Tripologist
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: what can you take from a hotel room?
The Tripologist Some hotel room items are very much fair game, but where exactly do you draw the line?
The Tripologist
Everyone Asks: Are airline seats shrinking?
![Economy Class air travel](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/10/11/4823323/th-Economy-Class-Legs-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist Has legroom in economy-class airline seats really declined?
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: which site will get me the best airfare?
![Online flight search engines fall into two categories: consolidators and aggregators. Illustration: Greg Bakes](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/10/04/4804503/th-Online-Bookings-Web-Mouse-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist Which is the best flight search engine for tracking down a cheap airfare?
The Tripologist
Ten essential travel apps
The Tripologist Smartphone apps have reshaped the travelscape. Here's Michael Gebicki's top 10.
The Tripologist
Do airline check-in staff really have authority on visas?
![Airline staff have both the right and obligation to check your passport and visas at check-in.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/10/07/4810260/th-Check-in-Delta-Generic-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist I've been questioned rudely by airline check-in over my destination visa. Is it really the airline's problem?
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: What does 'five-star' mean?
![Just six hotels in Sydney and nine in Melbourne have been given a five-star rating from AAA Tourism.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/09/27/4783765/th-Luxury-Hotel-Doorman-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist What does a five-star hotel rating really mean? That depends on who is giving out the stars.
The Tripologist
LIVE Q&A;: What's the worst thing about flying?
![Economy class](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2012/12/03/3859740/th-Economy-Class-Legs-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist What's your biggest gripe about air travel? Tell the Tripologist and he'll advise on a solution.
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: Why is Changi the world's best?
![Singapore Changi Airport](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/08/19/4673312/th-Singapore-Changi-Airport-Flight-Attendants-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist No other airport has been named world's best airport so often and it's worth considering why.
Advice
The Tripologist
![Picture supplied for M Magazine - The Sunday Age, 19 November 2006. For Travel story on coach travel in Europe. Picture shows : a bus from Trafalgar Tours.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/09/13/4746551/BO-trip-th-20130913173128182506-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist A SIM card purchased in London would only be a good option for communication throughout Europe if you sign up for a monthly postpaid account.
The Tripologist
Everyone Asks: Will anyone ever insure me?
![Generic doctor](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/08/09/4646460/ZAH_doctor_TN-20130809015512563042-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist How do I get travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition?
The Tripologist
What's the best travel sim card for Europe?
![iPhone travel app plane](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2012/08/17/3563222/th-iphone-girl-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist What is the best travel sim to buy before we leave for Europe?
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: Why is carry-on luggage never restricted?
The Tripologist Why don't airlines ever actually enforce their own restrictions for carry-on luggage?
Q&A;
Everyone asks: Do RFID-safe bags work?
The Tripologist Do RFID-safe bags offer effective prevention against credit card fraud?
The Tripologist
Do you tip the guy who carries your bags?
![Hotel porter.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/08/28/4699955/th-Hotel-Porter-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist Do you tip the porter who carries your bags to your room and, if so, how much?
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: the tipping point
![Cruise](http://web.archive.org./web/20131019022011im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/03/16/4114907/th-Cook-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist Why do so many cruise ships add a mandatory daily tip to the bill?
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: 'reserving' sun lounges
The Tripologist At a resort, is it permissible to remove towels from an unoccupied lounge or cabana?
The Tripologist
The Tripologist Where's the best place to experience a white Christmas in Europe?
The Tripologist
Everyone asks: why the ashtrays on planes?
The Tripologist When smoking is prohibited on aircraft, why do they still have ashtrays in the toilets?