Magnificent view of Hong Kong Harbor from my Hotel Shangri La window

Q: Flying seems to be getting more hectic, tiring and expensive all the time. When airlines post bargains of $99 flights, we know that’s the base price, and the actual cost can be as much as 50% higher.

Of course, it’s even more with so-called upgrades. Airlines offer seats that can go flat, but they can add considerably to the cost. My question: Is it worth the extra charge to buy a ticket for that convenience? PG, Atlanta GA

A: It all depends on the length of your flight. We can endure up to three hours crammed into the typically narrow cheap seats if we want to keep to a budget. Upgrades to lie-flat seats could cost from $75 and up, and we feel they’re only worthwhile on longer flights. There are variables.

It happened again just the other day while we were working at our desktop. The phone rang and a recorded voice offered excited congratulations that we had won a free cruise to the Caribbean. Despite efforts to block them, we get that kind of scam call several times a month.

When it happens to you, there are quick ways to realize it’s a phony deal. The recorded voice message is part of an automatic dialing system set to hit hundreds of potential victims. Some scam calls are specifically targeted to contact seniors.

When anyone responds to the messages, the next step would be a human-voiced call making a pitch to buy a lottery type of ticket via your credit card for from $25 or more to be eligible for the cruise. Of course, you won’t win, but the scam could evolve into something much worse.

When you respond to some calls, you’re told you’ve actually already won the cruise and its all free! Then you must provide “good faith” credit card, bank account and/or Social Security numbers. That’s when to hang up immediately. Giving out that information could lead to a considerable loss of money when your accounts are emptied by the scammers.

Conclusion: A quick rule about surprise recorded phone calls saying you’ve won free travel is to just hang up! If you hadn’t previously voluntarily entered a contest offered by a legitimate travel organization or product line, you can be certain it’s a scam.

USA Today recently had a provocative story about whether people (especially we senior citizens) are allowed to pass on frequent flyer miles, hotel freebees and other earned perks. The implication is that we of a advanced certain age must decide before we hear the flutter of angels’ wings.

According to the article, depending on which airlines and hotel chains you consult, you’ll get confusing yes, no and maybe answers. Therefore, we suggest that when you believe your ultimate one-way flight to join the angels seems to be approaching, consider several options.

Do the research yourself or have a trusted travel agent make the contacts, and then complete a list of all the unused, still-valid points, miles and perks you’ve accumulated for various airlines and hotel chains. Contact each of the organizations and determine what, if any, can be passed on and to whom (family member, friend, business associate, charity, etc.).

Perhaps a selfish, but more practical, solution is to gather all those freebees and indulge in fulfilling your own personal bucket list of destinations around the world. Then, before the little cherubs take you, use them all while you’re still able to get up, get out and travel.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2013/09/01/deceased-travelers-frequent-flier-points/2749761/