Did you know that the average Boeing 737 has 10 diabetic passengers on board? With so many people affected by the condition, it makes sense that Accu-Chek, a maker of diabetic testing supplies would put together a special travel kit. The kit includes tips, a printable emergency card and medical certificate, a packing list and a phrase booklet which translates diabetic terms into several languages. You can get yours for free on their website:

Accu-Chek Travel Resources for Diabetics

Source: PR Newswire

Wake up calls at the Hyatt Hotel chain now feature the voice of Christie Brinkley. “No, you’re not dreaming,” she says as she offers guests inspirational advice for the day and a reminder that the hotel offers a hot breakfast. So for all you guys out there who have always wanted to wake up with a supermodel, now you can!

Source: Executive Travel Magazine

My trip to Chicago, Illinois is posted! Go to My Adventures to check it out. You can see the pictures in my Photo Gallery by clicking into the the album through one of the photos posted or by visiting my Photos page.

There’s a silver lining to getting stuck with a bill from Uncle Sam. After you file your return, you can pay your taxes online. Use a point or mile earning credit card and get something back for your pain. The catch? You will be charged a 2.49% convenience fee. If you have a big bill, it’s definitely worth it especially if you have a United Mileage Plus Visa or a Jetblue American Express which are offering double miles/points for tax payments. United will cap you at 2,500-5,000 miles depending on the type of card you have so be sure to read the fine print. There are two websites approved by the IRS to accept your payments, Official Payments and Pay1040. For more information, you can visit them here:

Official Payments

Pay1040

For the double mile offers you have to link through the offer sites here:

United Mileage Plus Double Miles for Tax Payments

JetBlue Double TrueBlue Points for Tax Payments

Remember this book?

It was released in 2003 by a travel writer named Patricia Schultz and toted as “the” travelers handbook. Although I do own the book and find it to be a good resource, it’s not the list to end all lists….no way. Like many of the book’s critics, I disagree with some of her entries. Many are 5 star hotels, and I’ve certainly noted many amazing places that are missing from the book.

At any rate, the Travel Channel will begin airing a new television show of the same name, inspired by the book, starting tomorrow March 29th. It follows a newlywed couple through 13 countries to 100 of the places listed in the book. Sounds promising considering that most of the programming on the Travel Channel is about Vegas.

For more info on the show or to buy the book, it retails for $18.95, please visit the show’s Travel Channel website:

1,000 Places to See Before You Die

My trip to Little Rock, Arkansas is posted! Former President Bill Clinton is a VIP in Arkansas and there are many attractions you can visit there that revolve around his life. Any visitor center will be happy to send you off on a “Billgrimage” through the state with this little Clinton passport that can be stamped at each stop. If you go over to My Adventures you can read about my day at the Clinton Center and check out my photos.

Date of trip: September 2006

We took a day trip to Little Rock, Arkansas from Memphis. It is about a two hour drive and although there isn’t much to see along the way, there are miles of fluffy, white cotton fields that as New Englander, I found impressive.

The Bill Clinton Presidential Center is really the only attraction in Little Rock. It details his history as president and the building is beautiful. Yes, in case you are wondering, Monica is mentioned and there is a picture of her here! The Center has an education department that works in conjunction with the University of Arkansas and Clinton, as well as many of his high powered friends, are frequent lecturers. An interesting fact is that Clinton actually sleeps in a suite on the roof of the museum when he is in town which is at least once a month! While visiting the center, I wondered aloud whether Little Rock would also house a museum in Hilary’s name should she become a future president. I was informed that a president can put their museum/library anywhere they choose and many states will court a former president for the rights. Bill Clinton insisted on having his in Little Rock as he felt connected to the area and wanted the city to reap the financial benefits of the tourism dollars his attraction was sure to bring. Hilary, as a senator of NY, would likely choose a location in that state.

A shuttle runs from the Clinton Center to the main street where you can find open air farmer’s and craft markets if the weather is nice and some good restaurants and cafes to choose from for a bite.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Little Rock Links:
Little Rock Official Site
William J. Clinton Presidential Center

Editor of First Class Flyer, Matthew Bennett was on Budget Travel Online today answering questions about the best ways to score flight upgrades to first or business class. While he is no longer taking questions, you can read through his answers to others to get an idea of how you can plot a future upgrade. It can be a long, hard road to first class, but he does offer some great advice. I must agree with him about the Delta Skymiles program…steer clear if possible.

See the Budget Travel Online chat here:

Budget Travel Online Trip Coach