Wednesday, October 20, 2010
How to Talk Your Way into Getting Great Travel Deals
We've written before about how complaining with class can payoff with big dividends - including free upgrades, complimentary meals, and more (for example, see our September 16th post). But you can receive many of these same benefits without having to endure discomfort or travel hassles -- sometimes all you need to do is ask if the airline, hotel, or car rental clerk can improve your experience. We've found -- and others have to -- see the related article from Redbook -- that if you just ask nicely, you might be rewarded with a better hotel room. And always mention birthday, anniversary, or promotion celebrations -- you just might be feted with a free glass of champagne!
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Amtrak Acela - NYC to Boston
I used to ride Amtrak trains between New York and Boston often, but in recent years I have been driving and flying much more frequently.
My ride today reminds me of why I like trains. To begin with, Penn Station is an easier cab ride from my Manhattan apartment than Newark or Kennedy and is probably a push with LaGuardia. But the fact that you can just as easily buy your tickets online and check in via kiosk, but that there is no security screening means that there is no need to pad your arrival time by an hour or so as I do when I fly.
The seats in business class are roomy and comfortable - and since we're not packed in like sardines, I can really spread out. There are electrical outlets and wifi for those who want to use their laptops. There is a quiet car where "library silence" rules and a cafe cat for those who need a snack.
Best of all, though, is the view. If you sit in a window seat on the right side (facing the front of the train), you will have water views for much of the trip. I enjoyed seeing the ferries to Block Island, the migratory birds perched on old pilings, and the classic New England cottages on the shore. Every now and then we'd come to a beach and I'd see the waves gently lapping fhe sand. If it hadn't been such a misty morning there likely would have been a nice sunrise, too.
All in all it has been a very pleasant way to travel.
My ride today reminds me of why I like trains. To begin with, Penn Station is an easier cab ride from my Manhattan apartment than Newark or Kennedy and is probably a push with LaGuardia. But the fact that you can just as easily buy your tickets online and check in via kiosk, but that there is no security screening means that there is no need to pad your arrival time by an hour or so as I do when I fly.
The seats in business class are roomy and comfortable - and since we're not packed in like sardines, I can really spread out. There are electrical outlets and wifi for those who want to use their laptops. There is a quiet car where "library silence" rules and a cafe cat for those who need a snack.
Best of all, though, is the view. If you sit in a window seat on the right side (facing the front of the train), you will have water views for much of the trip. I enjoyed seeing the ferries to Block Island, the migratory birds perched on old pilings, and the classic New England cottages on the shore. Every now and then we'd come to a beach and I'd see the waves gently lapping fhe sand. If it hadn't been such a misty morning there likely would have been a nice sunrise, too.
All in all it has been a very pleasant way to travel.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Free Museum Visits
Target, famous for great design at low prices, is sponsoring free admissions to the Cooper Hewitt Museum in NYC as part of National Design Week, Oct. 9-17.
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