Adventures by Kari

09/26/2025

03/14/2025

Beautiful. Amalfi, Italy.

01/05/2025

Starting in January 2025, when the U.K. will require an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for visitors from countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The European Union is right behind them, with plans to introduce its own visa waiver document called an ETIAS for visitors, including U.S. citizens, sometime in mid-2025. (The two processes are different, as the U.K. officially left the European Union in 2020.)

The good news is that the online process for obtaining permission to travel to these areas should be fairly simple — and speedy.

Starting sometime in mid-2025, U.S. citizens visiting 30 European countries (including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, etc.) will need to apply online for travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This new requirement will include any children who are traveling and will also apply to travelers who are transiting through these countries.

There is no firm date for ETIAS travel authorizations coming into effect, and applications aren’t open.

After applying online, you’ll receive an email confirming your ETIAS travel authorization has been successful. This authorization will then be digitally linked to the passport you applied with and will last for three years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first.

09/15/2023

Good updated information for current times.

Help ensure your checked luggage gets to where it needs to go during your next flight by properly labeling it and attaching an eye-catching luggage tag with the right information included.

09/14/2023

Big changes coming for Delta frequent flyers

BREAKING NEWS: Delta announces drastic changes to its SkyMiles program and access to its lounge network.

Yeesh. Not a good day to be a Delta loyalist.

Delta Air Lines is overhauling how you earn Medallion status as part of perhaps one of its biggest loyalty updates yet. The airline is retiring Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) and Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs), and it'll instead focus on a redefined version of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs).

And it gets worse from there.

Not only is Delta changing how you earn status, but it's also raising the thresholds needed to achieve Medallion elite status — and these updates aren't pretty.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, you'll need to earn the following number of MQDs to enjoy Medallion status for 2025. (You earn MQDs each year between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, and your status is then valid through Jan. 31 two years after the qualifying period.)
-Silver: 6,000 MQDs
-Gold: 12,000 MQDs
-Platinum: 18,000 MQDs
-Diamond: 35,000 MQDs

And if that wasn't bad enough, Delta is also changing who gets access to its network of Sky Club lounges. No matter how you slice it, there's some bad news for those with Delta's top-of-the-line credit cards.

Beginning on Feb. 1, 2025, Delta will limit how many times you can visit a Sky Club in each program year, as follows.

-The Platinum Card from American Express — six annual visits
-The Business Platinum Card from American Express — six annual visits
-Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card — 10 annual visits
-Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card — 10 annual visits

Additionally, those with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card will no longer enjoy any access to the Sky Club.

For more details and when these changes go into effect, visit the link below.
https://bit.ly/46a1yNr

08/26/2023

TSA and TSA PreCheck announced a new partnership with Telos Corporation, a security firm, to make applying for the program easier.

04/30/2023

I remember getting a client to Vettisfossen (waterfall) a long time ago. It’s near where her family came from.

03/25/2023

In response to increased passport demand, as of today, March 24, routine passport processing takes 10-13 weeks from the time we receive the application; expedited processing ($60 extra) takes 7-9 weeks. http://ow.ly/R61h50NrJn0

Processing times begin when the application is received by a passport agency and do not include mailing times. The new processing times only apply to applications submitted on or after March 24.

We strongly urge Americans to check their passport expiration dates before booking travel and apply for their passports at least six months ahead of planned travel or expiration date. We’re working hard to boost staffing, meet the demand surge, and get you traveling again.