I had an upcoming flight booked, and from the time I booked the flight dropped its price about 4 times. I guess I am not too good at timing when to book flights haha. Thankfully, Delta generally makes it quite easy to get an eCredit of the difference between the price paid and the new price.

If I notice a price drop, I normally go to “Change Flight” on the app, look up the same flight and it will show the new price. Once I click through, I get to a payment screen that will say something along the lines of “Remaining eCredit Amount Due to Passenger”. Click confirm, and you should get a new eCredit that you can use for your future flight!

Issue:

On my last change, I went through the normal prompts and clicked confirm. I got a confirmation email showing the amount applied to be higher than the ticket price, but noticed that at the bottom of the email, there was no eCredit issued. Odd.

Normally when I do these types of changes, I will see this message towards the bottom of the email. This will show that an eCredit has been issued.

Check for this on your changed reservation confirmation email!

I also went to check in my Wallet on my SkyMiles account and did not see any new eCredit. Something was wrong.

Contacting Support:

I first tried via iMessage, but the agent couldn’t see anything and told me to contact support over the phone. I was on hold for about 20 minutes, then spoke with an agent who wasn’t helpful at all. After explaining the situation, she seemed unenthused and said she would transfer me to a supervisor.

After a brief wait, thankfully the supervisor was very friendly and helpful. She did some digging and was confused like myself on why I wasn’t issued a credit for the fare difference. Then, she called ticketing and they issued me the fare difference on an eCredit and it popped up in my account.

The supervisor didn’t really have an explanation for what went wrong, so perhaps it was just a tech glitch.

The Verdict:

I was happy that the supervisor was able to help me get the eCredit, but it did take up time with a phone call. The moral of the story is to make sure if you make any changes due to your Delta fare dropping in price, to check if your Delta eCredit was actually issued! I’m not sure if it was a one-off situation, but it was definitely odd that the system didn’t issue the eCredit.

Have you had tech issues when changing a Delta flight and obtaining an eCredit? Share your experience below!

Cheers,

Ty

When you have a relatively small number of points, goals can seem to be quite far away. I’m going to show you examples of what you can do with small points balances in the British Airways Executive Club and Aer Lingus AerClub.

A Weekend Getaway

Taking a weekend getaway to the beach or even a city break is quite easy to do with points. The lowest amount of points for a one way flight on both Aer Lingus and British Airways is 4,500, which would come to 9,000 Avios return.

What happens if you don’t yet have that many points? Well, the airlines have you covered. As you can see above, the total price is 9,000 Avios plus €49.57 in taxes and charges. You usually have to pay these so no surprises there. But look at the bottom right.

You can reduce your points outlay to as little as 3,000 return, if you’re prepared to pony up some extra cash. Remember that all reward flights feature one checked bag included as standard. You could also just book a one way flight and book the other way separately with cash, which halves the amounts if you have even fewer points in your account.

How Far Can I Go?

It is 4,500 Avios each way for flights up to 600 miles or 965km in length. From Dublin on Aer Lingus, that means Ireland, all of the UK, Paris, Brest and Nantes in France, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Brussels in Belgium and Dusseldorf in Germany.

Out of London with British Airways, that means the UK, all of Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, most of France, and virtually all Germany are within reach. Not too shabby at all!

Avios Reducing Ticket Prices

Frequent flyers generally value Avios at 1c or 1p per point, which makes it easy to work out how much they are worth. One other way to use them is to reduce the cash price of a ticket, which you will see towards the end of the booking process. That could reduce the cost of your weekend getaway, but should you do this?

British Airways is offering €10 off in the example for 1,000 Avios, which matches 1c per point. However the €22 off is 2,900 Avios, meaning that you’re getting less bang for your buck. Aer Lingus are offering €2 off for 250 Avios which is not as good value as the BA example. That being said, if you have a small amount of points laying around and will be hard pressed to use them, this provides a way to do that.

Overall Thoughts

That should illustrate just how few Avios points are needed to take a weekend getaway. Of course, the real value in the points is using them for flight upgrades, especially from British Airways World Traveller Plus to Club World (Premium Economy to Business Class). However, I sometimes use them for upgrades to Club Europe on Dublin to London, as it’s nice to have a little treat on the short flight.

Some people save their points for a big business class trip, some spend them as they get them – whatever you do will be right for you. Using Avios can result in big savings, especially if you can snag frequent flyer seats at popular times. Your saving over paying straight cash can be substantial (think ski resorts in Europe at half term, for example).

What say you? Are you someone who uses points regularly for a weekend getaway or are you a saver, an upgrader or something else? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image by Alf van Beem via Wikimedia Commons.

The two airlines ostensibly have no affiliation whatsoever with one another and the Dubai based airline is not a member of any airline alliance. Both carriers are standard competitors in the industry and there are no links between the two.

Well, if you don’t count this.

Qantas and Emirates Partnership

In 2013, Emirates and Qantas formed a close partnership meaning each airline placed the others code on their flights. This would allow a person to book a ticket from say Australia to Europe and return with Qantas, with the Australian airline’s flight numbers, but with the flights actually being operated by Emirates.

Essentially, the agreement allows each airline to sell tickets on the others flights as though they were their own. Codeshare agreements are quite common in the industry however this one is much more extensive than most. It has been extended a couple of times over the years, so clearly it works for the two airlines.

The Secret Back Door to Earning with Emirates

British Airways and Qantas are both members of the oneworld alliance which allows members of any frequent flyer programme to earn miles with any of the other member airlines. Third party airlines are generally excluded from earning even when it is a codeshare flight. However, the British Airways web site says the following when it comes to earning on Qantas.

The last line of text indicates any flight carrying the Qantas QF flight code on any third party airline will earn British Airways Avios as though you are flying with Qantas. This means that if you book a flight on the Qantas web site that happens to actually be an Emirates aircraft you will earn full Avios and Tier Points as though it was actually the Australian airline you were flying.

Overall Thoughts

While this means you can earn Avios on Emirates, it also means you it will work on any airline Qantas has a codeshare agreement with. If you happen to book a flight from Amsterdam to Sydney via Singapore, your Amsterdam to Singapore will be QF4218 but actually operated by KLM. That means you’ll fly KLM and earn your Avios that way.

The caveat is that you must book through Qantas and the flight must be a Qantas codeshare flight with a QF flight number. Flights on other carriers are marked quite clearly on the Qantas website, making choosing these services quite straightforward.

Have you earned Avios on Emirates before? Did you even know this was possible? I’ve heard it works seamlessly by those who have done it. Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image via Emirates.

I always receive good service on board a flight. Sure, I have been more or less ignored on one or two flights and on others given the bare minimum of service (hi, American Airlines!) but I have never received overtly bad service. Here are some tips to help you receive great service on your flights.

Smile!

Smiling is so simple and costs nothing… plus, just about everyone looks hotter when smiling! Cabin crew enjoy serving someone who is smiling at them rather than someone who has that serial killer grimace on their face.

Travel can be stressful but remember to smile – it not only inspires people to be friendlier to you but it also makes you feel happier by association. Who knows, you might also pick up a date!

Remember Your Manners, Please! Thank You!

Cabin Crew have commented more than once about how they find me to be very polite. My parents taught me always to say please and thank you and it is amazing how many people forget this.

Are you the kind of person who watches a movie during dinner on a long haul flight? You’re probably that person who has accepted their meal or drinks without acknowledging the crew. It is common courtesy to remove your headphones when the crew arrive to deliver your meal and to thank them for doing so with a smile. I have had two hour movies take three hours due to this but it’s worth it.

Sitting in the window seat and the crew has to deliver your tray over two other people? Reach out and take it from them. Cabin crew do enough bending and stretching and a little help is always appreciated.

While one of the aspects of their job is to ensure your safety serve your meals and so on, they are human beings as well, so treat them as such. Your crew always appreciate a little common courtesy.

Attitude Is Key To Great Service

Everything you do makes people form an impression of what kind of person you are. The way you dress, your attitude, the way you interact – people subconsciously tally this up and judge you. Are the crew making a small joke or wanting a little banter? Join in, laugh at the joke – at least smile appreciatively – it won’t kill you.

The aim is to make someone else’s day a bit lighter – and for a person who has to serve lots of people, anything to lighten the mood is welcome. A great attitude is infectious and your fellow passengers will appreciate this too. Everyone benefits when people are in a good mood, so be the one who helps cultivate this.

Overall Thoughts

You might be reading this and think, “I’m always nice on flights – that doesn’t get me anywhere!” – but are you really? Take a good long hard look at the way you act on board a flight – really analyse it. If you are someone who constantly receives bad service, it’s probably not the airline, it’s probably you.

Not only does great attitude, politeness and smiling result in good service, you sometimes might get goodies too! I have received gifts from the crew more than once so you never know what you might end up with at the end of a flight – all for doing things that cost you nothing.

How do you find things when you fly? Do you get great service or are you routinely treated like garbage? Thanks for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image and Qatar Airways service via the oneworld Alliance.
Smiling and happy passengers via Aer Lingus.

So, back in 2019 a friend and I flew on Vueling Airlines from Paris (ORY) to Barcelona (BCN). We were delayed a little over 3 hours, which I recall was the cutoff time back then for EU261 compensation. It seems now in 2023 for flights under 1,500 km, you’re supposed to get 250 EUR if you’re delayed by at least two hours. TL;DR- Vueling rejected my claim for compensation for my delayed flight (even though they shouldn’t have), so I went to AirHelp for assistance, they said I had a strong case and they said they have filed a lawsuit and our claim is in court. Oh, and it has been over 4 years in progress.

Vueling Website:

As of May 2023, the Vueling site states that:

The delay that entitles you to compensation is calculated according to the time of arrival at your destination. If you get to your destination 3 or more hours later than the scheduled time you are also entitled to request financial compensation, except if the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances like the weather. The compensation amount will vary according to how far your destination is: Up to 1500 km = 250 EUR.

It also adds “Request compensation easily through our website”.

So, I did! After the flight, I requested compensation but was denied as they said the delay was out of their control. I even replied with a screenshot showing the app explaining the delay was due to maintenance (which should be eligible for EU261) but they didn’t budge.

Vueling technical maintenance delay

Where to go next? AirHelp!

After being rejected by Vueling, I went over to AirHelp! AirHelp says they:

We make claiming compensation straightforward for all passengers who are unsure of their rights, lack the time, or lack the expertise to embark on the claims process themselves. We stand up to airlines in court, and we campaign for national governments to introduce fair air travel rights. We’ve helped countless more through our fight for justice.

Sounds good to me! I filed a claim and within a week they said my claim looked strong and wanted all the documents for my flight (tickets, passports, etc).

Good news! Although the airline is not cooperating with us, your claim is still looking strong. We’ve been given the green light to move to the next stage with your claim for compensation for your Vueling Airlines flight. This means we are one step closer to getting you your money.

An additional week later, I got this message on April 30th, 2019:

Thanks for providing us with all of the information we asked for in support of your claim for compensation for your Vueling Airlines flight. You’ve done your hard work, and now it’s our turn. Our flight experts are ready to argue your case and convince the airline to pay you. We’ll be honest, this part can take a bit of time. But remember, you’re in very good hands. We win 95% of claims that reach this stage. So we’ve got a very good chance of winning with your claim.

May 2019 to March 2021:

Then, monthly they would send me a monthly status update, from May 2019 to February 2021. Each message was similar to:

“We know you’re still waiting patiently for some good news on your compensation claim…”

It made sense for the delay, with COVID and everything occurring in between these times. I sent a follow-up email to check on the status and got a more detailed reply in March 2021:

We would like to let you know, that we have already taken legal steps in regard to your case and it is currently in the hands of our lawyers. We have reached out to the external lawyer, who is responsible for handling of your claim, for an update and they have informed us that they are waiting for a hearing date in court.

September 2021:

I got a new update in September 2021 saying:

As you are aware, we are in the midst of legal action against the airline. In the months leading up to the court’s final decision, there are a few more steps to take. Once the preparatory hearing is concluded, both sides prepare for the final court date, which must be appointed within the next 12 months. The date of this hearing is determined by the court’s calendar and, as such, unfortunately, we have no influence over it.

May 2023:

Hmm, I suppose it’s taking a while to actually get a court date…

I just asked for another update in May 2023, and nothing has really changed. My dashboard on the website has been showing this for years now,  that the summons has been set and now we are waiting for a court date.

AirHelp Dashboard

I find it a bit entertaining, and I’m curious how many years it will take 🙂

Payouts + Fees:

For those curious, in terms of compensation and fees, you don’t have to pay anything upfront. Fees are taken out of your compensation. It shows that our flight compensation is $541.90 USD (which is 250 EUR times 2 passengers converted to USD). Then, there is a service fee of $135.47 USD and a legal action fee of $135.47 USD. So, if everything goes through we stand to get about $270.96 USD ($135.48 per passenger). So the fees are a little more than half the EU261 stated amounts.

The Verdict:

Overall, it’s been an interesting process so far using AirHelp. My claim had been accepted, and it’s been sent to court. The process started in April 2019, and we passed the 4-year mark in May of 2023. I’m in for the ride, and interested to see how it plays out…

Have you used AirHelp before? Has your claim gone through and did you get paid? Feel free to share below!

Cheers,

Ty

Have any questions? Comment below or email me at takeofftotravel@gmail.com. I’ve also started working with a travel agency, Fora Travel, and can assist in booking hotel stays or planning trips. You can also view all my other posts here! Thanks for stopping by!

I was flying out of Washington Dulles on Delta for my early morning flight to Salt Lake City. Thankfully, there was a lounge I could access with my Priority Pass membership in the same concourse I was leaving from. The British Airways Lounge Washington Dulles (IAD) is located in Concourse B and opens at 6 am for Priority Pass. Perfect!

Hours and Access:

As of my April 2023 visit, the British Airways Lounge Washington Dulles (IAD) is open for Priority Pass members from 6am to 2pm daily. It then reopens for Business + First Class and Sapphire Tier + Emerald Tier members flying on a oneworld airline from 2:30pm to 10pm.

The lounge is located right outside of the escalators from the AeroTrain of Concourse B. You’ll see the lounge, and take an elevator up to the second floor.

The terminals at Washington Dulles are connected to each other by the AeroTrain, so you’ll be able to access the lounge regardless of the terminal you are leaving from. Concourses A and B are also linked by walkways, and so are Concourses C and D.

Outside of Lounge

My Visit:

Since my flight was at 7:10am, I didn’t have much time to visit the lounge. I got to the lounge area around 5:50am, and there were a few people waiting outside the elevator. Around 6:05am, a lounge attendant came down the elevator and welcomed us up to the lounge. We were then quickly checked in once inside.

Seating:

I found the lounge quite nice and sleek. Once you walk in, you pass the glass window that overlooks the terminal area and there is seating along it. The chairs were nice and comfortable and had power ports to keep your devices charged up.

Lounge Seating

There are QR codes at each seat, which I assume is for ordering food when it’s a full-service British Airways lounge in the evening. I tried scanning the code for fun, and it said that the menu was unavailable at this time.

QR Codes for Food Ordering (Not During Priority Pass Hours)

Towards the middle of the lounge on the right side, there is the buffet area. There was a pretty basic spread of whole fruit, bagels, cereals, and some pastries. There were also canned sodas, as well as coffee and tea. I ended up snacking on a chocolate croissant and a banana during my visit. 

Buffet Area

Additionally, there is more seating in the dining room areas alongside the buffet that overlooks the runway. But, those areas were closed off during my visit.

Bathrooms:

I was quite impressed with both the size and cleanliness of the bathroom. Definitely better than using one of the airport restrooms. Elemis soap and lotion were provided.

Bathroom

Showers were also available in the lounge, but I didn’t get a chance to visit them.

After a quick 30-minute visit, I headed to the gate to catch my flight.

The Verdict:

Overall, the British Airways Lounge served as a nice place to grab a quick snack and settle down before boarding a flight via Priority Pass. I was glad my early flight departure aligned with the opening of the lounge so I could try it out for half an hour.

Have you visited the British Airways Lounge Washington Dulles (IAD)? How was your experience? Comment below!

Cheers,

Ty

Have any questions? Comment below or email me at takeofftotravel@gmail.com. I’ve also started working with a travel agency, Fora Travel, and can assist in booking hotel stays or planning trips. You can also view all my other posts here! Thanks for stopping by!

Wait, what? You might ask.

Conditions of a Basic Fare

For those of you who already know, there are two main conditions with the purchase of any basic fare on Air Canada or WestJet:

1. Your fare is non-refundable.
2. Your fare is non-changeable.

WestJet and Air Canada both also provide a warning prior to selling you a Basic Fare ticket, because of the number of restrictions on the ticket. The pop-up for WestJet is shown below:

WestJet Basic Fare Conditions

Or really, if you purchase a ticket, you fly the ticket as-is. There are no loyalty benefits. You pay extra for seat selection. And I suspect, they will be very happy to give you a last row middle seat for the privilege of booking Basic Economy.

Why I Book Basic Fares

I love booking Basic Fares because it saves me money. Ultimately, that is the most important part of my travel philosophy.

Strategizing Booking Basic Fares

I typically find Air Canada and WestJet do a schedule change, every three to four months. Most of the schedule changes are by a few minutes. I have discovered, a few minutes is long enough to ensure that both airlines will allow you a complimentary one-time change. You can either change your flight or obtain a full refund back to the original payment method.

Schedule changes are most likely to occur on flights with an arrival time that does not round to the nearest five minutes. As an example, the following picture shows all the upcoming Air Canada flight arrivals into Vancouver (YVR). All the international long-haul destinations have an arrival time rounded to the nearest five minutes; Auckland lands at 6.15am and Bangkok lands at 6.35am. The other flights, from Toronto (12.03am), Fort St. John (6.49am), Victoria (6.56am), Seattle (6.58am), and Honolulu (6.59am) are all arriving rounded to a specific minute.

In my experience, flights that are rounded to a specific minute, are most likely to have a schedule change. Because it does not take much for a flight arrival time to go from 12.03pm to 11.59am. Typically, that is sufficient to warrant a one-time change on your reservation.

Flights from Shanghai, Bangkok, Auckland, and Hong Kong are rarely likely to have any drastic flight schedule changes, so I avoid them.

There are some domestic flights, like Naniamo (6.40am) and Maui (7am) that are landing rounded to the nearest 5 minute. I think that is just a co-incidence personally, as other flights of similar duration, are landing at a particular minute. So, I would also be comfortable booking those flights hoping for a schedule change.

Why I love Air Canada and WestJet Basic Fares

When booking travel more than four months out, on either Air Canada or WestJet, I immediately book Basic tickets for my family. I am virtually guaranteed a schedule change that will allow me to cancel or change my flights as we approach our departure date.

So far, I have always been able to convert my Air Canada or WestJet basic fare, to a refundable fare, every single time, due to the frequency of schedule changes.

Caveat… A Really Big One

It’s not supposed to be this way. When a minor flight schedule change occurs, your reservation is not officially eligible for a one-time change. However, in my experience, IT systems do not actually prevent you from making a one-time change. In many cases, it is about convincing an agent to try and make the change on your behalf. Most of the times they are pleasantly surprised, which means everyone is happy at the end of the day.

However, it is important to note, I will never know when the IT bug is resolved. Once the bug is resolved, changes with very minor schedule changes will no longer be a viable solution.

Conclusion

If you are booking travel, far out in advance, it is okay not to have the most optimal flights. As long as you have a flight that is likely to be impacted by a schedule change, a Basic Fare could provide a significant savings while maintaining the flexibility you might require when booking far in advance.

As a student at the university, you may yearn to disengage from academia and discover the vast expanse of the world. Engaging in travel can provide an avenue for new adventures, cultural immersion, and unforgettable memories. Nonetheless, the plethora of destinations accessible to you may leave you grappling with where to go. Thus, we’ve curated a list of the top five destinations for college students, encompassing exotic beaches and thriving metropolises that cater to all preferences.    

Amsterdam, Netherlands – For the Culture Enthusiasts

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is an exceptional choice for those seeking a destination with cultural richness and striking beauty. This quaint city is renowned for its charming canals, lively nightlife, and globally acclaimed museums. Explore many captivating sights, from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank House. Amsterdam’s open-minded ambiance also presents an ideal opportunity to expand your horizons and experiment with novel experiences, savoring local delicacies or indulging in a “coffee shop.”    

Bangkok, Thailand – For the Adventure Seekers

Bangkok is a metropolis that guarantees an adventure to any who seeks it. The city is a thriving center for backpackers and thrill-seekers alike. Whether traversing the ancient temples or indulging in the exotic cuisine of street vendors, there is always an exhilarating activity to partake in. Moreover, Bangkok boasts budget-friendly prices, rendering it an ideal destination for budget-conscious university students. To explore Bangkok instead of staying in your hotel room to do your homework, it would be beneficial to hire a trustworthy assistant. You can check the domyhomework 123 review to find a reliable assistant and not waste much time entrusting the work to an unprofessional service.

Bangkok!

Barcelona, Spain – For the Party Goers

Barcelona is a consummate haven for scholars who yearn to immerse themselves in an unparalleled revelry. Its array of waterfront nightclubs, convivial bars, and world-renowned festivals has solidified its position as a go-to destination among youthful globetrotters. Nevertheless, the allure of Barcelona extends far beyond its party scene; it also houses some of the globe’s most awe-inspiring architecture, including the iconic Sagrada Familia. Exploring all the attractions in Barcelona can be time-consuming, but completing academic essays is also crucial for a student. Don’t fall prey to fraudulent services; check out a myassignmenthelp review to find a trustworthy platform. This way, you can combine your studies with travel seamlessly.    

Cancun, Mexico – For the Beach Bums

Cancun, a renowned seaside resort town in Mexico, is an idyllic location for those seeking to bask in the sun and unwind on the shore. The town’s fame lies in its pristine, lucid waters and its vast expanses of sun-kissed, ivory sand that seem to stretch on for eternity. Furthermore, many activities are available to ensure that you never have a dull moment, ranging from the exhilarating experience of snorkeling to the adrenaline-pumping rush of jet skiing.    

Tokyo, Japan – For the Culture Shock

Tokyo, a destination like no other, is an urban metropolis brimming with advanced technology, timeless customs, and distinct pop culture. This multifaceted city beckons visitors to immerse themselves in its culture by attending a traditional tea ceremony or indulging in authentic sushi at a local restaurant. Tokyo’s renowned nightlife is also to be noticed, providing endless entertainment options for tourists. With its fusion of the traditional and the modern, Tokyo is an unparalleled travel destination.

Tokyo!

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are just a few unique destinations that college students can explore. Each destination offers something unique: culture, adventure, or relaxation. So why not start planning your next adventure today?  

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Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to London a number of times.  My brother even lived in West London for a period of time, so I got pretty decent at navigating around London.  I didn’t remember London Underground being a place where pick-pocketing is common.   And perhaps that was our first mistake.  We let our guards down when we visited last Fall to attend the Lavor Cup.

We got pickpocketed

More specifically, my mom did.  We were traveling from London Bridge station to Canary Wharf Station.  On the Jubilee line.  Eastbound.  Just 3 quick stops in all.

• Bermondsey.
• Canada Water.
• Canary Wharf.

A 7 minutes journey.  And that’s all it took …to be pick-pocketed.

How It Unfolded

It didn’t dawn on me at the time, but I actually witnessed the entire setup.  We were traveling as a group so we watched out for each other, but the petty theft happened so quickly that it was too late by the time I realized what had happened.

I didn’t recall the the station being crowded, but I just remembered there was a rush of people trying to make their way to the train. I was checking in on my mom who trying to get to a pole to hold onto, but she got jammed into the crowd.  It “felt” like rush hour, but I realized it was by design in hindsight.  The group was crowding around their “target”.   I believe it was at a group of 4-5 people.  At the time, I thought we must have hit a busy stretch.  I was actually slightly relieved that my Mom won’t fall since she was packed in.

My brother pulled my mom closer to a space he created as soon as there was some space movement.  Next stop – the “group” exited.  It cleared out just as quickly as it got “packed”.  My mom didn’t even realize she had been pick-pocketed until we got off the train.  Her purse had been unzipped.  Her wallet was gone — cut from the the strap that’s tied to the purse.

The Aftermath

We reached an staff member for help and his advice was to report the incident to the British Transport Police (BTP).  He was sympathetic to our plight, but he wasn’t surprised. In fact, he let me know that that the pick-pocketing cases on the underground has been on the rise since the return from pandemic. He noted that at least it was just a wallet.  It could be worse.

We knew he was right.  That didn’t make it less upsetting, though.

It wasn’t a lot of money.  My mom didn’t carry much cash with her.   Her driver’s license and medical cards were in it. After we got back to the hotel, the wonderful staff at the Hilton at Canary Wharf helped us to file an initial report.  We then made a few more calls.  We were lucky that my Mom didn’t carry her passport with her.  Our flight back to the states was the following morning.

How to be avoid being a target?

The problem with being pick-pocketed isn’t just what was stolen.  It’s the:

• Unsettling feeling of being targeted.
• The worries of identity theft.
• The loss of time taken from the trip to deal with the incident.

Yes, pickpocket is generally considered a “petty” theft.  It’s easy to say “don’t let it ruin your trip”, but it does.  It can make the trip a little less “relaxing”.   In fact, we saw the impact quite readily.

Our original plan was to take the tube on newer Elizabeth line to get back to the Heathrow airport very early the next morning.  My mom felt anxious and unsettled having been targeted and pick-pocketed, and didn’t feel comfortable riding the train again.  We scraped the original plan and we decided to cab it instead.

If you’ve been the victim subject of a pick-pocketing crime, know that you are NOT at fault.  Some of these pick-pocketers are stealthy and very experienced.

While the incident was not the key memory from the trip, it left an indelible taint to the an otherwise uneventful trip.  It’s unfortunate it has to be this way, but the general advice rings true:   Be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables in front of you.

Your goal is to make it harder to become an easy target.

Many young people choose to go traveling instead of or before going to college. Such a choice has risen in popularity over the past decades. It is interesting that particularly young people are so keen on seeing the world. In a way, it becomes their school of life. Some may even argue that such a form of learning is more practical and valuable than traditional education. Though, how true is that statement? Let’s see five reasons why traveling can become a more valuable experience than going to college.

Personal Growth

Young people spend about four years of their lives locked in on campuses, libraries, and part-time jobs. They gain their knowledge of the world from books and lectures. However, such lessons don’t prepare them for the real-world struggles expected of them after graduation. As a result, the majority of college graduates feel lost and adrift after finishing school. They no longer live by a timetable and have all their weeks planned for them. Travel experiences, on the other hand, teach young people how to take responsibility, show dedication and courage, and live independently. They have to make numerous decisions throughout the trip; every day is different. Such life lessons result in fast personal growth and help young people determine their real selves. So, it’s best to find homework help with ScamFighter services and take off on an adventure every once in a while. Even short travel experiences can better prepare students for the world outside campus walls than teachers may ever do.

Unique Experiences

Travel experiences can drastically enrich students’ lives and provide them with unique and valuable lessons. Of course, students receive plenty of lessons in school. However, they learn the same as hundreds of other students every day. Not many such lessons will give them an edge later in life. On the other hand, travel experiences are highly personal and inspire unique, fresh opinions and ideas.

New Life Lessons

We don’t know much about the world or ourselves before we start college. Teenagers choose a profession and school without imagining how large their prospects and opportunities can get. Traveling can help young people expand their horizons, exploring the world with its endless possibilities. Such experiences can demonstrate various career options, lifestyles, and business ideas young people may pursue instead of or after college.  Also, the world can be a more diverse and powerful teacher than any school can ever be. Schools provide young minds with strict curriculums, traditional lessons, and old knowledge. This form of learning doesn’t allow much creativity or freedom of mind. Yet, traveling gives people quite the opposite result.

Mental Health

Finally, the current state of mental health among younger generations is anything but encouraging. More young people than ever receive serious diagnoses like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, among many others. Of course, it wouldn’t be unfair to blame the current education system. However, usually, schools add pressure on young people’s lives. Traveling can help young people heal after such pressure, recharge them with positive emotions, and give them room for recovery and self-discovery outside the formal mandates of the education system. Of course, students can count on finding a reliable writing company to help them cope with the pressure. Or they can choose to travel and strengthen their mind and body in a more rewarding way.     

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