Make The Most Of A Long Layover

Sometimes you just can't help ending up with a long layover. We've had ones from 4 hours to overnight and we've always viewed it as a challenge in fun. I am always disappointed when I only have an hour or so and can't explore a new airport, because so many are becoming cultural hubs.

How much time do you have? Here's how to fill it!

Under 3 hours

• Check out the airport's art collection. Lots of airports have art installations and some even have galleries. 
• Grab a bite to eat. Most airports have restaurants from the local area that also have locations in the airport. Even if you don't have time to check out the city, you can at least enjoy some local food.
• Take a nap. If the airport you're in has sleep pods, you can make the most of your layover and get some shut-eye. You can always camp out on a few chairs though. On our last trip, we witnessed a guy soundly sleeping in an out of the way section of floor.
• Get some exercise. Some airports have gyms and/or yoga rooms, so fill your time getting relaxed or burning calories before you have to sit back down again. If the airport you're at has neither of these, you can always just walk up and down the terminal. If you have kids, you might be lucky enough to be in an airport with a playground where they can burn off their excess energy.
• Hit up the spa. Pamper yourself with a pedicure, manicure, or massage. 

3-6 hours

• Take a city tour. I've been to airports, like Salt Lake City, that actually have free buses to/from the airport to the city center, where you can take a tour, check out some local landmarks and do a bit of shopping.
• Watch a movie. We've done this before. We brought some movies from home, camped out in a very quiet terminal, and then watched two movies on our laptop. Now, it's easier, because you can stream everything wherever you are. Of course, some airports even have theaters, including Portland International that runs an hour's worth of locally-made entertainment around the clock.
• Get a day pass to the airport lounge. Maybe you just want some quiet space and to get a little work done. If you feel like the cost of access is justified, most lounges have free snacks, drinks, nice bathrooms (some have showers) and desks with outlet. 

6+ hours

• Rent a car and get out and explore. We once had 8 hours to spare in Vancouver, BC, so we hopped in a rental car, went to one of the city's popular parks, got some walking in, visited the conservatory, had lunch, and then drove to the salt room nearby and got a bit of relaxation in.
• Meet a friend. On an 8-hour layover in San Francisco, a friend came to pick us up at the airport, and we did some city things, hand lunch and dinner, then she dropped us back at the airport and we continued on our trip. It was like two trips in one.
• Get a room. Once on a trip through DFW, we found a really great deal on an international flight to Ecuador, but we had a 14-hour layover. Even with a hotel room at the airport Marriott, it was a deal, so we checked in, hit the town, took in a movie, got a good night's sleep in a nice bed, grabbed a continental breakfast and got back to the airport and onto our main trip. It was fun.

Sometimes you just have to make the best of a bad situation if you didn't plan it or you're trying to save money. If you end up with a long layover due to the airline's fault, then make sure you get compensated.

• Download the GateGuru app before you leave home so you can find all the shops, restaurants and amenities near your gate and everywhere else in the airport. 
• Have some cash on-hand, just in case. you never know what might happen.
• If you aren't traveling with just a carry-on (and I highly recommend you do), make sure you have spare clothes, pajamas, and toiletries with you. I also suggest snacks, so you aren't paying the crazy mark-up at most airline shops.
• If your flight is delayed more than two hours (or you get bumped), you are owed compensation. Ask for cash, if possible. The airline regulations clearly state that compensation should be paid in cash, electronic transfer or checks, unless the passenger chooses to accept travel vouchers instead. If you choose travel vouchers, then you have rules you have to adhere to and can only use it on the airline you booked originally.
• You can also sometimes finagle airport vouchers for drinks and food.
• If the delay is responsible for an overnight stay, the airline owes you a voucher for a free hotel night. 
• Some tips for getting the most from your cancellation/delay: 
• Be nice. You need to keep your cool when talking to airline counter agents. They can't do everything, but if they can, they are way more inclined to do it if you're nice to them.
• Ask. It never hurts to ask. The worst that can happen is they'll say no, but hopefully give you something worth more than what they were going to give you.
• Know your rights. Make sure you know what you can ask for under which situation. Weather delays are not in the control of the airline, so in that case, keep the airline's 800-number on-hand to call and rebook. Usually they will waive fees for you. If all else fails, take to Twitter to contact the airline for help.

What's the coolest thing you've done on a layover?

Be A More Frequent Traveler

Every successful budget traveler knows the importance of frequent flyer miles. If you want to save money on your trips, then doing everything possible to get free plane tickets - or upgrades or even a partial ticket - is going to help you greatly when trying to spend less and still get to where you want to go. 

Traveling on a budget doesn't mean that you can't visit far off and exotic places. It just means you have to be more creative with your planning and spend a little more time searching for bargains on things you want to see and do. Not quite sure how they work or how you will ever fly enough to earn a reward seat? Then read on!

Sign up for your favorite airlines

You can't earn miles if you don't become a mileage member. You can sign up for as many or as few as you want. I suggest signing up for preferred one or two airlines and try to fly exclusively on those. It's free and easy. You just need to enter your member number when you book a ticket. Don't forget that you can earn miles between companies that are codeshare partners and book rewards seats as well.

 
Earn on the ground

It would be a long waiting game to a reward ticket if you could only accrue miles when you flew, unless you fly a lot for business and can use your personal mileage account for those flights. Luckily, you can earn frequent flyer miles for a ton of other things:

• Get a credit card that earns miles - Maybe your debit card already has this feature or it is available as an add-on through your bank. If not, there are a ton of other cards out there to choose from. You might as well earn bonus miles for things you will be buying anyway.
• Rent a car - You can rack up miles by driving! When you fill in your reservation info online, make sure to add your frequent flyer number before you finish booking.
• Stay in a hotel - Just like with a rental car, you can gain miles by sleeping in most chain accommodations.
• Buy stuff online - Buy items from travel merchants through your airline's retail site to maximize your points. You can also sign up for ThanksAgain.com to bulk up your mileage by eating, parking and shopping at the airport and other off-site merchants.
• Eat out - If you dine out regularly, check out your mileage dining program. Register your preferred credit cards and eat out as usual. You'll automatically earn points at participating restaurants when you use those cards.

So, as you can see, frequent flyer miles aren't as mysterious as they sound and they can be super easy to earn quickly if you take advantage of all the ways you can accrue them. Now you just need to pick a destination, pack your bags and start planning!

How To Quit Overpacking

So, I'm a recovering overpacker. I've learned how to pack less over the years and still I feel like I pack too much whenever I travel. You can totally learn to pack less and enjoy the freedom of spending less (time and money) at the airport and of going from plane to trip without a visit to the carousel. Here's what you need to do:

This is all I took for 5 days in Vegas. It would have been smaller, but I took my laptop.

Commit, commit, commit 

Say you're not going to overpack and don't just give up because it's too hard. Commit to it and eventually it'll become second nature.

Stop playing the "what if?" game

Don't pack for worst case scenarios. Pack for what will probably happen. Going somewhere warm? Pack for warm weather, but don't forget a pair of long pants, shoes that aren't flip flops, and a cardigan/long sleeve shirt, just in case. It'll probably rain. Don't pack for "if" you do this or that. Have you planned it? Then you probably won't do it. 

Make a packing list & plan ahead

This is where most people fail. Stop packing the last minute and it'll be way easier to be objective. Make a packing list before you start, print it out and see what you really need and don't need. I find this much more helpful than picking out all your stuff and then culling half of it. If my packing list all fits on one page (including my must-bring toiletries), I feel like I've done a good job, but the real test is getting it all into your carry-on.

Here's everything underneath my seat

Color coordinate

How do you know what to pack and put on your packing list? Pick a color scheme and stick with it. I generally like to go with blues or greens, but if you have neutral bottoms, then it's super easy to match with them, especially if you make them all the same color family, like blacks or tans. That way all your tops go with the bottoms and finding two pair of shoes to go with everything is super simple. Yes, I said two pair.

Start with the right size bag
Most people are trying to start with a bag that's way too big. Find a reasonable sized carry-on. One that won't be too heavy for you to lift into the overheard when it's full. If you pull out your big suitcase and give yourself the option of using it, you're going to overpack and end up checking it and wasting money (and time).

Don't be afraid of laundry

I plan my laundry days on vacation. It's not glamorous, but I'm way more happy to not break my back heaving a bag up stairs and into the trunk. I'd rather spend a couple hours over the course of a week winding down and doing a load of laundry than having too much stuff and also coming home with a bag full of dirty clothes.

I'll admit to packing and repacking my bag before I leave a few times. I use all the space possible, but I also try to only bring what I need for any given trip. It's going to take you a few trips to master it, but when you see what you've packed and not worn over and over, you'll know what to leave home next time.

Are you a chronic overpacker?