I was at the airport one morning for my flight home from visiting my sister when my flight was cancelled. There was a mad rush and long line to the agent for information, rebooking, etc. I just got on my phone directly to the airline and booked a later flight, then called my sister who came back to pick me up to enjoy an unexpected extra afternoon together.
Probably not a canadian Airline. You can get expedia on the phone fairly easily, however they still have to talk to west jet or air canada if something goes wrong.
With status, I just let the airlines do the work for me as I know they will look after premium customers first. I almost always get a text or email shortly later saying I have been rebooked on another flight.
I’ve done the same. We’d boarded and pilots were pushing back when they discovered an issue with the brakes. After a wait, the pilot told us the needed parts needed to be flown in and we all had to exit. While he was saying that, I called Delta and rebooked so I left the plane ready to get on the next flight. As I exited and passed the desk area, it was pure chaos.
This is a great way to handle the situation when you are in a country where you speak the language and have that country ‘s connection flight app on your phone!🤷♀️
SECRET TIP - visit the most popular sites (Eiffel Tower, Coliseum, etc) in later afternoon - after the tour groups are all finished. Whereas, lesser known museums are empty in the mornings (require a lot of walking) so tour groups don't visit them. I realized this trick when my hotel was near the Hagia Sophia and I saw all the tourist busses in the morning and right after lunch, but it was always empty in the late afternoons...
It's the same in Banff. Especially in the summer. If you want to hike Johnston Canyon if you go anytime in the morning or afternoon it's wall to wall people and no place to park. However the sun doesn't go down until like 10pm so if you go at 6pm the place is empty.
@@claytonberg721 Not sure about Johnston Canyon, but for Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, you can’t go in a personal vehicle anymore since 2023, one must take a shuttle bus and they don’t run after 6pm. It’s awful now, can’t even bring a dog either 🙁
Airbnb ends up cheaper for daughter and me when we need a bedroom each. Also a kitchen means we can visit the supermarket, cook our meals and save money for sightseeing. Just booked an Airbnb in Kraków, Poland from Australia. 🇦🇺
@@PortableProfessional The Acropolis in the late afternoon is a good tip nine months of the year, but during the hot Summer months the afternoon heat can still be oppressive. To avoid the heat, I recommend visiting the Acropolis when it opens in the morning; the tour busses haven’t arrived yet and you’ll only pass the crowds on your way out.
I have never had a bad experience with an Airbnb. I like that they are all different unlike hotel rooms that always feel the same. You usually get a lot more space for the same price in a airbnb. However, the main reason that I use them is because they have a kitchen that I can use to prep my own meals and save my leftovers. I am a light eater and restaurants just don't make sense for me, especially in Europe when dinner is very late in the evening. Furthermore, I save a fortune by cooking my own food.
I don't use Airbnb but can see the advantage for many people in terms of kitchens or more space for larger families. For me, I will NOT cook on vacation (heck, I barely cook while home LOL!) so hotels work best for me. At least there are options for all of us.
@@Will5353_ this is another thing. Yeah, I get, it just makes sense for many. But, if we take Lisbon as an extreme example, pricing out families that have been there for ages. Most often, hopefully not that drastic but the notion is same.
I have used airbnb many, many times in multiple locations and have always had a very positive experience. No problems whatsoever and I have saved myself a LOT of money!
Back in our more foolish days of traveling, we didn't hesitate to fly in the day of our cruises, NOT ANY MORE. Our last cruise we flew in 2 days before, nothing like starting your vacation with a mini vacation and worry free. Also several years ago we got PreCheck, what a game changer at the airport! As always great info Megan !
I've always flown in early for my cruises and now, I do post cruise stays as well. The last time I flew home the same day as disembarkation, I had so much anxiety that I'd miss the flight (booked by NCL) that I booked a hotel room as a backup. Fortunately, I made my flight but ended up being charged for the hotel. Now, I just stay at least one or more nights after disembarking.
One of my most memorable and best access to all of Romes tourist attraction was booking a late night Segway tour! We zipped around the city with no traffic, got up close to every must see location and it was a blast. I’m a 64 yr old female and always stay in hostels in Europe.
As a single traveller I use AirBnbs all the time and never had a problem. In fact I've just returned from 2 weeks in Playa del Carmen in Mexico and the level of security where I stayed was excellent. I find you can get a good idea of what a particular AirBnb is like by reading previous reviews.
I just flew to LA for a Friday-Sunday weekend trip in January. As soon as my arrival flight touched down in LA, my phone notified me that my return flight back to Washington state 48 hours later was cancelled. I had to spend most of my weekend getting a replacement flight booked. My original flight home was scheduled for 7:30 pm on Sunday. The only replacement flight back with an open seat was Sunday morning at 6:00 am. I basically lost most of my weekend dealing with the flight cancellation and then flying home early. Lots of time and money down the drain. Very frustrating.
I typically take afternoon flights. I'd much rather risk being delayed than risk oversleeping. When it comes to connecting flights, I look for a two hour layover. I will absolutely will not book a connecting flight with less than a 45-minute layover.
On cruise destinations, I always plan my arrival for at least 2 days before departure day. On Airbnb, I take a few things into consideration when deciding hotel or Airbnb/VRBO type platforms like cost, length of stay, availability, type of trip, who I’m traveling with and amenities. Have used private accommodations around the world and I take time to assess reviews/ house rules and location before diving in. Also, given dietary preferences, having a kitchen to cook is an advantage, Not everyone wants to cook on trips but it does save a lot on eating out daily especially if it’s my dime. Tip: read both positive and negative reviews of Airbnb type stays, I avoid places where ratings dip below 4.8, something’s up! 😊
We were in southern Poland for a ski event, we did stay at an Airbnb, then went to Prague and stayed at another Airbnb. We enjoyed both and the ability to do laundry, cook meals. I realize that most will stage and photograph their places to look much nicer or larger than they might be. But the advantage is we are not shoehorned in a small hotel room and have the ability to stretch out a little. After Prague, we stayed at a hotel in Amsterdam for a few days, as the Airbnb there was limited.
And I would add that in Europe, hotels are NOT competitive with AirBnB. A 50-80 euros AirBnB versus a 250 dollar hotel seems like a no-brainer choice. Yes, I have had the occasional issue with an AirBnB stay, but I have also had hotel issues in the US.
I only once used an AirBnB for a domestic trip. On a subsequent trip to Lisbon, Portugal, a tour guide mentioned how AirBnB and other such companies are ruining their city by taking away housing that could be used to house the local population. From that point on I decided to only use hotels.
Good point! It's become a big political issue in the EU. At the end of February the EU Parliament adopted new rules (by a huge majority ) that will be imposed in a standard way across the 27 country bloc (including Portugal). The booking companies will now have to collect accurate data from all their accomodation and pass it on monthly to the relevant local authority. This allows the local authority to determine things such things as how much housing is being removed from the local housing pool, by who and exactly where, and impose its own rule accordingly. It's a balance between boosting the local economy with tourism and keeping house prices and rent affordable for the permanent residents.
I and my travel partner like separate rooms (different ages and sleep patterns). Last trip away was a 2 bed cabin with accessibility bathroom in a caravan park. As an ex landlord I can say that I got tired of having to do extensive repairs between tenants.
True. But I don't think a room in an occupied house counts. I have been a host in my occupied home and continue to stay at Airbnb's where I rent a room in an occupied home. The extra income is great for homeowners in a world where home ownership is expensive. Airbnb provides the host the legal and insurance aspects of renting the room part time. Also I have met incredible people at Airbnb's. Particularly in the UK. Some have become friends.
We've stayed at over 50 Airbnbs on our travel adventures. Most were great; several were spectacular (a month stay at a farmhouse in Ireland, a small house overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Oregon, a house with a fantastic view of the Ligurian Sea in Cinque Terre, a small house in Vains with a great view of San Michel, ...). There were just a couple that were just OK. No disappointments. As others have noted, a kitchen saves us so much money. Free laundry, too, on long trips saves us time and money. Hotel stays, for the most part, leave us disappointed. Too noisy, disappointing free breakfasts, run by corporations, not locals. Now, it does take considerable research to find great Airbnbs, but I love doing that.
Sounds like you found some amazing holiday locations! I agree that with longer stays a well researched Airbnb can certainly surpass a hotel! I hope you continue to find your special place! Thanks for the visit!
Same about some hotels, but we typically use VRBO not AirBNB for stays in a house, and only that's an to ourselves. They're are hotels though that are quiet and have specific charms. For example, in Seattle, is Inn at the Market, with a location you can't beat, rooms designed to make the living and sleeping area quiet, amazing views, and an open rooftop patio that is so relaxing.
I absolutely agree you should always book directly with the airline. Third party websites, even Chase travel that gives you a 5% incentive are NOT WORTH IT. Booking through the airline also lets you cancel and rebook at a lower cost if you are booking business class. Chase will not give you the refund. They just pocket it.
I agree about the airline and prefer to book direct. I just got a Chase Sapphire card and wondered if you have experience booking hotels through them? I made a booking through Chase for a hotel but I won't receive my confirmation until 48 hours before? I'm nervous as it is an independent hotel and not a chain located in northern Europe. I'm concerned about the hotel not honoring the reservation.
@@madchatteressas someone from northern part of the world, I understand your concern and suggest you email them in advance to double check and for your peace of mind. Printed copies of payment and booking always advisable no matter where you’re going. 😁
Thanks Megan, I always appreciate your videos and these are some very timely tips. Glad to see you call out the risks of AirBnB too. I have heard too many horror stories to take the chance myself. There is very little risk at a good hotel, plus you can often get great deals for the same money or less and they come without the addons and possible drama. Just show up, and check in, often with included Limo service from the airport . You can relax, enjoy your breakfast, the pool, gym, etc. then pack up and leave. No muss no fuss. Definitely the way to go imho.
I will choose a hotel over Airbnb only if it’s less than 3 days. Main reason is that I like to have a kitchen. I feel more like a local when I can do some grocery shopping a make simple meals and salads. Also, I find that the cost is comparable or cheaper than a hotel. If I were to go to somewhere I didn’t feel comfortable or safe, I would choose a hotel. That never happens though. 😊
Air BnB used to really be the stuff when it first started out. Now, the only thing I can imagine it's still better is if there are a lot of people and can get the entire house. For a single traveler, hotels are better now. My tip for Coliseum is - if possible take the night tour. We started at 6pm or 8pm or something and it was great. It was cooler and only tour groups are allowed at night so there were probably only about 3 dozen of us in the entire place.
My husband was glad to have travel insurance when he ended up getting a Staph infection while training in NY and needed to find medical care pronto. He's a big supporter of it (and now also travels with a prescription of Keflex)
Travel insurance is good but too expensive for older people. Old folds on fixed income hardly can afford to buy travel insurance that costs an arm and a leg.
I've only had outstanding experiences with Airbnb. I limit my search to stand-alone facilities, which go by names such as "cabins" or "tiny houses." (I have NO desire to be in a room with the owners just down the hall!) I sometimes opt for a hotel if it's more convenient to a particular site I want to visit, but I always go for small, privately owned hotels. (I also have no desire to book into a chain hotel that looks like every other hotel.) There's always a certain element of risk, whatever kind of facility you choose to book, but this process has served me well on my last several international trips.
The last Airbnb we stayed at was spectacular. The last hotel was dismal. The funniest Airbnb was in Paris, it was like Fawlty Towers. The guy supervising the place was incredibly drunk, but such a nice guy. The place was shabby chic with no emphasis on chic. It was in a delightful location and I would go there again. If only they had two matching plates or glass in the apartment, preferably without chips and cracks. And if the dishwasher door actually closed it would be an improvement. It was so funny it would have made a great Jacques Tati movie set.
We use Airbnb usually in rural areas and always superhosts. Hotels more in the urban areas. You can get a price from booking sites but do attempt to book direct as the hotels pay hefty service charges to booking sites and if you contact them directly they have more flexibility in pricing and specials. We also tend to try to find the smaller family run accommodations for value and a more personal stay. Don't need a swimming pool or elevator to have a great stay. I will take a clean 2 star place in a good location anytime over a big NA style 4 star corporate hotel, I'm travelling to get a local experience.
Good points. I'll add one more: if there is a problem and you booked with the hotel directly, the hotel can work on the solution. If you book with a third-party website, they have to provide the solution.
Hotel: Never ever even contemplated the idea of renting an AirBnB for the very reasons you described. At the beginning of AirBnB, there was great value (I still opted for hotels); price, location, venue and quality of the location... But of course, like all tourist related industry, when popularity hits the fan, the bad "tourists" also generated the bad "hosts". The 'unique' experience becomes the 'common' sight, the friendly people become tired of seeing "tourists", and the "deals" are gone and replaced by fees and "infla-tourista", the local shops get owned by "foreign" opportunists and the list goes on.
We’ve stayed a lot of AirB&Bs, and I agree they are not longer a good deal for a couple with all the extra fees. Plus, I always feel a bit stressed about damaging something and not getting my cleaning deposit back. They are probably a better deal if you are sharing the AirB&B cost with others.
Some friends recently suggested hostels as an alternative. Some of them are almost as good as hotels, offering private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, safety lockers, all at a fraction of the cost of hotels. Also they are usually located near the city centre with easy access to the attractions. They also host free walking tours, pub crawls, even fun events like musical performances, magician shows, stand up comedy nights etc in their lounges. And if you are fifty-plus like me and don't like noisy crowds, you can choose a non-party type option. I'm trying out the Castle Rock hostel in Edinburgh in July (my first experience). Appears very promising. Let's see how it goes...
We still use Airbnb whenever we visit Japan. With such a large family (7 of us) getting a hotel for our group almost always means splitting up and thus doubles the cost of each night. I could see the ease if we were a small group, but for a family, especially with small kids, the ability to have the whole family stay together is a great relief.
I check online booking sites for hotel room rates, then call the hotel directly. They always match or better and appreciate not having to pay the service fee to the booking site.
100% Team AirBnB or VRBO. They've gotten better with time, and if you're with a superhost, you're good to go. I do carry an additional door jam lock that easily travels. But I have never felt unsafe. Only once did we pick a bad one, and that was in Madrid that we quickly swapped for an amazing one. I'm Bonvoy loyal for work ... but when I go to a hotel, it feels like work, and i despise the only choice to sit after awakening is on the bed.
We always book Airlines and hotels directly. The one and only time we used a third party to book a hotel, it turned out to be impossible to make a change to our booking so that was it, lesson learned. As to Airbnbs, the only time any one in my family had issues was when as a student they booked a CHEAP place with a couple of friends (mildew, dirt, cockroaches…) otherwise everyone has been happy with their rentals. I think a lot of people do not take the time to read the reviews before booking. Great video, thank you.
My recent AirBnB experiences over the past 2 years have led me to not use it anymore. It is basically a crap shoot at this point. I either love them or hate them. You never know what mattress, cleanliness, quality of stuff in the room, etc. Whereas when I book hotels (mostly with Marriot branded hotels), I know exactly what I am going to get as there is consistency within each brand.
YES, yes. Got screwed by Expedia. Never connecting thru Athens, GR again. Cost us u$3.3k to get home. airBnB: extra charges, sometimes 2 or 3x the price makes it a non-starter any more for me. Plus, I like having a pool, often, and as you mention, the cleaning. UGH.
I’ve had great airbnb experiences in certain countries. In Ireland, Iceland, Spain, France it’s been great. However, I wouldn’t dare in the Middle East. In Colombia it was fun as well. But you’re right. There are too many fees added now so that it just isn’t worth it. I like it more for experiences such as staying on farms or out in the country or places where there typically aren’t hotels.
I prefer hotels. You know in advance what to expect. There are onsite paid professionals to assist you with any issues. We don't go for the cheapest hotel, but a nice middle ground, that's safe and values their customers. Also, joining the free clubs is great advice. Also check your credit cards as they may have a discount for certain hotels even if it's not branded for that hotel group.
After watching this channel and many others, i won't book with third party for flights and hotels. And because I'm paranoid, i book non stop only if possible. Also travel insurance is a must.
@@evangelicalsnever-lie9792 apparently not everyone has a credit card let alone a good one, as I've just learned 😲 they might have a debit card but not a credit card.
I think Airbnb depends on whether you know the place you're staying. My sister and husband live in a gated community in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with a toddler and two one year olds, and we just got back from visiting them for a week and we stayed in an Airbnb in the same community like we always do. The whole place is really nice with good security, and the Airbnb was way more convenient than a hotel.
I have used your sponsor for a coach trip from Poland to Finland. The coach was comfortable, and the hotels were very nice, but because there were 44 people, I felt like we were being herded like cattle during city tours. I usually take the first flight of the day, but the only time I missed a connection was because the plane came late the previous night, it was delayed as it needed cleaning this me missing my connection. 😅
Hi Megan, my name is Marko Mihailovic and I think that paying for airline tickets online is a just a bit dangerous, due to the fact that you need to give out your credit card info. Once anyone does that, they open themselves to their card information being used to empty their bank account by strangers. While I don't mind paying for visas and other travel arrangements by card, I prefer doing it in person.
Did Airbnb for both Paris and London last year and have several other times in the States. I much prefer it over hotels. One, I like having the extra rooms so my kids and I can decompress in our own space. I despise how there's no where to sit comfortably in hotel rooms. I always book Airbnbs with at least a washing machine so we can pack lighter. The availability of a kitchen is so nice if you're on a budget and can cook a few of your meals. Even if it's just breakfast it saves so much money. On beach trips the ability to make sandwiches for a cooler (which is usually provided by the host) etc.can save a ton of money and allow for a healthier diet. But one thing that's been an awesome tradition with my kids is after a long day of sight seeing we like to chill on the couch and watch movies together. Much harder to do in a hotel. Also in some cases (harder overseas) you get more bathrooms which makes getting ready way faster. But I I will say that our Paris Airbnb didn't come with toilet paper, so we walked a block and bought some. Mild inconvenience for us all having our own space for the price of one hotel room. I admit I don't like what Airbnbs have done to local economies and long term rentals, but I feel that a balance is starting to happen. I did VRBO before Airbnb was a thing and always preferred it.
I don't mind giving some of my time for a cheaper flight, which is how I'm able to ve an experienced traveler. What's mentioned in this vid is exactly why I refuse to Airbnb in Quintana Roo outside of Cancun Hotel Zone and Isla Mujeres. Hearing at least one sumilar story of this happening in areas like PDC was more than enough to deter me from wanting to do it in that area.
I much prefer AirBNB. They feel more homey and because of the rating system, I can get honest reviews but I think it also keeps hosts caring about their reputation so they don't lose income. Plus, as a solo traveller, I feel like I always have someone who will be there for help and to keep an eye on me while I am there!
I prefer Airbnb when traveling. My family and I have used over 50 all over the world. You do have to do your research, but that is similar with hotels. With a family you need things like a kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. I do split up our vacations (usually more than 2 weeks) with hotel stays to get that hotel service, but then we save a lot of money by using Airbnb.
One other critical point for US Citizens and health insurance. Medicare/Medicaid doesn't cover for foreign health care, especially for seniors and have Medicare Advantage. Some supplemental plans (BCBS, United HC) do cover limited foreign health care expenses. As in the USA, in some countries, offer to visitors lower rates for seniors (over 60-65 and up), students/youth (under 26) and sometimes disabled persons for local and long distance bus/train transportation, admission fees as their or citizens or part of the EU.
When I travel alone I want a hotel, BUT when I travel with my daughter she invariably makes the arrangements and prefers Airbnb for an “immersive” experience. On one trip with her to NY the Airbnb was a bedroom in a tiny 5th floor walk up 😮 and the owner was there too. Felt intrusive not immersive to me. 🤷♀️
For short term stays I will always book a hotel. As a Marriott Platinum member I get good pricing and good experiences. Long term stays are another thing. I would still book my 1st and last day at a Marriott (or other big chain if no Marriott available). The disasters with Airbnb have always been for low priced bookings. As to booking services in general, I have had very bad experiences with them. When the accommodation provider doesn't fulfill their obligation, the booking service has always failed to help in any way.
I’ve had a couple of unimpressive airbnbs, but also some wonderful ones. For instance, we stayed at a really cool horse farm on 10,000 acres in the Westfjords of Iceland, where our host draped warmed blankets around our shoulders as we sat on the deck watching whales breaching in the fjord. No hotel can top that.
Flight cancellation by BA the morning of a flight from Porto. We got our money back and booked the last two seats in a flight on a different airline. We tend to use VBRO instead of AirBnB in the US but find AirBnB in Europe tends to be fine (though I use VBRO there too). We'll do a hotel for trips less than a week. I tend to check out the hotel's website when I do book - a lot of them are offering 10% or so off in many places in Europe (where I tend to travel), so go with them a lot.
Good info, especially like psrr about new trends in 2024. One BIG question.... I recently found you and have watched a number of videos. Many of the thumbnails show a "DON'T STAND HERE" or "STAND HERE", but that info is not in the videos. Is there a video explaining that? Or what's the reason? Very interested in knowing.
Don’t stand and wait in the regular airport security line 👍 Use a trusted traveller program like TSA Pre-Check to skip the line, or reserve a free screening time in advance at Canadian and American airports. Hope this helps clear it up, I'll work on making this more apparent in the future. Really appreciate the feedback.
I had a delayed flight from Costa Rica to California through Houston that caused a missed connection because I had to walk across the ENTIRE airport to go through Customs, through TSA Security again, then all the way back to the SAME PLANE.
I have a friend who works and lives overseas. Her company was paying for 5 of them to travel to the US for 2 weeks of training in Los Angeles. I asked her how her flight was and she said it took them almost 30 hours! I told her, the longest flights I've seen are 15 at the most, including lay overs. Turns out, the company wanted to save as much money as possible. So their first stop was Korea, then SF, New Mexico, Las Vegas, and then Los Angeles. Just to save the company maybe a couple hundred dollars!
If I'm staying for a week or more, then for sure Airbnb. I enjoy eating out but if I do it every day for an extended period of time my health suffers. I don't normally consume that much salt, fat, sugar or oil when I prepare my own meals. Also, the cleaning fee for Airbnb is the same for two weeks as one day. Take in mind I'm not staying in large cities so hotel options are limited and crime has not been an issue in the small, off the beaten path places I stay at.
Normally I prefer hotels, but if I am going to stay somewhere for extended periods, such as four weeks and longer, I tend to opt for an Airbnb/vrbo, etc.
Airbnb makes sense when travelers in your party have celiac disease. Despite so many restaurants claiming they can handle the dietary restriction, these folks sometimes spend too much time dealing with symptoms after dining out. Making some of your own meals in an Airbnb can reduce the risk. But I agree you must be careful when booking. I once realized I had booked a fake property in Zürich. Airbnb took care of me but it was troubling.
Also have to be careful with hotels, or specifically fake hotel websites. I have a friend who made a reservation months in advance for a trip to another country. Her connecting flight was canceled that would have taken her out of country, and when she went to cancel the hotel she learned that the hotel had been shut down for several years and someone bought the domain and was taking money from people who were being defrauded. Obviously it wasn't a real hotel business doing that, but it doesn't hurt to be careful. She got her money back through VISA zero liability. I typically call hotels after a reservation to ask a couple of questions. The professionalism (or lack of it) of the staff and the information influence whether I keep it or choose another one.
Hotel always anywhere! Cancelled flight: a few years back flying LAX to MEL with UA. Got to LAX early, this was a night flight. At the Boarding Gate lounge an announcement was made that the MEL flight was going to be to be cancelled due to a lack of crew. There were UA flights to AKL and SYD 10 minutes apart. UA offered the choice of destinations and flight to MEL. I chose SYD as I would be back in Australia and MEL to SYD flights are on the half hour all day. The flight home wasn’t all that good as the UA didn’t stock the plane for the extra MEL travellers they ran out of food and drinks half way home!
Great videos! I have a suggestion for another topic if you're interested. Unaccompanied minors. I had a situation several years ago and would love people to learn from it. I sent my teenage twin children on a teen program to Costa Rica from the US. They were supposed to fly as unaccompanied minors to and from Costa Rica. When I booked their flights they were 14 years old, and I submitted their birth dates to the airline. Both flights were confirmed for them to fly as unaccompanied minors and I paid for the program for both flights. The issue was the return flight. At the airport in Costa Rica, despite having paid for the program and received confirmation from the airline (knowing their birthdays), they were not allowed to board the flight as unaccompanied minors because they turned 15 while in Costa Rica. The children had to call me from the airport to ask what to do, and whether they should get on the plane. They called, not the agent. I was beyond furious. Why are minors being denied a program that had already been confirmed by the airline, and why isn't an adult, someone from the airline, calling the parents, instead of having the minor children handle it themselves in a foreign country? There was a reason I had booked the unaccompanied minors program. At the time, there were a lot of flight disruptions due to weather, and with the program, if the flight was delayed or diverted, the airline would be responsible for keeping them safe and a place to stay, otherwise they were on their own. After speaking to many people at the airline and at the airport near home, all of whom were shocked that the children were not flying as unaccompanied minors despite my having paid for it, they determined it was a computer glitch that would not allow them to fly under the program. The airline employees at the home airport were upset on my behalf, and all agreed that the agent in Costa Rica had not handled the situation properly. Other children on the trip were flying as unaccompanied minors, so there was no reason for the person responsible for those teenagers to not be responsible for mine, especially since I had confirmed the program before they left the US. All worked out well in the end because the flight was on time with no disruptions, but it's important for parents to be aware that something like this could happen to them as well if there is a change in their child's age while on a trip, despite the airline being aware from the date of purchase of the children's birthdays. Fortunately my twins are over the age of 18 now, so those days are behind us, but it was quite a traumatic experience at the time.
Credit card if u get a high level one - gives you coverage like Travel Insurance for 2mil for 21 days. That is more than enough for most people, and it's not necessary to purchase additional coverage.
I've used Airbnb domestically and overseas. For me all have been great experiences. I'd recommend Airbnb especially if you like me enjoy extended stays.
Will go to seoul in April, will attend language classes there.i will fly there from Germany and as i a want to avoid beeing to tired when i start school on monday, i will fly there on friday, arrive there late saturday afternoon and will have the sunday to get some rest before i will start school.... crazy, i know ...
Re travel insurance, be careful of the terms of the medical cover offered if you are getting older. Ryanair for instance offers standard insurance as an easy add-on options to click when you are booking your flights. But if you are over 70 you will find medical cover is NOT included in the policy. So it's best to book travel or medical insurance separately.
I like both airbnbs and hotels, airbnbns are nice when I am traveling with a group of people as I can pay for the airbnbn and then have them all pay me back, which basically means easy credit card points for me
Where I live, ours is a regional airport, so to go anywhere, we have to fly through a hub airport - there will always be 2 flights. The only option is to drive to the hub airport which can take as long as 5 extra hours (including parking and transport to the terminal), and in some cases might mean an overnight hotel stay. Costs to and from our regional are ridiculous, and I don’t know if driving would be cheaper…..but we fly at their cost for the convenience of flying vs driving.
I am staying in an Airbnb in Wales at the moment , a 150 year old period property with giant rooms and high ceilings , giant suite with en suite , king size bed , office and couch , she throws my laundry in with hers and I get it back pressed and on hangers , Giant kitchen , no other guests , no lift or commercial kitchen noises . On the outskirts of town with bus stop 50 yards away , bonus , the owner has 3 dogs , we go to the grocery store together to take advantage of 2 for 1 buys , she is totally awesome and less than $50 a night .
I recommend arriving a day or two early if you plan to drive in Europe. You do not want to be jet lagged while dealing with unfamiliar roads in an unfamiliar vehicle. I will arrive 3 days before I rent my motorcycle because I need to be well rested before heading out through the Alps. Also, there would be 3 days to deal with lost luggage if my helmet and boots don't make it with me on the plane.
This week we had major delays with Hawaiian Airlines in Sunday from Vegas to Maui. Thanks to some of your travel videos we were able to request and receive travel vouchers for our flight. (almost the total cost of ticket), $40 in airport food vouchers, a hotel room for the duration of the day. $80 in food vouchers for stay at the hotel and reimbursement for out lyft ride to and from hotel. I don't want to spend another 30 hrs of travel but we'll worth the benefits. I thanks for all you do.
I always fly direct unless there’s no other option I now pay extra for Premium Economy or maybe treat myself to business class which gets me checked bags included. Booking a hotel for a night or two before my return flight to save myself some stress. Airbnb is a thing of the past for me, it’s too much of a crapshoot. I book my flights directly from the carriers website, no second party apps, same with hotels, I book directly from the hotel website and save tons of money. Luckily my CC offers very good coverage, ymmv. Great video as usual 😊
I lived in India for 3 years and found that every Airbnb I stayed at was sub-par to extremely sub-par. What most people consider to be a bed would not be considered fit to sleep on in most western countries. And don't get me started on the bathrooms. However, despite that, the few I stayed at where the homeowners lived at the property or nearby, they were extremely friendly and helpful and offered very good value and tasty meals.
@@PortableProfessional I haven’t had a long flight like this one since 2019, so I really want to get ready for my upcoming trip to Japan. And your videos are really helpful 😄
As a vegan, staying at an Airbnb is a must. I want (and often need) a kitchen to cook and store food. Even if I'm traveling to a place with plenty of vegan restaurants/options, I don't want to eat out for every single meal every day for 1-2 weeks; the thought of that makes my stomach hurt, not to mention the financial expense. When my husband and I were planning our elopement and honeymoon in another state, we booked three Airbnb's, and they were all lovely, with only a couple minor inconveniences (I did insist that we only book the ones with "super hosts"). While there are sketchy things about Airbnb, there are many sketchy things about hotels as well (many people do have access to your room, and theft does happen in hotels), and I just prefer Airbnbs so I can cook the majority of my own food. Plus, if you stay at an Airbnb when traveling to another country, it makes you feel more like a local. :)
Awesome video Meagan. Wondering if you can include the equivalent Canadian links to what you have provided for your USA subscribers. Especially for airport security as well as passenger rights. Thank you
When I went to Switzerland last year, I had a cancelled flight both going and coming home which necessitated overnight stays plus I came home with Covid. Luckily on the outbound flight I had planned a buffer day as I was meeting a tour group so I didn’t miss the start of my tour.
Yes I have been pushed to a later flight, Unfortunately that mean the group that I was going with, they would be away for a full fortnight while I was taking two days off, but the full group met up where in a park they had been to before and so everyone knew where to go when they said we'll meet you at such and such park They had time to get a lunch and I had book flex, so pushing to the next service available didn't cost me a sent and I just sat in the lounge for an extra few hours. Hotel all the way.
The other advantage with hotels is that most major hotels will offer free transportation to and from the airport, whereas with Air BNB you're on your own.
If you get a nice host they will give you a ride. Happened to me in London. My friend was having trouble walking so much and our host drove us to the station twice while staying with them.
Great video once again. Always binge before going on a trip! For the airbnb... i agree. However the flip side is if you luck in and get a good one, build a rapport. We have this spot that is now, or go to for a weekend getaway. The host now gives us a discount, when we message her first. The level of trust is built and my wife and i feel safe there. Starting to do the same with resorts. We found a nice spot in Cuba, that we know we will go back regularly as the staff know us and we are getting to know them.
On the teaser for this video you said don't ever stand here but you never explain what you were talking about that is not right you made some good points on this video but I was waiting to see what the heck that one was about
Don’t stand and wait in the regular airport security line 👍 Use a trusted traveller program like TSA Pre-Check to skip the line, or reserve a free screening time in advance at Canadian and American airports. Hope this helps clear it up!
Direct flight - on the other hand, 2, 12h flights with a 2-4h break allow you to have a shower and refresh yourself (and take pictures of tropical butterflies), while one 24h flight might be a bit too much...
Whenever I've compared Airbnb to hotel, the price has always been comparable, so I prefer a hotel. I'm on holiday, I dont want to spend it doing the washing up and making my bed.
AirBnB has become, as you say, increasingly expensive and offers less value compared to several years ago. I spent a week in NYC recently and I found a hotel that was booking through AirBnB and through hotel booking sites. It was substantially more expensive to book through AirBnB for the same room. Thank you for these recommendations.
I haven’t done Airbnb since I stayed at a place in Paris where there was old pee on the bathroom floor, and no toilet paper included. Always check whether your Airbnb includes toilet paper, or whether you need to bring your own!
Traveling in 2022 to and from Italy, almost every flight was delayed, which led to running for the connecting gate, rebooking missed connetions, overnight in the airport and constant anxiety.
Travel insurance with good medical coverage is especially important for US seniors traveling internationally, since Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside of the USA!
traveling in off seasons means the queues are smaller. Versailles and the Eiffel Tower are really packed with long queues in the summer but in winter they are non-existent, booking direct with airlines is seldom that much more expensive, as well and can give you access to lounges as well as hotels on top of your existing rights, Of Course flights to and from the Eu and Uk are covered by cancellation and delay rights,
We’ve stayed in Airbnb’s in the Scotland, Wales , England and the US. Never once have we had a problem. Everyone was more than accommodating. Maybe because they speak English and their standard of cleanliness and safety are similar to ours?
We stayed in an AirBnB in Portland, Or a few years ago so my husband could visit a recumbent bicycle shop. That was an enjoyable experience. In 2016 we did a cruise to Cuba; I wanted to save money so booked cheap return flights to Seattle. There were two plane changes, never again. I’m going to spend more for a direct flight.
Another great job. Love watching your career one tiny little bit of advice. You say that you travel a lot but we never see you traveling. Could you do some outdoor videos of you in front of some beautiful sundrenched location. Just get outside please and show the world that the world is beautiful.
Thanks for the suggestion, Garth! I travel light so I avoid bringing video equipment with me. I'll see what I can do. The world is beautiful! Happy travels!
@@PortableProfessionalget one of those tiny DJI pocket 3 things. You don't have to take full landcape photography gear, lighting kit and backup cameras. We just want occasional footage to get the atmosphere of traveling on some of the videos. If it doesn't work it doesn't work, and we're no worse off than now.
You can take a video with your smartphone not perfect quality but you do not have to carry anything extra then can either upload directly to RUclips from the smartphone or if that to complicated first sent it to email or or like a photo docunent on computer where you can edit it then put it on RUclips.
*Get the best deal on an organized adventure with tourradar:* bit.ly/TR-BestDeals
Funny, there was an AirBnB ad for this video!
I was at the airport one morning for my flight home from visiting my sister when my flight was cancelled. There was a mad rush and long line to the agent for information, rebooking, etc. I just got on my phone directly to the airline and booked a later flight, then called my sister who came back to pick me up to enjoy an unexpected extra afternoon together.
Nice way to handle it! Hope you had a great afternoon!
Probably not a canadian Airline. You can get expedia on the phone fairly easily, however they still have to talk to west jet or air canada if something goes wrong.
With status, I just let the airlines do the work for me as I know they will look after premium customers first. I almost always get a text or email shortly later saying I have been rebooked on another flight.
I’ve done the same. We’d boarded and pilots were pushing back when they discovered an issue with the brakes. After a wait, the pilot told us the needed parts needed to be flown in and we all had to exit. While he was saying that, I called Delta and rebooked so I left the plane ready to get on the next flight. As I exited and passed the desk area, it was pure chaos.
This is a great way to handle the situation when you are in a country where you speak the language and have that country ‘s connection flight app on your phone!🤷♀️
SECRET TIP - visit the most popular sites (Eiffel Tower, Coliseum, etc) in later afternoon - after the tour groups are all finished. Whereas, lesser known museums are empty in the mornings (require a lot of walking) so tour groups don't visit them. I realized this trick when my hotel was near the Hagia Sophia and I saw all the tourist busses in the morning and right after lunch, but it was always empty in the late afternoons...
Thanks for sharing this tip! I noticed the same when I was visiting the Acropolis in Athens!
It's the same in Banff. Especially in the summer. If you want to hike Johnston Canyon if you go anytime in the morning or afternoon it's wall to wall people and no place to park. However the sun doesn't go down until like 10pm so if you go at 6pm the place is empty.
@@claytonberg721 Not sure about Johnston Canyon, but for Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, you can’t go in a personal vehicle anymore since 2023, one must take a shuttle bus and they don’t run after 6pm. It’s awful now, can’t even bring a dog either 🙁
Airbnb ends up cheaper for daughter and me when we need a bedroom each. Also a kitchen means we can visit the supermarket, cook our meals and save money for sightseeing. Just booked an Airbnb in Kraków, Poland from Australia. 🇦🇺
@@PortableProfessional
The Acropolis in the late afternoon is a good tip nine months of the year, but during the hot Summer months the afternoon heat can still be oppressive. To avoid the heat, I recommend visiting the Acropolis when it opens in the morning; the tour busses haven’t arrived yet and you’ll only pass the crowds on your way out.
I have never had a bad experience with an Airbnb. I like that they are all different unlike hotel rooms that always feel the same. You usually get a lot more space for the same price in a airbnb. However, the main reason that I use them is because they have a kitchen that I can use to prep my own meals and save my leftovers. I am a light eater and restaurants just don't make sense for me, especially in Europe when dinner is very late in the evening. Furthermore, I save a fortune by cooking my own food.
I don't use Airbnb but can see the advantage for many people in terms of kitchens or more space for larger families. For me, I will NOT cook on vacation (heck, I barely cook while home LOL!) so hotels work best for me. At least there are options for all of us.
What the effect they have on the housing market ?
Exactly. I don’t like feeling rushed in morning to get out for cleaning service. We save a ton of money and eat healthier cooking for ourselves.
@@madchatteressYou don't have to cook in an Airbnb. Just get a few things for making sandwiches. Making a ham and cheese sandwich isn't cooking.
@@Will5353_ this is another thing.
Yeah, I get, it just makes sense for many.
But, if we take Lisbon as an extreme example, pricing out families that have been there for ages.
Most often, hopefully not that drastic but the notion is same.
I have used airbnb many, many times in multiple locations and have always had a very positive experience. No problems whatsoever and I have saved myself a LOT of money!
That is great to hear! Happy travels!
Back in our more foolish days of traveling, we didn't hesitate to fly in the day of our cruises, NOT ANY MORE. Our last cruise we flew in 2 days before, nothing like starting your vacation with a mini vacation and worry free. Also several years ago we got PreCheck, what a game changer at the airport! As always great info Megan !
I've always flown in early for my cruises and now, I do post cruise stays as well. The last time I flew home the same day as disembarkation, I had so much anxiety that I'd miss the flight (booked by NCL) that I booked a hotel room as a backup. Fortunately, I made my flight but ended up being charged for the hotel. Now, I just stay at least one or more nights after disembarking.
One of my most memorable and best access to all of Romes tourist attraction was booking a late night Segway tour! We zipped around the city with no traffic, got up close to every must see location and it was a blast. I’m a 64 yr old female and always stay in hostels in Europe.
I'm 67 and always enjoy hostels. Get to met great people, free kitchen, location, flexibility.
As a single traveller I use AirBnbs all the time and never had a problem. In fact I've just returned from 2 weeks in Playa del Carmen in Mexico and the level of security where I stayed was excellent.
I find you can get a good idea of what a particular AirBnb is like by reading previous reviews.
In Turkey the reviews are rife with fakes. Serious problem.
I just flew to LA for a Friday-Sunday weekend trip in January. As soon as my arrival flight touched down in LA, my phone notified me that my return flight back to Washington state 48 hours later was cancelled.
I had to spend most of my weekend getting a replacement flight booked. My original flight home was scheduled for 7:30 pm on Sunday. The only replacement flight back with an open seat was Sunday morning at 6:00 am. I basically lost most of my weekend dealing with the flight cancellation and then flying home early. Lots of time and money down the drain. Very frustrating.
I typically take afternoon flights. I'd much rather risk being delayed than risk oversleeping. When it comes to connecting flights, I look for a two hour layover. I will absolutely will not book a connecting flight with less than a 45-minute layover.
On cruise destinations, I always plan my arrival for at least 2 days before departure day.
On Airbnb, I take a few things into consideration when deciding hotel or Airbnb/VRBO type platforms like cost, length of stay, availability, type of trip, who I’m traveling with and amenities. Have used private accommodations around the world and I take time to assess reviews/ house rules and location before diving in. Also, given dietary preferences, having a kitchen to cook is an advantage, Not everyone wants to cook on trips but it does save a lot on eating out daily especially if it’s my dime. Tip: read both positive and negative reviews of Airbnb type stays, I avoid places where ratings dip below 4.8, something’s up! 😊
We were in southern Poland for a ski event, we did stay at an Airbnb, then went to Prague and stayed at another Airbnb. We enjoyed both and the ability to do laundry, cook meals. I realize that most will stage and photograph their places to look much nicer or larger than they might be. But the advantage is we are not shoehorned in a small hotel room and have the ability to stretch out a little.
After Prague, we stayed at a hotel in Amsterdam for a few days, as the Airbnb there was limited.
And I would add that in Europe, hotels are NOT competitive with AirBnB. A 50-80 euros AirBnB versus a 250 dollar hotel seems like a no-brainer choice. Yes, I have had the occasional issue with an AirBnB stay, but I have also had hotel issues in the US.
I only once used an AirBnB for a domestic trip. On a subsequent trip to Lisbon, Portugal, a tour guide mentioned how AirBnB and other such companies are ruining their city by taking away housing that could be used to house the local population. From that point on I decided to only use hotels.
I used to be an airbnb booker for long term rentals. Now that I am more shorttime stayer, I rather give Best Western, Hilton or Sheraton my business.
That's the situation here in the U.S., too.
Good point! It's become a big political issue in the EU. At the end of February the EU Parliament adopted new rules (by a huge majority ) that will be imposed in a standard way across the 27 country bloc (including Portugal). The booking companies will now have to collect accurate data from all their accomodation and pass it on monthly to the relevant local authority. This allows the local authority to determine things such things as how much housing is being removed from the local housing pool, by who and exactly where, and impose its own rule accordingly.
It's a balance between boosting the local economy with tourism and keeping house prices and rent affordable for the permanent residents.
I and my travel partner like separate rooms (different ages and sleep patterns). Last trip away was a 2 bed cabin with accessibility bathroom in a caravan park.
As an ex landlord I can say that I got tired of having to do extensive repairs between tenants.
True. But I don't think a room in an occupied house counts. I have been a host in my occupied home and continue to stay at Airbnb's where I rent a room in an occupied home. The extra income is great for homeowners in a world where home ownership is expensive. Airbnb provides the host the legal and insurance aspects of renting the room part time. Also I have met incredible people at Airbnb's. Particularly in the UK. Some have become friends.
We've stayed at over 50 Airbnbs on our travel adventures. Most were great; several were spectacular (a month stay at a farmhouse in Ireland, a small house overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Oregon, a house with a fantastic view of the Ligurian Sea in Cinque Terre, a small house in Vains with a great view of San Michel, ...). There were just a couple that were just OK. No disappointments. As others have noted, a kitchen saves us so much money. Free laundry, too, on long trips saves us time and money.
Hotel stays, for the most part, leave us disappointed. Too noisy, disappointing free breakfasts, run by corporations, not locals.
Now, it does take considerable research to find great Airbnbs, but I love doing that.
Sounds like you found some amazing holiday locations! I agree that with longer stays a well researched Airbnb can certainly surpass a hotel! I hope you continue to find your special place! Thanks for the visit!
I would love to know which AirBnbs those spectacular ones were…
Same about some hotels, but we typically use VRBO not AirBNB for stays in a house, and only that's an to ourselves. They're are hotels though that are quiet and have specific charms. For example, in Seattle, is Inn at the Market, with a location you can't beat, rooms designed to make the living and sleeping area quiet, amazing views, and an open rooftop patio that is so relaxing.
Free laundry is a must.
The best way to see world attractions... go off season! Especially in Italy!
I absolutely agree you should always book directly with the airline. Third party websites, even Chase travel that gives you a 5% incentive are NOT WORTH IT. Booking through the airline also lets you cancel and rebook at a lower cost if you are booking business class. Chase will not give you the refund. They just pocket it.
I agree about the airline and prefer to book direct. I just got a Chase Sapphire card and wondered if you have experience booking hotels through them? I made a booking through Chase for a hotel but I won't receive my confirmation until 48 hours before? I'm nervous as it is an independent hotel and not a chain located in northern Europe. I'm concerned about the hotel not honoring the reservation.
@@madchatteressas someone from northern part of the world, I understand your concern and suggest you email them in advance to double check and for your peace of mind. Printed copies of payment and booking always advisable no matter where you’re going. 😁
How about the 5x points on flights with AMEX Platinum? Any experience to pass on from them?
Thanks Megan, I always appreciate your videos and these are some very timely tips. Glad to see you call out the risks of AirBnB too. I have heard too many horror stories to take the chance myself. There is very little risk at a good hotel, plus you can often get great deals for the same money or less and they come without the addons and possible drama. Just show up, and check in, often with included Limo service from the airport . You can relax, enjoy your breakfast, the pool, gym, etc. then pack up and leave. No muss no fuss. Definitely the way to go imho.
Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoy watching!
I will choose a hotel over Airbnb only if it’s less than 3 days. Main reason is that I like to have a kitchen. I feel more like a local when I can do some grocery shopping a make simple meals and salads. Also, I find that the cost is comparable or cheaper than a hotel. If I were to go to somewhere I didn’t feel comfortable or safe, I would choose a hotel. That never happens though. 😊
Makes sense! Safe travels, Violet!
Air BnB used to really be the stuff when it first started out. Now, the only thing I can imagine it's still better is if there are a lot of people and can get the entire house. For a single traveler, hotels are better now. My tip for Coliseum is - if possible take the night tour. We started at 6pm or 8pm or something and it was great. It was cooler and only tour groups are allowed at night so there were probably only about 3 dozen of us in the entire place.
My husband was glad to have travel insurance when he ended up getting a Staph infection while training in NY and needed to find medical care pronto. He's a big supporter of it (and now also travels with a prescription of Keflex)
I've started buying travel insurance but the cost is a big deal (especially at my age). It's good to know that it sometimes pays off.
Ive heard if u pay ur airtickets using certain credit cards that included travel insurance u dont have to buy the insurance individually?
Travel insurance is good but too expensive for older people. Old folds on fixed income hardly can afford to buy travel insurance that costs an arm and a leg.
@@AI_MIT_71 It increases the cost of an already pricey trip, especially with the penalty premium for us more senior folks.
Doesn't your credit card take care of travel insurance?
Yes to adding a day at the beginning of a trip!
I really appreciate your perspective and advice. You give travelers good suggestions and options.
Thank you! That means a lot to me!
I've only had outstanding experiences with Airbnb. I limit my search to stand-alone facilities, which go by names such as "cabins" or "tiny houses." (I have NO desire to be in a room with the owners just down the hall!) I sometimes opt for a hotel if it's more convenient to a particular site I want to visit, but I always go for small, privately owned hotels. (I also have no desire to book into a chain hotel that looks like every other hotel.) There's always a certain element of risk, whatever kind of facility you choose to book, but this process has served me well on my last several international trips.
The last Airbnb we stayed at was spectacular. The last hotel was dismal. The funniest Airbnb was in Paris, it was like Fawlty Towers. The guy supervising the place was incredibly drunk, but such a nice guy. The place was shabby chic with no emphasis on chic. It was in a delightful location and I would go there again. If only they had two matching plates or glass in the apartment, preferably without chips and cracks. And if the dishwasher door actually closed it would be an improvement. It was so funny it would have made a great Jacques Tati movie set.
We use Airbnb usually in rural areas and always superhosts. Hotels more in the urban areas. You can get a price from booking sites but do attempt to book direct as the hotels pay hefty service charges to booking sites and if you contact them directly they have more flexibility in pricing and specials. We also tend to try to find the smaller family run accommodations for value and a more personal stay. Don't need a swimming pool or elevator to have a great stay. I will take a clean 2 star place in a good location anytime over a big NA style 4 star corporate hotel, I'm travelling to get a local experience.
Good points. I'll add one more: if there is a problem and you booked with the hotel directly, the hotel can work on the solution. If you book with a third-party website, they have to provide the solution.
Hotel: Never ever even contemplated the idea of renting an AirBnB for the very reasons you described. At the beginning of AirBnB, there was great value (I still opted for hotels); price, location, venue and quality of the location... But of course, like all tourist related industry, when popularity hits the fan, the bad "tourists" also generated the bad "hosts". The 'unique' experience becomes the 'common' sight, the friendly people become tired of seeing "tourists", and the "deals" are gone and replaced by fees and "infla-tourista", the local shops get owned by "foreign" opportunists and the list goes on.
We’ve stayed a lot of AirB&Bs, and I agree they are not longer a good deal for a couple with all the extra fees. Plus, I always feel a bit stressed about damaging something and not getting my cleaning deposit back. They are probably a better deal if you are sharing the AirB&B cost with others.
Megan, do you know what is better than a direct flight? It is a non -stop flight. Direct flights can have as many as eight stops.
Some friends recently suggested hostels as an alternative. Some of them are almost as good as hotels, offering private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, safety lockers, all at a fraction of the cost of hotels. Also they are usually located near the city centre with easy access to the attractions. They also host free walking tours, pub crawls, even fun events like musical performances, magician shows, stand up comedy nights etc in their lounges.
And if you are fifty-plus like me and don't like noisy crowds, you can choose a non-party type option.
I'm trying out the Castle Rock hostel in Edinburgh in July (my first experience). Appears very promising. Let's see how it goes...
Hostels are definitely becoming more popular and not just for the young single traveller. Would love to hear how your stay in Edinburgh goes. Enjoy!
Totally agree about hotel over Air B&B. The value was there early on but not anymore. You also brought up other good points.
We still use Airbnb whenever we visit Japan. With such a large family (7 of us) getting a hotel for our group almost always means splitting up and thus doubles the cost of each night. I could see the ease if we were a small group, but for a family, especially with small kids, the ability to have the whole family stay together is a great relief.
I check online booking sites for hotel room rates, then call the hotel directly. They always match or better and appreciate not having to pay the service fee to the booking site.
Great! Thanks for the tip, David!
100% Team AirBnB or VRBO. They've gotten better with time, and if you're with a superhost, you're good to go. I do carry an additional door jam lock that easily travels. But I have never felt unsafe.
Only once did we pick a bad one, and that was in Madrid that we quickly swapped for an amazing one.
I'm Bonvoy loyal for work ... but when I go to a hotel, it feels like work, and i despise the only choice to sit after awakening is on the bed.
We always book Airlines and hotels directly. The one and only time we used a third party to book a hotel, it turned out to be impossible to make a change to our booking so that was it, lesson learned. As to Airbnbs, the only time any one in my family had issues was when as a student they booked a CHEAP place with a couple of friends (mildew, dirt, cockroaches…) otherwise everyone has been happy with their rentals. I think a lot of people do not take the time to read the reviews before booking. Great video, thank you.
My recent AirBnB experiences over the past 2 years have led me to not use it anymore. It is basically a crap shoot at this point. I either love them or hate them. You never know what mattress, cleanliness, quality of stuff in the room, etc. Whereas when I book hotels (mostly with Marriot branded hotels), I know exactly what I am going to get as there is consistency within each brand.
Exactly my sentiment regarding booking hotel vs Airbnb ... I like the consistency of the chains like Hilton and Marriot.
YES, yes.
Got screwed by Expedia. Never connecting thru Athens, GR again.
Cost us u$3.3k to get home.
airBnB: extra charges, sometimes 2 or 3x the price makes it a non-starter any more for me.
Plus, I like having a pool, often, and as you mention, the cleaning. UGH.
I’ve had great airbnb experiences in certain countries. In Ireland, Iceland, Spain, France it’s been great. However, I wouldn’t dare in the Middle East. In Colombia it was fun as well. But you’re right. There are too many fees added now so that it just isn’t worth it. I like it more for experiences such as staying on farms or out in the country or places where there typically aren’t hotels.
I always go to your channel when i am worried about my trip in 6 months. Thank you fof your videos I enjoy them.
Glad you find them helpful! Hope you have a great trip when the time comes!
I prefer hotels. You know in advance what to expect. There are onsite paid professionals to assist you with any issues. We don't go for the cheapest hotel, but a nice middle ground, that's safe and values their customers. Also, joining the free clubs is great advice. Also check your credit cards as they may have a discount for certain hotels even if it's not branded for that hotel group.
Thank you for TourRaidar! It has given us a lot of options as to where we are going! Always a Hotel since our security is the most important!
After watching this channel and many others, i won't book with third party for flights and hotels. And because I'm paranoid, i book non stop only if possible. Also travel insurance is a must.
Why? Good credit cards cover travel insurance.
@@evangelicalsnever-lie9792 apparently not everyone has a credit card let alone a good one, as I've just learned 😲 they might have a debit card but not a credit card.
I think Airbnb depends on whether you know the place you're staying. My sister and husband live in a gated community in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with a toddler and two one year olds, and we just got back from visiting them for a week and we stayed in an Airbnb in the same community like we always do. The whole place is really nice with good security, and the Airbnb was way more convenient than a hotel.
I have used your sponsor for a coach trip from Poland to Finland. The coach was comfortable, and the hotels were very nice, but because there were 44 people, I felt like we were being herded like cattle during city tours.
I usually take the first flight of the day, but the only time I missed a connection was because the plane came late the previous night, it was delayed as it needed cleaning this me missing my connection. 😅
Christmas travel, especially to and from Montana. Been diverted from a Billings arrival to Bozeman!
Hi Megan, my name is Marko Mihailovic and I think that paying for airline tickets online is a just a bit dangerous, due to the fact that you need to give out your credit card info. Once anyone does that, they open themselves to their card information being used to empty their bank account by strangers. While I don't mind paying for visas and other travel arrangements by card, I prefer doing it in person.
Did Airbnb for both Paris and London last year and have several other times in the States. I much prefer it over hotels. One, I like having the extra rooms so my kids and I can decompress in our own space. I despise how there's no where to sit comfortably in hotel rooms. I always book Airbnbs with at least a washing machine so we can pack lighter. The availability of a kitchen is so nice if you're on a budget and can cook a few of your meals. Even if it's just breakfast it saves so much money. On beach trips the ability to make sandwiches for a cooler (which is usually provided by the host) etc.can save a ton of money and allow for a healthier diet.
But one thing that's been an awesome tradition with my kids is after a long day of sight seeing we like to chill on the couch and watch movies together. Much harder to do in a hotel.
Also in some cases (harder overseas) you get more bathrooms which makes getting ready way faster. But I I will say that our Paris Airbnb didn't come with toilet paper, so we walked a block and bought some. Mild inconvenience for us all having our own space for the price of one hotel room. I admit I don't like what Airbnbs have done to local economies and long term rentals, but I feel that a balance is starting to happen. I did VRBO before Airbnb was a thing and always preferred it.
Airbnb seems to be the perfect fit for you and your family! Happy travels!
I don't mind giving some of my time for a cheaper flight, which is how I'm able to ve an experienced traveler.
What's mentioned in this vid is exactly why I refuse to Airbnb in Quintana Roo outside of Cancun Hotel Zone and Isla Mujeres. Hearing at least one sumilar story of this happening in areas like PDC was more than enough to deter me from wanting to do it in that area.
I much prefer AirBNB. They feel more homey and because of the rating system, I can get honest reviews but I think it also keeps hosts caring about their reputation so they don't lose income. Plus, as a solo traveller, I feel like I always have someone who will be there for help and to keep an eye on me while I am there!
I had great success with Air B and B in Sydney Australia.
I prefer Airbnb when traveling. My family and I have used over 50 all over the world. You do have to do your research, but that is similar with hotels. With a family you need things like a kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. I do split up our vacations (usually more than 2 weeks) with hotel stays to get that hotel service, but then we save a lot of money by using Airbnb.
One other critical point for US Citizens and health insurance. Medicare/Medicaid doesn't cover for foreign health care, especially for seniors and have Medicare Advantage. Some supplemental plans (BCBS, United HC) do cover limited foreign health care expenses.
As in the USA, in some countries, offer to visitors lower rates for seniors (over 60-65 and up), students/youth (under 26) and sometimes disabled persons for local and long distance bus/train transportation, admission fees as their or citizens or part of the EU.
When I travel alone I want a hotel, BUT when I travel with my daughter she invariably makes the arrangements and prefers Airbnb for an “immersive” experience. On one trip with her to NY the Airbnb was a bedroom in a tiny 5th floor walk up 😮 and the owner was there too. Felt intrusive not immersive to me. 🤷♀️
For short term stays I will always book a hotel. As a Marriott Platinum member I get good pricing and good experiences. Long term stays are another thing. I would still book my 1st and last day at a Marriott (or other big chain if no Marriott available). The disasters with Airbnb have always been for low priced bookings.
As to booking services in general, I have had very bad experiences with them. When the accommodation provider doesn't fulfill their obligation, the booking service has always failed to help in any way.
I’ve had a couple of unimpressive airbnbs, but also some wonderful ones. For instance, we stayed at a really cool horse farm on 10,000 acres in the Westfjords of Iceland, where our host draped warmed blankets around our shoulders as we sat on the deck watching whales breaching in the fjord. No hotel can top that.
Flight cancellation by BA the morning of a flight from Porto. We got our money back and booked the last two seats in a flight on a different airline. We tend to use VBRO instead of AirBnB in the US but find AirBnB in Europe tends to be fine (though I use VBRO there too). We'll do a hotel for trips less than a week. I tend to check out the hotel's website when I do book - a lot of them are offering 10% or so off in many places in Europe (where I tend to travel), so go with them a lot.
Good info, especially like psrr about new trends in 2024. One BIG question.... I recently found you and have watched a number of videos. Many of the thumbnails show a "DON'T STAND HERE" or "STAND HERE", but that info is not in the videos. Is there a video explaining that? Or what's the reason? Very interested in knowing.
Don’t stand and wait in the regular airport security line 👍 Use a trusted traveller program like TSA Pre-Check to skip the line, or reserve a free screening time in advance at Canadian and American airports. Hope this helps clear it up, I'll work on making this more apparent in the future. Really appreciate the feedback.
I had a delayed flight from Costa Rica to California through Houston that caused a missed connection because I had to walk across the ENTIRE airport to go through Customs, through TSA Security again, then all the way back to the SAME PLANE.
Always allow enough time when going through customs.... and remember...flights start boarding about 45 mins before departure.
I have a friend who works and lives overseas. Her company was paying for 5 of them to travel to the US for 2 weeks of training in Los Angeles. I asked her how her flight was and she said it took them almost 30 hours! I told her, the longest flights I've seen are 15 at the most, including lay overs. Turns out, the company wanted to save as much money as possible. So their first stop was Korea, then SF, New Mexico, Las Vegas, and then Los Angeles. Just to save the company maybe a couple hundred dollars!
May I ask, which medical travel insurance did you use? I am looking for one.
If I'm staying for a week or more, then for sure Airbnb. I enjoy eating out but if I do it every day for an extended period of time my health suffers. I don't normally consume that much salt, fat, sugar or oil when I prepare my own meals. Also, the cleaning fee for Airbnb is the same for two weeks as one day. Take in mind I'm not staying in large cities so hotel options are limited and crime has not been an issue in the small, off the beaten path places I stay at.
Normally I prefer hotels, but if I am going to stay somewhere for extended periods, such as four weeks and longer, I tend to opt for an Airbnb/vrbo, etc.
Airbnb makes sense when travelers in your party have celiac disease. Despite so many restaurants claiming they can handle the dietary restriction, these folks sometimes spend too much time dealing with symptoms after dining out. Making some of your own meals in an Airbnb can reduce the risk. But I agree you must be careful when booking. I once realized I had booked a fake property in Zürich. Airbnb took care of me but it was troubling.
Also have to be careful with hotels, or specifically fake hotel websites. I have a friend who made a reservation months in advance for a trip to another country. Her connecting flight was canceled that would have taken her out of country, and when she went to cancel the hotel she learned that the hotel had been shut down for several years and someone bought the domain and was taking money from people who were being defrauded. Obviously it wasn't a real hotel business doing that, but it doesn't hurt to be careful. She got her money back through VISA zero liability. I typically call hotels after a reservation to ask a couple of questions. The professionalism (or lack of it) of the staff and the information influence whether I keep it or choose another one.
Hotel always anywhere! Cancelled flight: a few years back flying LAX to MEL with UA. Got to LAX early, this was a night flight. At the Boarding Gate lounge an announcement was made that the MEL flight was going to be to be cancelled due to a lack of crew. There were UA flights to AKL and SYD 10 minutes apart. UA offered the choice of destinations and flight to MEL. I chose SYD as I would be back in Australia and MEL to SYD flights are on the half hour all day. The flight home wasn’t all that good as the UA didn’t stock the plane for the extra MEL travellers they ran out of food and drinks half way home!
Great videos! I have a suggestion for another topic if you're interested. Unaccompanied minors. I had a situation several years ago and would love people to learn from it. I sent my teenage twin children on a teen program to Costa Rica from the US. They were supposed to fly as unaccompanied minors to and from Costa Rica. When I booked their flights they were 14 years old, and I submitted their birth dates to the airline. Both flights were confirmed for them to fly as unaccompanied minors and I paid for the program for both flights. The issue was the return flight. At the airport in Costa Rica, despite having paid for the program and received confirmation from the airline (knowing their birthdays), they were not allowed to board the flight as unaccompanied minors because they turned 15 while in Costa Rica. The children had to call me from the airport to ask what to do, and whether they should get on the plane. They called, not the agent. I was beyond furious. Why are minors being denied a program that had already been confirmed by the airline, and why isn't an adult, someone from the airline, calling the parents, instead of having the minor children handle it themselves in a foreign country? There was a reason I had booked the unaccompanied minors program. At the time, there were a lot of flight disruptions due to weather, and with the program, if the flight was delayed or diverted, the airline would be responsible for keeping them safe and a place to stay, otherwise they were on their own. After speaking to many people at the airline and at the airport near home, all of whom were shocked that the children were not flying as unaccompanied minors despite my having paid for it, they determined it was a computer glitch that would not allow them to fly under the program. The airline employees at the home airport were upset on my behalf, and all agreed that the agent in Costa Rica had not handled the situation properly. Other children on the trip were flying as unaccompanied minors, so there was no reason for the person responsible for those teenagers to not be responsible for mine, especially since I had confirmed the program before they left the US. All worked out well in the end because the flight was on time with no disruptions, but it's important for parents to be aware that something like this could happen to them as well if there is a change in their child's age while on a trip, despite the airline being aware from the date of purchase of the children's birthdays. Fortunately my twins are over the age of 18 now, so those days are behind us, but it was quite a traumatic experience at the time.
That must have been very stressful! Glad it all worked out ok. Thanks for the suggestion and I will keep it in mind! Safe travels!
Credit card if u get a high level one - gives you coverage like Travel Insurance for 2mil for 21 days. That is more than enough for most people, and it's not necessary to purchase additional coverage.
Like you say it can depend on the card. Always important to read the entire policy. Safe travels!
@@PortableProfessional well hopefully nothing bad happens to me 🙏
Love your dog in the background.
He knows just where to be to get some screen time😂 Thanks for watching!
I've used Airbnb domestically and overseas. For me all have been great experiences. I'd recommend Airbnb especially if you like me enjoy extended stays.
Will go to seoul in April, will attend language classes there.i will fly there from Germany and as i a want to avoid beeing to tired when i start school on monday, i will fly there on friday, arrive there late saturday afternoon and will have the sunday to get some rest before i will start school.... crazy, i know ...
Re travel insurance, be careful of the terms of the medical cover offered if you are getting older. Ryanair for instance offers standard insurance as an easy add-on options to click when you are booking your flights. But if you are over 70 you will find medical cover is NOT included in the policy.
So it's best to book travel or medical insurance separately.
I like both airbnbs and hotels, airbnbns are nice when I am traveling with a group of people as I can pay for the airbnbn and then have them all pay me back, which basically means easy credit card points for me
Where I live, ours is a regional airport, so to go anywhere, we have to fly through a hub airport - there will always be 2 flights. The only option is to drive to the hub airport which can take as long as 5 extra hours (including parking and transport to the terminal), and in some cases might mean an overnight hotel stay. Costs to and from our regional are ridiculous, and I don’t know if driving would be cheaper…..but we fly at their cost for the convenience of flying vs driving.
Great tips as always Megan,I am loving apartment rentals abroad lately,I enjoy being able to cook and have a full refrigerator and freezer.
I am staying in an Airbnb in Wales at the moment , a 150 year old period property with giant rooms and high ceilings , giant suite with en suite , king size bed , office and couch , she throws my laundry in with hers and I get it back pressed and on hangers , Giant kitchen , no other guests , no lift or commercial kitchen noises . On the outskirts of town with bus stop 50 yards away , bonus , the owner has 3 dogs , we go to the grocery store together to take advantage of 2 for 1 buys , she is totally awesome and less than $50 a night .
I recommend arriving a day or two early if you plan to drive in Europe. You do not want to be jet lagged while dealing with unfamiliar roads in an unfamiliar vehicle. I will arrive 3 days before I rent my motorcycle because I need to be well rested before heading out through the Alps. Also, there would be 3 days to deal with lost luggage if my helmet and boots don't make it with me on the plane.
This week we had major delays with Hawaiian Airlines in Sunday from Vegas to Maui. Thanks to some of your travel videos we were able to request and receive travel vouchers for our flight. (almost the total cost of ticket), $40 in airport food vouchers, a hotel room for the duration of the day. $80 in food vouchers for stay at the hotel and reimbursement for out lyft ride to and from hotel. I don't want to spend another 30 hrs of travel but we'll worth the benefits. I thanks for all you do.
Always great to hear how the videos have helped viewers out! Happy travels!
I always fly direct unless there’s no other option
I now pay extra for Premium Economy or maybe treat myself to business class which gets me checked bags included.
Booking a hotel for a night or two before my return flight to save myself some stress.
Airbnb is a thing of the past for me, it’s too much of a crapshoot.
I book my flights directly from the carriers website, no second party apps, same with hotels, I book directly from the hotel website and save tons of money. Luckily my CC offers very good coverage, ymmv.
Great video as usual 😊
I lived in India for 3 years and found that every Airbnb I stayed at was sub-par to extremely sub-par. What most people consider to be a bed would not be considered fit to sleep on in most western countries. And don't get me started on the bathrooms. However, despite that, the few I stayed at where the homeowners lived at the property or nearby, they were extremely friendly and helpful and offered very good value and tasty meals.
Thank you for a new video! I’m addicted to these videos.
That's great! Glad you enjoy them, Christopher! See you back here next week.
@@PortableProfessional I haven’t had a long flight like this one since 2019, so I really want to get ready for my upcoming trip to Japan. And your videos are really helpful 😄
As a vegan, staying at an Airbnb is a must. I want (and often need) a kitchen to cook and store food. Even if I'm traveling to a place with plenty of vegan restaurants/options, I don't want to eat out for every single meal every day for 1-2 weeks; the thought of that makes my stomach hurt, not to mention the financial expense. When my husband and I were planning our elopement and honeymoon in another state, we booked three Airbnb's, and they were all lovely, with only a couple minor inconveniences (I did insist that we only book the ones with "super hosts"). While there are sketchy things about Airbnb, there are many sketchy things about hotels as well (many people do have access to your room, and theft does happen in hotels), and I just prefer Airbnbs so I can cook the majority of my own food. Plus, if you stay at an Airbnb when traveling to another country, it makes you feel more like a local. :)
Like for all above, just through VRBO instead. I think they're preferable.
@@zlauriault We haven't tried VRBO, but we'll have to look into it :)
Awesome video Meagan. Wondering if you can include the equivalent Canadian links to what you have provided for your USA subscribers. Especially for airport security as well as passenger rights. Thank you
When I went to Switzerland last year, I had a cancelled flight both going and coming home which necessitated overnight stays plus I came home with Covid. Luckily on the outbound flight I had planned a buffer day as I was meeting a tour group so I didn’t miss the start of my tour.
Thats how it it with British Airway-they added on seat price afterward.
Yes I have been pushed to a later flight, Unfortunately that mean the group that I was going with, they would be away for a full fortnight while I was taking two days off, but the full group met up where in a park they had been to before and so everyone knew where to go when they said we'll meet you at such and such park They had time to get a lunch and I had book flex, so pushing to the next service available didn't cost me a sent and I just sat in the lounge for an extra few hours. Hotel all the way.
The other advantage with hotels is that most major hotels will offer free transportation to and from the airport, whereas with Air BNB you're on your own.
Good point! Thanks for watching!
Not in Asia as have discontinued, stating that 😅was pre covid, so need to read small print.
If you get a nice host they will give you a ride. Happened to me in London. My friend was having trouble walking so much and our host drove us to the station twice while staying with them.
Always great info on your channel! Thanks for sharing!
Great video once again.
Always binge before going on a trip!
For the airbnb... i agree. However the flip side is if you luck in and get a good one, build a rapport. We have this spot that is now, or go to for a weekend getaway. The host now gives us a discount, when we message her first. The level of trust is built and my wife and i feel safe there.
Starting to do the same with resorts. We found a nice spot in Cuba, that we know we will go back regularly as the staff know us and we are getting to know them.
Thanks so much! Happy travels!
On the teaser for this video you said don't ever stand here but you never explain what you were talking about that is not right you made some good points on this video but I was waiting to see what the heck that one was about
Don’t stand and wait in the regular airport security line 👍 Use a trusted traveller program like TSA Pre-Check to skip the line, or reserve a free screening time in advance at Canadian and American airports. Hope this helps clear it up!
Direct flight - on the other hand, 2, 12h flights with a 2-4h break allow you to have a shower and refresh yourself (and take pictures of tropical butterflies), while one 24h flight might be a bit too much...
Whenever I've compared Airbnb to hotel, the price has always been comparable, so I prefer a hotel. I'm on holiday, I dont want to spend it doing the washing up and making my bed.
Exactly.
I must agree.
Great video! what is the name of the travel insurance you recommend? Thank you.
Thanks! I have included the link for the insurance.
safetywing.com/?referenceID=24736628&Ambassador
I experienced a flight delay Feb. 22. it just didn’t go well. I did learn the airlines had to give me something for all my troubles.
AirBnB has become, as you say, increasingly expensive and offers less value compared to several years ago. I spent a week in NYC recently and I found a hotel that was booking through AirBnB and through hotel booking sites. It was substantially more expensive to book through AirBnB for the same room. Thank you for these recommendations.
I haven’t done Airbnb since I stayed at a place in Paris where there was old pee on the bathroom floor, and no toilet paper included. Always check whether your Airbnb includes toilet paper, or whether you need to bring your own!
Hotel, hands down. Especially since I'm platinum loyalty now.
Nice! Happy travels!
Traveling in 2022 to and from Italy, almost every flight was delayed, which led to running for the connecting gate, rebooking missed connetions, overnight in the airport and constant anxiety.
Travel insurance with good medical coverage is especially important for US seniors traveling internationally, since Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside of the USA!
Good point! It may cost a little but can save you a lot! Safe travels!
traveling in off seasons means the queues are smaller. Versailles and the Eiffel Tower are really packed with long queues in the summer but in winter they are non-existent, booking direct with airlines is seldom that much more expensive, as well and can give you access to lounges as well as hotels on top of your existing rights, Of Course flights to and from the Eu and Uk are covered by cancellation and delay rights,
We’ve stayed in Airbnb’s in the Scotland, Wales , England and the US. Never once have we had a problem. Everyone was more than accommodating. Maybe because they speak English and their standard of cleanliness and safety are similar to ours?
We stayed in an AirBnB in Portland, Or a few years ago so my husband could visit a recumbent bicycle shop. That was an enjoyable experience.
In 2016 we did a cruise to Cuba; I wanted to save money so booked cheap return flights to Seattle. There were two plane changes, never again. I’m going to spend more for a direct flight.
Thanks for watching, Susan!
Buffer days help us recover from jet lag too.
So true! Happy travels!
Another great job. Love watching your career one tiny little bit of advice. You say that you travel a lot but we never see you traveling. Could you do some outdoor videos of you in front of some beautiful sundrenched location. Just get outside please and show the world that the world is beautiful.
Thanks for the suggestion, Garth! I travel light so I avoid bringing video equipment with me. I'll see what I can do. The world is beautiful! Happy travels!
@@PortableProfessionalget one of those tiny DJI pocket 3 things. You don't have to take full landcape photography gear, lighting kit and backup cameras. We just want occasional footage to get the atmosphere of traveling on some of the videos. If it doesn't work it doesn't work, and we're no worse off than now.
You can take a video with your smartphone not perfect quality but you do not have to carry anything extra then can either upload directly to RUclips from the smartphone or if that to complicated first sent it to email or or like a photo docunent on computer where you can edit it then put it on RUclips.