Handy Tips For Double Sim Card Phones And Old Phones For Emergencies

Problem
Mr X has transferred his SIM card. He has two phones for two countries and used to keep them separate to be sure of not running up high roaming charges. Some people have two phones, one for work, paid for by the company or a business expense if you are self-employed, and the other phone for social calls. (He has the recent LGX Power - battery lasts about four or five days, "a brilliant phone" - the one available at no extra cost with the two year Singtel contract in Singapore.)

Answer
One of the phones has a space for two SIM cards. It can be used for calls in both countries. You just have to remember which line in which. (As you would when using two phones. Except that with two physical phones you can disable one phone and lock it away in a drawer so neither you nor anybody else uses it forgetting that it will run up bigger bills or not get reception.)

The old phone can still be used as a camera. It can even be used without a SIM card to make emergency calls.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts. 

Forwarding your luggage, for train travellers, bikers and airline travellers

Photograph by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Problems
BIKE
You can't take a big suitcase on a bike. You have to be out of your hostel or hotel early during the trip or on the last day and don't want to leave luggage behind.
TRAIN
Your luggage is too heavy to take on the train. The bulk is a nuisance when walking along the aisles.
You are scared to take too much luggage by car in case it gets stolen or makes your vehicle a target. A real nuisance lugging two suitcases onto a train which has a large gap between platform and train, the wheels get caught, bulky in rush hour.
PLANE
You are worried that you will have excess luggage on the plane and have to wait ages at the airport when you are rushing to a conference or business meeting.

Answers
Send luggage ahead.
Less to carry.
Quicker to change routes without waiting for luggage.
No worry about leaving big luggage at the end of the train when your reserved seat is in the middle of the carriage.
No need to leave big suitcase unattended when you go to the toilet.
Save money by taking local train from the airport instead of a taxi.
Luggage should not get thrown about by handlers - you can photograph the condition of your case before releasing it for collection.
Save time at check-in and security.

Luggage Transport
If you are travelling solo, there are companies which collect your luggage a week in advance and drop it at your holiday destination a couple of days in advance (avoiding the risk of delays). This can cost as much as £100 for a large suitcase, even within the UK. I heard about this from an elderly lady who was disabled. She used the system to travel in the UK and all over the world.

Cost of Sending Luggage
Costly! Yes. However, it might save you the nuisance of carting luggage around on the train. It works out cheaper per person if a family of two or four, or two or more friends can share a suitcase. It's an added convenience, an option, if money is no object. Also good if you are cycling not to save money but to keep fit, or keep your family fit, or enjoy the scenery, well worth while.

If you ever win a free trip in a competition, you might like to indulge yourself. The cost might also be a business expense if you were cycling for a living or reconnoitering to lead a group holiday for a business or not for profit club.

Tips
Compare company prices. Free quote from:
http://www.excess-international.com/baggage-shipping

See more companies in previous post.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. See my other posts. Please share links to your favourite posts.