Cruising Goddess

Wine bottles break. You may think that you’ve packed that Bordeaux safely inside your suitcase, stuffing the vintage between your clothes or putting a sock over the delicate neck. But it’s still a bottle — and it still can break. I learned this lesson the hard way on my first trip to Napa Valley. Eager to get as many bottles home as I could, I wrapped my wine in pashminas, sure that the cushion would adequately thwart overeager baggage handlers. But I was wrong. My suitcase came off the belt … dripping. I lost not only my pashminas that day, but several premier bottles, including a delicious chocolate port that I mourned for much longer than I did the cover-ups.

Now I’m more savvy about how — and when — to pack or ship wine and liquor. I’ve managed to get Spanish cavas, Mendoza Malbecs, and Tequila tequila home without destroying any more clothing (remember that the TSA — and security in many countries — forbid you to carry liquids greater than 3 oz. on the plane, unless you buy from a duty-free store). If touring wineries is on your travel agenda, here are a few tips on how to get your vintage back intact:

Buy a wineskin. These protective holders, available in wine stores, wineries, and many online retailers, are the cheapest way to protect your purchase. The skin sheaths your bottle in plastic with an interior bubble wrap, so you can pack it in your suitcase without fear. Make sure your skin that has a double seal to prevent spillage, in case the worst does happen.

Note: Although some skins claim they are reusable, the seal usually doesn’t close as firmly the second time around. You’re better off buying another. Wineskins typically cost under $15.

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Frequent travelers know the benefits that accrue with their loyalty on one airline. Free upgrades. Priority check-in and TSA lines. Dedicated phone lines. Free checked bags. And when you hit the magic one million milestone, as George Clooney’s character, Ryan Bingham, did in 2009′s Up in the Air, the captain might even come out of the cockpit to congratulate you. Most importantly, however, you instantly become an elite level frequent flier for life, no matter how much or how little you fly in subsequent years.

With all those recent mergers, airlines will usually combine the mileage of both airlines to help frequent fliers grow their balance. Still, there is no guarantee, and airline mergers can put frequent travelers’ status in jeopardy.

History has been on our side in the past decade. American Airlines (www.aa.com) took the status and mileage balances of TWA fliers into account when it acquired the carrier. Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com) did the same with Northwest combining the miles earned with Northwest and Delta for Million Miler status. Continental (www.continental.com) and United (www.united.com) will follow suit. Any smart airline would do that lest they foment a revolt among their most loyal customers.

Airlines recognize that there is value in maintaining the loyalty of passengers and as baby boomers pursue their love of travel, the ranks of million miler fliers continue to swell.

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