Flying on a plane without in-flight entertainment will be irritating – but an influencer has revealed a straightforward way around this.
Finance guru Queenie Tan, known for her money-saving suggestions and travel suggestions, said all you need is your phone and a napkin.
26-year-old from Sydney shared on TikTok explaining the way it modified her flying experienceadding how she could watch movies and TV shows.
“So [they] they took off the case of their phone and just put a napkin between the case and the phone,” she said.
“Then just take a napkin and wedge it between the tray holder… and it’s mainly the same thing,” she said, likening it to an in-flight entertainment screen.
Tan said she saw the trick on TikTok and saved her money for goodies for her phone on Amazon.
Many were impressed by the hack that said, “I do that all the time.”
Some people have said that sick bags which can be in the seat pocket work in addition to a napkin.
“Good to know because I’m occurring an extended trip soon!” one woman said.
“Why trouble buying a standing case I purchased on eBay?” the second person said, and the third added, “Stop with the napkin. I’m totally trying it out.
A frequent traveler who boasts over three million “likes” on her TikTok, Tan is understood for sharing money-saving suggestions and tricks.
In a recent video, she revealed how you can get 10 to twenty percent off your purchases in Europe under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS).
“When you’re a tourist from a non-European country, all you need to do is show your passport when you buy it and say you want to say your tourist tax back,” Tan said.
“Then you’ll give you the chance to reclaim the sales tax at the airport when you depart.
Generally, it’s between 10 and 20 percent depending on the country.
“Just remember to bring your airport receipt and your belongings in your hand luggage.”
Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, told news.com.au that the refund program potentially allows you to say a GST refund [goods and service tax] on expensive items, but there are a lot of hurdles to hop over.
“Consumers are affected by VAT (Value Added Tax) or GST in lots of countries, and these are likely to be very high in Europe,” he said.
Kidman said the rate will likely be between 5 and 25 percent, depending on the country.
“As an EU visitor returning home, you could also be entitled to buy goods freed from VAT in certain shops,” he said.
“[But] remember there are a couple of hoops to hop over first – skip only one step and you’ll lose your refund,” he said.
He said you would need to pay the full price including tax for the goods in the shop.
“You will get your VAT refund on departure,” he said.
“There isn’t a single standard procedure for the entire European Union.
Generally, you will have to fill out some paperwork, then bring the receipts/forms to the VAT office at the airport or border crossing, and eventually show the item at customs.
“If you ask for a money refund at the airport, you should get it immediately. But a bank transfer can take up to a few weeks.”
Kidman also said the rules vary depending on where you are in Europe.
“Each country has its own tax system and there is commonly a minimum amount you must spend to qualify for a refund.”