Travelennium Inc.

https://www.travelmole.com/news/southwest-to-ditch-open-seating/?otg=1&nidd=amtydWNodGVuQHRyYXZlbGVubml1bS5jb20=

Southwest to ditch open seating Airline has revealed key changes like ending the open seating policy and introducing extra legroom seating in the future

https://wsjtravel.cmail20.com/t/d-e-eddwlk-dtjlgdrz-r/

wsjtravel.cmail20.com

https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/check-in-early-hotel-tips/

How To Check In Early at a Hotel (14 Tips for Early Hotel Check-in) If you're wondering how early you can get access to your room, these tips and tricks can help you get an early check-in on your next stay.

Is International travel going cashless? - Recently a traveler returned from London and told us every retail store he went into would not allow him to pay with pounds, only credit cards. We are seeing more and more countries moving rapidly to cashless purchases. Not sure if I like that or not. I always worry that my bank will view a charge as fraudulent and stop me from charging. I do, however, really like the touchless feature that allows you to simply tap your i-phone on the credit card reader and the touchless charge happens.

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/new-rules-require-automatic-cash-refunds-for-delayed-cancelled-flights/

New Rules Require Automatic Cash Refunds For Delayed, Canceled Flights - AVweb The Biden administration has announced rules that will require airlines to issue automatic cash refunds for any domestic flight that is canceled or delayed more than three hours, regardless of reason, including weather. Passengers can waive the refund and get rebooked on another flight if they choos...

Travelennium will be closed on Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29, for the Easter holiday. We will reopen on Monday, April 1st at 830am.

For two brothers, backyard gin leads to new brand In the middle of the pandemic, Jack and Henry Perkins decided to make a gin with a flavor profile more palatable to Americans.

One of our clients recently flew from Memphis to Orlando roundtrip as it was a directly/non-stop flight and the price was much better than flying into Ft Lauderdale which was their final destination. From Orlando they took the Brightline which is the train from Orlando to Miami with various stops enroute to Miami. They said the experience was WONDERFUL. Check out their site below:

High-Speed Passenger Train: Buy Tickets Today | Brightline Ride Brightline & experience a high-speed train unparalleled in speed, comfort, and style. Now servicing 5 destinations in South Florida. Live life on the bright side today.

Ten critical things you need to know to navigate a car rental in Europe – Renting a car in Europe is much different than renting a car in the USA. Here you go:

1. Get an international driver’s license – First, make sure you have a valid driver’s license from your home state. Secondly, although the rental car company may not require you to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) you may have to produce one or face stiff fines if you have a traffic ticket or accident. To avoid the worry, spend the $20 and get the IDP.

2. Minimum age requirement – Most car rental companies in Europe require you to be at least 21 years old. Some companies are as high as 25 years old. Be sure to ask the car rental company BEFORE you go.

3. Get ready to be flimflammed by the counter agent – they will ALWAYS try to upgrade you.

4. Insurance is very expensive – If you wait and get the car insurance at the registration desk be prepared to pay $25-40 a day for coverage. Check to see if your credit card company provides primary and secondary coverage in the countries you are traveling.

5. Beware of the tiny trunks to hold your luggage – If you rent a 4 passenger car and everyone brings a checked piece of luggage and a carry-on you will NOT be able to fit it all in the car. Basically, all cars in Europe have tiny trunks and can only hold about 4 total pieces of luggage. Cars in Europe are all very small and most of that shortened size comes at the expense of trunk space.

6. Most of the cars have manual transmissions – can you drive car with a manual transmission? Be sure you reserve an automatic transmission when you make the reservation. It may cost you a few more Euros, however, nothing is more frustrating that having to negotiate a manual transmission when going up a hill at a stop sign and you don’t know how to easily slip the clutch to move forward.

7. Use the car GPS – GPS mapping systems now come on most rental cars. Using a European GPS will also show you where the speed traps are and actually warn you in enough time that you can slow down and avoid getting tickets. Although most of these speed traps are marked very well with signs; however, you will often be distracted when driving and not notice them. It can be expensive to have a lead foot in Italy.

8. Have plenty of Euros for toll roads – Many of the expressways in Europe are funded by tolls. In one day you may pay for three or four tolls along the way. It is always good to have some spare 5-10 Euro bills handy to pay the automated toll booths.

9. Finding a parking space in large cities is much harder than in the states – They also are often several blocks away from your hotel or attraction you want to visit. If I stay in a nice hotel in the city, I often find it is easier to pay the valet parking than spending 30 minutes finding a parking stall.

10. Beware of the restricted traffic zones (ZTL) – Many cities have restricted travel zones where only authorized vehicles are allowed. Proceed at your own risk if you enter these as they come with big fines if you are caught. Also please realize that some of the streets in these historic cities are hundreds of years old and may only be 8 to 10 feet wide. There are a lot of one way streets as well.

11. BONUS – Don’t drink and drive anywhere but especially in Italy. They have very low tolerance levels and it is a very serious crime if caught.

Due to the weather conditions in Memphis Tennessee, Travelennium has been closed since Monday. Depending on road conditions Wednesday, we hope to reopen starting at 10am.

Please call if you need immediate assistance. More inclement weather is due to arrive on Thursday so we will have a limited hours both Thursday and Friday. Stay safe.

Thank you

Due to an over abundance of caution, Travalennium will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16th. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Due to inclement weather, Travalennium will be closed on Monday. If you need assistance for airline tickets, please call our office at 901-767-0761 and there are instructions for our after hours service. This service is not available tours or cruises.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/sleeping-in-economy-class-tips-for-a-good-night-s-rest/ar-AA1lj8EF

Sleeping In Economy Class: Tips For A Good Night's Rest Follow these steps can help to maximize your chances of getting a good night's rest on a long-haul flight in economy class.

Here are 10 tips to make flying easier this holiday weekend - This will be one of the busiest weekends of the year for flying. Here is advice if you are brave enough to fly this weekend and during the coming Christmas and New Year holidays.

#1 – Download the airline APP on your mobile phone and check-in online before your head to the airport –Print out a boarding pass before you leave home - This keeps you out of one more line at the check-in counter.

#2 – Make sure your TSA Pre-Check number is listed in your reservation – If you have downloaded the airline mobile app and checked-in on the app you will receive a boarding pass that will clearly show the TSA Pre-Check symbol on your boarding pass. Those smart travelers who use a travel advisor will probably have a profile with the Known Travelers number captured so it automatically shows up on your boarding pass. If your boarding pass does not show your TSA Pre-Check number you should ask the airline rep at the check-in counter to add it to your reservation so you can use the Pre-Check lane for speedy access of the security lane.

#3 - Take an Uber or have your friends or relatives take you to the airport - Airport parking is often full (and expensive) and you can avoid the hassle of driving around for an hour to find a parking spot. – If you do drive your car to the airport be sure to take a picture of your car where you parked in the parking lot so you know where to find your car when you return.

#4 - Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours early as lines will be long - I know this sounds excessive however, nothing is worse than missing your flight because of long lines. If you miss your flights you may miss out altogether on flying as all flights will be full and it will be hard if not impossible to find alternate flights.

#5 – Take only carry-on luggage - Avoid the check-in counter and go straight to the security checkpoint. This means you should take only carry-on luggage and avoid checking in any luggage (will save you 30 minutes of standing in line).

#6 – Take a picture of your checked luggage – Then if your luggage gets lost you can easily show the airline clerk what it looks like when filing a lost luggage claim.

#7 - Get on the plane early - Overhead bins will be full of Christmas gifts and overhead bin space is on a first come first served basis.

#8 - Scan or photograph your passport, driver’s license and credit cards - This can help you get replacements and contact your banks for new credit cards and credentials if needed.

#9 - Charge your phone and all of your electronics plus bring a charging battery – When the airports are full so are all the airport charging stations. Nothing is worse than trying to use your phone when the battery is about to die.

#10 - Leave your laptop at home - It is time to sit back and enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

#11- Please, please, please don't wrap your Christmas presents if you are flying with them - Many people who are flying to Grandma's house with Christmas presents as carry-ons are going to be very upset when they watch the security staff unwrap those presents to check what is inside. My advice, if you are taking presents be sure you wrap them when you arrive to prevent the painful experience of watching your beautifully wrapped presents being opened and that 15 minutes of making the wrappings look perfect is dismantled at the security check point.

#12 Bonus - Finally, take a big dose of patience with you - Christmas and New Years are two of the busiest weeks of the year for air travel. Airports will be full. Parking lots will be full. Security lines will be twice the normal size and every seat on every plane will be packed. The overhead bins on planes will be packed with holiday goodies. This is the time of the year when many families fly. So these travelers are often first time flyers that are not aware of how the "system works". Despite all the "hassle factors" you can remove most of the stress simply by arriving early at the airport and knowing in advance what to expect. So take a deep breath, enjoy all those cute children running around your feet and be thankful for all our wonderful blessings that this season offers.

Procrastinator’s Alert - The best gift you can give for Christmas is the dream of travel – We can still save the day for guys that have procrastinated buying their wife (or significant other) a Christmas gift. If you want to really see someone's eyes light up on Christmas morning give them a travel gift certificate. It is the easiest gift to buy and the one that your friends and family will most cherish. Let’s face it. Who needs one more ugly tie or one more bottle of cheap perfume to store in the closet? The most valued gifts today are not possessions but experiences. Call Travelennium today at 901-767-0761. Yours will be the most popular gift this Christmas.

End-of-Year Warning – Protect your airline and hotel elite status before the end of the year - One of the most valuable things a frequent traveler can do is to make sure you retain your current airline and hotel elite status for the New Year. A simple call to your preferred airline or hotel and they will tell you if you are on track to maintain your status and all the bennies that go with it like complimentary upgrades, etc. If you are short, be sure to check to see if you have earned all your credits. If you still are just a few miles or stays short many people look at doing a quick mileage run (airline) or mattress run (hotel) to earn enough points to put you over the top. The airlines sometimes will often allow you to buy additional qualifying miles before the end of the year to reach your elite status target.

Shop at COLLECTED and Support St. Mary's! Check off your shopping list at COLLECTED by Elizabeth Malmo and support St. Mary's through your purchase. On WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 10% of all sales will benefit the St. Mary's Fund.

Shop Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Shop Location: 2537 Broad Avenue, Memphis, TN

Our winter office hours will be from 830am - 430pm, M-F.
We will be closed for the Holidays on Friday, December 22nd through New Year's Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Thank you for making 2023 a prosperous year!

Travelennium will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from Wednesday, November 22, through the weekend. We will reopen on Monday, 27Nov at 830am.

Here is a list of the Top12 things to do BEFORE you travel internationally – NOT necessarily in any order

1. Double-check your passport to make sure that it does not expire at least 6 months from the date of your return flight – Your passport MUST have at least six months validity from your return date of travel. Many countries will not let you into the country if you only have a few months left on your passport.

2. Check what vaccinations will be required to visit the countries - With all the debate surrounding vaccinations you may want to first consider all the vaccinations that are recommended/required before you can enter a country. Some people may look at this list and decide they don't want to have all this stuff in their body. The key point is that you should understand the risks BEFORE you spend money on tickets, etc.

3. Check the local festivals and holidays - There are many festivals and local holidays practiced by other countries which we are not aware of. It is important to do your due diligence - research what holidays might be celebrated when you visit a country. This may affect if banks are open and even if museums you plan to visit are open. It also might affect if restaurants and other convenience services are open. It is best to do this before you make your airline and hotel reservations. You may have to change your dates of travel to work around these international holidays.

4. Check to see if your preferred hotel is available before you book your airline tickets – If you have a preferred hotel brand and perhaps using points (hotel points, credit card points, or even frequent flier miles), you might want to make sure you can find the hotel rooms and the airline seats using miles before you actually redeem the miles or press the “purchase” button.

5. Check the state department security alerts - The U.S. State Department has a website that lists all the countries they have included on their four levels of travel advisory alerts. If your country is listed in level 3 (Reconsider travel) or level 4 (Do not travel) you should at least think through whether this trip is a smart decision. You might be surprised to learn countries like Mexico and Jamaica are on the these lists.

6. Book your international airline tickets first - Followed by your hotels, and then domestic flights and transfers. This is where a great travel advisor can help you with all the details. If using points or miles, there might be an additional fee for your travel advisor to book these for you.

7. Check your cell phone to see that it can provide international service to the countries you are traveling to - Be sure to turn on the international service plan with the cellular provider so you don't get hit with massive international charges. Many people buy a local SIM card when they arrive to minimize the cost of data and calls.

8. Get all your bells and whistles ready - Buy an electric converter and be sure it works in the countries you are traveling to. Beware of buying an adapter only as most countries outside the U.S. have 220 volts which will fry your 110 volt hair, shaver, etc. appliances.

9. Buy travel insurance - There are too many variables in the world today to not protect your investment. Many health insurances DO NOT cover you when you are out of the country. Health issues can arise during your trip and you will want and need the coverage. Also, we have seen disruptions like COVID, demonstrations, missed flights, lost luggage and dozens of other issues that can ruin your trip. With travel insurance you have peace of mind and protection of your investment.

10. Set an appointment with a friendly travel advisor - This is the best thing you can do to save time, money, and make things feel like you are pressing the easy button. They can do all the research for you and coach you through all the hoops of travel for a minimal research and planning fee.

11. Be sure to call your credit card company - It is always beneficial to contact the credit card company prior to leaving the country to provide them with the countries you will be visiting along with the dates of travel. This puts them on notice so they don't think that charges you made in an international location are fraudulent.

12. Visa, Visa, Visa - Many countries today require American citizens to apply for a Visa prior to entering the country. Many times VISA applications can be done online but is very detailed and can often take days if not weeks to complete and be approved. In the coming years all the countries in Europe will be requiring an online Visa before you can travel. Please check all the countries you are traveling to and see if a Visa is required.

A night away from the cold: How a Memphis homeless shelter handles the winter season As cold weather approaches in Memphis, Room In The Inn has started its winter season. Here's what the first night of the winter season looked like.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/thanksgiving-travel-tips-tsa-airport-security?hid=feb761c69c7f4f479946899dc893d8deb02226a2&did=10883923-20231105&utm_source=tal&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=just-in_newsletter&utm_content=110523&utm_term=AM&lctg=feb761c69c7f4f479946899dc893d8deb02226a2

TSA's Top Tips for Travelers Flying Home for Thanksgiving If you're flying over the holidays, take these travel tips from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for Thanksgiving and beyond.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/travel/traveling-through-these-10-u-s-airports-better-arrive-extra-early/ar-AA1fqAkY

Traveling Through These 10 U.S. Airports? Better Arrive Extra Early Long lines may be in your future. These are the U.S. airports with the worst security wait times. The post Traveling Through These 10 U.S. Airports? Better Arrive Extra Early appeared first on Reader's Digest.

https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-u-s-will-likely-get-more-national-park-land-heres-where

The U.S. Now Has 5 New National Monuments—With More Coming President Biden has designated nearly half a dozen new national monuments since October 2022—and that is likely to be just the beginning.