Returning from My Round-the-World Adventure: Joan Trip Part XI

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

See recent posts by Ed Perkins

Follow contributing editor Ed Perkins as he embarks on a round-the-world “Joan Trip.” (What’s a Joan Trip? Find out in Take That Special Trip … While You Still Can.) According to Perkins, “neither frequent-flyer miles nor people improve with age,” so he’s working off a bundle of miles seeing the world, combining places he missed over the years with some old favorites. Read the rest of Perkins’ round-the-world-trip posts.

Overall, my Joan Trip was a great experience. I loved both seeing the new places and returning to old favorites. Now, I’m paying the price: Even in business class, 20 hours from first departure to final arrival takes its toll in jet lag.

Although the trip was an overall success, two tests I carried out were less than satisfactory:

Prior to leaving, I got a SIM card for my wireless phone that provided low-cost calls to and from the U.S. The costs were, in fact, low, but the voice quality was very bad. The card system worked through a call-back principle: The SIM card’s number is based in the U.K., and when I called the U.S., calls were routed through a callback center in the U.K. Although I maintained communications, hearing was difficult. Next trip, I’ll test some other approach.

I also obtained one of those chip-and-PIN cards pre-paid in euros from Travelex, and that didn’t work at all. Each time I tried to use it, I got some sort of “that card is not accepted here” message. Travelex hasn’t responded yet to my inquiries. I’ll report back when I learn more.

Have you been on a round-the-world trip? Share your experience in the comments.

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