I do a lot of traveling and have been to several countries and most states. Lately, I've had some thoughts given the latest trends, problems and navigation of services, products and customer service, so here goes!
1. My latest thoughts on Amtrak. I recently took the Northeast Regional again; this time to Washington DC. I could have flown, or I could have road tripped. Here's the thing. Airlines are having issues, whether it's TSA not getting paid, fuel costs from Trump's wars, inflation, problems with air traffic control, weather, or whatever. Most of the US based airlines overbook, understaff and under serve the passengers. I said it. I don't apologize.
When you get on Amtrak as I did, to go from Connecticut to Washington DC, it's relaxing. I fly when I have to because I don't have time to take the train, but up and down the East Coast, it just makes sense. You can book tickets on the app, and use it as your ticket for the whole trip. They have lots of leg room, comfortable seats, places to put your luggage, easier luggage rules, views out the window, restrooms on every car, a snack bar. Why wouldn't you take the train?
The fact is that the East Coast has a lot of large cities. We've even been called a megalopolis. The thing about the train stations in the large cities, which is where I'm normally going on a long weekend, is that the metro can almost always be found right in the station. I get around on subways when I city travel, and with the trains they are right there and ready to take you to your hotel. Can't beat that.
Amtrak isn't for everything. It gets expensive for long trips with sleeper cars and stuff. Business class really isn't for me, which means my seats are not reserved. I wasn't impressed with the Acela either. The Regional is my preference. All that being said, I've always had a good ride on Amtrak. It allows me two things that I love when I travel. First, I get a view. Love that. Second, I don't have to drive or go through TSA and airports. That's why, in certain situations, I love the train.
https://www.railbookers.com/destinations/north-america/united-states
https://www.vacationsbyrail.com/destinations/united-states/
https://www.mbta.com/schedules/subway
2. Choosing and using an airline. How do you do this? Most of us choose the airline by the cheapest one that gets us where we need to go when we need to go there. That's how life works. We are Americans, and we work all the time with very little time off. Our time off is scheduled and we need to go where we need to go when we've made arrangements to go there. In business, we have appointments and need to go when we need to go where we need to go. That is life.
However, there's something everyone should be aware of. Recently, I booked a flight with American Airlines. I haven't made that trip yet and it's still some time until that trip happens. I'm going to an event. It's timely. I don't have a lot of time, so I'm just flying in for the event. That's the American way. I booked with American Airlines because they were the only airline that could even fly where I'm going. Why is this important? A few days after I scheduled my flight, they changed it. Both coming and going. I went from two comfortable situations that I scheduled to work with my itinerary to something nuts. They rescheduled my flight to the destination so that I had less than a half hour for my layover. That's not even possible these days. They moved my return flight up by more than five hours so I had to get up in the middle of the night to make the flight after returning from my event late in the evening. Were my original flights cancelled? No.
I started making phone calls to see what the heck happened. I got no actual answer. I actually mentioned that the only reason I was flying with them was because no one else went there. They told me that they were ranked the #1 airline in the world. I was floored. I travel, and I know better.
Here's the facts. American Airlines is #8 in the United States. It's #83 in the world. It and all other United States airlines don't even appear on the top 20 in the world. That's a fact. We need to check into things like customer satisfaction when flying. I had no choice with this particular situation, which Expedia rectified for me. Use them. They will help straighten things out. But, If you have a choice, in this country rankings say use Delta. If you fly internationally, fly something based in the Middle East or Central Asia when you can.
Here's my thought. I don't like going through Atlanta, so I don't fly Delta often. I never recommend Frontier. If you find yourself on a Breeze Airways route; book them. Love those guys. If you absolutely need to get where you're going; book United. If you have to get somewhere in an emergency, book Southwest. If you have time; take the train. Irony? United doesn't fall anywhere on any customer satisfaction rankings. They lost out everywhere. However, they'll get you where you need to go and won't strand you, jerk you around, or anything. They have terrible customer service but are extremely reliable.
https://www.google.com/travel/flights?gl=US&hl=en-US
https://www.worldairlineawards.com/
https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/best-airlines-in-us
https://www.flybreeze.com/home
3. When to travel and what to expect. A lot of people I know say they can't afford to travel often. I run around all the time. Cities, all over the country, out of the country. It doesn't really cost that much. So, what are you all complaining about? I get it, even if most people I know don't.
My family is planning a trip to see a NASCAR race. It's costing me more than all my other trips this year combined. What you do and when you go make all the difference, folks. Is this a new discovery for me? No. I've known that for years. The race is in the middle of nowhere making the flights few and ridiculous. The hotels in the area count on this for their income and the rates during that time are exorbitantly higher than any other time of year. This is a fact. Renting a car costs more during times like that. Everything costs more.
My normal travel is to have very little planned, go just off the peak season, not to rent a car, and go to a place where it's not the event, but the location that I'm there to see. It's how I travel. I'm a budget traveler, and I'm really good at it. Therefore, when it comes to events, Disney, cruises, tours, and so on; I don't really do that. When you do any of those things; you will pay. Travel in peak season at your location and you will pay. Travel on a holiday and you will pay. It's a fact, so be aware. Also be aware that you don't have to travel like that all the time. Skip the luxury, go for the adventure and enjoy!
4. Reaching customer service when necessary. This applies, not only to travel but everyday life. First, I'll tell a story. I got stranded for no reason by Frontier Airlines. Several regular flyers on my flight said it happens all the time. They gave us each a barcode on a piece of paper and walked away. Didn't rebook. Didn't help with the fact that I was stranded mid trip in the middle of nowhere at 9 pm. Nothing. I tried to contact them, but they don't have anything but website and email. I got nothing and no one. That is unacceptable.
I have a practice that I learned to use %100 of the time. I check. If I can't contact a company by phone, I don't do business with them. Recently, my husband ordered a product; CD Glyco Flow. Do not order this product. The company has no contact with customers. The only contact is with the distribution center in Southeast Asia, somewhere. They have no way to even contact by website after you place an order. It's sheisty folks. Web chats are nice, AI is fine, email works, but sometimes you need to contact someone. Even Google has a phone number. I check for that before I get involved. It's saves me a lot of grief.
https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/customer-service-hacks/
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-talk-to-a-real-person-the-ultimate-customer-support-phone-number
https://www.vox.com/23571375/no-call-center-phone-number-frontier-facebook
https://askleo.com/risk-searching-support-phone-number/
5. The age old question of how far out should you book a flight or trip? Excellent question. I've booked anywhere from immediately/ASAP to as early as I possibly can. The answer to the question is, "Different times for different situations and different airlines and different countries." I wish it were easier.
I've booked trips to Europe as early as eight months in advance with no issues. Always? No. But most of the time. Unlike what happened to me with American Airlines, other airlines rarely change your flight to something crazy unmanageable. Not trying to bash American Airlines; just a fact.
I've heard for years that there are better days of the week to book a flight or package. In my personal opinion and experience, that's rubbish. Look for deals and sales from either your booking engine or the airline or hotels. Other than that, it doesn't make much of a difference. However, if we've just started a war, or anyone else who's a major player just started a war, book immediately before prices spike. Just saying.
Seasons. This makes a difference. Peak seasons are more expensive. Holidays are more expensive. That's a fact. If you're going to another country, know what their holidays and peak seasons are. Those will cost you more money. If you are going for a certain season, holiday or event; you will pay. Deal with it.
When I leave the country, I try to book at least 3 months in advance if I can. Have I always been able to? No. However, with my proclivity to travel in the off season, it hasn't mattered. If you travel in a peak season, book as soon as possible. In the US, book a little later unless you're going to an event in a small area like I am. The airlines will have less time to mess with you reservation, which can sometimes make you feel like you're in the car rental episode of "Seinfeld."
The one thing that I always recommend is using a booking site for your flights if possible. Here's what I do. I use Expedia. Is it because they're the best? I don't know if they're the best. I like them and they solve my problems when they happen. I look at their price, double check it on the airlines site, and then book accordingly. With United States airlines, I like the buffer of the booking site. It helps with issues.
https://thepointsguy.com/travel/how-far-advance-book-flight/
https://www.skyscanner.com/tips-and-inspiration/how-far-in-advance-can-you-book-a-flight
https://www.going.com/guides/how-far-in-advance-can-you-book-a-flight
There you have it. Believe it or not, I have a lot of experience and can give really good advice. These are some of the issues I've run into lately and just wanted to share my thoughts on them so, hopefully, I can help all of you.
If you'd like to see what I'm doing right now, check out my YouTube channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon." That's me!
https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2026
Life is an adventure and I'm here to give you ideas, share thoughts, and give advice to help you make the most of it! Enjoy!
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