🌴 Greetings from Rancho Palos Verdes!

I hope you're having a relaxing weekend. We're just about to check out of our hotel in Rancho Palos Verdes. Although it's just 20 miles from our house, it feels like a world away. Apparently we're not the only ones who feel this way; I met numerous guests who are locals but who like to take a mini vacation at Terranea Resort and Spa. We've been here multiple times and I've got to tell you: When it's sunny and warm, there aren't too many places better than this. It really strikes a balance between being a great family-friendly destination and a romantic getaway for couples (they filmed some scenes from This Is 40 here). It's a stunning spot for weddings (we saw two over the course of the weekend) and a popular place for girls' weekends and babymoons. In short, it's perfect for everyone.
We're covering it all this week, including hard news like the U.S. State Department worldwide caution alert, major storms in the Caribbean and Cabo, as well as a whole slew of travel tips:

And featured travel videos:

So please scroll down to see it all.

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In this issue:

✈️ Today's Travel Outlook

As of 8:55am PT, there have been 116 canceled flights to, from or within the United States and 1,143 delayed. Here's a link to the up-to-date stats and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System Status. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.

🚗 Monday

‘Bump and Rob’ is an Old Scheme But a New Trend – Here’s What You Need to Know to Stay Safe
It’s disheartening to think how much society has changed since the pandemic. It seems criminals have gotten more brazen and police and district attorneys more lax. It’s a bad combination. Crime is happening all over the country and bump and rob carjackings are on the rise. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe

🧳 Tuesday

Revolutionizing Travel: This Genius Suitcase Design is a Game-Changer For Travelers
Have you ever thought about the evolution of the humble suitcase? As Natalie writes, she hadn't either - until a company gifted her a suitcase that made her wonder: Why hasn't anyone done this before? With its one-of-a-kind design, this innovative carry-on suitcase is a game-changer for travelers. Read more about it here.

💰 Wednesday

The Weird (or Clever?) Way I Save Money Booking Plane Tickets
One of the ways I save money and always get the best seats on a plane is by booking tickets far in advance, especially when I’m using miles (or at the very last minute). Depending on the airline, you can book your flight 331 days before departure using cash or points. Continue reading for all my tips.

⚠️ Thursday

How to Quickly Make an Emergency Call On an iPhone
According to this statistic, “there are more than 1.46 billion active iPhone users worldwide as of 2023. They account for 21.67% of the world’s total smartphone-using population.” If, like me, you’re one of those 1.46 billion iPhone users, you will find this potentially life-saving tip helpful.

BONUS:
For those with little ones, LEGOLAND’s signature Halloween event Brick-or-Treat is fun for the whole family.

🦟 Friday

Don’t Let Bed Bugs Hitch a Ride Home – Here’s How to Spot and Stop Them
If you’ve read the travel news lately, including my newsletter, then you are well aware that there has been a major resurgence in the infestation of bed bugs. Paris has nabbed all the headlines but it’s happening all over the world. It seems one high profile case, like in the host city of the upcoming Olympics, or a celebrity discovering them in their hotel room, can really trigger headlines. Here's what you need to know.

🎤 Saturday

Why Every Traveler Should Know Taylor Swift’s Upcoming Concert Cities and Dates
Even if you’re not a Taylor Swift fan, or a Swiftie, as I understand they’re called, you have to at least respect what this talented musician and businesswoman has done to the entertainment industry … and the economy, for that matter. Wherever she goes, her fans follow and prices go up considerably for everything but especially lodging. Here's what you need to know.

📺 Travel Videos of the Week

Emotional Flight to Israel: CNN Reporter Records Flight Attendants Serenading Passengers in Hebrew
Since I work in the travel industry and have always been fascinated by the miracle of flight, I wish more reporters would share their stories about their frequent flights. One who did this week is Sara Sidner, who works for CNN. Here's the video.

Will You Ever Order From a Food Delivery Service Again After Watching This Video?
One of my basic travel tips is to use a food delivery service instead of ordering room service from a hotel. There are a few reasons I recommend this: 1. It’s usually much cheaper. 2. The food is much tastier 3. You can get a more local experience. 4. You can support small businesses and locals instead of large corporations. But there's a video going viral right now for all the wrong reasons. I think the industry is going to need to step up and use tamperproof bags and possibly other methods to make sure your food is safe. Here's the video and story.

A Man from Kentucky Hilariously Tries Indian Food for the First Time
A man named Luke from Cave City, KY has gone viral on TikTok for recording his first time trying Indian food. Someone who has lived in or near a major city their whole life might find it surprising that he had never tried one of the best cuisines in the world before. But when I think back to my childhood, growing up in Connecticut, I can’t remember ever eating Indian food, though plenty of Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Mexican. Here's the funny video and story.

⚡ Travel Product of the Week

Super-Compact, Fast-Fueling Portable Phone Charger
My wife's top travel must-have is this portable phone charger. She loves this charger specifically because of its compact size and handy digital screen.

🌎 12 Things to Know in Travel Today

1 Airline passengers on guard after worldwide travel alert issued for US citizens going overseas
2 French airports evacuated for third straight day on threats
3 Hurricanes Norma and Tammy to strike Mexico and Leeward Islands this weekend
4 Spirit cancels dozens of flights due to emergency aircraft inspections
5 Airport lounges are booming, and everyone wants in
6 Qatar optimistic hostages to be freed ‘very soon,’
7 Maui is open for travel, but the loss of Lahaina may reshape tourism
8 Rick Steves just gave us his tips on finding the best art in Europe
9 Plane passenger furious after mother changes her 'screaming' son's nappy at her seat
10 44-year-old travels to every country in the world — without flying
11 Why a search engine that scans your face is dangerous
12 DTW kiosks makes it easier to meet and see loved ones off at its gates

✅ Currency Exchange ✅ Calendar Countdown

✈️ Miles and Points