Having A Layover At Miami Airport? Here Are Things You Can Do

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 7, 2023

SnapTravel is an online booking website (and app!) that combines the ease of use and cost-free nature of online booking platforms with the advantages of a travel agent. Like any other online booking website, SnapTravel is essentially an online travel agent that allows you to enter dates and a location to find hotel and flight deals. Sometimes SnapTravel offers amazing deals because, similar to a travel agency, it has access to airline and hotel discounts that it can pass along to you. You are not charged for using SnapTravel's services. Additionally, using SnapTravel's product doesn't require downloading any apps, in contrast to many others. Instead, just like with any other booking platform, you input information straight into their website. Using various messaging apps, you can choose to converse with a bot as well. I looked into booking hotels, flights, and customer service through SnapTravel. My experience is as follows. Overview To begin with, SnapTravel recently underwent a rebranding and is now known as Super. Booking hotels is now a part of their Superbrand. In this article, I'll continue to refer to it as SnapTravel because Super Travel hasn't quite taken off yet. Hussein Fazal and Henry Shi, two tech entrepreneurs, founded SnapTravel in Canada in 2016. SnapTravel is a legitimate business with investors such as Steph Curry (I doubt he spends hours searching the internet looking for deals on flights for under fifty dollars!). It searches for the greatest hotel and flight offers for clients by fusing cutting-edge chatbot technology with an online travel agency's business plan. SnapTravel doesn't charge users for these services; instead, it accepts commissions from bookings made by users. Furthermore, SnapTravel occasionally sends sponsored messages to its customers, which may be paid for by partners, though I haven't seen this in any of our chats. Naturally, SnapTravel highlights this as a benefit by offering recommendations to clients for places to visit or accommodations. SnapTravel Reviews: My Experience And User Opinion SuperTravel is the new name for "Snaptravel Hotels." They are only using Messenger to make hotel reservations. SnapTravel has since added a more recognizable method to display their deals. SnapTravel hotel deals can be found by scrolling to the bottom or using a search engine. But I was unable to begin looking right away. They wanted to make sure I wasn't a robot when I first hopped on to look for a hotel. Okay, all right, I get it. However, SnapTravel approached this peculiarly. I needed to have a code texted to my cell. They can now send marketing messages as a result, which was a bad experience for me. SnapTravel User Interface You don't use a search engine to find the best hotel deals when you use SnapTravel. Rather, you use their AI chat to speak with them after searching to see what options are available. I found Travel Lodge when looking for the greatest hotel deals in Mill Valley. This search's first screen displayed a $6 off discount in pink at the top of the image. When I searched for the savings for three nights, I discovered that it was $11. Snaptravel ultimately revealed to me that I had saved $17.85. In contrast, I saved almost $9.88 when comparing this offer with the hotel's website. This still represents a 3% savings, which is excellent! The savings might be negligible if you only stay with one hotel chain and take into account other reward programs. Nevertheless, these vacation offers validate SnapTravel! The SnapTravel website is undergoing maintenance as I write this in order to make the switch to their new name. When you visit Super's website, you may be wondering where the flight deals are. Up until recently, SnapTravel was the only place to see the flights. Things have changed once more in the brief period of time since I tested SnapTravel. You will now receive a notification when you click that link stating that they no longer have a third-party carrier associated with them and that the third-party carrier they formerly worked with has ceased operations. Previous Setup Experience In any case, I had a bad experience with their prior setup. My flight search left me feeling let down for a few different reasons. Firstly, their website loads incredibly slowly! The last time I tried to use it, the page took more than 30 seconds to load. Perhaps that is why their website is currently undergoing maintenance. And it doesn't end there. Actually, SnapTravel wasn't offering low prices—quite the contrary! I had to confirm that they were accurate by checking again. When I entered my ideal travel dates from Los Angeles to Omaha into SnapTravel, they displayed a $440 round-trip ticket. On Google Flights, the same route cost $237! Additionally, these flights took place a week and six months in advance. I would like to discuss these flight costs with the support staff. It appears that they only do that for their hotel packages right now. What To Expect From New Setup Everything will eventually fall under the "Super" umbrella. With any luck, all of this work will be worthwhile and their prices will drop. I would have preferred to find fewer negative reviews on SnapTravel, but I did find some. Nevertheless, SnapTravel has an A+ rating from Better Business Bureau reviews! Not all of it was awful. There were some useful flight features on SnapTravel, such as the option to search for multi-city flights. They must, however, improve in this area or stick to hotels because there are numerous SnapTravel substitutes. I want you to benefit from my SnapTravel shopping experience. The best hotel booking experience comes from finding a good deal on SnapTravel and then checking other websites. Verify that the availability and price correspond with what you are seeing on SnapTravel. SnapTravel offers some deals, but they usually go through the messenger. As I previously mentioned, SnapTravel uses AI to assist you in finding these offers. They will send you these deals if you quickly message them on Messenger with your travel dates and destination. You can check out after you locate the reservation you like. You can even add a purchase to SnapTravel's VIP program at this time. User Experience "The good thing is how much you get these credits. When using them for the next ones, this is the cheapest booking site out there. Used snaptravel for some 15 bookings now, I will keep using this as long as they give that USD30/10% credits after booking." - mod3mkorv "We used it a couple of times with no issues. Planning to use them again. A lot of these 1 star reviews on the sites sound like people who paid for a non refundable room and then got mad when they couldn’t get a refund lol seems legit enough to me. We always book our hotels in advance though so I can’t attest to any issues that could come from booking last minute with them. We even had to cancel a trip we booked with them and they refunded right away. Only commenting because of all the bad reviews I see." - jfritz7915 "I only used them a couple times but got a great price and didn't have any problems." - crackanape VIP Program Free Upgrades Expedited Customer Support Free Booking Modifications 24/7 Concierge Service All of this is yours for just $30 for the first six months, with additional monthly payments of $5 after that! Wrapping Up SnapTravel can help you find amazing hotel deals and has its uses. Having said that, there are some disadvantages. Super, once they fix their SnapTravel flight deal page, is going to be a valuable addition to my collection of the best travel deal websites for trip planning.  It's a simple feature that can save you a lot of money to use their messenger to find the best hotel deals! SnapTravel's hotel deals are what really set it apart. Amazing savings can be achieved when using their SuperCash card to book hotels through SnapTravel. It's something that ought to be considered by all when making travel plans. Hotels.com is my preferred SnapTravel substitute. This is mostly because of their excellent hotel rewards program. You'll frequently receive a fantastic deal along with a one-night stamp. You can get a free night's stay worth up to the average of the ten hotels when you collect ten stamps! Read Also: This Is My Experience With Play Airlines! Here’s What I Found Out About Aha Airlines! Condor Airlines: Is Booking Tickets On Condor Worth It? Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines!

BY  Sibashree Sep 30, 2024

Guest speakers from Dark Ranger Telescope and NASA attended the “Astrofest Festival” at Badlands National Park this year (July 5 to 7, 2024). In this celebration of the night sky and astronomy, the guest speakers discussed various aspects of space. The 2024 fest included the following activities. Scale model of the solar system in the afternoon An early evening solar viewing program Guest speaker session “These are objects that have been important to our culture since we could probably talk. So, we think it’s important to maintain that connection and bring back that connection to these things that used to be so important to us for thousands of years.”Ed Welsh, the education specialist at Badlands National Park  The yearly Astrofest Festival at the park indeed has a role in making the park a favorite for star gazing and exploring the night sky. Also, the remote location of the park and minimal light pollution here make it a wonderful site in South Dakota for watching the celestial bodies in action.  Further, this park is a wonderful place to soak in the beauty of sunrise and sunset, making it the land of light and stones! Night Sky Viewings/ Stargazing At Badlands National Park View this post on Instagram A post shared by Badlands National Park (@badlandsnps) Everyone talks about the geology, wildlife, and fossils of Badlands National Park. However, if you are an introvert and always seek an immersive experience like me, night sky viewing will be your favorite activity at the park.  In fact, I feel that watching the night sky is the chef’s kiss in the park tour. The stargazing activity takes place near the park’s Cedar Pass area, which is close to the visitor center.  Further, the rangers inform you about the celestial bodies you will see. You just need to keep your eyes glued to the telescope to explore celestial bodies, such as the Milky Way, star clusters, planets, satellites, and nebulae.  The table below gives a quick excerpt of the stargazing and night sky viewing experience at Badlands National Park.  Stargazing And Night Sky Viewings At Badlands National Park LocationCedar Pass AmphitheaterSpecialtyMore than 7500 stars are exposed to each visitor. They especially enjoy the clarity of the Milky Way. Add-onsFly-overs by the International Space Station and many satellitesTelescopes Provided By Celestron and Badlands Natural History AssociationBest Season for StargazingSpring, Summer, and Fall In summer, the Night Sky Viewing Program starts after the evening star gazing session every day. The park rangers conduct this program. Further, its timing keeps changing based on the sunset hours.  Best Places For Stargazing At Badlands National Park  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc1WjJfoGBB/ Badlands National Park has earned a name in astrotourism thanks to its pristine nature. With fewer pull-outs and roads, the north unit of the park especially has many amazing stargazing destinations. Let’s explore them! The Space Tourism Guide features the Badlands National Park and the Badlands National Park Observatory as some of the best places for stargazing in South Dakota. Badlands Observatory became accessible to visitors in May 2021. It is a privately owned facility in the Badlands National Park. Also, it works for astronomical education and research.  Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater has a Night Sky Viewing event every day. This experience is about gathering more information by stargazing in a structured setup.  You must visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center every day to learn about the program.     Badlands Loop Road Like many other parts of the Badlands National Park, the Badlands Loop Road also allows you to find your spot for stargazing. However, two of the best spots along the loop are: Burns Basin Overlook Yellow Munds Overlook These locations are especially great for taking photographs and indulging in tranquility.  Sage Creek Rim Road The Sage Creek Rim Road is one of the least crowded spaces in the park. You will also get to see very few cars passing through the area.  The Sage Creek Basin Overlook and Hay Butte Overlook are some of the best spots for stargazing on Sage Creek Rim Road. However, as very few people visit this area, you can find a stargazing spot of your own.  Big Badlands Overlook Big Badlands Overlook may appear last on my list of places to stargaze in Badlands National Park. However, it is the first overlook for someone accessing the park from the Northeast Entrance or the Sioux Falls.  Take a short walk and reach the best stargazing point in the Big Badlands Overlook. From here, enjoy a 360-degree view.  The Backcountry  The open backcountry of the Badlands National Park is a wonderland for camping and stargazing. So, just set your camp and enjoy stargazing for the entire night.  Watching Sunrise And Sunset At Badlands National Park The magic hours of Sunrise and Sunset paint the Badlands National Park with the most vibrant shade of red. The table below shows the best points for watching the sunrise and sunset and the accessibility points. ActivityBest Spots In The ParkAccessibility Points with Boardwalks and for Visitors with Wheelchairs SunriseDoor TrailNorbeck Pass AreaDillon Pass AreaBig Badlands OverlookPanorama PointCastle Trail WestBig Badlands OverlookDoor Trail Panorama PointSunsetPinnacles OverlookCastle Trail EastNorbeck Pass AreaBigfoot Pass Picnic AreaConata Basin OverlookPinnacles Overlook Conata Basin OverlookBigfoot Pass Picnic Area  As the Sun rises, its warm golden and red lights spread over the pinnacles that face the east. Further, the drama of light and shadow makes every frame mesmerizing. So, many photographers flock to Badlands National Park’s sunrise and sunset points for the best captures.  Stargazing At Badlands National Park: Plan Your Trip Well  There are two easy ways to reach the remoteness of the Badlands National Park.  Reach the Rapid City Regional Airport and ride for an hour to Badlands National Park.  Further, you can reach the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and take a road trip to Badlands National Park. This trip through South Dakota will take you around 4 hours. If you want to have the best stargazing experience at Badlands, you need to stay there overnight. You can reserve a room at the Cedar Pass Lodge in advance or stay at the Sage Creek Campground or Cedar Pass Campground.  However, if you are an adventurous soul and want the most immersive experience, put a camp in the backcountry or the north and south units of the park. Don’t forget to collect your permit for backcountry camping in the Badlands National Park.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13 Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit! [Updated 2024]

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 5, 2023

Long-haul flights are dreadful. The stark, urbane terminals and the long nights of tiresome, cram-y seating sure work you up just thinking about it. The flights that roll over to the next morning always have some drama up their sleeves. Then came the rescue team from Taiwan- EVA Air, which is currently one of the 10 Skytrax 5-star airlines in the world. Would you believe it if I told you it was little known even up until a few years back? It was founded in 1989. However, I started hearing about this flight in the early 1990s when my extended family would talk about this new carrier with non-stop flights on B747-400 jets. Back then, it sounded like a story from another realm. I would hear them talk about the aroma of delicious noodles when woken up from sleep by a flight attendant as a late-night snack. I also heard of the very non-conforming Sanrio aircraft that were Hello Kitty Jets, decked out completely from the headrests to the meal cutlery. Everything featured the widely adored character. I finally had the chance to board it. Despite all the different things that this airline was revolutionizing, the most exciting part as a young traveler still remained the all-new cabin category between the economy and the EVA Air business class. This change was surprisingly affordable, and I was willing to upgrade for my 14+ hour flight home. Here I am going to share my experience of flying from New York to Taipei. Stay tuned because you are about to find out the hype behind Eva Air flights and a pretty up-close EVA Air Premium Economy review. The Beginning Of EVA Air Premium Economy Image Source: www.evaair.com The press releases from the airline say that AVA Air’s first trans-Pacific debut took place on December 12, 1992. It had four cabins, which was a first at that time. The four cabins included Super First, Super Deluxe, Economy Deluxe, and Economy. With Economy Deluxe, the airline became the first to introduce an improved economy cabin that is the Economy Deluxe. It became a benchmark for the airline as most others took two to three decades to introduce this cabin to their list of offerings. Recently (last summer), KLM debuted its premium economy. The seat prices are reasonable with business class-like perks. My Taipei experience was very endearing to me because of its convenient pair-up of high quality and affordability. The street food, the stationery, and the convenience stores all added to my love for Taipei. The EVA Air flight was a big cherry on top because all of that now comes in an aircraft. Read More: Here’s What I Found Out About Aha Airlines! A New Version 30 Years Later Image Source: www.evaair.com Three decades since its first flight, I booked the Premium Economy class for my way back to Taipei from NYC. The perks of this flight began even before I boarded it. This airline offers free shuttles from 2 Pennsylvania and 5 New Jersey locations toward JFK Airport. Dallas to Houston Airport also offers a free shuttle service. It has successfully removed one of the biggest issues of international travel, which is simply getting to the airport. I took a $20 Uber to the Jersey City stop, which would have otherwise been a $130 Uber ride all the way to the airport. Being a part of the Star Alliance, I was granted access to the lounge with my United Gold status. It allowed me to upgrade my boarding from Zone 4 to Zone 1. As soon as I got into the cabin, it felt luxurious. They used sweet endearments with my name in Mandarin. They helped me settle in my seat and confirmed my meal selection, which I had previously made online. The seats had a 2-4-2 arrangement, and I had managed to secure a front-row seat, which meant no under-seat coverage but plenty of leg space. On my seat, there were slippers, a water bottle, noise-canceling headphones, and a cozy blanket that felt like a cloud. The blanket was quilted on one surface and had faux fur on the opposite side. How It Went An attendant soon came and gave me an overnight bag. It was a Kipling amenity kit consisting of Hudson Made New York products. It had the brand’s trademark monkey keychain with a scene of Taiwan’s Yilan on the bag. My entire EVA Air flight felt like a warm, pamper session with juice, fruits, and snacks while suspended at 30,000 feet mid air. The breakfast was amazing, with Chinese-style scallop congee with egg & Chinese sausage. There was an option for another Western version that comprised smoked turkey accompanied by cheddar cheese. There was also a “leisure delight” meal in between the meals with BBQ chicken-filled brioche roll. The restrooms were clean, and I can say so because I went three times, and it was clean each time. To clarify, I took a private plane recently that got filthy by the last hour of the flight, which was one-third the duration of the EVA Air. When I took the return journey, I wanted to take things further, getting myself the business class name Royal Laurel. It featured 6.5-foot-long lie-flat seats, a retractable armrest, a cocktail table, and a shoe cabinet. This cabin had a 1-2-1 configuration with dated seats compared to other airlines. EVA Air raised the bar, however, with their Rimowa & Salvatore Ferragamo branded care kit and a complementary Jason Wu pajama set. All the passengers ended up wearing it, and I, too, could not resist it. I wore it all the way home. The plaid duvet was so snug and comfy I asked where I could buy one. At one point, I fell asleep and dreamt of those noodles. But it was not my dream… they did bring noodles in between our slumber, and it just completed the experience all around. Wrapping Up Have you flown EVA Air before or recently? What was your experience like? What do you think about the Premium Economy class? If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: This Is What I Felt About Aruba Airlines! Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures! Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines!