The airline did a survey to see what travelers would pay an extra ten dollars for, including being in the first group to board or get off the plane, faster baggage delivery, shorter security checkpoint waits, premium snacks or meals (I’d totally pay for that!), in-flight web access (yes!), a freshly laundered pillow and blanket set that you get to keep (I reviewed that set here).

Some of the services that you can choose to save yourself ten bucks include not checking baggage, giving up your frequent flier points, being among the last to board, checking in via kiosk instead of an agent, or choosing to sit next to people with babies/small children.

Based on their survey results, Westjet will get ready to offer up what is basically a la carte flying. What do you think? What would you pay or save ten dollars on?

Full story here.

(Photo: Flickr)

Post from: Geeky Traveller

Although I didn’t have any flights to take, I did give it a test drive, so to speak, by bringing it on a long drive we took recently. Even though it was not a plane, I will definitely bring this kit with me when I hop a plane next summer for my sister’s wedding.

The pillow and blanket are both hypo-allergenic so they’re perfect for people who can’t use feather pillows or wool blankets. The pillow, while small, is soft and comfortable, and fits nicely behind your head. The fleece blanket is my favorite – I have to confess that I’ve used it since I tested it – I like to curl up with it on the couch at night because it’s just that soft. Many people have complained at the fact that their flights are chilly, and this would be perfect.

Because the pillow is small and the blanket folds up well, it fits into a nice little tote bag that can stow away easily in your carry-on bag.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who travels frequently. It’s useful for any travel too – it would be just as cozy on a long train ride or bus ride.

Aside from purchasing it through the CleanRest website, the kit will also be available at both Bed, Bath, and Beyond and at Walmart.

(Photo is mine)

Post from: Geeky Traveller

Where was this tent when I was packing this time a week ago for a four day getaway into the woods with my family?! Campmor offers up the Eureka N!ergy 9 tent which will sleep up to five people (though I always find one less person than the maximum is best for personal space). It comes with a built in energy system which give you three electrical outlets. You can use them to power up lights, a stereo, laptop, whatever you need.

Now as a big fan of getting away from it all once in awhile, I’m not much into the thought of using a laptop in a tent – I left mine at home and survived just fine. However, as a mother of two young kids, being able to have a small light plugged in would be handy indeed. We used some little lamps, but it would be nice to save the batteries for those inevitable middle-of-the-night bathroom trips and have an overhead lamp inside the tent for getting everyone bundled into their pajamas and sleeping bags.

I’d also be into a small stereo. I don’t blast music lest I disturb others but it’s nice to have a little soft music while you’re cooking over a fire.

It’s actually quite reasonably priced at only $149.90.

(source // product photo)

Post from: Geeky Traveller

If you only fly once in a blue moon, these probably aren’t worth buying, but if you’re a frequent flier, you might be concerned about how dry and tired your eyes are after a flight – especially if you’re traveling on business and you have to meet up with people shortly after getting off the plane. The air in a plane is notoriously dry, but the Tranquileyes Travel Kit from eyeeco can help you fight back.

The kit comes with a set of special goggles and two sets of reusable gel packs. All you need to do is dampen the gel inserts in the bathroom, then slip them in the goggles, put them on, and relax. You might look a bit goofy since they look more like swimming goggles than a sleep mask, but you’ll have the last laugh when you get off the plane looking rested and refreshed. And you won’t have to look at the bad in-flight movie either!

You can get a kit for $59.

(Source // Product photo from eyeeco)

Post from: Geeky Traveller

If you’ve got $15 to spare, you can buy yourself The Knee Defender! Two simple clamps attach to the seat in front of you, stopping the seat from coming back far enough to hit your knees. You can also use it as a tray and the site even claims that you can use it for simple leg exercises to prevent deep vein thrombosis while sitting for long periods.

I don’t know if it would tick off the person in front of you, but I guess it can’t bother them any more than it would if you whacked them over the head with your hardcover book if they keep bumping into you!

Post from: Geeky Traveller