Airport lounges … is it worth it?

Are you a frequent traveler? Do you like to work when you travel? How do you deal with noise and crowds? Yes. Yes. No well!

I like to wait for my flights in airport lounges. I belong to both Northwest and United, but not all lounges are the same. All the lounges run the airlines have agreements with their code share partners to club members in their partnership to visit their loungers … typically, only if you are flying on a code shared airline. In other words, club memberships are about as complicated as everything else that the airlines do.

But like airlines, not all clubs in all airports are created the same. Sometimes, alcoholic beverages are included in the membership, other times they are not. Some offer very basic snacks, others offer warm and cold hors d’oeuvres. Some include wifi, others make you pay for the services. These aren’t differences between different clubs, but are can be differences that you find in just one club membership.

For me, I like my clubs and quiet space.

Tips and suggestions for your travel

Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, a little advice from a fellow traveler can be helpful.  As a frequent traveler, I am always open to learning how to travel better and smarter.  For instance, last year someone mentioned that their parents always travel with extra bags so that they can pack and transport home gifts that they buy.  Wow, what a good idea!  So, I’ve started a Tips & Suggestions page. 

I welcome your comments and additions.

Don’t leave home without it … travel insurance?

I largely think that insurance is a scam, but it provides one with peace of mind, especially if one is traveling to a less stable country.  Of course, this is not the only reason to purchase travel insurance … often coverage protects against trip and baggage delays, lost luggage, repatriation, medical and dental expenses, and trip cancellation.

I was talking to my travel physician who was telling me that a lot of U.S. insurance plans do not cover expenses outside of the U.S.  So, if you get sick, depending where you are, you may have to spend a lot to get health care and you may not get reimbursed.  And, that does not even include medical repatriation.

Trip cancellations due to weather or bankruptcy is another concern.  Heck, that can happen anywhere.  If I am spending my hard earned money, I sure do want some protection in the event that something bad happens.

I haven’t had to use my travel insurance and hope not to need it, but …

My path into the 21st century

In 2007, I decided to enter the 21st century in terms of cameras.  Up to 2007, I had been using a Nikon FG-20 SLR film camera that my parents bought me in 1985.  I must say that this camera has been reliable and sturdy.  The camera still take good pictures despite some of the automatic features no longer working.  In this 22 year period I had to get the camera repaired only once.  [My full disclosure — I have no relationship with Nikon].

As digital cameras became more affordable and as quality improved, I swore that I would stick with my old reliable SLR film camera.  However, the pressure to purchase a digital camera began to mount:  

1. I was missing scenic shots [my reliable Nikon FG-20 takes a little time to set the settings in order to take a photograph].
2. The cost of digital SLR cameras have become affordable.
3. While developing film has decreased, it was becoming more difficult to find developers who use matte paper.
4. It was getting complicated and troublesome to digitize prints … why not just start with digital images.
5. Last and most importantly, digital photography does not result in any lost of image quality, even when printing.

So, after many years of consternation, I purchased a digital SLR camera … a Nikon D-80 with a 18-135mm lens.  Shame on me for not getting a digital SLR camera before now.  How many photographs have I missed?  My first trip using the camera, I took over 500 photographs over 4 days.

I still have my Nikon FG-20, but I have not used it since January 2007.  With my digital SLR, I have all the controls that I had with the FG-20 plus many more.