Aug 30, 2024 • 9 min read
23.08.2024 - 15:19 / thepointsguy.com
When you get home from an international trip, you can expect to return to a few loads of laundry, a pile of mail and probably a handful of work emails you've been ignoring. One thing you shouldn't have to worry about is an astronomical cellphone bill littered with international calling fees.
Most phone companies charge a per-minute rate for international calls outside of Mexico and Canada; the exact rate varies per country.
Many phone companies also offer international calling plans as an add-on to your monthly service. Verizon, for example, offers a $10 per day TravelPass for unlimited talk, text and data in more than 210 countries, but you will only be charged on the days you use it. Similarly, T-Mobile has an International Pass with unlimited calling and varying levels of high-speed international data for $5 per day, $35 for 10 days or $50 for 30 days.
These charges can add up quickly if you travel for an extended period and call home often, but there is a better way.
A simple hack can help you save money and keep in touch with your friends, loved ones and coworkers. All you need is a smartphone and a communication app like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom or Facebook Messenger.
Rather than connecting to a cellular network, apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom and Facebook Messenger use Wi-Fi or mobile data. As long as you are in an area with Wi-Fi and an active internet connection, you can use one of these apps to make voice or video calls to your friends and family. Some of these options also allow for text chats.
Related: Cruising or traveling abroad this summer? Why these cellphone packages can be your best travel companion
To use these apps, both parties will need to install them, sign up for a free account and have access to a stable internet connection. In terms of safety, you'll be happy to learn that all of these apps use end-to-end encryption to keep your calls and messages safe and private.
For example, both parties will need to have an Apple device with FaceTime enabled in order to use FaceTime. What's nice about FaceTime is that you can use your iPad or MacBook in addition to your iPhone. If you have an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, you do have the option to invite Android users to calls that are already in progress.
Related: 6 tips to prepare before extended trips abroad
It's easiest to complete the setup process before your trip so you can ensure everything is in order before you leave. You will also want to let your friends and family know which app you plan to use for calls while you are out of the country so they can do the same.
Then, when you are on your international trip, you can open your preferred app and either find the person you want to call in your contact list
Aug 30, 2024 • 9 min read
While Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, Margaritaville at Sea wants to keep the good times going with a flash sale that has half-off all cruises.
Airfare sales are nothing new, but one low-cost carrier is taking it to an extreme. Flair Airlines, a low-cost Canadian airline, recently announced it would be discounting their base fares to just one (Canadian) dollar on select routes from Cancun, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Puerto Vallarta to Canada. While the fare may only be one dollar, the taxes and fees total approximately $15.14 per flight segment, including security and government fees. The base fares do not include any baggage, so travelers with a personal item, checked luggage, and carry-on luggage will need to add a bundle, which can be as much as $56. This is a similar pricing model that has been adopted in the United States by airlines such as Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant which offer basic economy fares without any frills.
Government officials in Sri Lanka announced that citizens from 35 countries—including the United States—will be granted visa-free entry into the Asian nation, according to the Times of India.
Two esteemed properties have recently joined the ranks of AAA’s Five Diamond award winners, the highest honor in the AAA Diamond Program. Montage Healdsburg, located in the heart of northern California’s wine country, and Cocina de Autor in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, have snagged the top-tier designation thanks to their high-end gourmet cuisine, exceptional service and luxurious milieus.
Immense waterfalls, scenic train rides, and cities that feel like Europe — I experienced them all during my first trip to Canada.
Aug 23, 2024 • 0 min read
The best travel makeup bags keep your beauty and skincare essentials secure and organized while in transit, and help protect the rest of your belongings from accidental spills and leaks. A few years ago, I ruined one of my favorite tote bags after a bottle of foundation broke in my old makeup bag and spilled everywhere. There goes my tote bag and my overly priced foundation. After that, I decided to invest in a protective, durable travel makeup bag that could handle bumpy car rides, long-haul flights, and a reckless suitcase toss or two from TSA. The best options are also roomy enough to fit a vacation's worth of makeup while still being compact enough to neatly fit in your carry-on or personal item. And bonus points go to the cosmetic cases and bags that feature smart pockets or loops to keep small products like brushes, lipsticks, and eyeliner in place.
Airfare will remain below 2023 levels through the end of the year, but will start to rise as the fall and winter holiday seasons approach.
The 2024 Olympics seemed like a great time to explore Paris, so my friends and I began booking our trip over a year in advance.
Saving on fall travel just got easier with a new sale from Avelo Airlines.
Rob Taylor and his husband Chris have been taking their kids on road trips for 13 years. Together, they've traveled over 30,000 miles in the US, Canada, and Mexico.