoline prices, hotel fees, souvenirs, and all are really costing you. And if you are using a credit card, well, upon your arrival home, and when that bill arrives, it can be an awful surprise. So again, know the currency, know its current rate of exchange, and be able to calculate costs so that you can translate them into your own money. This will save you money!

Currate.com: To be able to do all of this, I recommend Currate.com. It has images of almost all the world’s currencies; you can familiarize yourself with your destination ones. It has regularly updated conversion rates, so you will have timely information on what the exchange rate is. It has a Google Earth style map where you can point and click to your destination. Also, it has a currency converter calculator. Want to know what that souvenir is really costing you? Just use the currency converter calculator to find out. And with regard to that, if you are traveling and have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, just go to http://currate.com/mbasic.php. For phones with more advanced features, use http://currate.com/menhanced.php. This way, you will have instant access to everything you need with regard to matters of currency conversion. Believe me, knowing this will save you money! And in the current worldwide economic situation, this is always a good idea.

We live in an age where corporate greed has turned craftier than ever. Again, it is the age of hidden fees, of having airlines, banks, credit card companies, hotels, and others  trying to “nickel and dime you to death.” So take my advice and fight back. And one of the best ways to do this is to know what all the costs are going to be up front. Then, you can at least try to defray them in some way. Otherwise, you are just a helpless victim. And really consider this approach, because these fees not only aren’t going away in the near future, they are going to get worse! Trust me. It will happen. And you don’t have to look into a crystal ball to know this. The future, in this regard, is sadly all too obvious.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Ten Money-Saving Travel And Vacation Tips
http://goflorida.about.com/od/couponsdiscounts/a/moneysavingtips.htm

CNN 9 Money-Saving Travel Tips
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/traveltips/01/20/money.saving.tips/index.html

Money-Saving Travel Tips
http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/planning/money-saving-travel-tips/

Money Saving Tips the Travel Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/2008/jun/19/money-saving-tips-travel-industry-doesnt-want-you-/

The Wend Perrin Report
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/traveltips/11316

Amazing Money-Saving Tips
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/feb/07/budget-travel-guide-credit-crunch

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However, here in this concluding article in our series on the subject, we are going to attempt to show the total of all those costs. We want travelers to have a good idea just what the sum of all these fees can come to, and what to look out for in some instances.

Exchange Rates, Work by User: Mattes, Wikimedia Commons

Before we get started with this though, and as an example, I did want to mention a website that is becoming more prominent of late, advertising a lot on television, and one that promises substantially reduced costs when it comes to wiring money abroad (only “$4.99”). It’s called Xoom.com. I think it may serve as a good instance of what total costs can come to, and why you, as the traveler, must always be aware of certain things, like the current exchange rate.

Mind you, we are not promoting this site over any others, but they claim to be seriously cheaper than most other means of wire transfers, so I felt we should include some information here about them. I decided to test Xoom.com on this claim of theirs. Below, I’ve included a chart of their devising. On that same chart is a calculator, one which I used for the amount of money I needed to wire to someone’s bank account in England recently. The chart also includes comparative rates for Xoom.com versus Western Union, according to Xoom.com’s own estimates. Do check them out.

As our prior article, The High And Often Hidden Costs Of “Wired” Currency Transfers, showed at that time, it cost me almost a whopping $45.35 to send the amount of $345.00 to an English bank account. This does not include the extra fee the receiving bank charged to receive the money and make it available to their client. But let’s use the fee of $45.35 for $345.00 as a comparison. This $45.35 includes an extra 3 percent on top of the then current exchange rate for the British Pound Sterling that Bank of America charged me, and also the bank wiring fee they charged, as well. Now, let’s look at the Xoom.com chart below:

Xoom Comparison of Currency Exchange Services

As you can see, by looking in the top left corner of this image, I used the same figure ($345 USD) to transfer. If I transferred it via my bank account through Xoom.com, they are saying the Total USD fee would be $349.00. They show only a $4.99 fee for the whole transaction!

Or do they? Let’s take a closer look at how much that comes to in actual British Pounds, the figure of £211.02, as they stated.  The exchange rate at the time of this article for the British pound was: 1.60 USD (actually, $1.598, but I’m rounding it off up). Now, a quick calculation shows us that should come to $337.63 (1.60 x 211.02 = 337.63). Add in Xoom.com’s stated low cost of $4.99, and we get a total of $342.62, instead of their stated total cost of $349.99. As you can see, the figures don’t match. There is a noticeable discrepancy. Their charge is higher. How can this be? Well, obviously, since the $4.99 is a fixed price, they had to have used a higher rate of exchange to get to this higher cost than the then current one. In short, by my calculations (and admittedly, I’m no mathematician), this comes to an added fee of approximately 2.0 percent above the actual exchange rate at the time of this article. (Actually, I’m getting just over 2.1 percent by my calculations, but that alters if one does rounding off of the figures.) Now, most major transfer services do charge a 1 percent additional fee, so that much extra is pretty much unavoidable most places.

Historical Exchange Rates Chart-Table Currate.com

However, it would appear, if my calculations are, indeed, correct, that Xoom.com is adding on yet another 1 percent on top of that necessary 1 percent, for what would appear to be a grand total of about 2.0 or 2.1 percent above the then current exchange rate. The $4.99 is then added to this amount. So, $4.99 certainly doesn’t appear to be the total actual cost. There is the added exchange rate differential embedded as a hidden cost there, as well.

Yes, it would seem even Xoom.com has hidden fees, besides their highly touted and visible $4.99 one. And yet, on the face of it, they still seem far cheaper than Western Union, for instance, as they, themselves, show in the above chart. However, you’d also better check out what that receiving bank might charge, as well as your own sending bank. My bank, Bank of America, does not charge anything if Xoom.com does it as a deduction from my account. Receiving banks in foreign countries may do it differently, and that would be on a bank-by-bank basis. However, if it is simply done as a straight deposit, in the local currency, to them, then there shouldn’t usually be a charge.

But there is more. Check out that same top left corner of the image above (Xoom.com). Look at those much higher costs posted there if you use a credit or debit card, or Paypal account, as most of us would probably do.

For my amount of transfer, it comes to the rather large sum of $17.99 (why don’t they just say $18.00 – do they think we can’t figure out that’s what it really amounts to?), almost four times higher than the stated $4.99. With the 2.0, or 2.1 percent added, that’s a cost of $24.74, approximately. That isn’t including whatever fees you might incur from your own debit or credit card, or Paypal account for any transactions you make. I use Paypal, and I know they charge! So, it’s not quite the deal Xoom.com makes it out to be, with just “$4.99” as the highly advertised charge, is it? However, they did post their rate (.61) for the dollar versus the pound right up front, and they do only charge the $4.99 if you do it via your bank and are sending it to another bank. However, don’t forget, there is also the matter of what exchange rate they use, as well.

Even so, it would seem they are still one of the cheapest places around for money transfers up to $2,999, at least, comparatively speaking. But that is, and please remember this, if you are using your bank and a receiving bank for wiring of the money through Xoom.com, and are not using a credit or debit card, or Paypal account. If you use these, again, as most of us do, it will be considerably more expensive. So again, there are a lot of caveats to keep in mind, as always, it seems.

This brings us to the question of total costs for obtaining our destination currencies. For wire transfers to a bank in the country we wish to visit, these can be very high. Let’s just use one example to keep it simple, my own transfer, bank-to-bank, from America to England. My bank was Bank of America, and the receiving bank was Lloyds.

Bank-to-bank, the total cost of transfer for $345.00 was $45.35. Again, there was an additional fee added on by Lloyds, whom you as the sender don’t have to pay, but the recipient does. Since I’m, paying it (the receivers wanted their total amount undiminished), that comes to a total of $53.39. So, bank-to-bank transfer costs were $53.39 for the $345.00.  This is about average, being neither quite the cheapest, or most expensive, but a good ballpark figure for bank transfers as a whole.

For Western Union, the cost can be as much as 19 percent when one adds in the higher exchange rate charge, and service fees. On my $345 amount, this would be $65.00, even higher than the average bank, almost prohibitively high, in my opinion. For Travelex, the cost (based on my prior article on this), can be as high as 23 percent when one counts in all their costs, including the hidden ones. Again, based on $345, this comes to a cost of $79.35. YIKES! For me, that’s simply outrageous.

ATM’s, if you are using your own bank’s machines in the destination country with a debit card, do not usually charge a fee to get local currency. However, using Bank of America, again as a typical example, there is a charge of about 1.713 to 1.72 on top of the current exchange rate. So, to withdraw $345 from my bank’s ATM would cost you about $5.90. Not bad at all, compared to other services. However, if you use an ATM not belonging to your bank, the combined fees of that bank and your own bank’s for this privilege, could be as much as $5.00. This comes to a total of $10.90.  This is still a bargain rate. But rates seem to be going up in this regard. Some charge as high as 2.75 percent, with a few going even higher! Still, this only comes to around $10.00 total (if you use your bank’s ATM) – still a relatively good deal.

Credit Card transactions at ATMs are also a good deal with regard to exchange rates, since they usually charge about the same percentage rate as the banks, or even less. HOWEVER, credit cards often charge high interest rates once you have withdrawn that cash, and unlike purchases made with the card, there is no delay on this. The minute you get the money, you can be charged as much as, if not more (because this is changing rapidly of late, as well) as high as 29 percent, and that’s the minute you have that money in hand, not 30 to 60 days later. When you get home, you will have a sizeable bill for that withdrawal, I’m betting. Do remember, with the current financial situation worldwide, many of these stated costs are rising significantly, and these numbers will rapidly become obsolete, meaning they probably will be even higher in many cases.

The upshot of all this? Your best bet is to use your bank’s debit card at a branch of your own bank in the destination country, or that of an affiliated bank. Your next best bet is to use your bank’s debit card at some other bank that will accept it. Other solutions vary in cost, but all are substantially more, with some bordering on horrific!

And whatever method you use, the only way you are going to find out what those hidden fees are is to know the current exchange rate. That’s an absolute necessity, or you won’t have any idea what that service or bank is really charging you, in total, for that currency exchange. So use Currate.com to find the most reliable and regularly updated exchange rates. And remember, if you have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, then go to http://currate.com/mbasic.php. If your mobile phone has enhanced features, then use http://currate.com/menhanced.php. This way, and along with Currate.com’s easy-to-use currency calculator, you’ll always know what those hidden fees are, just how much they really cost in total. Currate.com also has actual images of most of the world’s currencies, which is a big help if you are going to destinations with differing currencies. And don’t forget Currate.com’s world map, where you can just point and click to the country of your choice. And good luck with those hidden fees!

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

The Best Way To Withdraw Cash Abroad
http://www.lovemoney.com/news/travel/the-best-way-to-withdraw-cash-abroad-3480.aspx

Xoom.com
https://www.xoom.com/sendmoneynow/money-transfer-fees

Ripoff: Visa/Mastercard’s “Foreign transaction fee”
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/02/03/ripoff-visamastercar.html

Which Credit And Debit Cards Are Best Overseas
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/deals/inside/2009-05-21-best-overseas-credit-card_N.htm

Travel Money – A Traveler’s Guide To Managing Your Money
http://www.workgateways.com/working-uk-travel-money.html

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For instance, my trips to the United Kingdom, even under the best conditions, cost around $6,000 for several weeks. There seems to be no lowering that amount. And if anything, that price is going up, despite some experts saying air flights are now cheaper. If they are, I can’t find them, at least not for international flights. So for me, the cost of a trip abroad is not cheap. In fact, it’s quite sizable. Now what happens if something goes wrong and that trip has major problems?

Travel Insurance Vending Machine - Image taken on 2005-08-23 21:19:48 by nonrev.

If you don’t think that can happen, think again! Airlines frequently have to cancel plane flights. Sometimes, this is due to bad weather and this can cause travel delays for up to several days. Missing a connecting flight as a result, not showing up for your hotels in time to keep the reservations, or missing that cruise ship that just left port before you managed to finally get there – well, it all costs time and more money. And this isn’t the only bad scenario for trips. How about if you have a nasty fall? It happened to my 79-year-old father on our trip this last April to Eastbourne, England. We spent three hours in the emergency section of the local hospital there. Luckily, his cuts and bruises were superficial, but he could just as easily have broken a limb or a hip. And that would have been the end of that vacation!

So what can you do to protect yourself from being hit with the costs for these things, losing all that money you’ve spent for the perfect vacation? Well, the answer is to purchase travel insurance. Yes, most of us just try to slide by without it. We would rather use that money for extra souvenirs and such then spend it to protect our vacation and ourselves. But think about it; if I have to spend around $500 to insure myself and my father for each trip abroad, that isn’t bad compared to what I could lose, which is around $6,000 or more! And remember, many health insurance plans don’t cover us when we are in another country, so one could rack up huge medical bills, besides being out the cost of the trip.

Travel insurance can go a long way to protecting you against such things. There are numerous plans available through many companies. This means that not only can you pick the company you want for travel insurance, but also you can pick how much coverage you think you need, and exactly what it is you want to cover. This is important, because the less coverage you want, usually, the less it will cost you.

Another factor in this regard is your country of destination. Some countries are going to mean higher insurance costs for you than others. Also, the amount of time you are on your trip is a factor. Certain companies won’t insure you if your trip is over a month in duration. Some companies won’t insure you if you are over 60, 70, or 80 years of age, depending on the particular company and its particular policies. Others won’t insure you if you are from certain states. I’m in North Carolina, for example, and HTH Worldwide TravelGap Voyager won’t insure me after January 1, 2010. So there are many factors to deal with here. Finally, you can insure yourself just for the cost of the flights, flight accidents, medical only, business, multi medical, trip cancellation – lots of things, so again, we have many factors at play here that will determine what your ultimate costs of travel insurance might be.

Because of such plentiful variables, to give you quotes for different companies for different types of coverage would simply take up far more space here than we have. But let’s use just one example to illustrate possible costs.

I asked for quotes at http://www.insuremytrip.com/quote/quoteresults/all.html, (Insuremytrip.com), for a total cost of $6,000, for just under a month’s travel time, and using the “All” selection, meaning I wanted coverage for everything. Below, you will see their quotes based on these criteria. Now there seem to be large price disparities between some of the companies listed, but remember, different plans include different types of coverage and to varying degrees and amounts. SO YOU MUST READ THE DETAILS OF THE POLICIES TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE COVERAGE YOU FEEL YOU NEED! But let’s look at what a $6,000 trip, just about one month long, and with all the normal coverage, would cost:

The above list doesn’t include all the available quotes, but these are sufficient for our purposes here, since these give a good range for them. Is it a lot of money? Well, that depends on what you think a “lot of money” is. I don’t think it’s so bad personally; the insurance does protect the cost of my trip, give me flight insurance of up to $500,000, and medical coverage, as well as other items, such as lost baggage, and canceled flights, among other things.

Should you have travel insurance? Well, each of us has to decide that question for ourselves. And, the criteria you use should at least involve such things as your age, where you are going (how safe is your destination), how long you will be gone, and the current state of your health, how important is the trip (business?), plus any other things you feel may be important, or critical. I’ve always favored fight insurance as the bare minimum, just in case of an accident to the plane, simply because it was a quick, easy, and relatively cheap way to leave my loved ones a good-sized parcel of extra money in the event of such a tragedy.

Whatever your decision with regard to travel insurance, just remember that it is there for you, available for you, should you want or need it. And when it comes to currency matters, another and simpler form of insurance for your trip is to use Currate.com, because not knowing the current currency exchange rates for your destination countries can also cost you, and big time!

Currate.com is an all-in-one website, which includes a Google-Style Earth map where you can just point and click to see your destination’s currency. Currate.com has regularly updated exchange rates for currencies, and actual images of over 180 of the world’s currencies. This means you will be familiar with what the money looks like before you get there, so no costly mistakes, and what the most current exchange rates for that currency are. And with Currate.com’s convenient currency calculator, you can quickly determine the price of things from hotel rooms, to taxi fares, to a trip up the Eiffel Tower. What’s more, if you have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, you can have all this right readily available any time! Just go to http://currate.com/m.php. If your mobile phone has enhanced features, then try http://currate.com/e.php, instead. So, when it comes to being “insured” when having to deal with variable currency exchange rates, Currate.com is the way to go. And the price is cheap – it’s free!

Gambling with your trip? Public Domain, Courtesy Wikimedia Common

Finally, whether you choose to use travel insurance or not is ultimately your own choice, of course. As with most things in life, it is a gamble. And although we may not want our trips to be disasters, at least with travel insurance, the costs of such can be covered. This may not make up for a ruined trip, but it could go a long way to helping you pay for that next and hopefully better vacation. And remember Currate.com, because if you are cost conscious, knowing exchange rates, being able to quickly and accurately calculate costs in them, is a must!

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Insuremytrip.com
http://www.insuremytrip.com/quote/all.html

Travel Guard
http://www.travelguard.com/

AccessAmerica.com, Travel Insurance For Leisure And Business Travel
http://www.accessamerica.com/

Travel Insurance Services
http://www.travelinsure.com/

Is Travel Insurance Worth The Cost, by Dan Haneveer
http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Travel-Insurance-Worth-the-Cost?&id=3388390

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My father and I had arranged flights from Greensboro to the airport in Newark, New Jersey. There was a two-hour layover there before the London plane. However, because we had to sit on the tarmac in a stuffy little commuter plane for over an hour-and-a-half at Greensboro, waiting for a flight slot, and then delays in landing at Newark, we arrived precisely when our next flight was due to leave. This meant a dash to that gate, and it was 28 large gates away! I’m guessing close to a third of a mile from our starting point.

Handicapped - Wheelchair Accessible Symbol used in public locations

So carrying all our luggage, my elderly father and I raced at top speed. He couldn’t keep up, so I shouldered his luggage, as well, to help him. We arrived there, breathless, red-faced, sweating, exhausted, and angry. And truth to tell, I was also a little ashamed. You see, I had constantly chafed at my father’s comparatively slow pace, being fearful he was going to make us miss our connecting flight. Yet, he did the best he could, poor man.

And yes, we did make the flight, barely; being the last ones to board (they held the flight, as it turns out and didn’t bother to tell us, so it seems we didn’t have to race to get there). But this was my first experience in traveling with a person who had a disability. It made me realize, as hard as it was for me, how much harder it is for them. The truth is, seeing people pushed around in wheelchairs by airport attendants – I thought they had it pretty easy. Not so! That was my ignorance and stupidity in thinking that. But in my own defense, my father’s age had not only crept up on him without his really being aware of it, but me as well. Neither of us realized he was facing new limitations that now affected the way he had to travel.

One more thing, the flight attendant who welcomed us aboard couldn’t have cared less how we felt, either mentally, emotionally, or physically. I suppose if I had told him my father was ill as a result of our frantic race, or made any sort of a scene at all, he would have just barred us from taking the plane.  Truth is if we wanted to fly, we just had to shut up and take it. But what’s the moral of this story? Well, for disabled or handicapped travelers, the onus is on them to take care of themselves. Oh yes, they can get help if they prearrange it, some assistance, and they should, but in the final analysis, it is up to the handicapped traveler, and/or their traveling companions, to arrange such things for themselves, because the truth is, if you don’t do it, nobody else seems to care much one way or the other.

Wheelchair Gate Hiroshima Japan - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Yes, this may sound a little negative, but it isn’t really meant to be. You see, with the massive number of people traveling, most airline workers are truly overworked, and have trouble just keeping up with their normal duties. So, it isn’t unreasonable for them to feel that you should make your arrangements for traveling. After all, they do offer services for the handicapped and disabled, if asked ahead of time, if prearranged.

And that’s what you as a handicapped individual or traveling companion to such a person, must do. Plan ahead of time! Take EVERYTHING into consideration. For instance, what I do now is allow for even greater layover times between connecting flights. Two hours used to be about right, I felt, but now I go for four, or even five hours. Even more, if customs is involved, because between that, collecting and rebooking luggage, security checks, going to the next gate, etc., time can go by quickly. I don’t want my father having to do something he physically shouldn’t, endanger his health in any way, just to make another plane on time. It just isn’t worth it.

Also airlines, as mentioned above, do offer assistance to disabled passengers, including the use of wheelchairs, etc. Allow time for this, because it takes time for them to get to you. It also takes time for them to board you, so you must be at your gates before boarding commences.  The same holds true for many other means of transportation, trains, buses, and taxis, but again, you can’t just take it for granted. You must arrange things ahead of time, be aware of what’s available there.

Wheelchair Lift Tijuana Trolley San Diego, California - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Furthermore, you must research every place you are going, every airport, train station, and anything else you are using for transportation. If they don’t have escalators, check to see if they have elevators. If you need to go to a different terminal, make sure the transportation there is handicapped accessible. Again, it is up to you to make sure that they have what you need, because once there, if they don’t – well, good luck. You might just end up dealing with a flight attendant such as I did – one who obviously didn’t care! This brochure from the Department of Transportation, New Horizons, Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability, is a big help and makes for a good starting point.

Pittsburgh International Airport Wheelchairs Services - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

And don’t just research air terminals, bus depots, and trains stations. You also have to make sure that you have cash in the local currency when you need it, because for someone in a wheelchair, for instance, suddenly having to arrange to get somewhere to get that currency may not be at all easy or quick. You could well spend half a day in the effort, pay too much, and use up a lot of time on a trip that is precious, perhaps even a-once-in-a-lifetime one. So with regard to this problem, use Currate.com. It’s the best way I know, truly, to find the current exchange rates. Currate.com has reliable, regularly updated exchange rates. It has actual images of over 180 of the world’s currencies.

And with Currate.com’s currency converter calculator, figuring out how much currency you need, and more importantly what it should cost you is so easy! Currate.com even has a Google World Currencies map where you can visually select the country of your choice and just go there. Truthfully, it doesn’t get much easier than that.

And for those who are handicapped, instead of trying to navigate their way around in crowded places to find this information on displays in busy terminals, they can just use their Internet browser capable mobile phones. All they or anyone has to do is just go to   Currate’s Mobile Basic Currency Tool. For phones capable of more advanced features, you can use Currate’s Mobile Currency Tool with Currency Images.  This way, the traveler, handicapped or otherwise, has instant access to everything they need with regard to matters of currency conversion. They don’t have to go anywhere to find this out.

Currate.com Mobile Version - available on iPhone Web

Remember also that you have to make sure of those hotels, as well. Many older and smaller ones just aren’t handicapped accessible. I’ve been in some that have such steep and narrow flights of stairs that even healthy people are in trouble.  There are places the disabled or handicapped just won’t be able to go, such as historic buildings that aren’t handicapped accessible (castles, towers, fortresses, many manor houses), so be aware of this ahead of time and plan your trip accordingly.

There are always alternatives to climbing those endless flights of stairs to get a panoramic view. For example, if you can’t handle the equivalent of a 30-story climb to the top of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, then why not try the London Eye? The view is just as spectacular.

The important thing to keep in mind is that for the handicapped or disabled traveler, whether older or just a child, much is still possible. Traveling can still be a great and rewarding experience, and a lot of fun. But it does mean that the handicapped traveler, and any traveling companions, must research and plan. They should also be flexible. They should be willing to travel a little more slowly. And if someone in the party just has to climb those stupid stairs and can do it, let them. I, for one, could have just as much fun in some tea shop or a drink in a local pub, just chatting and getting to know other travelers, or even some of the locals. After all, there is more than one way to have fun while traveling!

References:

Slow Travel
http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/disabled_travel.htm

Access-Able Travel Source
http://access-able.com/dBase/links.cfm

Rick Steves’ Easy Access Europe
http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/rick-steves-easy-access-europe.htm

How To Travel With Mentally Handicapped People
http://www.ehow.com/how_2038705_travel-mentally-handicapped-people.html

Kids Vacations for Disabled Children And Parents
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/california/disabled-kids-vacations.html

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Subway in Paris Courtesy Wikimedia Commons, Author, Pline Photo Personnelle

Do you want to rent a bicycle in Paris? Good luck! Your American credit cards probably won’t work, and even if it happens to, it will take repeated efforts on your part.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Velib Bicycles in Paris, France

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Velib Station in Paris, France, Author, Evan

Need to use a credit card at an automated ticket kiosk to catch the Paris Metro, that train to Berlin, or pay at an automated toll on a French road? Sorry, no can do! Or maybe you need to purchase gas?

Can you use that automated gasoline station up ahead? Again, you are probably going to be out of luck. You can’t use such services with American credit cards.

That is, you can’t use these and many other automated services unless your card happens to have an em­bedded chip in it, a version of the so-called “smart card.” And good luck with that idea, because as of this writing, it appears no American credit card company is using em­bedded chips for such pur­poses, at least not for Americans getting them in the United States. And the prob­lems don’t stop there. Many vendors, such as merchants, shops, restaurants don’t have, or worse, don’t know how to use, our “swipe” style ma­chines anymore. So, it isn’t just automated service that can be a big problem.

Sadly, although a few years back everyone was touting the “smart card” in the United States, it really didn’t happen for us. We have an older and reasonably reliable system that dates back about four decades, the “swipe” method of authorization for credit cards. And contrary to some remarks made by our European cousins that we should “catch up” with modern times, and do as they do, we really haven’t had the need.

SmartCard Used in Paris, France and Europe - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

You see, the major reason for using such cards throughout Europe today is to stop, or at least considerably slow down, credit card fraud. In the United States, although we do definitely suffer from this crime, it hasn’t reached the level that it already has in Europe. So, American credit card companies haven’t felt the pressing need to switch. Also, we have an advanced infrastructure in the United States already dependent on, and using, the “swipe” card system. This would all have to be changed to work with such “smart cards.” It would cost billions of dollars to do this. It may be easy for a small country, like Belgium, to accomplish such a changeover, but for a continent-wide country such as ours, it is a major task, and would be at far higher cost.

However, the world does seem to be going the way of this new type of credit card. And, due to mounting international pressure to conform, we may soon have to follow suit as well. This would again make American plastic practical and easy to use all over the world.

But what do Americans do until then? Our options appear to be very limited. For the time being, we probably will just have to avoid using the automated services, and instead use our cards at bank ATMs and/or banks. Our cards are still good at such places and many others. Or we can choose to go back to an older method, and carry more cash with us to feed the automated machines.

Herein is a problem. If you can’t use that credit card to get the day’s best exchange rate automatically, then the need to know the current exchange rate becomes very important. As a smart traveler, you must be aware of the current rate of exchange. And for this, there is no better place than Currate.com . With reliable and daily updated exchange rates, an online currency converter calculator, a Google Earth type world map (http://currate.com/map.php) where you can just point and click to get the currency of your destination, and actual images of over 180 currencies, what could be easier?

Google World Map Based Currency Converter Tools with Currency Images

And remember what we said about many shops, stores, and restaurants in Europe not accept­ing our credit cards? This means your only alternative is to have cash on hand to pay the bill. But then what is the daily exchange rate for their currency and yours? What does that menu price in their currency translate to in costs in our money? How much should we tip? What does their currency even look like?

Well, if you have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, you can access Currate.com simply by going to http://currate.com/mbasic.php. If your mobile phone is capable of using more enhanced features, go to http://currate.com/menhanced.php. This way, you won’t feel embarrassed, will be able to know the real costs of what

Currate.com Mobile Version - available on iPhone Web browser or any mobile phones with web browser built in.

you are buying, and can rest easy knowing you haven’t made some major and costly mistake. I find that Currate.com provides incredible peace-of-mind in this respect.

And there is some good news on this whole credit card issue; people do want us to be tourists in their countries, and they like it when we spend money. So many are taking steps to ensure their staff can also use the “swipe” machines, and they are trying different methods of allowing us to use our version of credit cards in lots of places. However, for those automated machines located around Europe, from using those Velib kiosks in Paris for bicycle renting, to those automated Esso gas stations, our cards just don’t work. So, keep some cash handy for emergencies, and remember Currate.com . And this way, your trip will be much less frustrating, much less annoying, and a lot more fun!

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor

References:

Those Free Bikes In Paris? You Can’t Use ‘Em.
http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2007/07/lost_in_translation_parisian_b.html

For Americans, Plastic Buys Less Abroad.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/travel/04pracchip.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Best Payment Options For Travellers.
http://www.naviquan.com/page/best-travel-payment-options/1

Company News; Visa Will Put A Microchip In New Card.
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/21/business/company-news-visa-will-put-a-microchip-in-new-card.html

A Traveler’s Plea To Credit Card Issuers.
http://rdist.root.org/2009/09/28/a-travelers-plea-to-credit-card-issuers/

U.S. Credit Cards Becoming Outdated, Less Usable Abroad
‘Smart’ Chip-And-Pin Cards Catching On Worldwide, But Not Here.
http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/outdated-smart-card-chip-pin-1273.php

Using an American Credit Card for the Paris Bike-Share System
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/using-an-american-credit-card-for-the-paris-bike-share-system/

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