This morning, travel itinerary site TripIt launched a new integration with Gmail. Now, instead of forwarding your itinerary messages to plans@tripit.com as you have done in the past, TripIt will scan your mailbox for you and import those items into your TripIt account.

To create the link, login to your TripIt account and look in the upper right corner of your landing page for the big orange button:

TripIt's Gmail Integration Setup

This is so clean that it’s a reason to move your itinerary emails to Gmail just to get this capability.

Check it out!

Since I’ve been traveling so much for so many years, I often forget that knowledge I take for granted isn’t necessarily well-known. So, at the request of a few readers of this blog, I’m going to give you insights into traveling that I have learned over the course of the million or so miles that I’ve flown over the past 20+ years.

These days, since I live in Boulder, Colorado, I fly United almost exclusively. For the past three years, I’ve flown enough that I am a member of United’s highest mileage-based status (Premier Executive 1K or just “1K”). Status with an airline is a useful characteristic, giving you access to the highest level of customer service that the airline offers. Depending on the airline, that may not be all that great, but it’s almost always better than what those without status receive!

Airlines roll out the red carpet for elite fliers

During the next few months, most US domestic airlines are offering a “Double EQM” offer to help you get status. “EQM” is the abbreviation for “Elite Qualifying Miles” and refers to the miles that are credited to your frequent flier account. With the frequent flier programs doubling your EQM for flights for most of the rest of the year, you may find yourself at a higher status than you otherwise would have, giving you access to benefits that you might not have had before.

Visit your airline’s web site to see if they are offering a double EQM program, and make sure that you register if they are.

Let me know your questions and comments about travel, and I’ll add them to the items I’ll address.

Blessings,
ssh

PS For some great insights into travel and specific advice, check out the FlyerTalk forum.

What is this?

The Great Circle of my summer

You may have wondered just what has been going on, since I had typed on this very blog about how I was planning to re-engage with it, let you know what’s going on, and generally communicate more.

Then, I went silent. This graphic outlines part of the reason.

You see, this is the Great Circle map of my flights since I last completed a post here on the blog. I’ve created a few, but they are all still in draft status. I’ve been spending my time on airplanes, on calls, and in-person working with clients in locations in the western hemisphere. I’ve logged over 31,000 miles just since July 15th!

That said, I’m going to change my posting strategy and get posting frequently.

The content will likely be shorter, but I have been thinking about so much that I think you’ll enjoy learning! So, let me know what’s on your mind, and let’s get started.

Tomorrow, I’ll be recording a special interview with my good friend Chuck Sproule. Chuck is an inventor, a martial artist, and has incredible research insights into how our bodies work. We’re going to produce some products from that call that I’ll tell you about soon.

Drop in a comment and let me know what’s on your mind. I have a few technology and business reviews coming up, too.

Blessings…
ssh