I’ve talked before about all the lonely single earbuds that end up on airplane seats and floors, so I like this solution my tour participant Ryan told me about: a simple earbud strap that goes around your neck. Most come in a multipack like this for Airpods or others with a stem, but you can find ones with a larger circle for the Bose earbuds or others that have a similar no-stem shape. At $9 or less, this is a small solution for a large problem. Just pop the buds into the stretchy silicone holders at the end and then the two are connected, now far less likely to go missing if one drops out when you fall asleep or are on the move in a crowd.

Southwest Companion Pass Offer

Southwest has killed off nearly every aspect of flying with them that made them special, but they still offer the companion pass where a guest can fly for free (except for taxes). It normally takes a lot of flight spending to score it, but they’re temporarily offering a free one to anyone who gets their Chase credit card. The benefit is good through the end of February, 2027. You also claw back one free checked bag plus seat selection if you have their card. They offer three tiers of benefits and sign-up bonuses depending on how much you spend on the annual fee, from $99 to $249. See the details here.

Early Airport Arrival, Longer Layovers

As you’ve probably heard, we’re going through yet another government shutdown in the USA, wreaking havoc at the airports, so allow extra time at every stage if you must fly in the states, especially if you have a connecting flight. This is not a good time to book a tight connection, especially one that involves going through security again, as arriving international flights do. Global Entry is suspended (even though it’s almost 100% automated now) and security lines are getting longer thanks to TSA personnel shortages. Bring a good book and a patient attitude…

Jasna Skiing Prices in Slovakia

I’ve talked before about how much cheaper it is to ski in Europe than it is in the USA or Canada. I took a group to Slovakia at the end of February and here are a few sample prices from the country’s biggest resort area: one-day lift ticket for 50 kilometers of long runs is €71, a slopeside pint of (good) pilsner beer is €3.20, sit-down restaurant meals were €9 to €18, premium ski rentals were €28 per day for a full package including night storage, and a local electric train linking towns in the region is €7 for 24 hours. I’m not sure where we’ll go in 2027, but get on the notification list here.

A weekly newsletter with four quick bites, edited by Tim Leffel, author of A Better Life for Half the Price and The World’s Cheapest Destinations. See past editions here, where your like-minded friends can subscribe and join you.