Travel Tips

Overview

General travel tips, including car rentals, SIM cards, foreign currency, luggage, and airline policies.

Car Rentals

• General: Ages 18-21 usually incur high underage fees. Ages 21-25 may also have fees. Corporate codes (Chabad, BMG, USAA, Costco) can waive fees. Autoslash.com and Priceline.com are good for comparing rates. Always read terms and conditions for hidden fees (one-way, per-km, airport fees). Full-to-full fuel policy is recommended. Credit card insurance may cover rentals (check policy). Local agencies may have lower standards outside the US. Document all car dents before renting. User asks about using Capital One CC car rental insurance (it's a huge hassle if you total your car).

• One-Way Rentals: Can be expensive, but sometimes cheaper by booking multiple one-way segments or utilizing promotions (e.g., Avis/Budget $9.99 deals for specific routes). User asks about one-way car rental between JFK/EWR (they don't always charge more if airports are close).

• International Driving Permit: Officially necessary in some countries (e.g., Spain).

• Speeding Tickets: Cameras don't always result in points on US license. Rental companies may charge service fees for tickets. Ignoring tickets can lead to fines and re-entry issues.

• Hacks/Tricks: Renting a car without a credit card (most cases end badly, can take high cash hold off debit card, no card at all very hard to arrange). Debit cards work at airports only with many rules (limited to certain cars). User provides contact for booking without CC: Dovid Hiller (+14048403809). Mini vans (or similar 8 seater) in Israel (user asks about good deals).

SIM Cards & Data

• General: Local SIMs are generally cheaper than multi-national SIMs. Verizon TravelPass ($10/day) allows home plan abroad. T-Mobile offers 2G data and text roaming (20 cents/min for calls). Project Fi by Google ($20/month unlimited talk/text worldwide, $10/GB data).

• Israel: Travel Cell or Cellular Israel for renting SIMs before leaving US. Golan or Hot Mobile for cheaper monthly plans in Israel. Golan's 99 shekel plan includes 6GB data in many European countries.

• Hotspot: FoxFi app for Verizon Android phones with local SIMs.

• Hacks/Tricks: eSIM recommendations: Airalo (works well worldwide, including Israel).

Kosher Food (General)

• Product Lists: Check local kosher union websites (e.g., Italykosherunion.it). KosherQuest.org for Rabbi Eidlitz's research. CRC Kosher app for scanning symbols.

• Universal Kosher: Coca-Cola and Sprite are generally kosher worldwide (check local production for additives). Haagen Dazs and Ben & Jerry's are usually kosher worldwide (check for symbols).

• Traveling with Food: Frozen meat can be brought in checked bags (low temps in cargo hold). Use freezer bags and ice packs. Raw meat may be confiscated by customs (check local laws). Cooked meat is generally allowed. Tortillas/wraps are good bread substitutes. Shelf-stable salami is convenient. Instant soups, oatmeal, beef jerky, mini PB&J, packaged rolls, Oreos, granola bars, cliff bars are good travel foods. Betty Crocker (can bring in carry-on, wrap in towels/clothes, TSA will swab). Electric burner (can bring in carry-on, TSA will swab). Hide these items in suitcase in hotel rooms (not allowed).

• Hotel/Airport Food: CIBO Express Markets often have packaged kosher food (sandwiches, salads). Priority Pass lounges may have kosher meals (check app). Dan Lounge (Rabanut, not recommended, regular Rabanut).

Minyanim (General)

• GoDaven.com: Useful for finding minyanim worldwide.

• Chabad: Many Chabad houses offer minyanim and Shabbos meals (confirm availability and times). For specific Chabad contact information (phone numbers, emails, websites), please refer to www.padovatravels.com/chabad-numbers.

• Temporary Minyanim: Minyanmaker.org (subscription required). Pop-ups: Baha Mar, Panama, Aruba, LA, Orlando, Turks and Caicos (usually does). Often paying a lot for convenience with no guarantees on quality (outside Akimori in Aruba).

Airports

• JFK: CIBO Express Markets (various terminals), kosher food in Terminal 4. Parking: Street parking (90-03 156th Ave, Howard Beach, 10 min walk, cameras). Resorts World or Ohel (park there and Uber). Park 4 U (valet parking, 10 min from gates, drive you and lock you up in your car for $16/day). User asks about Park 4 U.

• LGA: CIBO Express Markets (various terminals). Parking: Marriott hotel (park next to it and walk to the terminal, might get an ASP ticket). Day of parking (user asks cost). User asks for best/cheapest parking for 4 days.

• EWR: Art and Lounge (International Terminal, landside) has kosher food. Parking: Victoria Parking (book on SpotHero, cheaper than website, shuttles every 10-15 mins but can be slow, faster to take taxi back to lot, keep key). ABC Parking (best for EWR, takes less than 7 mins). ARB (very cheap but shuttle/parking not great). Newark Long Term Parking (well marked, efficient shuttles). User asks about Victoria Parking (favorite, but also some negative experiences). Curbside check-in (just pull up, no booking needed). Golf cart to gate (user asks, contact: +18457090141). User asks for best/cheapest parking for 2 days.

• TLV (Ben Gurion): Shul one level up in Terminal 3 main entrance hall. Aroma and Burger Ranch (departures terminal) have hechsherim. Dan Lounge (various concourses) for Priority Pass holders. VIP fast track service (user asks for info). User asks if can pay to get into lounge (yes, or Priority Pass).

• Security: TSA is lenient with baby food. Liquids (over 100ml) are generally not allowed in carry-ons for flights to/from US (check local airport rules). Electric razors and disposable razors are allowed in carry-ons. Dry ice is allowed in coolers in checked bags. Children on TSA line if parents have TSA (yes, if on same booking and boarding pass shows precheck logo, usually if same last name).

• Hacks/Tricks: Buying Delta points (user asks how to get 2-3k). El Al Dreamliner (787-9) has laptop plug (not just USB). El Al Protect (can add same calendar day as booking). El Al Lite ticket cancellation (no voucher protect, usually future flight credit). El Al voucher for sale (user asks for small amounts under $100). El Al voucher combination (can use multiple to pay for flight, can be used for anyone). El Al luggage transfer to Delta/Swiss Air (if on same itinerary, or if landing in USA then changing to Delta, self-transfer bags). El Al upgrade (set upgrade fees at check-in, depending on availability). El Al seat upgrade with Silver status (extra legroom for free, anything above unlikely). El Al ticket extension (user asks if can be avoided, try to turn into voucher and sell). El Al ticket name change (user asks about "i" instead of "E", needs to be changed before travel, TSA will give problems, El Al will issue gate pass if name very off). Arkia from NYC to TLV (user asks for PM). Arkia check-in time (1 hour before, aim earlier). Arkia often changes schedule, moves departure time 5+ hours early. People happier with Arkia than Israir. Arkia contact: service@arkia.co.il (email), WhatsApp not good, phone hard to reach. Israir allows flight changes for a fee (user asks). Israir or Bluebird worse (both, Bluebird charges more for baggage). Emirates flight from Newark to Athens stopover (1 hr enough time? If stopover to Aegean, agent waits to escort. If self-transfer, recommend 2 hrs, if same ticket, fine). Emirates generally good with checking in bags to final destination. Booking same flight twice (airline cancelled both for one user). UA travel credit towards upgrade (user asks). UA flight booked economy with Alaska miles (user asks if possible to upgrade). United points for Copa (good deals). Copa gives free stopovers in Panama. Air Canada or Flying Blue cheaper for Panama. Air Canada having more access to Singapore awards then other Star Alliance partners (could be not phantom). JetBlue basic (will group family together with little kids). JetBlue delays (track incoming flight). Aegean Airlines from USA (phone: +18337328158). Aegean transfer to Emirates (user asks about 2 separate bookings). Qatar Airways (user asks about Jewish-wise issues, user flew, treated well, very nice airline, safe to wear kippa/bring tefillin). International stopover (2.5 hrs enough time for customs/baggage recheck with same airline? If not delayed, good).

Other Travel Tips

• Foreign Currency: Exchange money in country of origin for better rates (e.g., Israel). Use travel credit cards to avoid foreign transaction fees. Pay in local currency.

• Foreign Websites: Book travel via foreign websites in local currency for potential savings.

• International Date Line: Consult a Rav for halachic guidance when crossing.

• Travel Insurance: Allianz. User asks if these are also free travel health insurance (if you put your trip cost at $50-100 for just health ins, then it's cheap, like $20-30 avg). User asks if Chase Reserve card offers travel insurance if flight got canceled due to weather (airline should refund for that, nothing to do with CC). User says airlines don't offer much when weather related. User says it's an act of god, they won't give anything else. Always pays to take out extra travel ins (especially in winter), it's very cheap and they pay out a lot for trip delays and cancellations (even in acts of god), they pay as the clock ticks (every 3 hours you are delayed it's about $250). Travel Defend (file attached). User asks if possible to confirm an upgrade an El Al seat to biz after booked (or only bidding for it?). User confirms yes. User asks if can add El Al protect a few weeks after flight booked (no, must be same calendar day as booking). User asks if need travel insurance for Panama (recommended, same as any other country for medical coverage).

• Luggage: Check airline policies for baggage allowance. Budget airlines charge for everything. Lost/delayed luggage may be compensated by airline or credit card (save receipts). User asks about Emirates delayed luggage reimbursement. User asks about El Al luggage size (2 linear inches too big). User asks about El Al cabin baggage allowance (1 carry on and 1 personal item).

• Passport: Renew early. Emergency passports available (check requirements). User asks about emergency Canadian passport (contact British Consulate near you, they can make emergency passport on spot, call for appointment). User asks how long it takes to renew passport online (less than a month, ~2 weeks). User asks if children need any form of ID when traveling with a parent on same reservation (domestic no ID needed until 18, even if traveling alone). User asks if new passport needs to update global entry or TSA pre check (yes, ttp.dhs.gov).

• Travel Apps: Rome2Rio (transport options), Moovit (public transport), Google Maps (public transport), Taxifarefinder.com (taxi costs), Autoslash.com (car rental deals), Priceline.com (car rental deals), Holidayautos.com (car rental deals), Turo (private car rentals), Loco2.com (train tickets), Rick Steves (audio tours), Visitacity.com (itineraries).

• Souvenirs: Small New York-themed souvenirs can be given as gifts instead of tips.

• Yarmulke: Personal choice, some prefer wearing a cap in Europe to avoid unwanted attention.

• Alcohol: Pure spirits generally okay (check lists for flavored ones). Wine is generally not kosher.

• Hotels: Always confirm Shabbos accommodations (keys, automatic doors, minyanim, food). User asks about adult-only resorts and infants under 2 (no, point is no children).

• Amusement Parks: Check for kosher food options (some have stands or pre-ordered meals).

• Tolls: Some car rental companies charge service fees for tolls.

• Long-Term Parking: Off-airport lots with shuttles are cheaper.

• Travel with Kids: TSA is lenient with baby food. Car seats are allowed if FAA approved.

• COVID-19: Check country-specific entry requirements (PCR tests, vaccination status, quarantine).

• Happy National Plan for Vacation Day.

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