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This Tool Lets You Explore Accurate Seat Maps on Any Flight

This Tool Lets You Explore Accurate Seat Maps on Any Flight

Want to know a little secret air travel hack?

With just a few clicks, you can get a glimpse of the exact seat map of your next flight. All you need to know is the airline, date of the flight, and flight number to get an accurate map of the plane.

Why would anyone bother, you might ask?

First, having a solid overview of a plane’s seating arrangement empowers you to find a great seat—and possibly even land a whole row to yourself. Second, it lets you target the right seats for your needs—like catching some Zs on a red-eye.

If you’re a nervous flyer, it might simply give you a little psychological boost before the flight. The more you know, after all.

Regardless of why you want an accurate overview of a plane’s seat map, I’m happy to announce that TripAdvisor’s SeatGuru has a winning formula. Here’s what you need to know about the platform, including how to explore its seat maps and how to leverage the site’s data to the fullest.

Accurate seat maps

As discussed above, SeatGuru has become a prime resource for travelers who want an accurate seat map of their upcoming flight.

SeatGuru offers coverage of 175 airlines and over 1,200 aircraft. Just fill out the short form about the date, airline, and flight number, then get a map of the airplane’s layout.

One feature I like is that flyers can comment on the maps, which makes them highly reliable. Crowdsourced travel information is usually the most impactful for users.

In the case of SeatGuru, those comments can help you identify precise features like where every window is placed and which rows have more legroom. This can directly inform how you strategize to get some extra space or even a whole row.

After all, one of the best ways to become a savvy flyer is simply to start digging into the details, from knowing which rows you find most comfortable to knowing what sorts of seats you want to avoid at all costs.

Comparison charts

Another unique feature of SeatGuru is its comparison charts. These let you comb through the world’s biggest airlines to figure out who has the largest seats, along with what types of features they come with—like video entertainment or laptop chargers.

Once again, this type of information is invaluable for those who want to strategize how to make their flight more comfortable. It gives you a leg up, in other words. And all for free, too.

SeatGuru covers these features on its comparison charts page:

  • Seat pitch
  • Seat width
  • Video entertainment
  • Laptop power
  • Type of power
  • Wi-Fi
  • Seat type

Best of all, SeatGuru segments these comparison charts based on the type of flight. You can explore comparison charts for these types of flights:

  • Short-haul economy
  • Short-haul first/business class
  • Long-haul economy
  • Long-haul premium economy
  • Long-haul business class
  • Long-haul first class

How to Use & Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards for Travel

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most popular credit card programs for Americans who want to use their points for travel.

Chase’s program is flexible and adaptable for most travelers, while also offering benefits like no expiration and a solid range of redemption options.

Those redemption options are particularly important, as Chase offers a variety of ways to use them—and that’s doubly true when it comes to travel.

Along with cash back, gift cards, Amazon purchases, and Apple purchases, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be applied to a fantastic range of travel offers.

If you’ve slowly been accruing Chase Rewards points and want to use them for an upcoming trip, you need to know about your options.

The most straightforward is using the Chase Travel PortalSM to book hotels, flights, car rentals, and more. Or, alternatively, you can also transfer your points to partners to book directly.

Want to learn more about how to use and redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel? Let’s dive in.

Which cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

Before trying to redeem points, verify which credit cards offer points that can be used to access the Chase Travel PortalSM or used to book directly with travel partners. Remember, not all cards let you use rewards points for travel.

These cards let you accrue Ultimate Rewards points that can be used for travel:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
  • Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
  • Ink Business Cash Credit Card
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited
  • Chase Freedom Flex

Does the welcome bonus matter?

Some of the cards listed above come with a high-value welcome that puts Chase Ultimate Rewards points straight into your pocket. Here are programs with noteworthy welcome bonuses:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s welcome bonus hands you 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months of opening up your credit card
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve’s welcome bonus is worth another 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months of opening up the account—but this card’s points are worth slightly more when booking travel rewards (more on this below)
  • Ink Business Preferred Credit Card’s welcome bonus gives you 90,000 points for spending $8,000 in the first three months of the account’s opening

Are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth differing amounts?

As outlined in the section above, points from Chase Ultimate Rewards are worth differing amounts depending on the card you use and how you redeem your points.

The most important factor for you to think about is point redemption value. In other words, how much is each point worth when you actually start redeeming them?

Here’s what you need to know about point redemption value:

  • Cash-back cards like Chase Freedom Flex are worth 1 cent
  • Preferred cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are worth 1.25 cents
  • Reserve cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents

How to book using the Chase Travel PortalSM

The Chase Travel PortalSM makes it easy to book travel deals using your points—no transfers needed. Simply log into the portal, then start shopping around for deals.

Because the offers are through the portal, you won’t see any deals that you can’t book—assuming you have enough points, that is.

Here, you can find, book, and then purchase everything you’ll need for a great vacation. That includes flights, car rentals, hotels, and even tours.

The main reason that some members would choose to book through the portal versus via partners is to combine points from various cards and earn even more on bookings—up to ten times, in some cases.

How to book by transferring points to partners

If you’d rather book directly with a travel provider, then you need to redeem your rewards. When you redeem your awards, you’ll be prompted to transfer them.

You then need to transfer those points to eligible travel partners from Chase’s network. From there, you book your travel like you normally would. Just make sure that the name on the Chase account matches the name on the account you want to transfer to.

Is Your Dog Ready to Fly? Exclusive Interview with Rover Pet Expert Nicole Ellis

One of the toughest parts of travel is leaving our beloved dogs behind.

I could be staring at a wonder like the Northern Lights or the Grand Canyon when, in a split second, my mind drifts to my little chihuahua. Suddenly, I’m removed from the experience, wondering how my dog is faring without me back home.

After all, the best way to travel is with a pet.

Hitting the road with Fido is a beautiful experience that exposes your dog to new wonders while also deepening your bond. Still, as someone who has flown across the Atlantic with a dog, traveled long distances by train with a dog, and driven cross-country with a dog, I know first-hand that it’s not for the faint of heart.

Flights can be especially trying.

Even when everything goes right, it takes mindfulness, care, and forethought to get you and your furry friend to your destination without incident.

The first question that pet parents need to ask before booking tickets is:

Is your dog ready to fly?

To answer that question, I’ve enlisted the help of one of the world’s most trusted and expansive pet-sitting and pet-care platforms: Rover.

Here’s what you need to know about flying with a dog, according to expert panelist and certified professional dog trainer Nicole Ellis.

Is your dog ready to fly? Here’s what Ellis has to say

What are some signs that your dog is ready for a flight?

According to Ellis, dogs that do well during car rides might also do well on planes—but there’s no fast and clear answer. All pet parents must recognize their dog’s unique predispositions.

However, generally speaking, the better they do with travel (in cars, trains, etc), the more likely they are to handle a flight well.

What are some signs they might struggle on a flight?

If your dog is easily stressed out or anxious during long car rides, they might not be ready to take flight with you. Similarly, dogs who aren’t comfortable and calm in their carriers aren’t likely to do well on a plane.

Remember—dogs usually need to stay inside a carrier the whole time. Even in the case of airlines that allow dogs to occupy a seat, your pup should be calm for the duration of the flight.

How do you know if your dog should go on the trip?

According to Ellis, pet parents should also think long and hard about why they’re bringing their pup 35,000 feet into the air.

In my case, I traveled domestically in the US and internationally with my chihuahua because I was moving around a lot—not because I wanted my dog to tag along on a particular adventure with me.

So, how should you know if your dog wants to travel with you? Here are some thoughts to consider. First, will your dog enjoy the destination? A dog that lives in the country might not enjoy a trip to the big city. Simultaneously, many attractions don’t allow dogs.

If there isn’t a concrete reason for your dog to travel with you, then it’s best to avoid flying with them.

Is it safe for dogs to go into the cargo hold?

Ellis advises using extreme caution when putting pets into the cargo hold. If you have a snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog like a Frenchie or a pug, it could be dangerous. The same is true for senior dogs and dogs that are prone to anxiety.

In these cases, your pet is probably better off at home. (With a Rover sitter, nonetheless.)

Are there any dog breeds that perform better or worse on flights?

The most important thing to keep in mind before making the decision to fly with your dog isn’t solely about breed—it’s also about their character.

Pet parents should be honest about whether or not their dog will do well on a plane. On top of that, Ellis advises that pet parents invest in training beforehand. Dogs on planes must be calm, obedient, and comfortable.

How do you handle bathroom breaks while flying?

According to Ellis, the best way to prepare for bathroom breaks is to research pet relief areas at your departing airport and destination. Pet parents should be taking their pooch to the potty right before a flight and directly after a flight lands.

Ellis also recommends wiping down paws after using these areas. Because so many pets use the relief area in a day, it’s sanity to wipe down your pup.

Flight prep for your pup

Is your dog ready to fly? If you answered yes, then here’s how you can expect to prep for the big day:

  1. Invest in dog training so that your pup is obedient and also has a positive relationship to their carrier.
  2. Evaluate your dog’s character along with their training level to determine whether they’ll do well on a plane.
  3. After booking tickets, research pet relief areas at the departing and destination airports.
  4. Use products like a ThunderShirt and a calming pheromone spray to set your pup up for success at the airport.
  5. Before boarding, take them to go potty at the nearest pet relief area.
  6. After landing, immediately head to the pet relief area.
  7. If traveling internationally, visit the necessary in-airport veterinarian office for a health check-up.

Top 10 Tours in London: Unique Picks

The first time I went to London, I booked a few memorable tours.

The most intriguing was in the dark tourism category: A macabre walking tour of the City of London with plague sites and Jack the Ripper factoids tossed in.

The most interesting part of the tour came when the guide pointed out a newly discovered ‘plague pit’ in which hundreds of bodies were unceremoniously laid to rest during the last wave of the Black Death.

What made that so interesting? It was March 2020, and a little thing called COVID-19 was starting to shut down airports in Spain and Italy.

To top it off, I was staying in an adult hostel with around forty other bunkmates in my room. Not the best for avoiding a pandemic.

It was a moment in which London’s deep history became immediately tangible for me—one that left a soft (and spooky) spot in my heart for the city.

In honor of the city and its strangely well-timed tour, I’m uncovering some of the most unique tours in London for visitors.

Don’t worry—I won’t mention Jack the Ripper or any other dark tours. Instead, I’m focusing on the zanier tours available in London today. First up: A fantastic option for those traveling with young kids.

Looking for a place to stay in London, too? Check out the best rentals and hotels from Airbnb, Booking, and VRBO.

Top 10 Tours in London

Peppa Pig Bus Tour

GetYourGuide

In case you don’t know, afternoon tea is a big deal in England—and London has taken that to the next level with its ample afternoon tea bus tours.

This adventure takes you onto a Peppa Pig-themed double-decker Routemaster bus where adults can enjoy a tour of Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, and other landmarks while kids snack on British classics and sip on unlimited hot drinks.

Book here

Taylor Swift Bus Tour

GetYourGuide

London’s afternoon tea bus tours come in all shapes and sizes. I’m not personally a Swiftie, but I know they’re out there. If you’re heading to London with a Taylor Swift fan in tow, then this is the tea bus for you.

Guests get to know the city while jamming to Swift’s best hits. If afternoon tea isn’t your thing, don’t worry—this tour also offers prosecco.

Book here

Changing of the Guard Tour

GetYourGuide

Most Americans know that the changing of the guard is a big deal. Some might even know that it involves those tall, fuzzy hats.

But this tour lets you dig into the depth of this tradition with a local guide. In a small group, you get to experience the changing of the guard while hearing about what it means, why it happens, and its significance for the UK. Culture nerds, unite!

Book here

Tower of London Early Access Tour with Beefeater

GetYourGuide

I know I said I’d avoid dark tourism—and here I am suggesting the Tower of London, a landmark of evil. But the Tower of London is also home to the crown jewels, which is a sought-after visit for many.

On top of that, you get a personal Beefeater to show you around. I was excited for a gin tasting, but it turns out that Beefeaters is a title for the official guardians of the Tower of London. Fun fact: They’ve been offering tours since the Victorian Age.

Book here

Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

GetYourGuide

Pubs aren’t just pubs in the capital of England. London’s watering holes are living remnants of the city’s longstanding cultural past.

Whether or not you want to throw a few back, this tour will take you into the heart of London where you get to hear about some of its less-covered historical hotspots: Its oldest pubs.

Book here

Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

GetYourGuide

I promise—this is the last afternoon tea tour. And it might also be the best. This tea tour takes you onto a boat so that you can cruise the Thames and point out some of London’s coolest landmarks.

You’ll also have the chance to snack on refined bites, from dainty little sandwiches to fluffy cakes.

Book here

East End Street Art Tour and Spray-Painting Session

GetYourGuide

Street art gives you a glimpse of a city’s creative leanings and even its political stance. With this tour, you get to see some of London’s brightest and most impactful pieces of street art in the East End district.

You even get to spray paint your own mini-masterpiece at a specialized studio after the fact.

Book here

Borough Market Foodie Walking Tour with Tastings

GetYourGuide

What’s better than a standard food tour? One that takes you into an ancient and meandering world of historic food stalls.

In this case, you get a sneak peek into life at the Borough Market. While your guide breaks down the history of the place and how it functions today, you get to nibble on some of the city’s best eats.

Book here

O2 Arena Rooftop Climbing Experience

GetYourGuide

Not many people think about scaling modern buildings when they think of London. But if you’re interested in a high-octane tour, this should be your first stop.

Not only do you get to get up-close and personal with London’s famous O2 venue, but you also get a bit of a workout and some great city views.

Book here

Royal Guided Tour of Windsor Castle

GetYourGuide

My last suggestion will take you slightly outside the city bounds. After an hour-long bus ride, guests get the royal treatment with a tour of Windsor Castle.

Guests get to see the location of royal weddings, along with plenty of heritage exhibits. For fans of the royal family, there’s no better way to explore the historical and contemporary legacy of the Windsor family.

Book here

How to Visit Pando, The World’s Largest & Oldest Tree

Americans are spoiled by nature.

Our ecosystems are old, if not ancient. Want the proof? Eight out of ten of the world’s oldest trees are located in the US.

Some of our cypresses, bristlecones, junipers, and sequoias date back to the 5th century BCE. The oldest—a bristlecone named Methuselah that’s native to California—first germinated in 2,832 BCE.

For context, Egyptians had just invented papyrus at the time Methuselah was growing its first bristles.

There was no Machu Picchu. No Great Pyramid of Giza. No Great Wall of China.

Like other trees aged thousands of years, Methuselah is a prominent reminder of nature’s great power.

But what if I told you that the US is home to another tree that’s at least three times older than Methuselah? Welcome to Pando, a quaking aspen tree native to Utah.

Conservative estimates say that Pando might be 9,000 years old. Other estimates round all the way up to 14,000 years.

Either way, it’s kind of a big deal, even if most Americans have never heard of Pando. Here’s your crash course on Pando, along with how to visit this great tree at Fishlake National Forest in Utah.

What is Pando?

As mentioned above, Pando is a quaking aspen—an iconic and lovely species found throughout Utah.

But Pando isn’t a single tree, which is why it isn’t listed alongside giants like Methuselah when ranked for age. Pando is a clonal male organism—which is a fun way to say that this tree continues to duplicate itself with new growth called ramets.

This single Aspen tree has cloned itself for thousands of years. It now covers an area of around 108 acres in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest.

Using an extensive network of underground roots, Pando shares nutrients to spur energy production and store vital resources. This root system has helped protect Pando against countless threats over the years.

That means that not only is the US home to the world’s oldest tree, but it’s also home to the largest—at least in terms of weight and land mass. Pando has cloned itself around 47,000 times and weighs around 6,000 tonnes.

Pando, courtesy of National Forest Foundation

Pando the clonal giant

So, why isn’t Pando celebrated for its age and size?

As outlined above, you won’t see Pando mentioned on lists of the oldest or largest trees because it’s considered a clone—not a single tree.

I think that’s a little silly considering Pando’s original seed would have germinated long before the start of human history, even by conservative estimates.

If you want to fully nerd out on Pando topics, explore the Friends of Pando website. If you want to learn even more about the world of clonal trees, explore Australia’s clonal giants—some scientists believe they’re older than Pando.

How to visit Pando

Over the last ten years, dozens of organizations have sought to protect, showcase, and demystify Pando to the general American public.

It’s easier than ever to visit and learn about Pando. The National Forest Foundation has a pretty great guide, for example, along with the Forest Service.

There are dozens of ways to explore and enjoy Fishlake, from ATVing to hiking to camping. You can easily download the map of the grounds from the Forest Service (linked above) to start exploring the park—and experiencing the magic of Pando.

Given its proximity to other hotspots like the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park, you can bundle a visit to Pando in with other outdoors trips.

Pando, courtesy of National Forest Foundation

Where should you stay to explore Pando?

The closest big city to Fishlake National Forest is Salt Lake City, Utah and Provo. However, if you’re going to be exploring the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, or Zion National Park, you can bundle in a visit to Fishlake pretty easily.

Fishlake National Forest is also accessible from Las Vegas. The drive from Salt Lake City takes around three and a half hours. A drive from Las Vegas, by contrast, takes around four and a half hours.

Best Cooking Classes in Milan, Italy

The best meal I ate in Milan was one that I made.

I’d chalk it up to my skills in the kitchen, but that’s far from the truth.

I wasn’t just whipping up a meal thanks to an online recipe or the wise words of Nona—I had two top-tier chefs helping me (and five others) prepare a meal as part of a cooking class.

In an adorable kitchen in the center of the city, my family and a small group of strangers whipped up truffle gnocchi, a tomato-based pasta sauce, and tiramisu. In only four hours, we had wined and dined ourselves into a stupor.

For the rest of our trip, me and family kept referencing the meal. It was the best we had by a long shot.

My experience in Milan isn’t unique to the city. I’ve had the pleasure of joining cooking classes in Poland, India, and Taiwan over the years. Every time, without fail, I ate well… despite my sub-par cooking skills.

So, if you want to spoil yourself with some Italian specialties, why not cook a few dishes with your own two hands? In honor of my Michelin-caliber meal from my Milan cooking class, I’m heading straight back to the capital of Lombardy.

Here are the best cooking classes in Milan, starting with my top-notch experience.

Best cooking classes in Milan

Gnocchi, Pasta, Tiramisu, and Wine Class

TripAdvisor

You can have it all with this class: A great setting, delicious wine, and two elite Italian chefs to guide you through the basics.

As you make gnocchi, pasta sauce, and tiramisu, you’re treated to a cultural exploration that covers Italian ingredients and culinary culture. (Plus, a few hand gestures!)

But the magic is the chefs. One of my tour leaders had spent time cooking at a Michelin-star restaurant, while the other was drawing on years of high-profile experience.

Thanks to their guidance, everyone had a great time while also learning a few handy tricks. Plus, the company emails you the recipes covered in class so that you can take what you learned home with you.

Start cooking

The Secretes to Learn Fresh Pasta and Tiramisu

TripAdvisor

Meet 2023’s Viator Experience Award—a great badge for any official tour to nab.

Once again, the magic falls back to a highly qualified chef who hosts the cooking class—and, once again, this tour’s guide is Michelin-trained.

That ensures you get a few insider tips for preparing fresh pasta and putting together a delicious tiramisu. (Thanks to my class, I know that tiramisu isn’t cooked or baked—just chilled.)

According to reviews, the hosts are also gracious and charming—which goes a long way in creating an exciting and meaningful atmosphere for everyone in the cooking class.

Start cooking

Mamma Mia – Make Your Own Italian Pizza

TripAdvisor

There’s a lot that goes into crafting a perfect pizza. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of a great pie, start here. The hosts take you into a pizza-making studio where guests learn the ins and outs of classic Italian pizzas.

That means diving into topics like the perfect dough and how to make focaccia, along with tips on cooking the perfect sauce and curating the right combination of toppings.

Apparently, the hosts also know quite a bit about the history and identity of Neapolitan pies, aka the birthplace of pizza.

Start cooking

Milan Cooking Class: Authentic Pizza & Gelato Making

TripAdvisor

If learning how to bake a great pizza isn’t enough, bundle some gelato lessons in there. What I love about this tour is how demanding both of those dishes sound.

Making a pizza from scratch? And gelato? In a single class…?

According to reviewers, the hosts did an excellent job of breaking down the complex topics into memorable bits. Not only were guests surprised with how well their pizzas and gelatos turned out, but it looks like a lot of them are going to apply what they’ve learned to bread-making in the future.

That tells me that there’s a lot of knowledge being passed down in this class.

Start cooking

Authentic Italian Cooking Class in a Typical House in Milan

TripAdvisor

I love home cooking—nothing beats it. Guests have the chance to make either pasta or gnocchi, along with tiramisu.

According to reviews, the cooking lessons and final products are both worth writing home about. But there’s another element at play here: The charm of cooking in a small home with a small group.

If you’re on the hunt for a cultural experience and socializing with other travelers, then start here.

Start cooking