Shopping

Tidbits for travelers: connect at the airport

Airports, Layover, Mobile phones, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel tips, , , , , , , ,

If you’re heading to or through the Dallas/Fort Worth or Atlanta airports there are now money-saving reasons to make sure your smartphone is charged and accessible.

DFW introduced a program that links the Foursquare and Facebook Places location-based mobile applications to 85 (so far) of the airport’s concessions. Now if you check in when you’re at the airport you’ll see deals and discounts offered at food outlets and shops right around you.

For the next several weeks, you’ll notice “brand ambassadors” in the terminals telling people about the service, teaching them how to use it and handing out giveaways.

Back in April, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport introduced discount offers available via quick response (QR) codes printed signs around the airport.

The QR codes direct passengers to the airport’s mobile website — www.iflyatl.com — where there are downloadable discount coupons.

The TSA is also using QR codes. According to a recent post on the TSA Blog,  the agency is testing QR codes on checkpoint signage at a few airports to point travelers to information about lost and found, customer service, procedural information and travel tips.

 

Chillin’ Zone at PHL

Entertainment, Shopping, ,

Philadelphia International Airport is working hard to entertain travelers this summer with the Just Plane Fun program.

There’s the Chillin’ Zone – a living-room style set-up with cushioned chairs and sofas at the Terminal C intersection.

During this holiday weekend – through July 5th – many shops in the B/C and D/E Connectors will be holding sales.

Participating merchants include: Afaze, Brooks Brothers, PA Market, PGA Tour, Radio Road, XspresSpa, Jack Georges, Bose, Brookstone, Harley Davidson, Borders, The Body Shop, Crocs, Taxco Sterling, Tech Showcase, In Motion, Hallmark and Lids.

And there’s a week’s worth of entertainment planned including music by the Patriotic Players, a “chowder fishing” contest, art projects with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a golf putting competition, make-overs and product demonstrations.

See the full list at the PHL website.

No underwear at Schiphol’s Victoria’s Secret

Art, Shopping, , ,

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is now home to what may be Europe’s first branch of Victoria’s Secret but, save for the photos on the walls, don’t go there expecting to spot any of the brand’s sexy lingerie.

Even though much of the underwear they’re known for is quite tiny, this small VS shop is only stocking fragrances, make-up and assorted branded accessories.

Washington’s Reagan National Airport branch of Victoria’s Secret is long gone, but if you’re a fan of the brand, you’ll find outlets at these airports:

Mexico City Airport Terminal D
Brazil-Sao Paulo Airport Terminal A
Miami International Airport Terminal D
Carrasco Airport Terminal D
Schipol Airport Amsterdam Terminal 3
JFK Airport Terminal 4
Ezieza Airport Terminal D (Buenos Aires)
Bangkok International Airport
Sydney International Airport
Kuwait Airport

And you’ll find an art installation inspired by the Victoria’s Secret catalog at Port Columbus Gateway to The Arts, an exhibition space at Ohio’s Port Columbus International Airport.

Souvenir Sunday at San Diego International Airport

Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs

Last week, as part of the Arts in the Airport conference held in San Diego, I had a chance to join a formal tour of the art collection and temporary art installations at San Diego International Airport.

Along the way, I took a few moments to poke around for souvenirs to share with you for Souvenir Sunday, the day StuckatTheAirport.com features inexpensive, local and somewhat offbeat things you can buy at the airport.

I found this cute ship in a bottle –

And this sweet Padres bear –

But my favorite was this whale-shaped travel purse.  A perfect accessory for a night on the town.

Have you found a great souvenir while you were stuck at the airport? If it’s inexpensive, local and somewhat offbeat, please take a moment to snap a photo and send it it along.
If your photo is featured on StuckatTheAirport.com, you’ll receive a special travel-related souvenir of your own.

 

 

 

Souvenir Sunday: Hello Kitty at SFO

Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs, ,

It’s Souvenir Sunday, the day we take a look at some of fun, inexpensive items you can find when you’re stuck at the airport.

This week: cute  – really cute – Hello Kitty trinkets from San Francisco International Airport:

hello kitty sfo

If you spend your time poking around the shops when you’re stuck at the airport, please keep an eye out for items that are fun, inexpensive (around $10 or less) and a bit offbeat. Snap a photo, send it along and if it’s featured here on StuckatTheAirport.com, I’ll send you a special airport-related souvenir.

Hello Kitty Golden Gate t-shirt

Souvenir Sunday: Build-a-Bear at Orlando International Airport

Air Travel, Airport guides, Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs, , ,

Each Sunday at StuckatTheAirport.com we take a look at some of the fun things for sale in airport shops.

Usually it’s an inexpensive item that’s a bit offbeat and “of” the city or town. Something like the  “Fly SUX” souvenirs for sale at Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX) in Sioux City, Iowa.

 

This week, the Souvenir Sunday pick is something that’s just fun and a very good fit for Orlando International Airport.

The first airport Build-a-Bear Workshop opened last week at Orlando International Airport. Customers are promised “an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience,” and after making their way through a variety of  hands on stations (Choose Me, Hear Me, Stuff Me, Stitch Me, Fluff Me, Dress Me, Name Me and Take Me Home) they end up with their own custom-made bear, bunny, dog, kitty or other animal. The cost: between $10 and $25.

I’m not sure if we’ll be seeing the Build-a-Bear concept popping up at other airports. But it’s a great fit for Orlando International Airport, which welcomes so many families and already offers so many treats, including free Wi-Fi, fun art, theme-park character statues for free photo ops, two Kennedy Space Center gift shops and several game arcades.

Want to more about Orlando International Airport (MCO)? Take a look at the MCO airport guide I created for USATODAY.com.

Souvenir Sunday: chocolate knives from Zurich Airport

Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs,

Sunday is Souvenir Sunday at StuckatTheAirport.com; the day we look at some of the fun, inexpensive souvenirs you can buy at airports.

This week’s pick: chocolate Swiss Army knives found at Zurich Airport.

You can’t pack the real thing in your carry-on anymore, but when you’re hungry, these might prove quite handy.

Do you spend time poking around airport shops when you’re waiting for a flight? If you find something fun, inexpensive and “of” the city or region, please snap a photo and send it along.
If your souvenir is featured on Souvenir Sunday, I’ll send you a fun airport-related souvenir.

Souvenir Sunday at Zurich Airport

Air Travel, Airport shops, Airports, Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs, ,

It’s Souvenir Sunday; the day we take a look at some of the fun, inexpensive and local souvenirs for sale at airports.

This week’s treats come from Zurich Airport, where there are plenty of things made of chocolate.

Zurich Airport macarons

And plenty of other souvenirs that a similarly Swiss, but less likely to be nibbled on during the long flight home.

Magnets from Zurich Airport

Magnets Swiss souvenirs

Souvenir Sunday is a regular feature here on StuckatTheAirport.com. So if you find a great airport souvenir that’s inexpensive (around $10), “of” the city or region and, ideally, a bit offbeat, please snap a photo and send it along. If your photo is featured on Souvenir Sunday I’ll send you a special aviation-related souvenir.