Category Archives: Trip Reports

a close up of stamps

The Best International All-In-One Travel Adapter

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Updated 7/5/2018 at 7pm: There is an updated version of this travel adapter, so I updated this post.

Good morning everyone.  If you travel internationally with your electronics, you need to remember to bring a travel adapter with you.  Most electronics in the US run on the 100 volt standard, but most new electronics can also run on the 240 volt standard (common in Europe and around the world).  You just need to look at the back of your electronic device near the charger to see if your device can run on the 100 volt and 240 volt standard.  If they look like this photo, all you need is an adapter to plug into European outlets.

100-240-volts

This is where the universal all-in-one travel adapter comes in handy.  I have 2 of these devices and they work perfectly.  I can plug my laptop into the front charger, charge my iPhone through the side USB port, and charge my iPad through the other USB port.

a black and white adapter with different plugs

In case you were wondering, here are all the plugs that are included in this universal travel adapter.  When not in use, all the plugs fold in compactly and fit nicely in suitcases or backpacks.

a close-up of a charger

If you have any questions about this universal all-in-one travel adapter, please leave a comment below.  Have a great day everyone!

(Hotel Review) Hilton Vienna and Executive Lounge (Great Breakfast and Appetizers)

Hilton Vienna Hotel Sign

(Hotel Review) Hilton Vienna and Executive Lounge (Great Breakfast and Appetizers)

Good morning/evening from Vienna, Austria!  I am finally glad to be here since these 2 nights are my 2 free weekend nights from my Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve credit card.  I got the 2 certificates last year and they were going to expire in a few weeks.  I’m not staying at some high end tropical beach-front paradise hotel (Vienna is quite the opposite), but a free night is a free night. Here is what each night would have cost.

The Hilton HHonors Points rates are very good.  The Hilton HHonors Points + Money rate results in 1.325 cents per point and the 40,000 Hilton HHonors Points rate results in 0.7 cents per point.

The twin room with city facing windows would result in even higher cent per point returns.  Ideally, I would have used the Points + Money rate, but these certificates were going to expire, so you gotta do what you gotta do.  I’m not a very good planner, obviously. Hilton Vienna Nightly Price HH Points

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Convert Ethernet LAN Internet into a WiFi HotSpot (TrendNET TEW-654TR Review)

WiFi Signal

Convert Ethernet LAN Internet into a WiFi HotSpot (TrendNET TEW-654TR Review)

(Full Disclosure: I will receive a small commission if you purchase this item through my link.  If you click the Amazon logo to the right, I will also get a small commission on whatever you purchase.  I greatly appreciate any and all support.)

Have you ever stayed at a hotel that only had high speed Ethernet LAN internet?  Here is how to fix that… (I apologize in advance for the sloppy video production, filming and recording with an iPhone in one hand and it was late at night.)

Watch this video for a closer look at the TrendNET TEW-654TR portable router:

If you would like to purchase the router or learn more about the router, please click here.  I purchased this router last March and have brought it on all of my travels.  It comes in a small carrying case, smaller than most toiletry bags.

Read the entire post here.

a red cross with black text

PSA: Don’t use your Priority Pass Select Card from your American Express Hilton HHonors Surpass Credit Card

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This parent teacher association transportation security administration public service announcement is important if you have one or more Priority Pass Select cards.  Can you tell the difference between these two cards?

2 Priority Pass Cards

These cards may look almost the same, but one of them will charge you a $27 fee every time you (yes, the cardholder) enter a Priority Pass lounge.  Here is the email I received a few minutes ago.  If you do not get emails from American Express about “card not present” transactions, you can turn on the alerts from your American Express account.

AMEX Card Not Present Email

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Free International Texting Apps and Services (iMessage, TextPlus, WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook Messages)

Text Free

Free International Texting Apps and Services

(Hat Tip to Mommy Points for the idea)

As long as you have WiFi from anywhere in the world, you will never have to pay for another international text message.  These services and apps will also work in the United States.

(Full Disclosure: I have an iPhone and everything below works on an iPhone 5S.  Some features may not work if you are using an older iPhone or a smartphone from a different company).

Communications Apps

To read the entire article, please click here.

P.S. Have you ever stayed in a hotel room that only had high speed LAN Ethernet internet?  How is your laptop, tablet, or smart phone going to use that?  Stay tuned for my next post and I will show you how a small, pocket-sized portable router is your new best friend.