Disney’s volunteer program reached it’s goal of 1 million participants. The “Give A Day, Get a Day” program rewarded volunteers with a 1 day Disney park admission.Posts Tagged ‘Travel Advice’
What’s New in Travel
Friday, March 12th, 2010Disney’s volunteer program reached it’s goal of 1 million participants. The “Give A Day, Get a Day” program rewarded volunteers with a 1 day Disney park admission.Short on Time? Here’s a Recap of Travel in the News
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Virgin America announces bag fee change – the airline has changed its baggage fee to a flat $25 rate (up from $20,) for all checked items (excluding the first and second bag for First Class travelers; and the first bag for Main Cabin Select and Main Cabin Refundable Fare travelers).Travel In the News Today
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Blizzards caused one of the biggest travel disruptions in years today! Several major airports closed, and over 4,000 flights have been cancelled, including international incoming and outgoing flights, due to the snow storms in the Eastern United States. Many interstates are also closed due to storms bringing travel to a hault.Delta Hiking Fees – Again
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Beginning on Tuesday, for tickets purchased after January 5, 2010, Delta will be raising prices by $8 for the 1st bag and $7 additional for the 2nd bag. This brings their total fees to $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second bag. If you don’t pay the fee ahead of time, you will have to pay an extra $2 to $3 per suitcase at the airport, regardless of whether you check your bags at the curb, a kiosk or ticket counter.
Elite frequent fliers, first class fliers and certain other customers, including active military personnel on deployment, are exempt from the fees. The domestic bag fee increase applies to travel in coach class within the 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Airlines are nickel and diming customers on so many items now…will it influence what airline you book?
Last Minute Travel Deals
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Should you wait until the last minute to book a trip?If you’re just looking for a last minute weekend getaway – sure, why not? Often unplanned escapes can be the best!
Big Savings. You can get away this weekend and save up to 70%! The Last Minute Deals team focuses only on bringing you the best deal available at the last minute so you can get up and go this weekend and save up to 70%. Our flexible packages include a wide range of options and prices. Flight + Hotel packages usually start at less than $200 per person, while Flight + Car packages and Hotel + Car start at less than $150.
No Compromises. Just because you want to go today doesn’t mean you have to take what you can get. Choose from hundreds of packages to domestic and international destinations. Last Minute Deals include your choice of exact flights, hotels and rental car so you can take the trip you want and still save big. Don’t forget to enter your frequent flier number when booking your trip–you’ll earn miles for every Last Minute Deals flight package.
Sold From Three Weeks to Three Hours Before Departure. It’s possible to log on to Last Minute Deals at lunchtime and be on your way to Miami, hotel, airfare and optional rental car included by 5pm! But don’t delay. Inventory moves fast at the last minute and prices and availability can change quickly. See a deal you like? Grab it and go! Last Minute Deals cannot be reserved.
It’s Never Been Easier to Get Up and Go. It’s our mission to make it so easy to get away, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been going somewhere new every weekend! Our travel team researches every destination on the site and writes up whimsical, spontaneous trip ideas so you can see the possibilities and try a new place–even cities you may never have thought about traveling to before. Pick a package, choose your hotel, your flights, your car and go!
Keep in mind that if you are planning more than a few nights away or booking a cruise or tour, then it is best to plan ahead, as there are several advantages to booking early that a travel agent can discuss with you.
American Airlines Announces Changes to Checked Bag Charges
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
American Airlines announced yesterday that it will change its checked bag charges, effective with tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2010.
American’s checked bag charges will change to $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag, payable at the airport on day of travel.
As before, American’s top customers are exempt from these checked bag charges. Among the exemptions are American’s elite AAdvantage® members, full-fare customers, confirmed passengers in the First or Business Class cabin, those traveling on military fares, and other travelers booked on the same record locator as the premium customer.
American said about 25 percent of its domestic customers pay checked bag charges, with other customers either exempt from the charge or choosing to not check a bag while abiding by American’s normal carry-on policies.
Travel Deals
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Travel industry experts agree that 2010 is the “year of the deal.” Browse through our tours, cruises and vacation packages, and you’ll find astonishing affordable fares, exclusive bonuses and complimentary events we could hardly wait to share with you. Booking soon is your best opportunity for a great deal.
Choose a sun-drenched trip to Hawaii, Mexico, French Polynesia or the Caribbean. Plan an unforgettable family vacation among the glaciers of Alaska, America’s National Parks, the fall colors of Canada & New England or the jungles of Costa Rica. Explore the exotic cultures of Egypt, China or South America. Take a drive through Ireland or go shopping in London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona or Istanbul.
As you peruse our well-priced packages, you’ll find that many cruises and tours offer Atlas Exclusives. Not only do we offer low rates, but in many packages you receive bonuses such as shipboard and resort credits, free room upgrades, complimentary shore excursions and more.
Savvy travelers are sure to scoop up these values quickly, so call us today at 800-942-3301.
Baby Boomer Travel
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Both Collette Vacations and Tauck Tours have added product lines geared specifically towards the active Baby Boomers; Collette with Explorations and Tauck with Culturious.
Both products are for smaller groups, from 16 -24 travelers. They offer more immersive experiences geared for travelers ranging in age from their mid-40’s to their mid-60s, for a slightly higher price than their traditional product.
For example, travelers on the Culturious itinerary in Tuscany and Cinque Terre, Italy visit an art restoration specialist in Florence, cycle along the medieval walls of Lucca, hike between the coastal villages of Cinque Terre, and travel through the Vasari Corridor, an art-lined, private passageway above Florence’s streets that was built in the 1500s for the Medicis.
Explorations will introduce Provence, France, in the Colors of Provence trip which includes activities such as a cooking demonstration, wine and cheese tasting and visiting an olive oil factory.
An Australia and New Zealand combination tour and a tour that explores the Mayan Ruins in Topal, Copan and Antigua in Guatemala are also new for 2010.
Culturious, along with the Tuscany itinerary also offers Manitoba and Peru with South Africa and Nambia, Provence and Costa Rica being added in 2010.
Globus Monograms also appeals to independent travelers.
Speak to a travel consultant to find the best options for your next vacation.
Written by: C Kennedy
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com
Passport Cards
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
We still have clients that are traveling without passports. Although this is okay on cruises that start and end in the same port for now, you have to take into consideration that should you need to fly home in the middle of the cruise from one of the islands due to an emergency, you would need a passport.
If you don’t want to spend the money on a traditional passport, we suggest the U.S. Passport Card. It is wallet size, and will allow you to enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Cairbbean and Bremuda. International air travel would still require a passport. The passport card is convenient, and costs less than the passport book.
The U.S. Passport Card is good for 10 years for adults and 5 years for childen under the age of 16. The card costs $45 for the first application for adtuls and $35 for children. Adults who already have a passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewl by mail and pay only $20.
How to apply:
If you currently have or previously had a U.S. passport book, you might be able to apply for a passport card by mail. Note that in this scenario you will use a passport renewal form (DS-82) even if you’re applying for your first passport card.
If you have never had a passport book, or you do not meet the requirements to apply by mail using Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card in person using Form DS-11.
Tips for Planning the Perfect Honeymoon
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Planning a wedding can be stressful, so you want to make sure that after the “big day,” when it’s just the two of you, that your honeymoon is as close to perfect as possible.
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when planning a honeymoon package.
- Shop around. Check the rates booking with the resort directly, versus booking through a travel agency. Sometimes travel agents have deals worked out with the hotels where you would receive complimentary upgrades or amenities, while paying the same price or less as booking direct with the hotel.
- Don’t leave anything to chance. Research the property reviews online, or discuss your options with a travel consultant, to make sure there are no unwelcome surprises, such as hotel remodeling, that would affect your honeymoon stay.
- If you can, try to upgrade some part of your trip: consider flying first-class, upgrade your room to a suite, or consider hotels that offers honeymoon packages which are all-inclusive. This is a special trip you will want to remember, so try to splurge in at least one area if you can.
- Research travel requirements for your destination of choice. Passports are needed for all international travel, so allow enough time for your passport to process prior to your trip. And brides, if your passport is issued in your maiden name, make sure that information on your air and hotel reservations matches your passport and any other required travel documentation. Airlines have gotten strict, and even want your middle names on the record if they are on your passport. Don’t risk disappointment – make sure names match.
- It is not recommended that you fly out on the day of your wedding. Chances are you will arrive late to the resort and be paying for a room to just sleep. You will also be exhausted from the wedding. Try to fly out the next day – not too early if you can avoid it, and plan on arriving to your destination around 2 or 3 p.m. Keep in mind you cannot check into the resort until 4 p.m. anyway, so there is no need to rush and arrive early unless there are no other flights.
- Try to pick a destination that has activities that both of you will enjoy, or are willing to try for the first time, such as horse back riding, scuba diving or perhaps swimming with the dolphins. Talk about your expectations in advance. Do you both want to stay in a place that has lots of activities and dining options, or do you prefer a secluded villa somewhere with a private pool where you can order room service and not leave your room?
- Bring a copy of your marriage certificate if you are receiving gifts or amenities for being a honeymoon couple. Many hotels will want the proof you are in fact married in order to give you these added benefits.
- Be patient! Chances are something will go wrong such as a flight delay or long lines at airport security…don’t take it out on one another. Accept what you cannot change. There are things that happen that are beyond your control. Take them as part of the experience…a small, perhaps challenging part of the overall trip, but do not allow it to impact your overall experience on your honeymoon.
- If you have long layovers at the airport, make sure you each have an Ipod, favorite book or something to pass the time.
- Don’t forget your camera, charger and plenty of memory to capture some of the special moments on your honeymoon.
- Remember: once you arrive at your honeymoon destination, enjoy yourselves. Relax, rejuvenate, and make the most of your time together.
