(highlight:: Take a small power splitter when you travel,
and ask if you can split in at a plug that's filled up.
No one has ever told me no.
I preemptively split when I'm the first one there
so more can share.)
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(highlight:: Always bring an ethernet cable with you, particularly when traveling abroad.
(Related:
My make your own ethernet cable article.))
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(highlight:: Many places that do provide a cable provide a short cable. In more than
one instance, the provided ethernet cable could not bring my laptop within
range of a power outlet.
A small, cheap
ethernet coupler
is all it takes to extend the range of the
connection with your own cable:)
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(highlight:: For lifting weights,
resistance bands
are a lightweight, compact
solution:)
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(highlight:: A
car seat backpack
makes them much easier to carry through airports:
(If you're renting a car, it may be worth the cost of renting a child
seat to avoid the hassle of dragging one with you on a plane.))
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(highlight:: A table-mounted
portable high chair
makes for more peaceful dinners,
particularly in countries where
restaurants may not carry them:)
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An iPad is a great portable babysitter for plane rides.
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Always back up your laptop hard drive before you leave.
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(highlight:: Bring a second wallet on trips.
When outside the hotel, transfer one form of id (if needed), two credit
cards of different networks and enough cash to this wallet.
Put everything else away in the hotel safe.)
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(highlight:: Lost and stolen wallets happen.
Using a travel wallet limits the damage, but you'll quickly find
that you don't know the right phone numbers to call.
When you reach your hotel room, write down the phone numbers (found on
the back of credit cards) to call in the event that you lose your cards.
Also write down your driver's license and passport number.
As a further backup, I keep this information in a
PasswordSafe-compatible database on
my laptop.)
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Each of my suitcases has an assigned umbrella.
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(highlight:: Travel boosts susceptibility to injuries and illnesses.
It's not always easy to reach a pharmacy.
My travel kit contains enough
bandaids, antacids, painkillers, allergy medication,
and cold and sinus pills to last a week.)
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To save space, roll clothes into cylinders instead of folding them.
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(highlight:: If you want to ramp up on miles, look for flights that have multiple legs.
Often, these are much cheaper, yet oddly, they get you more miles and
closer to frequent flyer status.)
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(highlight:: TripIt fills in some of the functionality that a travel agent used to
provide when it comes to keeping your travel smooth.
Their free service will keep tabs on your flights and notify you if anything
goes amiss.)
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- [note::Wow - had no idea this existed. So incredibly useful!!!]

(highlight:: When traditional channels for resolving a situation fail, I've had some
luck tweeting my discontent at airline accounts.)
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(highlight:: Take a photograph of the contents of your luggage
before each trip and save it to
DropBox.
If the airline loses your luggage, you'll want this to prove
its value.)
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(highlight:: Check to see if the credit card you bought the ticket
with carries lost-luggage protection. Many
American Express cards do.)
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(highlight:: Luggage does get lost or accidentally taken
from time to time.
Make your luggage easy to identify.
Put a business card in the card flap,
and inside the luggage.
"Medium-sized black suitcase" won't do you much good
when you're describing it to the agent.)
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(highlight:: I recommend
colored handle straps
to help differentiate your luggage:)
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(highlight:: Bryan Kennedy recommends creating a pet identification tag for your luggage
at one of the vending machines at a place like PetSmart, and then attaching
this with a ring that requires more than manual force to remove.)
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(highlight:: A couple times, I've missed a connection that
left me stranded overnight.
It's always been weather that causes the problem, but every time, I've had
some degree of grief in getting a hotel room covered by the airline.
Be polite but persistent in demanding a hotel room.
If you have a frequent flyer card, show it to the agent.)
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(highlight:: Some offer free internet for a limited time and track identity through
cookies. Clear your cookies to get more time.
For many of these hotels, ssh works just fine.
Some hotels offer free internet for a limited time, but track this through
your MAC address. Change your MAC address to get more time.)
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(highlight:: If you forgot basic toiletries, tell the front desk
when you check in.
Most front desks
are stocked with travel-sized versions of everything.)
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(highlight:: I carry a
self-jumper
in each of my cars:
On average, I've used each about once a year
because I left the lights on.)
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I also keep air compressors in each car in case a tire springs a leak.
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(highlight:: If you're on a long trip, a AAA membership provides
peace of mind.
Each year, my AAA membership has paid for itself
through discounts at hotels, and in some years,
by having my car towed for repair.
I frequently stay at conference hotels where the conference has set up a
discounted "group rate," and often times, the AAA rate is cheaper than the
group rate.)
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(highlight:: Car rental companies will rip you off for insurance.
Most American Express credit cards include loss/damage coverage
if you put the rental on that card.
Your current policy may also cover you for rentals. Check with your agent.)
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(highlight:: Be sure to research cultural sensitivities for
areas to which you travel.
It's polite, and you get points for trying.)
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(highlight:: At a bare minimum, learn: "Please," "Thank you," "Yes," "No,"
"Excuse me," "Restroom," "One" and "Two.")
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(highlight:: It's often worthwhile to learn a phonetic alphabet
for where you're traveling.
This helps in deciphering street signs or scribbling
down a request for help.)
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(highlight:: For countries that display meal options
in front of a restaurant, take a picture of what you want and show that to the
waiter in the absence of a foreign language menu.)
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(highlight:: Check the acceptable frequency and voltages on all devices you'll be
taking, and make sure they won't need a transformer for the country you'll be
in.)
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Your local bank probably offers the best rate for exchanging currency.
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