3 Benefits of Google Flights

Many travelers turn to websites like Kayak, Orbitz, or Expedia to book a flight, however, there’s another option: Google Flights. If you haven’t yet tried Google Flights, our Rhode Island Airport parking company suggests doing so. In addition to being able to check one-way, round-trip, and multi-city flights, here are three benefits to using the search service:

New Destination Ideas

Are you someone who loves discovering new places? Google Flights can help you do so. With their “Explore Destinations” feature, you can browse flights that travel to thousands of destinations around the world. Simply enter your departing airport and the dates you wish to travel. Then, use the map to find out the prices of flights to cities on every continent. Once you click on a city and choose “View Flights,” you’ll get a list of the best flights available and a list of other flights for you to choose from.

Flight Insights

Our Rhode Island Airport parking company loves that once you choose a departing airport, a destination, and your dates, Google Flights gives you four more ways to help you save money: Dates: Google will tell you if the dates you’ve selected are the cheapest and if not, it will give you a block of dates (three days before and three days after) to show you other prices. Price Graph: Here, you’ll find a graph that breaks down the price for a month-long span of dates so you can see which are the most affordable. Airports: Google will compare the flight prices of other destination airports nearby so you get the best price possible. Tips: Here, you’ll find a list of tips for when you should book your flight, available airfare upgrades, a city travel guide, a link for the Google Trips app, and more.

Easy Flight Price Tracking

When you use another popular search service, you’ll likely have to create an account in order to track flight prices. After you create the account, many websites don’t make it easy to set up your tracking and may bombard you with unwanted emails. With Google Flights, however, you likely already have a Gmail account, so all you need to do is toggle the “Track prices” button and Google will start tracking the flight and send you email updates for when they rise or fall. After you book your next trip using Google Flights, don’t forget to make a parking reservation at our Rhode Island Airport parking company. We’ll make your trip even better by giving you a safe, secure place to park at a great price!

5 Ways to Get Over Your Fear of Flying

There are many reasons a fear of flying exists – for some, it’s the thought of being 30,000 feet above ground; for others, it’s more of a claustrophobia issue. But no matter the reason, a fear of flying can keep you from going to some amazing places. Here, our near Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport parking members share some things you can do to bite the bullet and jet-set to somewhere exciting:

Meditation

Meditation helps you turn your attention to your thoughts and control your focus. By meditating regularly, you can avoid the negative scenarios you associate with the idea of flying and instead, focus on relaxing and enjoying the ride. Meditation can be a simple, clear silence or you can do something like counting to 1,000 or recite the alphabet backwards to focus your mind elsewhere.

Understand Turbulence

Many people with a fear of flying don’t understand what causes turbulence and say that the bouncing and shifting that it causes is one of the scariest parts of the flight. Understanding turbulence can help you ease your mind:

Turbulence isn’t the result of the engine stalling and hitting turbulence doesn’t mean the plane’s wings are going to fall off – it’s a very normal situation that occurs when the plane flies through small pockets of air created by jet streams. Jet streams are commonly found at 30,000 and 40,000 feet (the average height at which a jet flies) and are thought of as simple “bumps in the road.”

Reduce Claustrophobia

If the thought of being stuck inside a plane fuselage for hours on end gives you anxiety, there are ways to cope with it while you’re in the air. Sitting can make things feel compact, so do yourself a favor – get up and walk around regularly (this can also help circulation). In addition, you can opt for a seat with more legroom, like one in the exit row or towards the front of the plane.

Sleep

Being awake during a flight will only bring up the nervousness you feel towards flying, so one of the easiest things you can do is sleep through it. Try booking a flight that takes place during the hours you would usually sleep (like early in the morning or late at night) or turn to a natural sleep like melatonin or the smell of lavender.

Separate Fear and Danger

Anxiety and fear are often tied together; when a person gets anxious, their body often reacts the same way it does when they’re in danger. In order to calm yourself down, it’s important to remember your anxiety is caused by fear, not danger. You may think flying is dangerous, but it’s actually safer than if you were to drive. In fact, the odds of you experiencing a plane crash is around 1 in 11 million.

Once you feel like you have a handle on your fear, buy that plane ticket and make your near Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport parking reservation with Red Beam Garage!

What “Basic Economy Fare” Means Per Airline

For the longest time, the most common airline fares were for First Class, Business Class, and Economy class. However, after years of competing with low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier, many U.S. airlines have decided to roll out a new fare – “Basic Economy.”

Today’s low-cost carriers offer discounted airfare in exchange for basic luxuries. For example, if you book a flight with Frontier, your fare will cost less, but you’ll have to pay extra to choose your seat or to bring a carry-on bag. U.S. airlines’ Basic Economy fares are designed the same way and aim to give travelers a “no-frills” experience.

Here, our Providence airport parking company shares the Basic Economy restrictions that apply to travelers flying American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines:

American Airlines

Baggage: One personal item allowed (no carry-on)*

Checked bag fee: $25

Seats: Assigned at check-in

Flight changes/refunds: Not available

Flight upgrades: Not available

Boarding: Last group*

*Doesn’t apply to AAdvantage elite status members or AAdvantage credit card holders

Delta Air Lines

Baggage: One carry-on and one personal item allowed

Checked bag fee: $25

Seats: Assigned at check-in; Passengers flying together may not be seated together

Flight changes/refunds: Not available

Flight upgrades: Not available

Boarding: Last group

United Airlines

Baggage: One personal item allowed (no carry-on)*

Checked bag fee: $25

Seats: Assigned at check-in; Passengers flying together may not be seated together

Flight changes/refunds: Not available

Flight upgrades: Not available

Boarding: Last group*

*Does not apply to MileagePlus Premium members, MileagePlus credit card holders, or Star Alliance Gold members

While Basic Economy fares only apply to the above three U.S. airlines, there have been talks of Alaska Airlines introducing its own Basic Economy fare and even non-U.S. airlines like Aer Lingus have considered the idea. This means Basic Economy may become a staple fare amongst travelers in the future. What do you think about this new fare?

No matter which airline you choose to book your next flight, don’t forget to make your parking reservation with our Providence airport parking company! We offer a hassle-free parking experience.

8 Things to Pack in Your Carry-On

Most airlines allow you to bring a carry-on bag and a personal item with you at no charge when you fly. If these two pieces of luggage are your only belongings, you’ll have everything you need with you. However, if you check a bag, you’ll be without its contents for the duration of your flight. Continue reading “8 Things to Pack in Your Carry-On”