A Travel Packing List for Dummies: What NOT to Forget
As a semi-frequent traveler for both business and pleasure, I always seem to forget something in my suitcase.
On a recent trip to Denver I forgot more than usual which really drove me crazy. Yes, I have a standard packing list, but when I’m in a hurry or when I think I certainly won’t forget anything because “I’ve packed a million times before,” it never fails—I still forget something.
When I returned home from Denver I immediately Googled ‘packing lists’ and was quite disappointed in the search results, so I decided to make my own and share it here in the hopes of helping anyone who, like me, tends to forget.
Of course, there are obvious items we would (hopefully) never leave at home, like say–clothing, so I won’t go through an entire packing list here. This list is simply designed to help you remember the frequently forgotten, or perhaps never-before-thought-of, items that will help make your trip a little nicer and a little easier.
Plus—many of the items on my list will keep you from spending extra money in those over priced airport stores!
- Almonds (did you know some flights don’t offer snacks?)
- Water Bottle (to refill & reuse–remember you can’t go through security with a full water bottle)
- Drink Mixes (like these “on-the-go” packets–airport drinking fountain water isn’t always the tastiest)
- ALL of your work-out clothes (treadmills and dress shoes don’t work well together so don’t forget your top, shorts/pants, socks, underclothing, shoes, hair-ties, braces, etc.)
- One dollar bills (makes tipping easier)
- Sunglasses (cloudy weather at home doesn’t mean cloudy weather at your destination)
- Ear plugs (if only to send the message that your not in the mood to visit with your neighbor)
- Reading material (even if you don’t think you’ll need it, you never know when your flight will be delayed
- Reading glasses (if you need them)
- Small bottle of hand sanitizer (a good way to keep the germs away)
- GPS (if you don’t have it on your smart phone, renting one can get expensive)
- Corporate credit card (if you don’t normally carry it with you)
- Tooth brush and tooth paste (complimentary from the hotel does not mean quality)
- Chargers & Adapters (laptops, tablets, e-readers, MP3 players, cameras, phone, etc.–batteries only last so long!)
- Slippers (if you’re afraid of hotel room floors)
- Small First-Aid Kit (keep yourself comfortable with some band-aids for small cuts or blisters, a couple Advil for headaches, and Tums for possible heartburn)
Hopefully this list gets your mind jogging. And I’m sure there are more items that could be added, but … I’m afraid I’ve forgotten what they are.
Maybe you know a few? What are the “must-remember” items on YOUR packing list?
What are your travel dreams? Tell us to win!
Open your mind to endless travel possibilities when you take the VIRTUOSO LIFE® Travel Dreams Survey. It only takes minutes to complete, but will leave you with a lifetime of inspiration. Plus, once you submit your survey you’ll be entered to win a dream vacation of your own.
Deadline to enter is March 31, 2012. Must be a valid U.S. resident to be eligible to win. Non-U.S. residents are invited to take the survey here.
Christopherson Business Travel is a Virtuoso member agency.
New Rules Require Airlines to Show Fees with Fares
Have you ever seen an advertisement for what you thought was a “cheap flight,” only to click the link and find that it’s actually much more expensive than you initially thought due to all the fees and taxes?
In a new set of regulations, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will now require airlines to advertise full ticket prices, including any government taxes and additional fees, when those prices are advertised or first shown on websites. The DOT will also require airlines to post baggage fees more clearly on their websites.
These rules are the latest in consumer-oriented regulations imposed on airlines by the Government. At present, passengers often don’t see the full ticket cost until the booking is made and paid online. The intent of these rules is to make ticket prices more understandable for consumers by providing greater transparency and better opportunity for price comparison. Additionally, the new regulations will also require that airlines give the consumer 24 hours to change their reservation without having to pay a rebooking fee.
However the airlines say it’s unfair–that consumers are used to having taxes added at “the register,” and that it prevents them from showing the consumer just how much of the ticket price belongs to the government.
What do you think?
Click Here to read the full story in USA Today.
TSA Pre✓™ Program Comes to Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, LA, & JFK
Having participated in past lobbying efforts for a TSA trusted traveler program, I am thrilled to see one such program coming to my local airport.
The TSA Pre✓™ pilot is aimed at enhancing the security experience by pre-screening individuals who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying in order to potentially expedite the travel experience.
In early 2012, participants in Delta Air Lines frequent flyer program may be eligible for this expedited screening at the Salt Lake International airport. Once TSA determines a passenger’s eligibility, information will then be embedded in the barcode of the boarding pass and security personnel will direct the traveler to the correct security line.
So far, the pilot program has been successful in Dallas, Miami, Detroit, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. With the program now coming to Salt Lake City, I can already imagine a flash back to the 90s when could I keep my shoes and belt on and didn’t have to wrestle my luggage to remove my lap-top and zip-lock bag of liquids.
In addition to Salt Lake City, travelers in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and New York’s JFK airports will also be included in this phase of the Pre✓™ program.
Visit TSA.gov for full details.
Pack Two Weeks in Carry-on Luggage (With No Wrinkles!)
I’ve heard the stories, but I thought they were just that … stories.
Not until I recently tried it did I believe that you could pack for a week (or even two!) using a carry-on sized suitcase (22″ x 14″ x 9″, or 56 x 36 x 23 cm).
The International Luggage Center located in North Salt Lake, Utah has one of the largest showrooms in the world, having over 500 cases to choose from.
You can visit their website here—and be sure to watch their “Power Packing” videos.
I hope you are as pleasantly surprised as I was at what can be done with a 22″ x 14″ x 9″ piece of luggage. Think of it as saving time and money.
Christopherson Growth Story Featured in Utah Business
It is a privilege for me to be a 5+ year employee of Christopherson Business Travel. I have watched the company grow significantly in recent years and never tire of hearing stories of earlier years’ challenges, strategy, and decisions that paved the way in developing the company. This month Utah Business magazine ran a feature article regarding Christopherson’s growth history that I enjoyed reading and hope you will, too.
The Newest Space Invention
I never thought in a million years that I could possibly some day have the opportunity to go into Space. Many private funders are trying to make this hope and dream come true. Richard Branson is set to start flying to Space with Virgin Galactic and now Paul Allen has his own idea.
Delta Receives Top Honors from Business Traveler Magazine Survey
Congratulations to our partners at Delta!
The readers of Business Traveler magazine have chosen Delta as the recipient of four “Best in Business Travel” Awards in its list of 2011 honorees – more than any other U.S. airline:
- Best North American Airline for Business Class Service
- Best North American Airline for First Class Service
- Best Frequent Flyer Program
- Best Airline Web Site
“These awards are widely recognized in the business travel industry,” said Steve Sear, vice president – Global Sales. “Because the awards are solely determined by readers, they reflect the direct voice of business travelers and their recognition of our commitment to making flying easier, more comfortable and more flexible for
our customers.”
Click here to review the full list of awards.
Five Things You Shouldn’t Wear on a Plane
Source: IndependentTraveler.com, Written by Caroline Costello
The Do’s and Don’ts of In-Flight Fashion
Knowing what to wear — and, more importantly, what not to wear — on a plane is crucial. Just ask Lady Gaga. About a year ago, the pop star donned Alexander McQueen “armadillo shoes” and a wild outfit of black and yellow tape on a transatlantic flight. During the voyage, Gaga began to experience symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, a life-threatening condition commonly caused by a combo of in-flight risk factors like low cabin pressure, dehydration, immobility during a long trip and cramped seats (so says the American Council on Exercise); attempt to endure this environment in a confining getup of tape and 12-inch stilettos, and you’ve got trouble. Read the rest of this post »
Travel Etiquette 101: A Class in Manners in the Air and Abroad
Are you practicing the appropriate travel manners and etiquette when flying to your destination? Are you aware of the proper behavior and cultural differences when traveling to another country? American culture is considered informal compared to many other countries. This article, written by Katie Dutile, provides some basic guidelines to avoid being disruptive or disrespectful to others.
