Travel tips and deals

[Bucknaway1614502762]

If you often run into trouble getting hotel WiFi to work with your streaming device, a Chrome it can be your solution and is on sale for a short time.  (You will need a travel keyboard to use with this). I have one on each of my TVs at home and ordered another one to travel with.

 

Here is the deal

https://www.dealnews.com/products/Asus/Asus-Chromebit-Rock-Chip-Chrome-OS-Mini-Stick-Desktop-PC/19239.html

[tassojunior]

57 minutes ago, Bucknaway1614502762 said:

If you often run into trouble getting hotel WiFi to work with your streaming device, a Chrome it can be your solution and is on sale for a short time.  (You will need a travel keyboard to use with this). I have one on each of my TVs at home and ordered another one to travel with.

 

Here is the deal

https://www.dealnews.com/products/Asus/Asus-Chromebit-Rock-Chip-Chrome-OS-Mini-Stick-Desktop-PC/19239.html

Is 2GB Ram enough for HD streaming? I miss my Netflix traveling.

I buy from Newegg but can't give great reviews. Still, this is half what most are. Thx.

[Bucknaway1614502762]

It's perfect for streaming as far as I can tell.  I use the chromestick in my bedroom to stream YouTube, web videos, pornhub, Twitter, plutotv and iheart radio.  I have a beefier Chromebox on my living room TV and I can't tell the difference in speed.  I was going to buy a used chromestick and this price for a new unit is better than the eBay price for a used one.

 

 

Edited June 24, 2020 by Bucknaway
Added video

[JKane]

One thing to keep in mind is that streaming services may not have the same content available in the country you travel to as your home country.  That's the one thing a VPN may actually help with, but I'm not sure this device is up to handling that plus streaming plus output.  

[belkinDC]

Personally I always travel with an Amazon FireTV stick and use it with ExpressVPN (you can download the app directly to the stick). Works like a charm

[redxs]

On 6/24/2020 at 3:47 PM, Bucknaway1614502762 said:

If you often run into trouble getting hotel WiFi to work with your streaming device, a Chrome it can be your solution and is on sale for a short time.  (You will need a travel keyboard to use with this). I have one on each of my TVs at home and ordered another one to travel with.

 

Here is the deal

https://www.dealnews.com/products/Asus/Asus-Chromebit-Rock-Chip-Chrome-OS-Mini-Stick-Desktop-PC/19239.html

I travel with a Google Chromecast and find that sometimes, usually larger hotel chains, it will not connect to hotel Wi-Fi.

How is this different? Will it connect in large hotel chains?

[redxs]

On 6/27/2020 at 10:10 PM, belkinDC said:

Personally I always travel with an Amazon FireTV stick and use it with ExpressVPN (you can download the app directly to the stick). Works like a charm

ExpressVPN are these good value? I'm always scarred when I see these in case my credit card details will be stolen or they're part of a scam.

Which are the trusted brands? 

Obrigado!

[Bucknaway1614502762]

I hear good things about express vpn

 

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-vpn-service-for-2020/

 

https://www.komando.com/privacy/vpn-setup-and-use/505434/

Edited June 29, 2020 by Bucknaway

[belkinDC]

On 6/29/2020 at 6:13 AM, redxs said:

ExpressVPN are these good value? I'm always scarred when I see these in case my credit card details will be stolen or they're part of a scam.

Which are the trusted brands? 

Obrigado!

I’ve been using them for 18 or so months very happily - they are a reputable company. They were able to get Netflix/Amazon/Hulu working for me where others did not. Pretty reasonably priced too.

[tassojunior]

On 6/29/2020 at 9:41 AM, Bucknaway1614502762 said:

I hear good things about express vpn

 

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-vpn-service-for-2020/

 

https://www.komando.com/privacy/vpn-setup-and-use/505434/

I use AVG VPN because it's cheap and I assume AVG is trustworthy. It's $10 for 5 machines 1 year on NewEgg. 

[belkinDC]

2 minutes ago, tassojunior said:

I use AVG VPN because it's cheap and I assume AVG is trustworthy. It's $10 for 5 machines 1 year on NewEgg. 

That’s definitely a lot cheaper than ExpressVPN! Are you able to watch streaming services outside the US with them?

[tassojunior]

8 minutes ago, belkinDC said:

That’s definitely a lot cheaper than ExpressVPN! Are you able to watch streaming services outside the US with them?

Yes and in the US when I use it I can watch whole seasons of US shows that aren't out yet or get them free when they're expensive in the US. It avoids US copyright rules (not why I use it  of course) .Also it ties into Netflix Europe automatically when set to Europe (after a couple tries) and gives all the Netflix Europe subtitles and languages (like Czech). AVG should be very trustworthy. And it couldn't be easier. VPN for Dummies. My kinda program. 

Edited June 30, 2020 by tassojunior

[tassojunior]

A downside to VPN is I get ads in German for a month after lol.

Also I learned not to use the "p2p" locations on the list. They don't work?

Edited June 30, 2020 by tassojunior

[belkinDC]

I will have to check it out on my next trip!

[Bucknaway1614502762]

Express vpn vs avg

 

https://www.vpnmentor.com/vpn-comparison/avg-secure-vs-expressvpn/#:~:text=AVG Secure VPN has eight,their downloads and P2P activities.

[tassojunior]

7 hours ago, Bucknaway1614502762 said:

Express vpn vs avg

 

https://www.vpnmentor.com/vpn-comparison/avg-secure-vs-expressvpn/#:~:text=AVG Secure VPN has eight,their downloads and P2P activities.

If you think Express is worth the cost and if you can figure out how to use it great. For my uses AVG is fine. I don't transmit any financials and if anyone wants to snag my free copy of Better Call Saul Season 5 with Czech subtitles they're welcome. 

Edited July 1, 2020 by tassojunior

[tassojunior]

http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Resets-International-Network-for-Remainder-of-2020-Through-Summer-2021-OPS-DIS-07/default.aspx

American Airlines just this morning released their cancelled international flights and it's devastating for the next year at least.

Edited July 1, 2020 by tassojunior

[belkinDC]

3 hours ago, tassojunior said:

http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Resets-International-Network-for-Remainder-of-2020-Through-Summer-2021-OPS-DIS-07/default.aspx

American Airlines just this morning released their cancelled international flights and it's devastating for the next year at least.

Interesting... it says MIA-GIG flights are resuming Winter 2020, but Google Flights (and OneWorld award availability) still shows daily flights beginning August 18...

[tassojunior]

1 minute ago, belkinDC said:

Interesting... it says MIA-GIG flights are resuming Winter 2020, but Google Flights (and OneWorld award availability) still shows daily flights beginning August 18...

I've been going through that with AA tickets for the past 4 months with my Czechs. American doesn't cancel until the last minute. Rarely more than a week or 10 days out, even though it's obvious the flight's not going. Maybe wishful thinking but more likely the ability to charge for changes until flight is changed.

[Bucknaway1614502762]

Just an FYI 

 

Update on which deals we’re sending during the pandemic: Heads up that many airlines have stopped waiving change fees on most new bookings, so we’re no longer only sending those deals. When an airline is waiving change fees on new bookings, we’ll be sure to let you know. Timing-wise, we’ll keep looking for cheap international flights at least 3-4 months out. Stay safe, rock your coolest face mask, and remember your SCF family loves you. Note that American Airlines is waiving change fees only on certain new bookings. If you buy a basic economy ticket, change fees are only waived if you travel before September 30. If you buy a regular economy ticket, change fees are waived for all travel dates. Full policy details here. Copa is waiving change fees for travel through December 31, 2020, while Delta, JetBlue, and United are waiving change fees for all bookings made by July 31, 2020. All Southwest fares have no change fees.

FYI some routes work as an open-jaw (flying into one city and returning from another). Learn about open-jaw flights

YOUR ROUTES ROUNDTRIP TO Puerto Plata (POP)   Dominican Republic Baltimore (BWI) — $293 Philadelphia (PHL) — $290 ROUNDTRIP TO Punta Cana (PUJ)   Dominican Republic Baltimore (BWI) — $295 Nonstop ROUNDTRIP TO Santo Domingo (SDQ)   Dominican Republic Philadelphia (PHL) — $307 The routes above depart from airports you follow. View routes from airports you don't follow Want to change the airports you receive deal alerts from? Customize your departure airports		DEAL DETAILS NORMAL PRICE $550+ roundtrip BOOK BY We think this deal will last 2-3 days TRAVEL DATES Varies greatly by route. For most routes, October through mid-November 2020. Some routes have additional availability from November through mid-December 2020, including Thanksgiving AIRLINES  American (oneworld)  JetBlue  Southwest  Delta (SkyTeam)  Copa (Star Alliance)  United (Star Alliance) ADD-ON FEES For most routes, the cheapest available fares are basic economy, which means early seat selection is not included. Note that United does not include a full-size carry-on with their basic economy fares while all other airlines do. It costs $30-$35 each way to check a bag in both regular and basic economy. Southwest fares include two checked bags and Copa has no bag fees, etc.

BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS Use this prefilled search to explore availability & fares on Google Flights. (You may need to swap your arrival/departure airport.) If you need to cancel or reschedule your trip, it’s far easier if you booked directly with the airline, rather than through an online travel agency. Get deal on Google Flights If your airport has Southwest Airlines, be sure to check the Southwest website to compare prices for your dates. Note Southwest only flies to PUNTA CANA (PUJ). Get deal on Southwest Booking questions? Start here. How to book Scott’s Cheap Flights deals READ  Can’t find the deal? It might be gone If you’ve followed the booking instructions and aren’t seeing the deal prices, the deal is likely gone.

Edited July 8, 2020 by Bucknaway

[belkinDC]

1 hour ago, Bucknaway1614502762 said:

Just an FYI 

 

Update on which deals we’re sending during the pandemic: Heads up that many airlines have stopped waiving change fees on most new bookings, so we’re no longer only sending those deals. When an airline is waiving change fees on new bookings, we’ll be sure to let you know. Timing-wise, we’ll keep looking for cheap international flights at least 3-4 months out. Stay safe, rock your coolest face mask, and remember your SCF family loves you. Note that American Airlines is waiving change fees only on certain new bookings. If you buy a basic economy ticket, change fees are only waived if you travel before September 30. If you buy a regular economy ticket, change fees are waived for all travel dates. Full policy details here. Copa is waiving change fees for travel through December 31, 2020, while Delta, JetBlue, and United are waiving change fees for all bookings made by July 31, 2020. All Southwest fares have no change fees.

FYI some routes work as an open-jaw (flying into one city and returning from another). Learn about open-jaw flights

YOUR ROUTES ROUNDTRIP TO Puerto Plata (POP)   Dominican Republic Baltimore (BWI) — $293 Philadelphia (PHL) — $290 ROUNDTRIP TO Punta Cana (PUJ)   Dominican Republic Baltimore (BWI) — $295 Nonstop ROUNDTRIP TO Santo Domingo (SDQ)   Dominican Republic Philadelphia (PHL) — $307 The routes above depart from airports you follow. View routes from airports you don't follow Want to change the airports you receive deal alerts from? Customize your departure airports		DEAL DETAILS NORMAL PRICE $550+ roundtrip BOOK BY We think this deal will last 2-3 days TRAVEL DATES Varies greatly by route. For most routes, October through mid-November 2020. Some routes have additional availability from November through mid-December 2020, including Thanksgiving AIRLINES  American (oneworld)  JetBlue  Southwest  Delta (SkyTeam)  Copa (Star Alliance)  United (Star Alliance) ADD-ON FEES For most routes, the cheapest available fares are basic economy, which means early seat selection is not included. Note that United does not include a full-size carry-on with their basic economy fares while all other airlines do. It costs $30-$35 each way to check a bag in both regular and basic economy. Southwest fares include two checked bags and Copa has no bag fees, etc.

BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS Use this prefilled search to explore availability & fares on Google Flights. (You may need to swap your arrival/departure airport.) If you need to cancel or reschedule your trip, it’s far easier if you booked directly with the airline, rather than through an online travel agency. Get deal on Google Flights If your airport has Southwest Airlines, be sure to check the Southwest website to compare prices for your dates. Note Southwest only flies to PUNTA CANA (PUJ). Get deal on Southwest Booking questions? Start here. How to book Scott’s Cheap Flights deals READ  Can’t find the deal? It might be gone If you’ve followed the booking instructions and aren’t seeing the deal prices, the deal is likely gone.

Which airline has the direct BWI-SDQ flights? I’m unable to find Google flights.

[Latbear4blk]

Resource for those dreaming of a European vacation. The advice is to cancel your plans until at least 2021.

 

[Bucknaway1614502762]

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Update on which deals we’re sending during the pandemic: Heads up that many airlines have stopped waiving change fees on most new bookings, so we’re no longer only sending those deals. When an airline is waiving change fees on new bookings, we’ll be sure to let you know. Timing-wise, we’ll keep looking for cheap international flights at least 3-4 months out. Stay safe, rock your coolest face mask, and remember your SCF family loves you. Note that American Airlines is waiving change fees only on certain new bookings. If you buy a basic economy ticket, change fees are only waived if you travel before September 30, 2020. If you buy a regular economy ticket, change fees are waived for all travel dates. Full policy details here. Avianca and JetBlue are waiving change fees for all bookings made by July 31, 2020 and Copa is waiving change fees for all travel through December 31, 2020.

FYI some routes work as an open-jaw (flying into one city and returning from another). Learn about open-jaw flights

YOUR ROUTES ROUNDTRIP TO Barranquilla (BAQ)   Colombia Newark (EWR) — $283 ROUNDTRIP TO Bogotá (BOG)   Colombia Baltimore (BWI) — $310 Newark (EWR) — $391 ROUNDTRIP TO Cali (CLO)   Colombia Newark (EWR) — $281 ROUNDTRIP TO Cartagena (CTG)   Colombia Newark (EWR) — $287 Philadelphia (PHL) — $369 ROUNDTRIP TO Medellín (MDE)   Colombia Baltimore (BWI) — $377 Newark (EWR) — $281 The routes above depart from airports you follow. View routes from airports you don't follow Want to change the airports you receive deal alerts from? Customize your departure airports		DEAL DETAILS NORMAL PRICE $600+ roundtrip BOOK BY We think this deal will last 2-3 days TRAVEL DATES Varies greatly by route, some routes have limited availability. Generally October 2020 through March 2021, some routes including Thanksgiving but all excluding Xmas/NYE AIRLINES  American (oneworld)  JetBlue  Avianca (Star Alliance)  Copa (Star Alliance) ADD-ON FEES Avianca and Copa fares have no bag fees, etc. With American and JetBlue, the cheapest available fares are basic economy, which means early seat selection is not included. With American, it costs $20 each way to upgrade to regular economy, which includes a checked bag, early seat selection, and waived change fees. A checked bag with JetBlue costs $30 each way when booked in advance in both regular and basic economy

BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS Use this prefilled search to explore availability & fares on Google Flights. (You may need to swap your arrival/departure airport.) If you need to cancel or reschedule your trip, it’s far easier if you booked directly with the airline, rather than through an online travel agency. Note: Some routes with Avianca may not check out at the quoted price when clicking "Book with Avianca" from Google Flights. If you're finding this to be the case for your itinerary, simply search your dates directly on the Avianca website. Get deal on Google Flights Booking questions? Start here. How to book Scott’s Cheap Flights deals READ  Can’t find the deal? It might be gone If you’ve followed the booking instructions and aren’t seeing the deal prices, the deal is likely gone. Scott’s Cheap Flights does not make referral fees from flights you book. Our only incentive is to find you great deals

[tassojunior]

Bogota is re-imposing it's very severe lockdown today.

https://news.yahoo.com/colombian-capital-renew-lockdowns-neighborhood-172457268.html

Edited July 11, 2020 by tassojunior

[Latbear4blk]

5 minutes ago, tassojunior said:

Bogota is re-imposing it's very severe lockdown today.

https://news.yahoo.com/colombian-capital-renew-lockdowns-neighborhood-172457268.html

Plus, all Colombia is closed up to August 29th, I think.