foXnoMad

I’ve often get emails, chats, and comments asking me a variety of travel related questions. “Travel Unravel” is a series where I tried to answer these questions in a quick and concise manner with the help of readers in the comments.

Friend and reader Rachel asked me via my Facebook page: I’m going on my first flight with my infant, any tips for traveling with babies?

Start by not buying an extra ticket, kids under 2 almost always fly for free or a small charge provided you carry them in your lap. Call the airline to let them know beforehand but remember that you won’t get an extra (charge-free) piece of luggage for your little one. You will however be able to bring a large diaper bag which won’t count as a carry on. If you’re bringing a stroller ask the airline representative at the gate for a “Gate Check Tag”, so they’ll take your stroller at the gate, stow it, and have it ready for you when you get off the plane.

Once you get on the plane, asking a flight attendant (firmly) for a seat for your baby, especially if the plane isn’t fully booked - it usually works.

Finally, children under the age of two have much more sensitive inner ears that adults. Expect crying during the first and last 30 minutes of a flight and even longer if your plane ends up circling the airport a few times before landing.

Rachel, those are the ‘technical’ answers, but I don’t have the personal experience to give you many insider tips - I’ve never traveled with an infant, but there are plenty of foXnoMad readers who have.

So, I’d like to defer to all of the traveling mommies, daddies, and family members who have flown with infants - what personal tips do you have for Rachel?

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I’ve often get emails, chats, and comments asking me a variety of travel related questions. “Travel Unravel” is a series where I tried to answer these questions in a quick and concise manner with the help of readers in the comments.

Usha asked in the comments: My luggage was lost and after filing the necessary paperwork, I can’t reach anyone - what should I do?

Without knowing which airline this is or the circumstances of the loss, I can only give you a generic answer, but here’s my best shot. You did the best thing by notifying the airline right away of your loss. The next step is to write a letter and snail mail it since these will get you better responses and more compensation for your loss - which, by the way is $1,500 for international flights and $3,000 if your bags were lost in the United States. Give them, as best you can, a complete inventory and the approximate cost of everything in your suitcase.

I’d also recommend contacting the CEO’s office by telephone, email, and a letter explaining your situation. You can get this information online (here’s American Airlines’) or by doing a quick search of the Consumerist for “[airline CEO]“. No matter what, make sure that you keep calling and writing often until the issue is resolved.

Usha, the airlines are usually very disorganized in their process of returning bags, but despite this 99.995% of all bags lost are returned to their owners within 1 week - and I hope that yours are as well.

Readers, what have you done (or gone through) to get your lost bags - let us know in the comments!

Travel smarter,
foXnoMad

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I’ve started getting emails, chats, and comments asking me a variety of travel related questions. “Travel Unravel” is a new series where I tried to answer these questions in a quick and concise manner with the help of readers in the comments.

Lost At Sea asks: What’s A Cheap Way To Go To The Caribbean From The US?

Your best bet is to take a cruise, especially if you’re on the US east coast. Most cruise lines take off from one of the major port cities like New York, Baltimore, or Norfolk. Most cruises for a week of Caribbean sailing include room, food (through buffet’s), and entertainment like casinos and club life for around $600-800. Alcohol is extra, but those can be bought duty free at one of the islands you’re bound to stop to.

You’ll be able to visit 2 or 3 hotspots like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico and take “excursions” like snorkling, hiking, or mountain biking. (Excursions are extra cost.) Also, Americans and EU citizens won’t need visas for stays less than 30 days at almost all of the Caribbean countries. Check out Travelzoo, they usually has good deals on cruises and package vacations to the area.

Hope this helps, if not ask away in the comments - readers, don’t hesitate to hop in either!

Travel smarter,
-foxnomad

[photo by: oberazzi (Tim O'Brien)]

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