13m 2s: Lenght

Part 4! Planning a vacation! watch the video. Let me know if you need help (especially for a Tokyo trip since I created a video of navigating the train system there) via briankens@facebook.com (I require at least 48 hours advance notice before your departure time from the current country you are in. I check this e-mail account daily, throughout the day, and I am also on Skype. I may be unavailable to reply at times, so have a backup plan ready if I do not reply within 24 hours.) First, think about the people you will bring with you. • Bringing children onto a UA flight? Before booking, go to https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/specialneeds/infants/default.aspx?camp=virtual_expert watch the video. Second, go to http://www.unitedvacations.com to begin booking your 3-day vacation package (flight + tour(s) + hotel). Some hotels have free or pay-per-day wireless/wired high-speed internet, "foreign currency" laundry, restroom toiletries such as bathrobes and hand towels, specialty pillows, complimentary meals, etc. View all options until you are satisfied with the accommodations before reserving the room. watch the video. • Need a longer vacation, say, 6 days in Japan, for example? First, book the flight at http://www.united.com. Then, go to http://www.japanican.com, which also provides the option of reserving a Japanese-style Ryōkan (as well as an English-style) hotel, AND certain tour buses can either pick you up at your hotel OR pick you up at a city bus stop/train station. For other countries, book the flight, then perform internet searches under "(name of other country) tour" and "(name of other country) hotel". Print out the confirmation pages! • Want an even longer vacation, with a "length of stay" of up to 90 days? Then, book and reserve all 3 separately (first, book a UA flight at http://www.united.com, then reserve the hotel and tours separately. Perform internet searches under "(name of other country) tour" and "(name of other country) hotel). Print out the confirmation page(s)! Also, to view all available hotels that cannot be reserved WITH a UA flight, or find a super-clean UA-recommended hotel starting at $19 a night, you can either: • reserve the hotel through UA at http://www.united.com by clicking on the "Hotel" tab (then enter your foreign city at the top ... the "Hotel Chain" pull-down menu is optional), or • write down on paper (or type in MS Word) the names of the hotels in the website (above) and reserve with the hotel DIRECTLY through the hotel's website. watch the video. • How do I upgrade to UA Economy Plus (EP) with more legroom)? Do it online! http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/products/travelproducts/Pages/EconomyPlus.aspx (have your itinerary and confirmation number ready ... upgrade is available, assuming any EP seats are still available) Print out the confirmation page! http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/flightStatus/default.aspx (Check if a flight is on time, delayed, cancelled or switched to a different flight/airline ... if you want, you can notify others about your flight ... if you are bilingual, click "Change" at the top of the website to change the language and send the new web address to your contacts in foreign countries.) http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/default.aspx (Carry-on and checked baggage requirements) http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/specialneeds/default.aspx (special needs and accommodations, including in-flight dietary concerns) http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/default.aspx (In-flight services) http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/products/travelproducts/Pages/TripInsurance.aspx (travel insurance) Print out the confirmation page! Passports and visas (and info for dual nationals) watch the video. Preparations and packing (customs regulations included) see the video. Check the customs regulations for BOTH countries via their websites. Research this before you leave home on the departure date. For examples ... US Customs requirements can be viewed at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml (restricted or prohibited items) and http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/. Japan Customs requirements can be viewed at http://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/prohibit.htm (prohibited items in Japan) Passing through airport passport control in an international airport upon arrival. watch the video. Most importantly, enjoy your stay and comment below on your trip if you like. If you visit Tokyo, please let me know which ward you want me to make a video about. Video screen capture courtesy of the free version of MS Expression Encoder 4