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Europe Flight Options

Europe Flight Options

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Credit Cards

I am often asked what credit cards I travel with and which cards I think offer the best rewards.  My current choices are the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa and Platinum American Express.

The Chase Visa offers some great sign up bonuses if you look for them, the Ultimate Rewards program lets you move points to many different travel partners, sometimes with a bonus.  And the card doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees while traveling and uses the new "Chip & Sign" technology. Making it easier to use in Europe.

I keep the AmEx Platinum for its great travel benefits, lounges access, no foreign transaction fees, chip & sign technology, a decent rewards program, car rental insurance, lost baggage coverage, a long list.

My previous choice, the Chase British Airways card is still a good option if they run the 100,000 miles sign up bonus.  I'm about to take my 4th trip to Europe this summer in First Class using the miles from this and a few other promotions Chase had.

Whichever card you choose, be sure to look for sign up bonuses and read all the card details for things like annual fees, foreign transaction costs, etc.

A service I offer my clients is award ticket booking.  It can sometimes be difficult to find availability if you don't know how and where to look for flights.  There are a lot of great tools available and this is one of my specialities.

Royal Caribbean Offers Onboard Spending Credit of Up to $300

Royal Caribbean International is offering travelers onboard spending credit for cruises sailing from a U.S. port. Vacationers who book a cruise from Sept. 23 through Oct. 15, 2013, on any Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean or Alaska sailing, will receive an onboard credit of up to $300 per stateroom when sailing between Nov. 1 and June 30, 2014. Guests can apply their onboard credit toward a range of new specialty dining options, shore excursions, or a spa treatment.

The cruise offers Gold Anchor Service from every staff and crew member exclusively on Royal Caribbean. Vacationers who book up to a five-night Royal Caribbean cruise will receive $25 onboard credit per Interior and Oceanview stateroom, $50 per Balcony- and Junior Suite-category stateroom, or $150 per Grand Suite or higher category stateroom.

Vacationers who make a booking on sailings of six-nights or longer will receive $25 onboard credit per Interior and Oceanview stateroom, $100 per Balcony stateroom and Junior Suite-category stateroom, or $300 per Grand Suite or higher category stateroom. The winter offer is applicable for all new individual U.S. and Canadian bookings.

For more information please contact me.

Traveling to Europe This Summer? Top 10 Things You’ll Need to Pack Before You Go

So you think you’re ready for your trip to Europe, huh? Guess again. Until you’ve packed, re-packed, and whittled down your belongings to only the essentials, you won’t realize that you’re missing the most essential elements.

Below we’ve listed (in descending order) the most important things that most families traveling to Europe forget to bring. Read on to find out what you’re missing from your luggage.

10. Sunscreen

Whether you’ll be on the sunny beaches of Spain or the rainy moors of Scotland, you can easily ruin your trip in a matter of hours if you don’t protect yourself from the elements. Remember, the sun’s UV rays can still burn your skin through the clouds, and direct sunlight can even burn your skin through some types of clothing. So don’t take the risk!

9. Speedos

Hey, you’ll be in Europe. Do as the Europeans do!

8. Language Dictionary

These days, you rarely have to learn much of the European languages unless you plan on spending time away from tourist destinations or major cities. And even if you’re in Paris or Berlin, you still may run into lots of signs and informational boards written in other languages, like Chinese or Japanese. Still, a dictionary allows you to quickly communicate, and that can be a life saver.

7. Pouches for Travel Documents

If you lose your passport (or it gets stolen) while traveling abroad, call the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs office as soon as possible. This link will take you to the department’s website, which is full of information about how to protect your identity, your documents and yourself while spending time traveling in Europe.

Keep such information with you in organized pouches as you travel; you never know when you may need help out of a jam.

6. A Small Bag

Packing another bag in your luggage seems extraneous, but having that small purse, fanny pack, or backpack during your daily trips into the city gives you somewhere to keep your guidebook, camera, and other small items and souvenirs. You’ll have free hands, plenty of storage space, and an extra accessory for your outfit.

5. GPS

When you take your family to Europe, be sure to pre-load maps onto your GPS device. It will load faster and give you better control over where you’re headed. Plus, you can also pre-load destinations and sights you want to check out while you’re there.

4. Flashlight

This is one of those things you’ll wish you had if you didn’t bring it, but probably won’t need if you do. Still, if you’re traveling to the European countryside or to Eastern Europe, you may want to consider bringing a small flashlight in case you’re in an area where consistent electricity is hard to come by.

3. Universal Power Adapters

The biggest shock you’ll get in Europe literally deals with the electric plug in the walls of your hotel or hostel. Europe uses different standardized electrical receptors than we do in the U.S. That means your laptop or Kindle won’t charge unless you grab an adapter pack. These packs include virtually all of the plugs you’ll need wherever in the world you are, so keep them in a safe place or risk being caught without the next two items on our list.

2. Digital Camera

When you’re taking pictures in Europe, your iPhone just won’t cut it. Spend a few hundred bucks and get a real digital camera that lets you zoom in, record video and tag your images with GPS coordinates. They even make cameras now that automatically upload pictures to Facebook, as long as you’re within reach of a WiFi hotspot. And with our number one item, you will be.

1. Global Mobile MiFi Hotspot

For around $14.95 a day, you and your family can have unlimited access to the Internet no matter where you go. This MiFi hotspot is specifically designated to work in the country (or countries) you’ll be visiting so you’re never stuck without the web. Connect to Facebook, Twitter, your email accounts, and even your secure business servers on the go.

This pocket-sized hotspot is battery powered, provides a signal for up to five simultaneous devices, and covers an area with a 30-foot radius. Best of all, there are no overage charges like there are with your cell phone company. Access your foreign language support apps, travel documentation and even upload your family’s best pictures so your family and friends can join in on your adventure. 

Frontier Announces Nonstop Service From Denver to Eugene

New service from Eugene.  Lots of connection options through Denver.


Denver-Eugene (beginning May 16, 2013)

Route           Departs             Arrives             Frequency         Aircraft
DEN-EUG   12:15 p.m.   1:55 p.m.   Tues, Thurs, Sun   A319
EUG-DEN   2:35 p.m.   6:05 p.m.   Tues, Thurs, Sun   A319