non revenue foreign travel tips/advice?

[Hootie]

Did there used to be like a non-rev subforum? I can't find one but could've sworn Ive seen something like that. I really don't use my bennies much but would like to change that this year maybe going to Australia and/or back over to Europe. If anybody could point me in the direction of a specific thread of ideas or just post some handy/vital travel pointers that would be cool. Im not looking for the obvious like "be nice the the gate agent" or "have a backup plan and be flexible", but more along the lines how is the best way to make calls abroad? Do you buy a prepaid foreign cell? Good travel gear/ bags/must haves/make sure you know....stuff like that. Thanks!!!

 

[Skåning]

Here in Europe non-rev flying is pretty simple, you can list at the counter when you check in with your IDwhatever/ZED fair ticket. Rarely are seats given before check in closes, so expect to get a boarding pass with no seat assignment just to get you through security. Then at the gate hand the boarding pass to the agent and if found it helps if you identify yourself as the employee, that you're not riding on someone else's benefits. Like the US, I avoid checking bags if possible.

Also, dress standards for non rev-ers here are way more lax than the US, economy pax can wear jeans and a t-shirt no problem, and just throw on a collared shirt if you're in business. Lastly, if you're the employee, you can sit in a cabin jumpseat or cockpit (at captain's discretion though). Have your airline ID out when you check in and go to the gate, it helps, I've seen pax being told to gate check bags for size limits but not hassled by the same agent for my own (just because I had my ID out). Hope this helps!

 

[ChasenSFO]

Buy any passes you might need. For example, for flying around AU, see if you have ZED fares with Qantas, Virgin Blue, ect. Do a little research, what airlines what fly what routes from the cities you want to fly to, wikipedia is a great resource for that. If you aren't sure how to buy ZED tickets at your airline, ask someone. Most are either bought at the ticket counters or ordered online from your company's travel website. That website should also give you access to sites like Flyzed.com which will let you get a rough idea of the loads before you go. You can never have too many backup passes! Anything you don't use can be refunded, and ZED tickets are good for 90 days. Getting on shouldn't be hard. Many of my co-workers have gotten cabin and flight deck jumpseats in other countries, they treat you great at a lot of non-US airlines.

Oh, and always go ZED before ID90...always.

Have fun!