NoDebtWorldTravel.com » cheap tickets

Who Killed the Air Courier?

brian — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:01:00 +0000

Ever heard of AIR COURIERS?

These are people who jump on a plane and deliver a small package to Tokyo. Or legal documents to Paris. To destinations all over the world you could get 30%-80% off the cost of a flight or in a best case scenario get a free flight because someone is desperate to get something transported.

All you have to do is give up your baggage quota so you can carry a package. When you arrive you make a delivery and then can return or stay in the country you’re in.

You say where can I sign up?

The answer – Not many places, because the air courier market has melted like a snowman sitting under a bright sun. Too bad because it was a great way to be spontaneous and save while traveling.

To give you an idea, most of the people who have been couriers last did it in the late 90s and early 2000s, before 9/11.

The air courier’s job and the potential for travelers like us to travel around the world on a whim for a fraction of the cost is not available anymore. Here’s why:

Email
You can send an email attachment with a contract around the world to multiple parties in 10 seconds. Worried about someone reading it in email? You can encrypt it and now it will get there in 12 seconds instead of 10. Much cheaper than a company paying someone to jump on a plane to hand deliver documents. This is even faster than fax machines, which I’m sure initially cut into the courier business.

You can send vital docs from the comfort of your couch

In the United States, it is estimated that the volume of postal mail (snail mail) has decreased 20% since 2000. People haven’t stopped communicating, they are just using their email accounts to do it.

Overnight Delivery
When FedEx founder Fred Smith proposed a delivery service in a paper while he was in college, he had no idea what he started. The world became much more interconnected.

Eventually, it also killed the air courier.

Blame the FedEx truck that you can’t get 70% off to Bangkok

No longer did you need hand delivery. You can sit in your home or office and track your FedEx/UPS package every step of the way, door to door. Even if the most expensive shipping costs $100US, it is still cheaper than sending a human.

Security
Before you could get on a flight, be cleared when you landed, hand the package or documents off to the next party and be on your way to explore. Now everything needs to check against a manifest and airlines and governments check for a customs declaration. The process became much more difficult. Not worth it for anyone.

Also cargo on passenger planes would sometimes take days to clear customs. So companies would get the air courier, who would clear faster than a cargo shipment. The courier would make the delivery and be on their way. Now with cargo clearing as fast as passengers, overnight delivery services can make their on time schedules at a fraction of the cost.

So if you see air courier ads on this blog or in the newspaper, be wary. Ask lots of questions and find out if you are really getting a deal. Some services want you to pay an annual fee to get new courier opportunities. You may be better off getting a flight yourself where you can take your own luggage as opposed to trying to be a courier.

The air courier – a concept that unfortunately has come and gone for the avid travelers among us.

Photo Credit: copleys

Photo Credit: tomasfano

Photo Credit: redjar

Who Killed the Air Courier? is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel News and Deals – August 18, 2009 – How To Drive Across America, Contest to Visit Oz (again), Travel Scams, Weirdest Hotels

brian — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:15:00 +0000

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com:

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Drive Across the USA

A different way to travel the USA, this site sets you up with people who need to get their cars across the country. You take the car and can drive it across the country for them. I didn’t see anything about getting paid a fee, but if you wanted to go coast to coast and not use your own ride, this is the way to do it.

7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Road Trip Now

To me you don’t need anymore reasons, but if you need some more…

Four Days in North Korea

Last week I talked about the fact that you could go to North Korea or some other countries that could be considered off-limits. Of course if you visit North Korea, you can’t go out at night, there is no Internet and you’ll probably have armed guards tailing you at all times. As for the Americans, well they think we are the cause of all their problems.

Hey, I said you could go there, but I didn’t say you would enjoy it…

5 Simple Shortcuts for a Quick Trip Through Airport Security

Take off ALL the jewelry before you get the metal detector. That includes ring toes, ankle bracelets and tongue studs. Yes, a tongue stud can set off a metal detector, I have seen it.

How to get rid of a foreign transaction fee on your bill

Whenever you make a transaction abroad, always check for foreign transactions. Another way for credit card companies to fleece us.

Have card, will travel: A guide to traveling with a credit card

I’ve talked about some of these concepts before – call the bank before you leave and let them know before they shut down your card, avoid the Discover Card and AMEX, use cash when you can and like the article above this says, look for the foreign transaction fees.

Top 10 Geeky Vacation Spots

Megawatts, supernovas and cicadas among other things. If you were in Chess Club or the highlight of your year was the Science Competition, these spots may be for you.

Best Job In the World Winner Looking For Assistants

The guy who won 6 months in Australia blogging about his experience is apparently “working” so hard that he does not have time to fulfill his obligation to keep up the blog. So they are going to hire a few more assistants. Don’t know if they get the same pay, but do you really care for some ‘free’ time in Australia?

Beyond Limits: How Travel Pushes Your Personal Boundaries

Get uncomfortable. That is how you grow.

10 Travel Scams to Avoid

Keep your eyes and ears open, because quite frankly, the fact that you were able to get on a plane and visit a foreign country does mean that you have more than the average person who lives there, especially in the developing world.

The best gap year trips

Ideas for one year, six months, three months and two months travel.

World’s Weirdest Hotels, Part Deux

Giraffe Manor in Kenya sounds crazy. Imagine waking up and seeing a girafee’s head inside your window, licking you as to say, “Hey!”.

The Boeing 727 remade into a hotel in Costa Rica sounds like fun. Remember this hostel made from a 747? Seems like they are not doing too well. I hope they succeed, it is a great novelty concept.

How To Use A Guidebook Without Letting It Ruin Your Trip

Use the guidebook, but don’t take it with you. They are heavy!

Airfarewatchdog’s 11 Ticket Buying Tips

Another list, but always bears repeating.

Travel News and Deals – August 18, 2009 – How To Drive Across America, Contest to Visit Oz (again), Travel Scams, Weirdest Hotels is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel News and Deals – April 28, 2009 – Run Your Own Amazing Race, More Hostels and Get Over the Fear of Flying

brian — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com:

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Alternatives to the Amazing Race That You Can Get In On

Global Scavenger Hunt
Competitours

Addicted to ‘The Amazing Race’ on television but can’t or won’t sign up for it? These are two other options where you can pay to play. Anybody wants to sign up for the real ‘Amazing Race’? Let’s team up!

World’s Top Ten eco-hostels
Want to be environmentally conscious while traveling? These hostels can let you travel for long periods without the guilt of possibly destroying Mother Earth.

Whoopi Goldberg Can Fly, Thanks to the Teaching of Richard Branson
I always liked Richard Branson. His companies always seem hip and progressive, and Virgin’s approach to the fear of flying is novel. Once they help you get you over the fear of flying they want to lock you in as a loyal customer. Good business. If other airlines have programs like this, I haven’t heard about them.

WhichBudget.com
This site is a WORLDWIDE search engine for cheap flights. Try it out.

No-Nonsense Traveler: Be Wary of European Budget Airlines
I experienced some of this while I used London as the base for my European flights. The airfares are cheap, but you must read the fine print on number of luggage allowed, the weight of the lugggage and additional fees. But if you can weave your way through it, you can save significantly.

Want better customer service? Look to your inner journalist
If you’re having a problem in an airport or a car rental counter, start recording your interactions with service staff. This ‘squeaky wheel gets the oil’ philosophy may seems extreme, but it works for some people.

The Guide to Sleeping in Airports
I slept in London’s Gatwick Airport a number of times on my trip and my 7 hours in Doha was not the greatest airport experience (the food was horrendous). If you know you have a long layover coming up, you can check out this site and see what amenities are available in airports all over the world.

Five Easy Wasy to Fly First Class … Without Paying for It
I’ve been automatically upgraded to first class when economy was full a few times. Sometimes the easiest way is to just ask at the ticket counter before getting on board. What’s the worst that can happen? They say no and you’re still on the same flight. This article lists some other interesting ways to do it.

Travel News and Deals – April 28, 2009 – Run Your Own Amazing Race, More Hostels and Get Over the Fear of Flying is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel News and Deals – April 21, 2009 – Hostels, Hostels, Bed Bugs, Frequent Flyer Miles and oh yeah Hostels

brian — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com:

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

In Europe, Hostels Grow Up
Had to address this since loyal readers TJ, Karen and Jen all forwarded it to me because they thought of me. When you think of hostels, you think of me. I like that!
The article goes into different hostels throughout Europe. They detailed the hostel I stayed at in Rome, The Yellow. Really good article, lots of descriptions. The author went with her two teenage daughters and seems like everyone enjoyed themselves, Mom too.
I’ll add that this is not just in Europe. I’ll still say Lubd in Bangkok was the best hostel I stayed in, Thai political turmoil aside…

Top Nine Outrageous Airline Fees and Extreme Flying Charges

There is not anything you can do about them but be aware that they are there. Always remember the price you book online may not include the ‘taxes and fees’ mentioned in the article. That is how they suck you in, pretty much a bait and switch tactic!

Wegolo.com
Wegolo.com is an airline ticket search engine that include flights to/from Europe, America and the Caribbean that includes smaller, LOW COST airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet. The big search engines like Kayak, Expedia, Orbitz only have the major airlines (American, British Airways, Lufthansa) which tend to have correspondingly bigger prices.

Bed Bugs Bites: National Bed Bug Summitt to Combat Creepy Crawlers
Ewww! Read this article and look for the signs for bed bugs. The more the world is interconnected and travel is more affordable and easier, the easier it is to end up with unwanted blood sucking guests in your bed.

Top 10 Boutique Hostels in Eastern Europe
Combined with the NYTimes article above, this has been a good week for hostels. You have got to try it at least once. Like I said, get a single with the en-suite bathroom to get started. You’ll be still be saving compared to hotels…and have more fun and interaction in the process.

Tourists Have To Try To Combat the ‘Ugly American’
Ah yes the ‘Ugly American’. But there is the ugly French, the ugly Brit, the ugly *you fill in the nationality*. Good ideas on how to behave wherever you are from, wherever you happen to be.

learn10.com
Haven’t used this myself, but Learn10 gives you new words in a foreign language on a daily basis to help you comprehend and retain. Repetition is ONE key to learning. If any of you happen to use it, let us know how it goes for you.

Find Free and Budget Activities in Expensive Japan
Cheapskate Confessions: Japan on a Budget
Wish I had some of these ideas when I was in Tokyo. Trust me, every city has free to inexpensive things to do that you will be able to enjoy and share with family and friends later on. I reposted a link I have mentioned before.

10 Ways to Save With Frequent Flyer Programs
The frequent flyer miles are harder or easier to redeem, depending on who you talk to and which airline you are talking about. Investigate and use in your own particular situation.

Travel News and Deals – April 21, 2009 – Hostels, Hostels, Bed Bugs, Frequent Flyer Miles and oh yeah Hostels is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Cheap Airline Tickets? How To Not Miss Out

brian — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:51:00 +0000

Airlines are like professional sports teams: They are copycats.

Case in point: After JetBlue got plenty of attention for its $14US San Francisco to New York one way fare, Spirit Airlines announced $18US ROUND TRIP fares mostly from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to destinations like Jamaica, The Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

But by the time most of us hear about these fares, they are gone. What to do?

Sign up for sites like TravelZoo and SmarterTravel, which get the best deals sent to them by the airlines, hotels and travel agencies themselves.

TravelZoo

SmarterTravel

If you have a favorite airline, or know an airline flies the route you may be traveling on in the future, sign up for their email alerts. Many airlines also use twitter and blogs to get the word about their special airfares.

Do you have tips for finding cheap plane tickets? Let us know. Hit the comment button or email me directly.

Cheap Airline Tickets? How To Not Miss Out is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel News and Deals – March 31, 2009

brian — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com:

Expensive Cities on the Cheap
Your big cities around the world don’t have to cost a lot as this article shows. In fact I’m going to try out some of the ideas for New York City.

Vanish With A Trace
Reviews of the paid baggage tagging and return systems in case it is lost or ‘mishandled’ by your carrier. Your best bet: Get everything in a carry-on and skip checking luggage if you can.

Why Asia Has The World’s Best Airports

I would chime in here and say Asia has the world’s best airlines too, and I would not get many disagreements from other travelers.

Inside the No-Frills, Long Haul Flight on Air Asia X
If you’re in Europe and need to get to Asia on the cheap, this could be your best…and only option

Volunteer Abroad

You want to travel, but you want your journey to have some additional meaning. A chance to do good abroad could not only help someone else, but maybe help yourself too.

Bangkok Street Food: 5 Things You Must Try

In Thailand I did have the durian and while it did smell bad, it wasn’t repulsive enough for me to not actually enjoy it. I also ate some kind of insect from a bag in Patong. I have no idea what I ate, but I’m still here.

JetBlue lands its first Central America Flight in Costa Rica
Important because competition to a destination as popular as Costa Rica means great fares. In fact JetBlue is running a super fare of $78 each way between Orlando, Florida and San Jose, Costa Rica. If you’re in Orlando or can get there on the cheap, that’s a great deal.

Travel News and Deals – March 31, 2009 is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel