Image used with permission by copyright holderPacking for a trip can be daunting, especially if you’re going away for an extended period time or need to bring a lot of things, and with airline baggage check-in rates going through the roof, there’s always that risk of paying extra dollars that you don’t want to. Why oh why can’t we go back to the days of free luggage check-in? Unfortunately, that’s no longer a possibility. Also, after hearing all those stories about airport employees who steal luxury goods from passengers’ suitcases, it’s not easy to assume that your baggage will be in safe hands once you hand it over to the people working the front desk. Also, with all those baggage mishaps, it’s pretty easy to lose your suitcase. We have a feeling that’s what the folks who invented Bluesmart, the world’s first connected carry-on that you can track with an app were thinking.
Here’s how they describe this miraculous contraption:
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“Bluesmart is a high-quality carry-on suitcase that you can control from your phone, like a boss. From the app you can lock and unlock it, weigh it, track its location, be notified if you are leaving it behind and find out more about your travel habits. You can also charge your phone 6 times over with a built-in battery. Isn’t that awesome?”
Being that we here at The Manual are a bunch of travel-loving people who are always on the go, this suitcase sounds like it’s exactly what we’ve been looking for. Going through airport security can be the most annoying thing ever, and thanks to Bluesmart, we will be able to take out our electronics with ease, track our suitcase down, and weigh it to avoid those overweight baggage charges. Why didn’t somebody think of Bluesmart sooner?
Frontier Airlines has a stunning promotion before Thanksgiving
Frontier Airlines offering big discounts
Yesterday, Frontier Airlines debuted its “Thank You Sale,” offering up to 100% off base fares. Through November 20, customers can use the code SAVE100 for 100% off base fares for flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and 50% off base fares for trips on Mondays and Thursdays. The deals are good for travel through February 26, 2025. To take advantage of the sale, customers must book on FlyFrontier.com.
More on the Thanksgiving promo
Though the promo offers amazing deals, there are some restrictions. Flights must be booked seven days in advance, and certain blackout dates apply. The promo is only good for base fares on round-trip flights. The promo is available until 11:59 p.m. on November 20.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are offering special fares to these destinations
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines ad
Starting today and continuing through November 21, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are offering special fares from the Pacific Northwest to Australia and New Zealand. The flights from Portland and Seattle are the most direct route to the Southern Hemisphere, and include a stopover in Honolulu. Fares start at $390 one-way for travel dates through April 30, 2025, for Auckland, New Zealand, and February 1 through September 30, 2025, for Sydney, Australia.
Additional details of the Down Under flight deals
Auckland, New Zealand Tim Marshall via Unsplash
The flights will be on Airbus A330 widebody aircraft, with 18 Premium Cabin lie-flat leather seats, 68 popular Extra Comfort seats, and 192 main cabin seats. Also included is complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access for a streaming-quality connection anywhere in the world. Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines offer the most direct flights from Portland and Seattle to Honolulu. From there, Hawaiian flies to Auckland and Sydney.
Honolulu flight schedule:
How to roll clothes for packing (the ultimate space-saving hack)
The way you pack can make or break your trip -- and one packing hack that can save you from packing stress is rolling your clothes. It’s a simple, no-fuss method that opens up more space in your suitcase, keeps wrinkles at bay, and helps you keep your suitcase neat and tidy. Now, let’s dive into how you can roll clothes for packing,
Why roll your clothes when packing a suitcase?
Rolling clothes isn’t just a random trend that gained popularity because it looks neat on travel TikToks and YouTube videos. It has real, practical benefits, such as:
