Posts tagged: American Express Travel

Rail Travel In Europe On A Luxury Travel Vacation

One new popular way to explore Europe on luxury vacations is by rail. This travel trend is growing in leaps and bounds. With the emergence of the European Train Network, trains are becoming the preferred mode of travel. Often chosen over air travel, trains are a great option for those interested in seeing multiple cities or countries in just one vacation.The European Train Network
Trains are a convenient mode of short, medium and long distance travel across Europe. Western and central Europe has a dense and widely used railway network spanning the entire continent. With over twenty countries and five-hundred cities, this rail network can literally supply eager luxury world cruise travelers with a comprehensive view of Europe’s interior. Trains on the network are also great for short jaunts around your country of choice. These European trains are fast, reliable and depart and arrive approximately every half hour. With the European Train Network, travelers of can travel to capital cities and charming, forgotten towns. Get a great deal on your luxury world cruise by going to http://www.amtcruises.com.Trains Versus Flying
Travelers on luxury vacations are out to consider trains as an alternative to flying. Trains have more spacious and comfortable interiors than most airplanes, offering you a more comfortable way to travel. Trains in Europe will allow you to take advantage of scenic routes and allow you a new way to experience the beautiful countryside. You will also avoid the long waits in security at airports. The railway stations are usually located in or very close to the center of the city, whereas airports can be up to 100 km away from the city’s center. Trains have more of a romantic feel than airplanes. Train tickets that are booked in advance are also a bit cheaper. The developing train technology makes the train usually the same speed as airplanes, especially when you calculated the needed time to check in early and go through security. Plus, if you miss the train, you can take another one in about thirty minutes. For help with your next luxury vacation visit http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-vacations.html.
With so many great reasons to go, European train travel has become a leading way to explore the interior of Europe for travelers on a luxury travel vacation. Besides the air of romantic hype that has developed around rail travel, it has simply become extremely practical. New technologies have evolved into an extensive European Train Network, which offers stops in most European countries and hundreds of cities. Train travel has become preferable to air travel because of the better availability, the better location stops, the speed and the price. Experience the joys of European train travel. Learn more about the benefits of planning your next luxury travel vacation with AMT American Express Travel by visiting http://www.amtvacations.com/world-class-customer-service.htm.

3 Steps to Travel Asia Mini Guide

I travel quiet extensively between many countries, typically business International travel. I thought I would share some travel tips, I have encountered, as we are going through some interesting times. I hope to save the traveler some time and headaches, as each country, or airport for that matter is changing security measures in many different ways.

Now , I typically go on International Travel , so I experience changes between countries. When taking any domestic flights, I even experience different security measures implemented within the same country, but at different airports. So time travel can be challenging, and I hope these simple steps can save you from a bit of frustration, understanding, everything is focused on passenger safety right now as 1st priority.

Step 1. In the Beginning :
From many years of International Travel, I found it best to book my own ticket online. This allowed a far better price. American Express Travel offered a nice insurance coverage as well.

Now, I have switched back, and use my original travel agent in Los Angeles for all World Travel. He has access to far greater information than I could get online. The reason is simple, I can use my cell phone, direct call from Hong Kong, have him check or make any latest Airline Travel changes on his PC, confirm connecting flights, delays, etc., and even make real time changes, plus all travel services.

You may think the cost of a international cell phone call is expensive, but actually not for information , time saved, and general safety. I am on a 1st name basis, he understands clearly any questions in under a minute, and done in a few brief minutes. So, possibly a $6.00 call, compared to a bottle of Aspirin at $5.00, your choice.

Now, sounds the same, but here is the trick, he receives so much feedback on different flights, airports, extended security time in different countries, I may have missed a connecting flight in many cases if I did not know this before hand. It is not all about Discount Travel any more.

For example typically your check in for International Travel is 2 hours in advance. I check in 4 hours early, and then have leisure time after customs, check in bags, etc. Also travel light, have a carry on with one extra shirt, small things in case your bag gets delayed, this is now more sensitive, and can happen, consider some simple needs to get you by for a day.

Step 2: Know Your Connecting Flights :Make sure you understand all connecting flights prior final destination point. Here is what can happen, first stay with the same airline company, and the same plane, since probably just a flight crew change, and refueling, . That means the Jet is already there, verses pending another incoming Jet, with possible unforeseen delays. Avoid changing Airlines for any connecting flights if at all possible. Greatest chance for delays, and missed connecting flights.

Example ; I depart from LAX for International Travel, with a stop over in Narita, Japan, which is a very common route .
Today, if they tell me it is only a 1 hour stop over at Narita, I get very concerned, as when you arrive, you are in transit, but are required, and routed back through a full security line, which may not make that 1 hour stop over, and you miss the connecting flight.

Usually you will have 2 hour lay over. Now your agent should be aware of recent changes, tightening of security checks, and may help you book a longer , say 4 hour lay over, 2 for the added security check, alone, for International Travel. Now that sounds painful, but if you miss the connecting flight, you may have to spend the night, a 15 hour delay.

I hope this makes sense, its already happened to me, and you are under tight security spending the night, not allowed in the city since considered a transit passenger, and have not actually entered the country formally.

Step 2: How to Fly: Well, sounds odd, but simply what class to fly in. When on a business trip, like most, take the Business Class on International Travel if allowed. The reason for this, is not the extra food, I usually eat very light while flying , however do work while flying with my Laptop, need a connection for a battery charge, and in some cases there are internet connections in addition for a fee. This offers a larger space to spread out my work, books, papers, etc.

Flying on vacation, I am over 6 foot, so the thought of an economy class seat, no knee space is painful. However, most airlines have improved, I now have a much more comfortable seat, leg room, and typically get the isle seat, or by emergency exit when possible. One simple statistic to remember; if a jet was to go down, the back of the plane has the best chance for survival, just something to consider.

Step 3: Travel Destination Safe: First off, take an airline that is well known, good history record, and follows FAA regulations. This sounds so basic we tend to take this for granted, as if standard practice for all, but not true in many cases, there are many new startups, or foreign companies that tend to cut corners to make profit.

Why would I mention this simple advise, well I experienced a near fatal crash with my wife, who was very scared to fly, and to date will not fly. We took a very large twin turbo prop, on a simple one way 45 minute domestic flight. Perfect day, blue skies, no clouds, flight was full with business people, a variety of travelers retuning home in the big city. Note, Turbo props usually level off at 20,000 feet, Jets, 35,000 feet or more with calm air allowing a smoother ride.

The pilot in his own language, which I can understand, stated there was a brief stop over in another city, lots of mountains, and wind. This was never mentioned, nor written on the ticket ? Briefly, he took us head on into a typhoon, nearly crashed due to shear wind conditions, well, that is all I am going to state, I think you get the message.

Point made is this, fly with someone who follows FAA regulations, invests into maintenance requirements, and follows guidelines that conform to safety requirements, especially passengers. This sounds simple, but once out of the USA, not everyone follows these guidelines, so it may save your life. There are airlines out there, real low cost, but I just will not fly with them, as many of my business associates likewise, with extremley bad experiences. Last, the airline I almost crashed in, went out of business in less than 6 months from startup.

I hope these important Tips help give you some inside info on how to safely plan a trip, and avoid unexpected delays, things that may even save your life, especially on long International Travel adventures. Times are changing now for travel everywhere.