Travel Gadget Reviews

Visiting the World of Coca-Cola: Atlanta Museum and Tourist Attraction!

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Aug 24, 2021 | Reviews and Reports | 2

Visiting the World of Coca-Cola When I was planning my road trip onward from Nashville, I looked for nearby attractions. One of the major attractions that caught my attention was “World of Coca-Cola Museum“. It’s located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, a short walk from the Centennial Olympic Park. Here’s the thing: I have a soft spot for Cokes. I know Coca-Cola is not the healthiest of beverages, but they taste great. Especially on a hot summer day or paired with a burger, the Coke Classic is my beverage of choice. So, a Coca-Cola museum with a “Taste It” experience? ...

My First Time Renting from Thrifty Car Rental

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Aug 23, 2021 | Reviews and Reports, Travel Tips | 0

Recently, I wrote about making a mistake while booking a rental car through Expedia. I always book the flexible rates, but I accidentally booked into one of those prepaid rates — which is non-refundable AND non-changeable. That wasn’t the only mistake I made in my haste. I searched for a rental location using ATL, thinking I’m looking for the airport rental location. I didn’t notice that the search defaulted to downtown Atlanta first. That oversight meant that I’d need to get a ride from the airport to downtown, so I can pick up my rental car there just so...

Using the Hilton Honors Elite Food and Beverage Credit

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Jul 18, 2021 | Hotels, Loyalty Programs | 4

Ever since I got the Hilton Honors Aspire card, I shifted a lot of my hotel stays over to Hilton properties. Last month, Hilton announced that they are cutting complimentary breakfast, and replacing with an “elite food and beverage” credit. This change starts in early July and is expected to temporarily last through the end of the year. This change applies to US Hilton properties only. The credit value is based on the hotel brand and the number of guests in the room. This credit applies to elite Hilton Honors members, whether it’s a paid or a rewards night....

Made a Car Rental Booking Mistake: Is it truly non-changeable and non-refundable?

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Jun 17, 2021 | Commentary, Travel Tips | 0

When it comes to travel, my general advice is to always book the flexible (cancellable) rate, whether it’s a hotel reservation or a car rental. This offers the maximum flexibility if plans change or if unexpected things happen. The only exception is if there are substantial savings with the prepaid rate and you are close enough to the travel dates to know that you won’t be making any changes. Car Rental Booking I need to book a car rental for upcoming travels spanning multiple states. I was also multi-tasking, making hotel bookings and securing those reservations with a credit...

Hotel Review: Staying at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Oak n’ Spruce Resort, Massachusetts

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Jun 15, 2021 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels | 0

When I travel, I usually like to focus on the attractions at the destination. With COVID-19, this isn’t quite possible with closures at major attractions. Last month, with an IHG free night certificate, I booked a stay at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Oak n’ Spruce Resort, located in Lee, Massachusetts. When people think of resorts, the all-inclusive resorts at popular vacation destinations like Hawaii, Florida, Vegas or ski resorts in Colorado are typically what comes to mind. I have been wanting to visit the Berkshires, a rural region in the Western part of Massachusetts, for some time. This...

Musing: Clouds

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Mar 21, 2021 | Uncategorized | 1

Clouds. I always liked clouds. Especially puffy, cotton-like clouds (known as cumulus clouds). When the pandemic hit last year, everything grounded to a halt. As restrictions began to ease, I got more opportunities to take walks and explore local parks and open spaces in a socially distanced way. And I remembered how much I like looking at the skies. And clouds. I think looking at vast space in front of me always reminds me of the bigger world out there. It always helps to put things in some perspective. And you don’t know what kind of clouds you might...

Omaha Steaks or Kansas City Steaks: Which is Better?

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | May 25, 2020 | Reviews and Reports | 7

I don’t usually order food online. With the recent stay-at-home advisory and Amex sync offers, I decided to try out two online steak retailers for the first time. Omaha Steaks or Kansas City Steaks? I didn’t order in a way where I could compare apples with apples, but it was still enough to make up my mind in terms of which ones I like better. For Omaha Steaks: I ordered the Omaha Steaks Burgers and the Top Sirloins. For Kansas City Steaks: I decided to try out the gift pack of Filet Mignon and Kansas City Strip Steaks. From...

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: What I saw during my last visit (photolog)

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | May 24, 2020 | Reviews and Reports | 1

Disney World is taking steps towards reopening its parks, although a date has not yet been set. The last Disney park I visited was Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I visited during the holiday season, so the crowd was big and lines were long. How the world had changed since. I am glad I visited when I did, because I don’t have plans to visit anytime soon. That was true even pre-COVID-19. I took quite a few pictures along the way, but I never got around to sharing them, until now. We watched one of the...

Hilton to Extend Expiration Date for Weekend Night Rewards

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Mar 14, 2020 | Hotels, News | 1

Hilton Honors sent out an email earlier today notifying its members that those with an expiring Weekend Night Reward will automatically have the expiration date extended. No additional action is required. When I called Hilton Honors just last week, they only allowed for an exception of a 2-weeks extension. This latest update is very good news in light of all the travel plan changes and cancellations due to COVID-19. For those who have an expiring cert, you now have until August 31, 2021 to use your reward certificate. Good move on offering flexibility, Hilton. (Other programs should take note,...

Passengers on two cruise ships are under quarantine due to Coronavirus

Posted by Travel Gadget Reviews | Feb 5, 2020 | Commentary, News | 0

This probably isn’t the kind of adventure that passengers expect when they sign up for a cruise. Currently, passengers on two cruise ships are under quarantine. The Princess Diamond and the World Dream are anchored off Japan and Hong Kong, respectively. There are at least 10 passengers who have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus on Princess Diamond. The Diamond Princess is anchored off the coast of Yokohama, near Tokyo, with 1,045 crew and 2,666 passengers — including 428 Americans — on board. The second ship, the World Dream, is docked at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise...