Archive for July, 2010

Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Non-Rev to New York

Monday, July 19th, 2010

The double edge sword of your airline being successful this summer is the loads will be maxed out for the next several months. Everyone wants to travel this summer but the airlines cannot get the capacity on line fast enough. What that means for you is tougher commutes. So don’t fall into these 5 traps. And if you do, I have given you several ways to get out.

1) You didn’t check the loads – This summer things are very dynamic. Weather, cancellations, cargo, even volcanic ash will effect right up to the last minute. Even if your flight looks wide open, be ready for it to be cancelled or the flight before it being cancelled and being bumped off the flight you are non-reving on.

2) You didn’t check flight to see if it canceled. Cancellations are big issues these days and sometimes the Airline is late getting the information to the passengers through their websites. Going right to the Airport website to check flights are much more accurate. Go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/nonrev/travel/timetable.htm .

3) You didn’t have a backup airline – Other airlines might give you an opportunity to get to the city your trip starts from. Always have an idea of other airlines you could use. If you need a timetable with all the airlines on them try http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/nonrev/travel/timetable.htm 

4) You didn’t have a backup airport – Just like a backup flight, you need a backup airport. New York has three to choose from. If a runway closes at JFK, go to LaGuardia. If the seats are filling up in LaGuardia, go to Newark. To see what the loads are for a city, go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/nonrev/travel/timetable.htm and use quicktrip for every city around the area. It even displays low fare carriors.

5) You didn’t know how to go from the Backup Airport to your flight. You made it to the city, now how do you get to your airport. There are lots of ways. To see your options, go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/CheapUS/nyc.html#airportHotels

6) Bonus Go early to a hotel room. Goto http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/CheapUS/nyc.html#airportHotels to see all the hotels at JFK, LGA and EWR.

This Summer will be very difficult to non-rev. Those interline discounts for travel are going to be almost impossible to use. So much for our free travel benefits we were promised when we were hired. Those deals are long gone. But there are ways to go to those attractions positive space to almost any area in the world. Go to our article at http://nonrevwebsite.com/blog/2010/07/01/advice/when-not-to-non-rev/ to see how.

And if you are commuting to New York this summer, watch this blog. Several of us are commuting there and we will be writing what we find. Remember, if you have run out of options, go to our New York page to get ideas. If you need help anywhere else in the world go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/. Just one more thing, try to watch for non-revs and help them when you can. Trust me, they WILL remember you, and it will be when you need there help the most.

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Advice, New York | No Comments »

Non-Rev Tip Guide

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

There is always confusion on my trips what we should tip. Those I fly with are perplexed that tipping more may mean worse service. They get angry whe they get the “ugly American” lable for trying to show there appreciation. My thought is, if I spend less money and everyone is happy, what’s the problem. So for those who want to save money on tipping overseas, here is the standard which is verified by Travel and Liesure Magazine.

United States and Canada – 15 to 20%, but more for great service especially if you are a regular and want to be treated like a king.
Restaurants – at least 15%, 17%-20% is the norm.
Bars – 10-15% or $1 for a beer, $2 for a cocktail

Central and South America – Service is different. In the US speed is wanted, in Latin America not being disturbed is cherished. If you keep snapping your fingers yelling garcon, well lets just say the service will go down from there.
Restaurants – Check for a service charge. If none, give 10-15%.
Bars – 10% at bars that serve food, none and bars that only servedrinks.

Mexico and the Caribbean – Tip like in the US but expect service like South America.
Restaurants – 15-20% but watch for the service fee.
Bars – 10-15% or $1 for a beer, $2 for a cocktail.

Europe – Wait staff are paid full salaries so rounding up to 5% is accepted. But watch out for the 10% service fee. In eastern Europe, tip in cash if possible.
Restaurants – 5-10% AT YOUR DESCRETION. Check for service fee.
Bars – round up to the next Euro if service is good.

Asia – It’s something new to them. Japan does not expect it and they like for you to pay at the register.
Restaurants -10% charge is already added, round up for great service.
Bars – Not really done.

Africa and the Middle East – Not realy accepted and privacy is considered better service than hanging on the customer.
Restaurants – Check for that service fee, 10% is good enough.
Bars – 10%

To see individual countries, check out the country pages at www.nonrevwebsite.com . And please don’t make us look bad by tipping to much 😉

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Advice | No Comments »

When not to Non-Rev

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

I was just in Italy talking to the crew that brought my flight in. The Captain of the inbound flight tried to have his wife Non-Rev with him because the flight was wide open. They even check the flight the day before. The day of the flight, the flight was oversold. The captain asked the gate agent what happen to the loads. She said the airlines have a new airline policy on selling tickets which basically negates all our pass privileges.

When a flight has open seats a day or two before a flight to Europe, the DEEPLY discount them to fill up the seat. The prices are so low, they can’t afford to pay the commission on other web pages so you have to go directly to the airline’s website. How low are the prices? He was told $600 round trip to Italy. But it gets worse.

The person who paid $600 for his ticketed volunteered to give up his seat because the flight was oversold. He received a $200 voucher, accommodations for the night, and positive space, wait for it…, in First Class. Let me beat this dead horse. This person paid $400 round trip to Italy…in First Class. Just throw out those buddy passes now.

So if you are planning to non-rev this summer to Europe, think again. But there is a solution. Go to … to find out.

The Solution to this summer’s Non-Rev Crisis

The  beauty of this is we can use it to our advantage. If you would like to non-rev somewhere and see the flight you want is wide open, watch it like a hawk. If it stays open, the day or two before go to the airline’s public website and check out the prices. If they are rock bottom, buy them.

This next part depends on your flexibility. When you go to airport to catch your flight, talk to the gate agent, show them your badge and see if they are buying people off. And be very nice about it. If they are, tell them you would like to be on the list. If not, you may get the upgrade if there is room and you are nice. My secret is chocolate, works every time.

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in Advice | No Comments »