11 hotel room rituals that are nonnegotiable
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Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What is the EU's hand luggage ban and how will it affect travel for Brits?
If you're travelling abroad this year, particularly via the EU, you might wonder what the proposed hand luggage fee ban is and how it could affect you and your travel plans. This week, reports have suggested that the European Union is looking to ban airlines from charging passengers for hand luggage under 7kg and to standardise cabin bag dimensions across the board. Here's what we know about the possible change and how it could affect those travelling to Europe from the UK. Travel agency has shared insights from James Spalding, UK Head of Aviation, on how this change could affect customers. Hand luggage policies are different for each airline (Image: Getty) Hand luggage policies are different depending on the airline you fly with meaning those who don't travel often need to brush up on the rules before going away. James Spalding said: 'If the EU introduces a standard size and removes fees for small cabin bags, it could bring greater consistency across the board. That means fewer unexpected charges and a simpler way to compare fares between airlines. 'That said, it's unlikely airlines will absorb the cost entirely. It may be built into the base fare instead. While that could mean slightly higher upfront prices, many travellers will welcome the added transparency - knowing exactly what's included in the ticket from the outset.' The BBC added: 'Under the new rule, travellers would be allowed to bring one cabin bag measuring up to 100cm on board their flight, as well as an under-the-seat personal item with a maximum size of 40x30x15cm at no additional cost. 'The proposed law still requires approval from 55% of EU member states, but if adopted following negotiations starting in July 2025, the new rules would extend to all flights within the EU, as well as routes to and from the EU.' James explained: 'Over recent years, many European carriers have introduced fares without hand luggage to offer more flexibility and competitive entry-level pricing. 'If that option is removed, airlines may explore other ways to offer choice — for example, by introducing or expanding 'priority' options for early boarding or guaranteed cabin space. 'Cabin storage is always limited, especially on full flights. We already see some airlines asking passengers to check bags at the gate when overhead lockers are full. 'If more passengers bring similar-sized bags onboard under a single rule, it could lead to more operational changes and a bigger focus on how baggage is managed at boarding.' If prices rise, James says 'comparison is key.' Using platforms like will mean travellers can compare prices and 'see what's included in their fare - from cabin bags and checked luggage to seat selection.' Use search filters so you can select your preferences when booking your holiday so you can 'avoid unexpected costs at checkout' and find the flights and holiday deals that suit you. Since the UK operates outside the EU now, you might be wondering how this hand luggage fee change could affect you and your holiday. James said: 'That's an interesting one. If the UK doesn't adopt the same rule, there could be a bit of a mismatch - especially on flights between the UK and the EU - with different policies for the outbound and return legs. That might cause some confusion for passengers and create complexity for airlines. Your passport is your most important travel document - it's worth taking your time to get right! Before submitting your application check: - your photo meets all requirements - all personal details are correct - supporting documents are ready - payment details are accurate — His Majesty's Passport Office (@HM_Passport) June 16, 2025 'To simplify things, some carriers may choose to align their policies across both EU and UK routes, even if it's not a formal requirement. We'll have to wait and see how the industry responds.' Each airline has different allowances for hand luggage, here's what we know. Ryanair's website says: "All our fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you." easyJet says passengers can bring one small cabin bag: Maximum size 45 x 36 x 20cm (including any handles and wheels) Includes items like a small trolley case, handbag, rucksack and laptop bag, but please check dimensions Needs to fit under the seat in front of you Maximum weight 15kg. You need to be able to lift and carry the bag yourself Recommended reading: Travel warning issued to all Brits with a GHIC or EHIC going abroad this year Jet2 and Ryanair among airlines to issue travel advice amid Crete wildfires Greggs and Jet2 to launch £1.30 package holiday (the price of a sausage roll) Jet2 says: "You can bring one piece of hand luggage onboard free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles." Here's what you're allowed to bring on board when flying with British Airways: 1 cabin bag, max. 23kg (51lbs), up to 56×45×25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) 1 handbag or laptop bag, max. 23kg (51lbs), up to 40×30×15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) Wizz Air allows two types of bags to be brought onboard, according to its website rules: Free carry-on bag Trolley bag (for WIZZ Priority holders) It allows everyone one small carry-on bag, which should be placed under the seat, maximum size: 40 x 30 x 20 cm, 10kg. Exceeding these dimensions will result in additional fees being charged. Passengers have the choice to upgrade their hand luggage allowance at an extra cost.
Entrepreneur
32 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
I Take 75 Business Trips a Year — These 10 Tips Save Me Time, Money and Sanity
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. For the past couple of decades, I've traveled 60-75 times a year—mostly for public speaking, client visits and occasionally vacation. My trips are mostly independent and domestic, with Vegas, Orlando and New Orleans topping the list. My goal? Get it done as fast and affordably as possible. Eyes down, earbuds in, mouth shut, mind your own business — especially on business trips. If you're a frequent business traveler like me, here are 10 lessons I've learned to make travel easier, cheaper and less painful: 1. Lean into loyalty Even if you only travel a few times a year for business, it's critical that you join the loyalty program of the airline that most frequents your local airport, as well as one hotel and one rental car brand program. There are some cases where you may pay a little more. There are other cases where you might not get the best flight or location. But you'll make up for these potential inconveniences by building up points which can then be converted into free rooms, flights and car rentals, and the payback will be greater than what you paid. Some loyalty programs offer other rewards, such as discounts on partner brands, which will save you more. Also, as your status rises, you'll get free upgrades, better seating and baggage allowances without fees and — to me, most importantly — special attention like fast re-booking when things go wrong. Lean into these loyalty programs, eat the dog food and over the long term, you'll benefit both from cost and productivity. Related: Here's How Entrepreneurs Can Save on Business Trips 2. Avoid airline and hotel travel cards Airline and hotel credit cards aren't worth it. Sure, it can seem enticing when they offer lots of miles upfront for signing up or expedited boarding. But the interest rates and fees on these cards will, over the long term, be higher (in my experience) than those of their competitors. Also, you're limited to only choosing flights and hotels with that brand, which significantly limits your choice of available flights, and you'll be blacked out during high-volume periods. If you're a business traveler, choose a card that's tied to an independent travel service. I've enjoyed the Citibank Thank You program for years because I accumulate points both for my business and personal cards, am able to combine those cards, and then can convert those points into travel with their agency that books on just about any airline or hotel I choose. Another trick: I'll stay at Marriott (my preferred hotel loyalty brand), charge everything to the room, including meals and drinks, get points for the hotel and then pay the bill with my Citibank card so I earn points on the card as well — double dipping. Double the benefits. 3. Subscribe to a travel newsletter There are a few great travel newsletters that you can search and subscribe to (I like The Points Guy), which can help you figure out the best travel and let you know quickly when there are programs or special deals launched. Like grocery coupons, some people go crazy with this stuff, and yes, they do save money (although I'm not sure how much time they're spending in return for the benefit). Regardless of how much you lean into these services, they're helpful to keep you aware of potential discounts that, if the timing's right, can save you money that you weren't expecting to save. 4. Do not wait in rental car lines Thank God we don't live in the days of our parents, when renting a car required sixteen forms of identification and a strip search. Some of the better rental agencies (I like National Car Rental) let loyal users bypass the check-in process, go straight to the garage, jump into a car and then drive away by just showing their driver's license. And on return, you get out and go. I find this experience to be cost-efficient, productive and frankly, exhilarating. It's all about time, and I pity those people standing in long lines waiting to be approved to drive. 5. Eat at chains If you're not a frequent traveler, eating out can be fun. But for the rest of those who travel many times a month, we need consistency and affordability. So when it comes to food, I generally stick to a chain restaurant. Unless I'm entertaining clients, which I rarely do, I'm happy to get a filet at Outback Steakhouse for $40 that includes fries and a salad rather than paying $125 for the same meal at the local steakhouse. Chain restaurants tend to be reliable, faster and more affordable than other restaurants. Other times, I avoid the $30 hotel burger and get Uber Eats delivered. You want to go local? Find a diner. Or otherwise stick to your hometown. 6. Use expense management apps I've wasted countless hours doing expense reports over the years. But no more. Thanks to great (and inexpensive) expense management applications like Expensify, SAP Concur, Ramp, and Zoho Expense, business travelers can, just by snapping a photo, have their expense time sheets done with minimal involvement, which saves time and mistakes. I've got my car rental, airline, hotel and rideshare apps all connected to the service I use, and when I eat out or take a taxi, I upload a quick photo. When my trip is over, my expense report is done for me. If your business has a team of travelers, it's a great way to manage their expenses and, after integrating the app with your accounting system, save a significant amount of back office time. Thanks AI! 7. Tip generously Tipping doesn't save you money. It's just the right thing to do. Carry some cash and take care of the people who clean your rooms with $10 per day. Give the valet another $10. Never tip below 20% on a restaurant bill. And yes, add an extra buck to the $8 cup of coffee you bought in the casino lobby. It's not their fault that the price is ridiculously high. And you can afford it. Tip more if you can. 8. Consider taxis for speed Whenever I arrive at my home airport, I always block and tackle through the masses of people waiting for their rideshare and go straight to the taxi area, where there's always a line of cabs waiting. I mostly do this in other cities, too. Generally, taxis still cost more than rideshares. And some of them aren't as comfortable a ride. But it's all about time, and whatever gets me to my home or my destination faster so I can finish with the travel experience is, to me, worth the added cost. Related: A Business Owner's Guide to Maximizing Summer Profits 9. Double down on your security Don't be stupid with your data when you travel. Don't reveal your private work to the guy sitting next to you on your flight. Buy a laptop privacy screen, a piece of plastic that makes it impossible for anyone not directly in front of your screen to see what you're doing. Make sure you use a VPN service to encrypt your data when on a hotel or airport Wi-Fi. Better yet, don't use the hotel or airport Wi-Fi and use your mobile hotspot whenever and wherever you can for the best security. Don't do any banking or financial transactions when you're on the road if you can avoid it. Bring an extra battery pack so that you don't run out of power mid-trip when you need to get work done. And bring three separate power cords in your bag because these things fail (and so do you when you forget one in your room). 10. Roll your clothes Checking a bag not only incurs extra charges but also extra time at the carousel. To avoid these fees and get on and off the plane (and in and out of the airport) as quickly as possible, my advice is to roll. Yes, roll. Roll as many of your non-wrinkle clothes (socks, underwear, shirts, etc) and align them in your carry-on bag, starting on the outside and working your way in. You'll be shocked at how much more stuff you can fit in your bag that way. Make use of the hotel iron if needed. 20-plus years of travel. 60-plus separate trips per year. And I'm still not in the higher echelons of the business road warrior. Thank goodness. Regardless, this is what I've learned. You're welcome.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Flying or driving for July 4? Here's the best time to leave, busiest travel times in California
Summer travelers, gear up. This Fourth of July is going to be a busy one, especially across California. Independence Day is often one of the busiest travel periods outside the winter holidays, and this year is expected to be no different. A record-setting 72.2 million travelers are estimated to go on a domestic trip between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6, according to AAA. That's 2.4% more than last year. As usual, driving will be the most popular mode of transportation, as a predicted 61.6 million car travelers will hit the road. However, air passengers are also projected to break a record, with 5.84 million fliers despite round-trip domestic airfare being 4% more expensive than last year at an average of $810. This year, the Fourth of July is a long weekend – the perfect chance for a summer getaway. "It's been almost a decade since travelers have had a 'Fourth of July Friday,' meaning they are likely taking full advantage of the long weekend to build out longer trips," said Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. "For travelers who are planning an international getaway this year, the day-off positioning means people can strategically build a weeklong trip without burning a full work week of PTO." Here's what to know about Fourth of July travel in 2025. Study: California has some of the best and worst airports for business travelers in the US According to Going, airfare during the Fourth of July week runs slightly higher than the rest of the summer because of travel demand. Still, summer ticket prices overall are down 7% from last year. For the holiday week, domestic airfare averages 3.4% more at $585, while international flights are higher by 3.9%, averaging $1,396. Travelers can save a few bucks – and avoid crowds – if they fly on the holiday itself. What is the best US airline? This carrier topped The Points Guy's 2025 Best Airlines list Domestic Orlando, Florida Seattle New York Anchorage, Alaska Fort Lauderdale, Florida Honolulu Denver Miami Boston Atlanta International Vancouver, British Columbia Rome Paris London Barcelona Dublin Amsterdam Calgary, Alberta Athens, Greece Lisbon, Portugal For the two weeks surrounding the holiday, car travelers should aim to embark in the morning to avoid the worst traffic, according to Inrix. Here are the best travel times: Saturday, June 28 - Before 10 a.m. Sunday, June 29 - Before 11 a.m. Monday, June 30 - Before noon Tuesday, July 1 - Before 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 - Before noon Thursday, July 3 - Before noon Friday, July 4 - Before noon Saturday, July 5 - Before 11 a.m. Sunday, July 6 - Before 11 a.m. Drivers can anticipate the busiest days on the road to be Wednesday, July 2, as people head to their destinations and Sunday, July 6, when they return home, according to Inrix. Throughout the rest of the travel period, afternoons will likely see the most congestion. Below are the worst travel times: Saturday, June 28 - Between noon and 5 p.m. Sunday, June 29 - Between 2 and 4 p.m. Monday, June 30 - Between 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 1 - Between 3 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 - Between noon and 9 p.m. Thursday, July 3 - Between 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, July 4 - Between noon and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 5 - Between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, July 6 - Between noon and 6 p.m. San Francisco Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from San Francisco to Sacramento, California, on I-80 E at 5:30 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Sacramento to San Francisco on I-80 W at 4:30 p.m. Los Angeles Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Los Angeles to San Diego on I-5 S at 5 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on I-15 S at 5 p.m. Atlanta Departing: Sunday, June 29, from Atlanta to Birmingham, Alabama, on I-20 W at 12:15 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Savannah, Gerorgia, to Atlanta on I-16 W at 2:30 p.m. Boston Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Boston to Hyannis, Massachusetts, on Route 3 S at 10:45 a.m. Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Hyannis to Boston on Route 3 N at 11:45 a.m. Denver Departing: Monday, June 30, from Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado, on I-25 N at 1:45 p.m. Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Fort Collins to Denver on I-25 S at 6:30 p.m. Houston Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Houston to Galveston, Texas, on I-45 S at 11:15 a.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Galveston to Houston on I-45 N at 11:45 a.m. New York Departing: Tuesday, July 1, from New York City to Jersey Shore of New Jersey on Garden State Pkwy S at 4:30 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Albany, New York, to New York City on I-87 S at 4:15 a.m. Seattle Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from Seattle to Ocean Shores, Washington, on I-5 S at 5:45 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Ellensburg, Washington, to Seattle on I-90 E at 430 p.m. Washington Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Washington to Annapolis, Maryland, on US-50 E at 1:45 p.m. Returning: Friday, July 4, from Annapolis to Washington on US-50 W at 11:30 a.m. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The busiest travel days for Fourth of July: how to beat the rush
