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 blog’
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.Catch Up on the Latest Travel Industry News
Friday, March 5th, 2010
Crystal Cruises is offering a wellness cruise in on September 5th onboard the Crystal Symphony. Leading experts and instructors from The Mayo Clinic, Tai Chi Cultural Center, and even the world of professional baseball are on the roster. Double occupancy promotional cruise fares for the 14-day cruise – including free air from 20 cities and the $1,000 bonus spending credit – start at $5,710 per person.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.Innovative Option for Economy Travelers on Air Zealand
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Air New Zealand is consistently recognized as the leading airline for the South Pacific by receiving many awards from the travel industry. And why do they strive to be even better? It’s all about the customer experience. Air New Zealand’s goal is to create an in-flight experience unlike any other airline for all passengers.
We are particularly excited about the new economy skycouch and premium economy spaceseat. The concept of the sky couch is for a couple to purchase all three seats in a row. The leg rests come all the way up to extend the width of the seat, allowing two people to lie down side by side. A thin mattress is place on top of the seats and a full size pillow is provided. The length is only 5 feet across so you may not be able to stretch out completely, but keep in mind this is economy class – big difference from only being able to tilt your seat back. Couples or families would pay regular price for the first two seats, and then 1/2 price for the 3rd seat. Prices begin around $1,400 for that extra seat. There will 22 Skycouches in the first 11 rows of economy class.
You can’t book until April, so I researched some prices base on travel this June from LAX to Auckland, and found that the same trip in economy class for 2 people purchasing the middle seat would be around $7,800. A flight in premium economy would be around $12,000 for two, but keep in mind that the seats only recline, not completely flat like you would be able to do with the new economy seats. Business class, where your seat would lie flat, was close to $10,000 per person. So for the traveler that normally books premium economy or above, this is a more affordable option.
When will all these upgrades be available? On the new 777-300ER’s that begin service in November, 2010 between Auckland and Los Angeles. Upgrades to their current 777-200 aircrafts will begin in 2011. You can begin booking these Skycouches in April of this year.
Start exploring an Australia and New Zealand vacation today.
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?
Update on Airport Check-in and Security
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Just in case you haven’t flown in a while, we want to remind all travelers that the TSA has specific guidelines for carrying on liquids, aerosols, and gels on board flights:
- Travel-size toiletries (3.4 ounce bottle, 1 quart sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag) that fits comfortably in a one-quart, clear plastic zip-top bag. One zip-top bag is permitted per passenger. Beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area.
- At the security checkpoint, place the zip-top bag of liquids in a bin or on the conveyor belt for inspection.
- Passengers carrying on larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula, and diabetic glucose treatments must declare these at the security checkpoint for additional screening.
Other useful tips to get through the check points faster:
Arrive at the airport early. Enhanced security measures may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
- Keep in mind that you will be required to remove electronics (laptops, full-size game consoles, DVD players and video cameras) from your carry on bags and submit them separately for x-ray screening.
- Do not wrap gifts as you may be asked to unwrap for inspection.
- Remove items from your pockets that may set off metal detectors before getting in line. These items include keys, loose change, cell phones, and PDA’s
- Wear slip-on shoes. Travelers are required to remove shoes before entering the walk-through metal detector at all U.S. airports and put them through the x-ray machine for inspection.
- Have your boarding pass in hand as well as identification until exiting the check point. Acceptable ID includes US passport, US passport card, US Military ID and permanent resident card
- If traveling with children, take them out of baby carriers and strollers and carry them through the metal detector with you. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector.
Security policies apply to all domestic and international flights departing from U.S. airports. We always recommend checking the TSA Web site (www.tsa.gov) for the most up-to-date information about security procedures. If you are departing from a non-U.S. airport, be sure to check that airport’s security policies and pack accordingly.
One more thing I think is important to mention is Baggage guidelines—Be sure to review your airline’s baggage allowance guidelines. Airline rules for checked baggage allowances vary. Almost all carriers have implemented new fees for luggage so it’s not just the weight you need to consider. Check the airline’s website so you are not faced with unexpected charges.
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 Attic: Nice and the French Riviera
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
The cities & seaside resort areas of the French Riviera are so unique, that I thought I would recap my visit, which was many years ago, but is still fresh in my mind.
The view of the Alps as you approach Nice is a treat as is the view of the seacoast prior to landing. Nice is actually a very unpretentious pleasant city that one feels at home in immediately. There are individual neighborhoods and if the signs weren’t in French, it could be anywhere USA. Along the Promenade Anglais, there are very expensive hotels and fabulous private homes. This is the avenue along the Mediterranean so it’s very prime real estate. Once you walk a few blocks into the town, it’s just a series of retailers and lots of great bakeries and restaurants. There is a Promenade within the city that offers more of the same but without cars, Just lots of French people and their dogs…
Monte Carlo is the most exclusive and wealthy of all. It’s quite beautiful and as clean as can be but I didn’t feel very comfortable there as the people are sooo rich, we regular folk just don’t fit in.
I was fortunate enough to have time to visit two famous villages. One is Eze, a medieval hilltop that juts out 1,491 ft. over the Mediterranean Sea and has narrow, winding lanes and hidden passageways. Amazing to see, charming and very pricey. There are a couple of hotels, restaurants, art studios and shops.
The other village is St Paul de Vence in Provence. It is also a hilltop village only it is, like Nice, a real place with real people. The shops are for the locals, not tourists and everything, even the fresh produce, looks like a picture postcard. Visit the sumptuous Colombe d’Or where the famous painters used to meet. This fascinating village attracts talented and discerning artists from around the world.
A lot of the other names that ring a bell are really nothing special. For instance, St. Tropez is world famous but it’s just a fishing village with small boats and locals dining outdoors. The rich tourists, as best as I can guess, aren’t actually staying there, or I just missed seeing them …
Definitely a wonderful experience.
