MTV selects Madrid, Spain as the host city for the MTV EMA’s on November 7, 2010.Posts Tagged ‘travel tips’
Weekly Travel News
Thursday, March 18th, 2010MTV selects Madrid, Spain as the host city for the MTV EMA’s on November 7, 2010.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?
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.
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.
Controversy Over Cruise E-docs
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
For months now we have seen the trend of cruise lines “going green,” eliminating paper documents and going to E-docs only. Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean were the latest to announce the change.
I certainly don’t have an issue with going green, but some of our local clients do not have access to computers. What then? The cruise lines want between $25 and $35 to print and ship documents. Clients are upset and I don’t blame them. Why not include the documents in the price? What about luggage tags? Clients are supposed to print them out on a sheet of paper, cut it to size and tape the ends together until they get to the pier. Really?
Clearly clients should be given a choice. If they have cruised often and only want their boarding passing, then let them elect E-docs, but for clients that have no computer, printer or prefer written materials, there should be no additional charge.
When asked for comments at the end of your next cruise, make sure and mention this document issue, or if you have time, write a letter to the cruise lines you frequent, as this policy will not change unless they are aware how unhappy the public is about it.
Perhaps a better way to go green is for cruise lines not to print so many cruise brochures. You can always visit a travel agent or even a library to obtain inital cruise information online, but once booked, you should receive detailed documents from the cruise line.
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.
