Mission Travel

Archive for November, 2011

Most of us have been issued and used a credit card type hotel room key when traveling. During checkout, the clerk will often ask if you have your key(s) to turn in or the hotel has a box or slot near the reception counter to drop them off. It saves the hotel a few cents being able to reuse the cards. No big deal, right? Maybe not for the hotel but the situation presents a real threat to your personal security.

Recently, Southern California law enforcement professionals assigned to detect new threats to personal security discovered what type of information is embedded in the credit card type of hotel room keys used throughout the industry. While the information recorded varies from hotel to hotel, the law enforcement officials found room entry cards containing the following information:

Customer’s (your) name Customer’s partial address Hotel room number Check-in and check out date Customer’s (your) credit card number and expiration date!

Generally, hotels do not erase your information on these room entry cards until an employee re-issues the card to the next guest and overwrites your information. This is what the hotels mean by recycling when you read “Please turn in your hotel key cards as we recycle them.” Depending on a specific hotel’s procedures, any number of individuals could have access to the room entry card before your information is overwritten. A simple scanning device can pull your information off these cards-allowing someone to go shopping at your expense or worse.

Bottom line: keep your hotel entry card, take it home and then destroy it. Cutting the card up is the best method, being sure to cut the electronic information strip. Dropping a room entry card the trash whole is not a safe method-credit card and identity thieves have no problems rummaging through trash. Never leave room entry keys in your hotel room and don’t turn them into the front desk when you check out. Legally, the hotel cannot charge for the room card and you won’t be leaving behind valuable personal information that can be easily lifted with a card scanning device.

More than 1 million pieces of luggage were lost, damaged, delayed or pilfered by U.S. airlines from May to July, 2007. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, June and July 2007 were ranked among the worst months for mishandled baggage in 20 years. And unfortunately, this number has been increasing over the past 5 years. In 2002, 3.84 reports of mishandled bags were filed per 1,000 passengers. In July 2007, this figure was 7.93.

Many jobs were slashed after the industry’s historic downturn a few years ago, and restrictions on gels and liquids in 2006 have caused a big increase in the number of checked bags. This leaves more bags to be checked with fewer employees. Add to this the major carriers’ reliance on hubs. Connecting flights increase the probability of luggage being misplaced or not making the next flight in time either.
With carriers buying smaller planes for the regional market, there have been more baggage limitations due to weight restrictions. The airline industry says the baggage problem is due mostly to delays caused by weather and an outdated air traffic control system. Analysts are saying that the problem is only going to get worse too, especially during the holiday travel season.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Buying travel insurance is your best option. Preferred travel insurance policies not only help you with lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, missed a flight, lost passports, etc., but also have an emergency “911″ travel emergency service for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel and flight changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice and more.

Other ways you can help yourself are to book a direct flight. Since this is usually not an option, choose flights that have at least an hour between connections. Because of the increase in baggage problems, some people are even shipping their baggage to their destination while bringing a small carry-on bag on the plane. This option even saves you time (typically 30 minutes) as you don’t have to wait at the airport for your checked bags to arrive.

Make sure you obey the size and packaging requirements for personal hygiene products and medications, and anything that looks like a weapon is prohibited. Everything in your carry-on must be searchable. If you are searched, gift wrapped items will definitely be opened. Take metal items such as keys, phones, pagers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and loose change out of your pockets. Put these in your carry-on, or in a plastic bag before you get into the security line. This keeps lines moving and you wind up having a better experience. Avoid wearing anything that contains metal, such as clothing, jewelry or other accessories such as heavy jewelry, clothing with metal buttons or snaps, belt buckles or under-wire bras. You may be additionally screened because of hidden items such as body piercings, which will cause the metal detector to go off.

Pack your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets that you are carrying must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket to the checkpoint, you will need to either pack it in your carry-on baggage or put it in one of the bins that are provided.

With the holiday season fast approaching, many Americans are planning their travels… and bringing along Fido and Fluffy! Be sure to plan ahead and take all the necessary precautions to ensure that your pet’s holiday is a happy and safe one.

For many, holiday travel means staying at a pet friendly hotel. It’s important to make sure that you and your pet are prepared. Following some simple tips will help to ensure that your hotel stay with your pet is an enjoyable one.

- It’s recommended to book a room on the ground floor and by an exit. This will make it much easier for you to take your pet out for bathroom breaks. Make sure to always clean up after your pet as well.

- Be sure to exercise your pet…this means walks. Ask hotel personnel about the best places to walk your pet.

- Treat the hotel room with respect…this means covering any furniture and beds that your pet may be allowed on.

- If traveling with a cat, place their litter boxes in the bathroom. This will make clean-up much easier.

- It’s recommended to not leave your pet unattended in your hotel room. Even the best behaved pets can bark and become destructive when in new surroundings. If you must leave your pet alone, be sure that it’s for a very short time. Alert the front desk that your pet is alone in the room and try putting on the TV or a radio to make your pet more comfortable. If you pet travels with a crate or kennel, place them in it when leaving the room. In addition, place a note on the hotel door indicating that your pet is in the room.

- Don’t leave any pests behind. Before leaving home be sure to give your pet a good cleaning and de-flea & de-tick them. This means a good flea and tick bath along with utilizing preventative flea and tick control. Leaving behind a stinky smell, or worse, fleas or ticks is the kind of thing that makes accommodations change their pet friendly policy. In addition, if a deposit is required, these types of things could very well prevent you from getting it back.

- Accidents happen! Even pets that have never had an “accident” indoors may do so under stress. Bring along a disinfectant as well as a rag in the event that you have to clean up after your pet. Not doing so could also cause a loss of deposit.

- To ensure that you’re welcomed back, keep your pet on a leash and avoid taking them into dining areas.

Following some common sense rules will help ensure that your pet has a happy and safe trip.