Tag Archives: Flight

Booking My Third Flight To Thailand

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My return trip to Thailand.
This will be my third trip to Thailand within one year, I guess you could say I really like it there. There is Songkran. Songkran is a nationwide water fight but you can see more on that here.
On previous trips I have shared with you pictures and videos of random places that I have gone. While these videos are great in the pictures outstanding this time I want to show you a little bit more of exactly how I book my trip to Thailand. On the last two trips I have used Google flights and monitored them throughout a couple months. To try and get the best pricing on flights to Bangkok. This time around I have used an app called Hopper. Hopper has been set up on my phone for a few months and sends me notifications as flights from Phoenix to Bangkok change. With the notifications it also has recommendations on when the best time to buy your flights to Bangkok will be. Financially you should be prepared to purchase your plane ticket at least six months in advance of your trip. This way when the best price comes along you can purchase on the spot and don’t have to wait for your next paycheck.
For more tips on being financially responsible while traveling click here.

Hopper App Demonstration Image

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Hopper sent me a notification on flights with United Airlines and ANA Airlines as having the best deal for around $660 USD. Considering I paid almost double that on my first trip to Thailand I feel that this time around these flight prices are a steal. While at first I found it hard to trust an app on my phone to book plane tickets with, hopper actually connects you with the official websites of the airlines that you are booking with. Even though I use the app Hopper, I dealt with united airlines when I paid for my airline tickets to Thailand. Going through the flight booking process with united airlines website was pretty straightforward. There was one minor mishap where I accidentally selected a seat for one of the legs of my trip. Because of that selection there reset it resulted in a additional charge of $69 USD. The receipt for that flight was a little cryptic and I was having trouble understanding where the additional charge came from. I waited until the charges process it through PayPal and then I called United airlines to get clarification on the additional charge for the flight. Customer service at United airlines was very helpful. The gentleman helped me distinguish what the additional $69 USD charge was for and then he offered to reverse the charge because of my accidental click. I really appreciate united airlines being flexible on their refund policy.
$69 USD goes a long way in Thailand! I did have to submit a refund request electronically and enter a long series of numbers in order to process the refund, however, it was not that difficult and their was on the screen instructions to assist me. So that wraps up how I booked my flight to Thailand this time around. Once I get to Thailand I’ll be able to book shorter flights, let’s say to Vietnam or Cambodia, something like that. But the main flight is out of the way. Now the waiting game begins…The excitement builds more every day…

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How To Get Through Any Airport Faster

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Be ready.

That really is the secret to getting through any airport faster. On my travels it has become clear to me the more prepared I am the easier the flight goes. Since everyone loves lists here is mine on how to fly through the airport.

1.) Have your passport easily accessible.

Fumbling around looking for anything in the airport stresses you out. You have a line of people staring at you, an attendant that is waiting and you don’t want to lose anything while you’re digging through your packed bags. Eliminate the stress and use a fairly accessible pocket for your flight information, drivers licenses, and passport.
I use either the front pocket or an top inside pocket depending on the bag that I plan to travel with facing in front of me. At each checkpoint which is almost always where a line is forming, it is a snap for me to produce any requested identification.

2.) Keep Immigration information in you passport.

You don’t want to lose any of those papers that they give you when you get your passport stamped. You’ll need them to get out of whatever country you are in. If you are even a bit of an explorer keep all your documents in a gallon plastic bag to prevent an accident.

3.) Be Ready For Security.

You’ve been standing in line for 20 minutes and now you are at the steel tables just before you get in the scanner and you are just NOW checking your pockets? You have a water bottle after all the signs said “No Liquids over 3oz”? My advise is put EVERYTHING in your bag when you are shuffling through the security line, far before the metal table. Have you iPad or laptop ready to come out of your bag and into a separate bin. Take off your belt put it in your bag and untie your shoes if you need to. Some airport security still wants to see your toiletries so have those at the top of your bag in a gallon sized plastic bag. I’ve learned you can’t control other people but you can be prepared with your pockets empty

4.) Find your gate.

Before you go around shopping at the boutiques or duty free find your gate and check the screen for you boarding time and destination. Then go shopping or use the washroom etc.. Knowing exactly where your gate is will prevent you from having to run with your coffee to try and catch a flight on the other side of the terminal. Know your boarding time, show up 5 minutes before and stand in line. You’ll be one of the first people on the plane. This is especially true if your seat is at the back of the plane

5.) Say Please and Thank You.

This will get you a long way. Treat all the security personnel with respect and they will always point you in the best direction they can. This is more true outside of the United States than in. Nothing is worse than standing in the wrong line because you didn’t smile when you asked and say Thank You when you receive the information you asked for.

So that’s it, a few of my personal favorites for getting through any airport faster. What are some of your favorite ways to get through the airport quickly? Let me know!!

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I’m Going To Phuket

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After spending plenty of time in and around Bangkok it was high time to move along a bit so I decided to book a flight to Phuket and hang out a few days before taking my first tour of the Wats of Bangkok. Air Asia seemed to have the best prices on tickets with the most flights in and out but they fly in and out of Don Mueang International Airport rather than BKK which I was closer to. Air Asia really gets the job done quickly with no frills. Flying into HKT, the Phuket International Airport, was easy. It is a relatively small airport that shuffles you through quickly when you are flying in and out to Grung Theip (Bangkok) with a smile. One of the friendliest airports I have been in. I hadn’t booked a place to stay and needed time to pick through AirBnB and book something, the small coffee shop was all too kind to let me use their wifi. Just outside the arrival gate there are plenty of taxi drivers that will approach you and try to get you to book a place as well. I’m not sure about any of those places because the months of scrolling through AirBnB I knew that I wanted one of those. Turns out The Himaphan was one of my top picks and was 3 minutes from the airport and was accepting instant bookings.
Perfect.
The Taxis’ leaving the airport are no less than 400 THB which is a little high. The driver also didn’t know where The Himaphan was even when I showed him directions, he got a little frustrated but we worked it out. However that all could have been avoided if I had booked a little earlier The Himaphan Resort would have picked me up.
Phuket really is a magical looking place. The nature walks, waterfalls and mountainsides are absolutely breathtaking. Don’t forget to bring extra batteries and SD cards for your camera ’cause you’re going to need them.
Renting the scooter was a good call too, it made getting the 3 blocks to Nai Yang Beach a snap from the villa especially after a massage and dinner. It also made getting around the island easy. If you aren’t afraid of riding a scooter it is an easy way to get to all the attractions pretty quickly. Traffic wasn’t too bad however being on a scooter you have to pay attention, no sleeping on the scooter! I considered renting a car but it seemed like more of a hassle since I travel very light. Overall I’m glad I spent a few days alone on Nai Yang Beach. It was good for collecting my thoughts on the rest of my trip.

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