Healthy Living, Healthy Diet
Brian Teeter
Slender People Eat Different. You Can Too.

Let’s get this out of the way: It’s fun to hate slender people. They have it SO darned easy. Oh, to be one of the fortunate born with great metabolism or a hole in their feet. For the rest of us who didn’t win the genetic lottery, life is a constant struggle.

But we say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Okay, how do you do that? Read on the find out.

Slender People Eat Different. You Can Too.
Healthy Living
Brian Teeter
On the Horizon: Cures to Alzheimer’s and Autism?

I normally would not write on scientific research. That seems miles away from a blog post about healthy travel. But two major discoveries in medicine I read this week were simply too compelling not to share: For the first time, in two separate studies, researchers have apparently found the causes of Alzheimer’s Disease and Autism. Once there is discovery, there can be a path to a cure. And that is huge.

On the Horizon: Cures to Alzheimer’s and Autism?
Smart Travel
Brian Teeter
How The Equifax Breach Could Affect Your Travels

What a nightmare. It’s bad enough that Equifax, one of the nation’s three largest credit bureaus, was badly hacked. The breach exposed critical data on more than 143 million U.S. consumers. What you may not know is that the Equifax hack could also ruin your next business trip or vacation — or worse.

How? Thieves can not only use your identity to take out new credit cards mortgages, and loans, even file tax returns in your name. By stealing your identity, criminals could also put a black mark on your traveler profile in databases maintained by the FBI, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees both the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agencies.

How The Equifax Breach Could Affect Your Travels
Smart Travel
Brian Teeter
Flight canceled or delayed? Freebird to the ...

It’s inevitable. You absolutely, positively must reach your destination. But a storm, a mechanical failure, or missed connection is turning your flight into a classic travel nightmare. But there’s a way around this: Freebird, a simple mobile solution that lets you skip the line and instantly book a new ticket if you encounter a flight cancellation, significant delay of four hours or more, or a missed connection. Read on to learn more.

Flight canceled or delayed? Freebird to the rescue.
Healthy Exercise
Brian Teeter
Planks. You're Welcome.

What can you do to get those six-pack abs you dream of having? We recommend something safer and more effective than sit-ups: plank exercises. Planks build your core muscles and sculpt your body by utilizing isometric strength. Done properly, planks can also improve your body posture, while strengthening your shoulders, arms, glutes, and hamstring muscles. Read on to find out how.

Planks. You're Welcome.

Smart Travel

How The Equifax Breach Could Affect Your Travels

How The Equifax Breach Could Affect Your Travels

What a nightmare. It’s bad enough that Equifax, one of the nation’s three largest credit bureaus, was badly hacked. The breach exposed critical data on more than 143 million U.S. consumers. What you may not know is that the Equifax hack could also ruin your next business trip or vacation — or worse.

How? Thieves can not only use your identity to take out new credit cards mortgages, and loans, even file tax returns in your name. By stealing your identity, criminals could also put a black mark on your traveler profile in databases maintained by the FBI, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees both the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agencies.

Flight canceled or delayed? Freebird to the rescue.

Flight canceled or delayed? Freebird to the rescue.

It’s inevitable. You absolutely, positively must reach your destination. But a storm, a mechanical failure, or missed connection is turning your flight into a classic travel nightmare. But there’s a way around this: Freebird, a simple mobile solution that lets you skip the line and instantly book a new ticket if you encounter a flight cancellation, significant delay of four hours or more, or a missed connection. Read on to learn more.

Packing for Paradise

Packing for Paradise

Hawai‘i. Jamaica. Costa Rica. Moorea. The tropics are where rainbows are born. If you are plotting an escape to a tropical paradise this year, you’re probably in full-scale dream mode. And why not? The sun, the beaches, the trade winds rustling through the palm trees — all you need is a pair of sunglasses and your bathing suit, right? Well, a bit more than that. I’m here to help, so read on.

Bumped from your flight? Here’s what to do.

Bumped from your flight? Here’s what to do.

Oh, great. You just got bumped from your flight. What can you do? What options do you have? Fear not, you must. Being stuck in a crowded airport thousands of miles from home when your 7-year-old daughter’s piano recital is scheduled to take place in four hours is not exactly what we call fun. The trick is keeping calm and knowing your options.Just read on and we’ll help you find your way home.

How to protect your digital privacy at U.S. Customs

How to protect your digital privacy at U.S. Customs

Planning a trip to a foreign country? When you return to the U.S. from abroad, just how far can a Customs agent dig into your phone, tablet, or computer? What rights do you have? And how can you protect the data on your devices when going through a Customs inspection at our borders or airports? Read on for answers.

The Benefits of Shipping Your Luggage Ahead

This post is an excerpt from our new book, 300 Healthy Travel Tips available on Apple iBooks and coming soon to the Amazon Kindle and other ebook stores.

When you have just too much stuff to fit into a rolling carry-on for your business trip or a dream vacation to Vail or Maui, don’t despair. Ship your bulky items ahead to where you will be staying via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS or a luggage shipping company instead of checking it or having to lug it on the plane. It’s often faster and easier, and you won’t feel like a pack mule. After all, we have enough travel headaches as it is. 

Whether you need to get your golf clubs, skis, business materials, or extra clothes to your destination, shipping services offer a number of unique options and services to make the impossible actually quite possible. Yes, there are extra costs to consider. But when you absolutely, positively have to get it there, shipping your luggage ahead can make your life a lot easier.

By shipping ahead, your larger items can be waiting for you when you arrive at your destination. Even better, you can track the progress and location of your shipment, something that the airlines are just starting to do with regular luggage.

You can do the same thing in reverse prior to your return trip home. That way, you can ship gifts or items you purchased for yourself, camera gear, your surfboard, golf clubs, a trade show booth, an extra suitcase, or other items to lighten your load.

Image Credit: FedEx

Image Credit: FedEx

That said, convenience often comes at a price. Be sure to do your homework to weigh the costs and benefits in advance of your trip.

Below are some options for shipping your luggage:

Priority Mail and FedEx One Rate: An economical way to ship small items is with U.S. Mail Priority Mail Flat Rate or FedEx One Rate. Both the USPS and FedEx offer flat-rate shipping in many different boxes that don’t require you to weigh or measure shipments under 50 pounds.

On extended vacation trips to Hawaii, for example, we ship dry food items, vitamins, camera gear, sports gear, and bulky items in advance that would cost much more to buy there. Another trick is to order items you need online (such as from amazon.com) for your trip and have them shipped directly to your destination.

Shipping services: Both FedEx and UPS have facilities in convenient locations in major U.S. cities, along with numerous retail outlets (FedEx Office and The UPS Store). See the following chart for information on locations, services, and prices.

Company

Phone

FedEx

(800) 463-3339

FedEx One Rate

(800) 463-3339

FedEx Office (locations and info)

(800) 463-3339

FedEx Office luggage shipping

(800) 463-3339

FedEx Office packing services

(800) 463-3339

UPS

(800) 742-5877

UPS Store locations and info

(800) 742-5877

UPS Store luggage shipping

(800) 742-5877

UPS Store golf club shipping

(800) 742-5877

U.S. Postal Service Priority Flat Rate

(800) 275-7777

Air cargo: Another way to ship items to and from your destination is via air cargo through your airline or a freight-forwarding company. In most cases, your air cargo is handled more gently than checked luggage. You can also find freight forwarding companies that specialize in shipping bulky items such as trade show booths that may exceed the limits of FedEx or UPS.

Image Credit: UPS

Image Credit: UPS

Depending on the airline, sending your golf clubs or surfboard via air cargo can cost anywhere from $50 to $400 round-trip. Check your airline’s website or call their air cargo department about costs for bulky items and sports equipment, and keep in mind that these prices could change at any point. Also, get the details from your air carrier to ensure items you ship will be waiting for you when you arrive. Additional charges may apply for oversize sporting equipment or gear weighing more than 50 pounds.

Below are airlines with air cargo services flying directly across and from the continental U.S.:

Airline

Phone

Alaska Airlines

(800) 225-2752

American Airlines

(800) 227-4622

Delta Airlines

(800) 352-2746

Hawaiian Airlines

(877) 422-2746

United Airlines

(800) 822-2746

Air Canada
(Canada toll-free)

(800) 387-4865

WestJet (Canada)

(866) 952-2746

Luggage-shipping companies: Another way to send your luggage and bulky items is via a luggage shipping service. It’s convenient, as the service is from your front door to your destination address (and back). You get concierge-level service, including luggage tracking, completing all the necessary shipping forms, as well as full insurance and delivery guarantees on your gear.

Image Credit: British Airways

Image Credit: British Airways

But their concierge service isn’t cheap. So, do your homework to compare pricing with other services. Unless you want to pay extra, you will need to pack and send your luggage, golf clubs, ski gear, surfboards, or other bulky items several days in advance of your departure. If you want to travel headache-free, it’s an option to consider. Some specialized luggage-shipping companies include:

Company

Phone

Airportr (UK)

(UK) 011 44 0 203 384 6677

Carry My Luggage (Europe, International)

(UK) 011 44 1 895 450 182

First Luggage

(866) 449-9532

Luggage Club

(866) 416-7447

Luggage Forward

(866) 416-7447

Luggage Free

(800) 361-6871

Luggage to Ship

(800) 678-6167

SendMyBag (Europe, International)

(855) 642-1167

Sagawa Express
(Japan and International)

(Japan) 011 81 050 3032 9151

Sports Express (Sporting Gear)

(866) 416-7447

Yamato Transport Co. Ltd. — Ta-Q-Bin (Japan)

(310) 338-1400

Some other tips: If you’re buying a gift or memento to bring back home, many retailers will ship items you purchase directly back to you, which can save you time and trouble. And if you make frequent visits to the same destination city and hotel, arrange for the hotel concierge to store your winter overcoats and other seasonal clothing, business equipment, or even a pair of skis and boots. As a repeat customer, you can use your clout to travel lighter.

DUFL. If you’re a serious road warrior who doesn’t have time or patience for packing, laundry, and lugging a suitcase, a new premium valet service and mobile phone app called DUFL might be just the ticket.

With DUFL, you simply send your clothes and accessories to their warehouse for storage, cleaning, and folding. Before your trip, use the DUFL app on your phone to select the items you want to take along with your destination and schedule. Your DUFL bag will be waiting you get there – with your clothes professionally cleaned, folded and packed. On your return, use the DUFL app to schedule a pickup, affix the appropriate shipping label, and leave your DUFL bag at the hotel desk.

The price for all this coolness and convenience? DUFL charges $9.95 per month for storage and $99 per round-trip including three-day shipping to your destination, three-day return shipping to their warehouse, along with cleaning and processing of your clothes. Overnight shipping is available at an additional charge of $49 each way. www.dufl.com | (844) DUFL-BAG

Pro tip: Whichever luggage-shipping option you choose, make sure to contact your hotel, resort, or vacation rental agency where you will be staying in advance to confirm they will accept and store your shipment when it arrives. There. That was easy.

Air travel: TSA adds 11 new airlines to TSA Pre✓ program

Air travel: TSA adds 11 new airlines to TSA Pre✓ program

Slowly but surely, expedited passenger security screening through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) TSA Pre✓ program keeps improving. Today, the TSA announced 11 new airlines have partnered for the TSA Pre✓ program, including Avianca, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, and Spirit Airlines.

Travel Tip: Too much stuff? Consider shipping your luggage ahead

Travel Tip: Too much stuff? Consider shipping your luggage ahead

When you have just too much stuff to fit into a rolling carry-on for your business trip or a dream vacation to Vail or Maui, don’t despair. Ship your bulky items ahead to where you will be staying via FedEx, UPS, the U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, or a luggage shipping company instead of checking it, or having to lug it on the plane.