Thank The Economy For a Travel-less Thanksgiving

Yesterday, the Boston Globe ran an article stating that travel over the Thanksgiving holiday were projected to decrease for the first time since 2002. The Automotive Association of America stated that 41 million Americans will travel more than fifty miles for Thanksgiving, this is down by six hundred thousand travelers from last year. This continues to be a pattern since holiday travel for this year has been declining.

Sometimes, when there are not a lot of people traveling it is the perfect opportunity to travel. Other times it is just the opposite. Sometimes airlines will increase the price so they can make up for the unsold seats, other times, airlines will discount seats in order to fill the plan.If you plan on traveling over the holidays, hopefully you have planned ahead. If you haven't you might get lucky and be able to get a good last minuet deal, but don't count on it. When it comes to traveling the best thing to do is always plan ahead and to do your research.

Love Traveling....Again

Earlier this moth, there was an article on MSNBC indicating that there are more reasons to love travel than ever before. Albeit many of you are probably cursing the very thought of travel, now that there are numerous different airline fees for this, that, and another; but there are also a few of you who are glad to be traveling now. Many of you might have to travel every week for business, while others travel occasionally, but the consensus seems to be, that we love to travel again.


The following are some of the reasons why we love to travel now:

• Since prices have soared in other areas of travel, many companies are offering bargains and discounts. Check out Priceline and Hotwire for great discounts.

• Travelers are able to get more upgrades (some without having to ask). Weather it is an upgraded room or an upgrade to your rental, don't be afraid to ask for one on your next trip.

• Now that many companies are loosing business due to the economy, many customer service representatives are a lot nicer to the customers they do have.

• Europe is becoming a cheaper place to travel. Since many airlines are cutting back on their domestic flights, some of them have been adding more international flights to their schedules. Europe is also becoming cheaper again thanks to the strengthening of the dollar against the Euro.

• Since there are less people traveling for leisure, there is less of a crowd at airports, car rental facilities, and hotels. Having less of a crowd allows for less stress and a quicker check-in/out.

The love of travel seems to go in cycles; when the economy is good thus a lot of people are traveling we hate it and when the economy is doing poorly thus not many people are traveling, we love it. We need to try and find a happy medium, so we can all love traveling all the time.

RideCharge For All Your Taxi Needs

Have you ever been on a business trip in an area your not familiar with and needed to get a taxi? Or, have you ever been running late to the airport and need to call for a taxi but didn't have the time? Now there is a way that you can call for a taxi without having to look up the number in the phonebook. 

RideCharge is a way for business travelers to call for a taxi without the hassle. With RideCharge you can save time by booking or calling for a taxi from your phone. RideCharge will also alert you when your taxi is on it's way, saving you time by not having to wait outside for your ride. With RideCharge, you are also able to pay for your taxi over your phone, so you don't have to make sure you are carrying enough cash on you. An additional benefit of RideCharge is that you can receive receipts for your taxi ride via e-mail and have it sent to you or your boss. 

RideCharge is "The business traveler's easiest way to take taxis."

United Cancels Plans To Charge More....

According to Business Week, United Airlines has decided to abandon their plan for a second bag fee hike. United Airlines was planning on increasing their second checked baggage fee from $25 to $50. United still charges a fee of $15 (each way) for checking one bag.

Need a Personal Travel Assistant? Just "TripIt"

Have you ever wished that you had a personal travel assistant that could help you when you traveled? Someone who could keep your itinerary, notify you of the weather, gives you maps and directions and is also able to share your travel plans with friends or family. Well for those of us who do not have a personal assistant, or someone who is able to be our assistant when we travel there it TripIt. 

TripIt is a free service that allows you to do all that a personal assistant would (expect call and cancel dinner plans). TripIt is able to consolidate all your itineraries, gives you predicted weather reports for your destinations, gives you maps and directions and also allows you to share your travel plans with others. 

There are two ways to utilize all that TripIt has to offer, you can register free online or you can send TripIt your itinerary (at plans@tripit.com) from a major airline, car rental company and or hotel. After you mail them your itinerary, TripIt will set up an account for you, and well e-mail you a confirmation that will include a link so you can complete your registration. If you have more than one leg to your trip, TripIt will be able to figure out the dates and locations, and is able to merge it into one master itinerary. TripIt also allows access to your e-mail where you can see which one of your friends also use TripIt, and if your friend happens to be in the same location as you, TripIt will send you an alert notifying you that "John" is in the same location. 

Overall TripIt is a wonderful program that allows you to have your own personal travel assistant. Additionally, TripIt has social-networking capabilities where you can connect and notify your friends regarding your travel plans. 

Start Planning Early For 2009 Travel

For those of you who are planning on traveling in 2009, there are some things that you should be aware of before your trip. Even though it just became October it is never to early to begin planning for trips happening in 2009. You do not want it to be 3 days before your trip and realize that you'll be needing a passport to drive into Canada!

In an article recently published on MSNBC, the following are new issues that will be taking effect in 2009.

• Starting June 1 a passport will be required for all border crossings whether its by air, land or sea. To avoid the passport rush seen before, apply for your passport as soon as possible, even if you are not planning on going anywhere soon.

• The European Parliament issued a new rule, which should take effect late in 2008 or early 2009, where when traveling to or in Europe all airfare prices have to include taxes, and fees when advertised. This will put an end to all the surprise charges that are seen when buying a ticket.

• Another law that might (fingers crossed) come into effect in 2009 is the Passenger Bill of Rights. This Bill would provide passengers who are stuck on planes for more than three hours, (due to delays) with fresh air, food, water, and waste removal. This bill was first introduced in New York, but was struck down by the federal appeals court this past March.

So regardless if you already have all your travel plans for 2009 booked, make sure that you brush up on the new rules and regulations before you departure, and don't forget to register to get your passport as soon as possible if you don't have your yet. 

The Fate of Business Travel is still Questionable

How is the rejection of the $700 bailout plan going to affect the travel industry? Well if you travel mainly for business it could have a great effect. With the economy doing poorly, may business travelers may be finding themselves sleeping in less then stellar hotels. Companies are going to be expecting their sales teams to bring in more sales while spending less on obtaining the sale (i.e. flight and hotel costs for the employee).

Since the airlines have been cutting back on the areas that they are servicing and how often flights are being offered, don't be surprised if your next business trip flight will be leaving at six or seven in the morning along with a layover or two. While on the road, companies will probably be limiting the number of meals that they are willing to pay for, as well as the quality of the hotel you'll be staying in, and the rental car you'll be driving.

According to the New York Times, many companies feel differently about how much they are willing to spend next year on travel expenses. A third said they would be spending the same amount, while another third said they would be spending less, and a few companies state that they would be spending more since costs will be increasing. But with the economy changing these forcasts for how much companies are willing to spend will probably change. 

Travel Discounts Offered in Hopes to Boost Travel

According to the NY Times, numerous travel companies are offering discounts and special deals rates in order to try and stimulate travel and the economy. Two of the most popular ones are Travelocity and Hilton Hotels.

Travelocity is offering a "Race to Savings" promotion where select hotel, resorts and cruise lines are offering up to 60 percent in savings. Additionally, the Hilton Hotels HHonors program is awarding tripple the points and miles to individuals who spend a Sunday night in select hotels in New York now through the end of the year.

How to Stay Healthy While on The Road

When you are constantly on the road, it might be hard to try and keep a healthy lifestyle. Maybe you are in conferences all day so you're too tired to think of a healthy meal, so you just grab a fast food meal. Maybe you don't have enough time between meetings or events so you either skip a meal or once again, hit up the closest fast food restaurant. Maybe you are too tired to function.

Some tips to staying and eating healthy on the road are:

• Make sure to drink lots of water

• If possible, try to pack your own snacks and meals that can be easily prepared

• Walk to your meetings and appointments

• Bring hand sanitizer with you, nothing is worse than getting sick on the road
  

• If you workout a lot, try and stay at a hotel that has a gym, this way you're workout routine will not be interrupted

• Avoid alcohol

• When on a plane or a train for a long period of time, make sure to get up and walk at least every hour

• Make sure to get enough sleep

• Try to keep your schedule as similar as possible to the one you have at home 

Being Bumped Can Be A Bummer

With many airlines cutting back on the number of flights they offer as well as the number of routes they offer many airline companies are overbooking their flights. With overbooked flights the chance of people being bumped from their flight increases. Sometimes this doesn't cause a problem, but for many travelers this can cause a huge problem, since it might mean that they'll be missing a business meeting or some other important event. 

Being bumped from a flight means that a passenger is denied a seat on a flight even though they have already reserved it. Airline companies tend to overbook their flights in hopes that some of the passengers will not show up for their flight. Usually when a flight is overbooked, the airline company will ask passengers if they would volunteer to take a later flight.

To avoid being bumped from your next flight remember to:

• Arrive to your flight as early as possible
• If you can, check in for your flight online
• If possible, try to take a less popular route

Say Good-Bye To Frequent Flier Miles....

With the economy struggling to stay afloat more than the value of the dollar is taking a beating. All those frequent flier miles you may have racked up have started to become more and more worthless. Since airlines have been adding new fees (what seems like everyday), cutting their routes, and the frequency of their flights, there is less and less to buy with all those earned miles.

Some airline companies have been teaming up with credit card companies. In this case the credit card companies are prepaying for miles that they can then hand out to their customers. This is an advantage to the airlines since they are getting money, that they can then use for other purposes. The credit card companies then get the miles that they paid for and the consumers can then start to earn miles. 

But the question becomes how many miles is one individual going to need in order to take a flight across the country? The number of miles needed might increase since the airlines have instilled so many fees. The airline company needs to (try) and cover their bottom line. 

Taking the Hassle Out of Renting a Car

When traveling for business there are many options on how to reach your destination. Now that you have reached your destination, how are you planning on getting around? If you are traveling to a conference, there might not be a need to travel outside of the hotel where the conference is being held. If your business takes you to a large city (i.e. San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago) you can always utilize their public transportation, for a nominal fee. Usually the city will offer day, week, or moth passes. 

Now if your business travel takes you to a place where there is no public transportation, or in a place where the public transportation would not be beneficial; the only other option would be to rent a car.  When renting a car there are two different options: pick the car up at the airport, or take a van and pick a car up at a rental agency a few miles from the airport.  Following are some hints and tips when it comes to renting a car.

• Do research car rental companies- rates, policies, hours of operation, and return policies

• Do reserve a car- specify length of trip, how many people will be driving, and what kind of car you'll need

• Do call a week in advance to confirm your reservation

• Do check online for discounts and last minuet rates

• Do double check your rental car for any dents and dings so the company does not charge you

• Do familiarize yourself with the car before leaving

• Don't prepay for gasoline- car rental companies tend to charge$2-$5 more per gallon

• Don't be late picking up or dropping off the rental car

United No Longer to Charge for Meals on Flights to Europe

According to USA Today, United will not be charging extra for meals on flights going to Europe. This change came when United  received negative feedback from their passengers (what a shock!). Most airlines have removed the option of food on domestic flights; while for international flights, food is still available. 

With the recent rise in oil and fuel prices, many airlines have started to remove some amenities and have started to charge for certain items.  Although, it has been a while since meals were offered on domestic flights, meals are still being offered on long flights, usually those that are going over an ocean. Even though some people tend to compare airplane food to hospital food, one still enjoys receiving a hot meal. As well as filling up your stomach at 35,000 feet in the air, this leaves more room in your carry-on (since snacks will not have to be packed) for more important items. 

So what is your opinion on this? Do you think that food should be offered on long flights and not on shorter domestic flights?

Air Canada To Remove Life Vests

In another effort to cut back costs on airlines, Air Canada Jazz has decided to remove life vests from their flights. Jazz hopes that by doing so, the airplanes will weigh less thus use less fuel. The seats on Jazz airlines can still be used as a flotation device in the case of a water landing; but there will no longer be any vests. 

According to Transport Canada regulations, any flight that is traveling roughly 56 miles from shore needs to carry a life preserver for each person on board, but anything less than that, the airlines have an option of life vests or flotation devices.  In order to make sure their flights were within the required distance, Jazz has re-routed some flights. 

The question now becomes how much further are airlines going to go to cut costs? Charging for a blanket and headphones is one thing, but removing life vests is a safety issue. Is that what the airline companies are getting to today, we'll charge you extra to be comfortable, but we really do not care much about your safety. What's next, will airlines remove the oxygen masks and fire extinguishers too?

Another Night, Another Hotel...

One of the many facets of business travel, is having to stay in hotels; wether your stay is only for a night, or for an extended period of time it can add additional stressor to your trip. The following are some tips that could help make your stay at a hotel more relaxing. 

• When registering into a hotel, ask for a room that has a window that can be opened fresh air can do wonders

• Try to get a room that is away from ice machines and elevators

• When in a foreign country, do not exchange your money in the hotel lobby. They will most likely give you the wrong exchange rate and will probably charge a commission.

• Make sure you utilize the "Do Not Disturb" sign. The cleaning maids will not wake you up, and you'll be able to have a more restful sleep.
  

• When you first get into the hotel room, make sure to adjust the temperature to your desired level

• Make sure you bring your ear plugs

• When on a business trip make sure to take some time to yourself so you can relax either by laying in bed for an extra hour or by going to the hotel's gym or pool.

• When leaving, make sure to do a double take and check over the hotel room. Nothing is worse than when you get to the airport or home and you realize that you've left your phone or charger at the hotel

These are just a few of the ways one can make their next hotel stay more enjoyable. So hopefully, the next time you have to stay in a hotel, it wont be too stressful.

Always Leaving on Short Notice?

Traveling for business can be stressful and something that can make it even more stressful is if you are always having to leave at a moment's notice. There are some helpful hints and tips that can make even the short notice business traveler fell less stressed. 

• Keep a pre-packed toiletry bag or kit

• Have a place where you keep all your chargers, adapters, and technological accessories this way you can just grab them and go

• Have a section in your closest where you are able to quickly grab outfits that go well together in a little amount of time
  

• Keep some cash handy in your carry-on bag, this way you have cash on hand even if you were unable to stop at an ATM

• If you are always departing from the same airport, take time to explore so in the future you'll know where there shortest security lines are

• Pack what you need and if the trip is for a long period of time, make sure you have clothing that can pull double duty

Of course if you know that you are going to be leaving for a business trip in advanced you'll have more time to prepare for the trip, but following these tips will help make your travel and business experience more bearable. 

Tips To Stay Health on Your Overseas Travel

When you travel you want to make sure that you stay healthy. You don't want to miss out on a new experience because you have fallen ill. The following are some hints and tips to keep you healthy on your next big adventure.

• If you are worried about the food or the drinking water in the country you are visiting talk to your doctor and he or she can prescribe you an antibiotic to take with you, just in case. (and make sure to be careful what and where you eat and drink)

• Buy travel health insurance

• Make sure to get all your shots updated before your trip

• If it is your first time traveling to a particular country, make sure to do research 

• Pack some aspirin with you in case of a midnight headache as well as your medications

• Register with the local U.S. Embassy and or consulates

• Make sure a friend or relative knows your itinerary

Stay Connected, Even At 35,000 Feet In The Air

Today it was announced on The Middle Seat, that Delta will be providing their passengers with Wi-Fi access mid flight. Delta is hoping to have 75 planes with Wi-Fi access by the end of this year and have all of their planes with Wi-Fi by summer 2009. 

Delta is planning on charging for the connivence of using Wi-Fi mid air. The price will range from $9.95 for flights that are under three hours and $12.95 for flights that are longer than three hours. This will give Delta another source of revenue; although passengers might be more willing to pay for Wi-Fi than having to pay to check their bags. 

The question then becomes will travelers want to be connected all the time? It used to be that one could relax (although the seats are not that comfortable) during their flights. The time during a flight one could catch up on reading, sleeping, or watching their favorite movie. Now that Wi-Fi is being offered the business traveler might be tempted to stay connected throughout their entire trip. 

Expect other airlines to follow suit. 

Registered Travelers Have It So Easy

Recently, the Transportation Security Administration announced that they would be expanding their Registered Traveler (RT) program. Currently, RT is being run at nineteen airports in a pilot program. Now that the TSA has announced the expansion, any airport who is interested in the program may participate, which will be exciting news for the roughly 135,000 who are already registered with the program. 

The TSA developed the RT program "to provide expedited security screening for passengers who volunteer to undergo a TSA conducted security threat assessment (STA) in order to confirm that they do not pose or are not suspected of posing a threat to transportation or national security." In order to enroll in the program, applicants have to provide biographic and biometric data, as well as pay $100 for the first year; (The TSA has removed their $28 fee) If the applicants are accepted, then they are given high tech cards which will allow them to quickly get through security. 

Some of the benefits of the RT program are: 

• Fast passage through airport security

• Access to a designated security lines
  

• A stress-free airport experience
  

• Discounts for service or concessions

Traveling For Work Can Be Fun!

Do you frequently have to travel for your work? Are you tired of always having to travel? Well it is all in the mindset. If you envision yourself having a great time on your trip then your trip will be better. On the other hand if you start the trip out in a bad mood, then you will only think about the negative aspects of your trip. Following are some ideas that could make your next business trip more enjoyable. 

When your in a new location (or even one you have been to many times before) take the time to explore. Go to the theater, museum, restaurant, a local festival, etc. This way your whole trip is not spent working. 

When on a business trip one is more likely to grab quick meals, meals which most likely are not healthy what-so-ever. When traveling try to eat healthy and exercise; you will feel and sleep better, and overall feel less stressed. 

If you can, travel by train. Trains can be a cheaper alternative to flying and in some instances, it takes the same amount of time to get to point A to B. The additional benefits of taking a train are the seats are larger, there are meals, your not as claustrophobic, and you can always look out the window at the scenery that you are passing. 

It's Travel Time: Do You Know Where Your Laptop Is?

A recent study sponsored by Dell and conducted by the Ponemon Institute indicated that on average over 10,000 laptops are stolen from airports each week. This calculates out to about 60,000 stolen laptops a year. Out of the 10,000 laptops stolen each week, only about 30% are recovered and returned to their owners. Sometimes laptops are recovered, but they stay at airports until they are disposed of.

The majority of laptops that are stolen are at security check points. It is not hard for a thief to grab one's laptop and claim it as their own; airport personnel are too busy to remember if a person had a laptop with them or not. 

For travelers (both social and business) loosing a laptop could mean a heap of trouble. There are a lot of valuable and personal information in one's laptop such as credit card information, identifying information, and even private company information is usually located in one's laptop. The research showed that the majority of travelers (about 65%) do not take precautions to secure or backup their data; most people think that it will not happen to them.

The following are some steps, taken from Network World, that one can take to help avoid their laptop from being stolen. 

• Place your laptop in the second bin. Sandwich it between other personal belongings. 

• Mark your laptop with stickers or other identifying markers. DO NOT put any personal information that thieves can use to identify you. 

• If you lose your laptop, contact airport security immediately

• If you are a frequent flyer, you might want to invest in one of the new TSA approved laptop bags

"Carry-On Cops" To Examine Your Carry-On Luggage

According to Good Morning America, some airlines have started to hire "Carry-On Cops". These cops responsibilities are to check and make sure travelers' carry-on bags are not bulky and to prevent travelers from sneaking extra bags onto the planes. Since more and more airlines have started to charge a fee to check bags, more and more travelers are trying to find ways to avoid checking their bags. Some travelers are accomplishing this by over stuffing their carry-on bags, or using a carry-on bag that is too large. This is not fair to those travelers who have paid the extra money to check their bags or to the ones who have made sure their carry on bag is the appropriate size. 

With these new cops at airports one would hope that their traveling experience would improve. The truth of the matter may be different. Now when going to the airport one will have to check their bag, get through security, and have another officer check their carry on bag to make sure it is not too bulky. It is understandable that airlines (as well as passengers) are tired of having the overhead bins over stuffed, but will having a "Carry-On Cop" solve the problem, or will it just create new ones? 

American Airlines will charge passengers $15, at the gate, if their carry on is discovered to be too large. Whereas U.S. Airways will not charge you extra money. With U.S. Airways not charging their passengers, what is going to stop travelers from bringing the bags that they intended to check and having them get checked for free at the gate?

Each airline has different rules when it comes to the size requirement for their carry on. For United, American Airlines, and Delta the limit is 45 linear inches. For U.S. Airways and Continental the limit is 51 linear inches. To figure out the linear inches for your bag use the following formula: height + width + depth

Decline in Travel Over The Fourth

According to USA Today and the American Automotive Association (AAA), there is going to be a decrease in the number of people planing to travel, via driving, over the Fourth of July weekend. AAA is predicting that roughly 40.45 million people will be traveling, which is a decrease of 1.3 percent from last year. This decrease is similar to the reduction in travel over the Memorial day weekend compared to last year. For those travelers planning on flying AAA predicts that there is going to be a 2.3 percent decrease from last year. 

The decline in travel most likely has to do with increase in gas prices as well as the added fees that airlines have recently implemented. The travel industry is trying to counteract this by offering deals and promotions. Such as free gas cards, "kids-eat-free" meal deals and car rental discounts. 

According to AAA the greatest number of automobile travelers over the weekend will be from:

1. Southeast- 8.7 million
   
2. West- 8.5 million
   
3. Midwest- 6.5 million
   
4. Northeast- 5.7 million
   
5. Great Lakes- 4.7 million
   

The greatest number of air travelers will be from:

1. West- 1.78 million
2. Southeast- 813,000
3. Midwest- 727,000
4. Northeast- 695,000
5. Great Lakes- 518,000

 

Travelers Start Your Luggage.....

Today, Live Luggage will be unveiling the first power assisted suitcase to the world. This new suitcase has been in design and development for several years. This new suitcase is power assisted meaning that the suitcase will not move on its own, but will help aid the user in the movement of their suitcase. This means there there will no longer be that struggle to lift or move your luggage if it is too heavy. 

Some of the features of this new suitcase are:

• Has a rechargeable battery with an average life of 2 hours

• The weight of the suitcase is 24 pounds (10.9 Kg), which leaves room for about 26 pounds of clothes (for an allotted weight of 50 pounds)

• Equipped with an anti-gravity handle, which puts 85% of the weight of the suitcase over the wheels

• Has a TSA approved combination lock

• Is equipped with Live Luggage's unique ID, which can help locate the suitcase in the event of loss

• A three-point adjustable handle

According to the press release, "the tilt switch/sensors only power the wheels at certain angles- between the slopes of 15% and 35%." This means, that for a slope that is less than 15%, there will be no power to the wheels. This also means that if the suitcase is accidentally dropped, power to the wheels will stop preventing the suitcase from further falling down the incline. 

Jet Lag: If It is 3 O'Clock Here, Then What Time Is It There?

According to the MayoClinic, Jet Lag, also known as time zone change syndrome , is a sleeping disorder caused by traveling across multiple time zones, which results in the upheaval of one's body rhythms, most notably one's circadian cycle. This can be a problem since one does not want to spend their vacation or business trip in bed trying to catch up on sleep. Most of the symptoms of jet lag occur if three or more time zones are passed but remember everyone is different, crossing time zones will affect everyone differently. 

Some of the common symptoms of jet lag are: 

• disorientation

• irritability

• fatigue

• swollen eyes

• headaches

• cold-like symptoms

• muscle soreness

• stomach problems 

So what can be done about jet lag? Although there is no cure for jet lag (even the most seasoned of travelers get jet lag) there are some steps that can be taken to help alleviate the symptoms. 

• If you have an important event, try to arrive a few days before so your body can adjust to the new time zone

• Try to train your body a few days a head of time. For example if traveling East to West, stay up a little later each night before you depart so once you reach your destination your body is more prepared for the time difference 

• Drink plenty of fluids and eat a high-protein diet 

• Exercise before the flight and make sure to move around during the flight as well

• Make sure to get enough sleep; sleep on the plane if you can

• Make sure to reset your watch once you get into the new time zone

Remember, not everyone is affected by jet lag and everyone has different experiences with jet lag. Before making travel plans remember to take into account the time difference. The typical rule of thumb is that it takes one day to recover for each time zone crossed. 

Trying to Travel Cheap? Try These Suggestions and Sites.

With the summer travel season approaching quickly many of you are looking to book cheap flights, especially now that there are additional fees associated with air travel, and by the look of things, it doesn't look like prices are going to go down anytime soon. The following are some suggestions on finding cheaper flights:

• Travel to popular destinations during the off season
• Book flights during the week, when air fare tends to be cheaper
• Book flights during the slow time of the year (usually around fall)
• Check for flights early in the morning, when they tend to be cheaper
• Be patient and "shop" around
• Check online booking site often (some serious travelers check every 5 hours or so

The following are some online sites that compare air fare across many different sites:

• Kayak
• Airfare Watch Dog
• Yahoo! Farechase
• Side Step
• Farecast
• Mobissimo (for international flights)
• Skyscanner (for international flights)
• dohop (for international flights)

The following are the traditional search engine travel sites:

• Cheap Tickets
• Orbits
• Expedia.com
• Priceline
• Travelocity

Sometimes you can also find deals by looking at airlines specific websites. Remember to check around to see which flights work best for you. If you find a good deal don't wait too long, since the offer could expire before you have the chance to act upon it. 

 

Stranded At the Airport?

Traveling can be a very stressful endeavor; there is only so much that one can prepare and anticipate. You have prepared to get through security, packed your suitcase with the items that you will be needing and have anticipated the extra fees that you might have to fork over. One thing that cannot be anticipated are delayed flights and unexpected layovers.  Unfortunately delayed flights and unexpected layovers do happen, but there are some things that a traveler can do to pass the time.  

1. People watch
   
2. Explore the airport
   
3. Talk with fellow airline passengers
   
4. Catch up on your reading
   
5. Go to a bookstore and catch up on current events
   
6. Call your mom, dad, or an old friend
   

Now if your flight is delayed and you have a child with you, you might consider some of the following activities:

1. Watch the planes land and take off
   
2. Walk around the terminal and see how many red, green, or blue bags can be found
   
3. Have a picnic
   
4. If the airport's floor has a pattern to it, make up a game
   
5. Find a map and talk to your child about where you are and where you are going
   
6. If the terminal has an escalator or a moving side walk take a couple of rides on it
   

These are just a few suggestions; there are plenty of other activities that can pass the time, you just have to use your imagination. 

Identification is Required to Pass

According to the TSA and many other articles, the TSA will begin a new ID requirement. This new requirement will take effect on June 21, 2008. According to the TSA website: "Passengers that willfully refuse to provide identification at security check point will be denied access to the secure area of airports." This new rule does not apply to those individuals who simple forgot or misplaced their ID and are cooperative with security personal. These individuals will have to go through an additional screening process but will be permitted (if they pass the security checks) further into the airport. Before you leave for the airport double check that you have your ID with you, you'll most likely need it when you get to your destination anyway.

Self Select Lanes Similar to Ski Icons

According to the New York Times, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has developed a way for travelers to get through checkpoint procedures quicker. Travelers can now choose a different line to wait in according to their traveling experience. The different lines that one can choose from are similar with how ski slopes define how challenging their runs are. These new lines were first introduced in Salt Lake City and Denver this past February. As of right now, these self select lanes are in 21 different airports across the continental U.S. The following are the different lines one can choose from (the visuals are our interpretations):

The Green Circle is for families and individuals who feel like they need more time. The Blue Square is for casual travelers who know the security process and are comfortable with the procedures. The Black Diamond lines are meant for frequent flyers (defined as those who travel more than twice a month). 

Paperless Boarding Passes

Having to carry around a paper-boarding pass is starting to become a thing of the past. Now, more and more airports are adapting the paper-less boarding passes offered by Continental Airlines. Currently these new paper-less boarding passes are being used at Huston’s Intercontinental, Reagan Washington National, Boston’s Logan Airport and Newark Liberty International.

According to the TSA, These new boarding passes will be in the form of two-dimensional bar codes, which will be e-mailed to the passenger’s cell phone. Travelers will still have to show proof of identification when passing through security, but will no longer have to carry a paper-boarding pass. Security personal will be able to quickly scan the passenger’s cell phone with little hassle. Unlike flat bar codes (the ones consumers see daily) two –dimensional bar codes can carry more information and is harder to tamper with.

According to the New York Times, if the 240 members of the International Air Transport Association start using these bar codes that it can save the airline industry roughly $500 million annual! The hope is that once these two-dimensional bar codes are being used exclusively, that foreign airlines will begin to use them as well. One just has to remember to pack extra batteries and/or their charging cables so your phone will not loose power.

Airport Security Approved Laptop Bags

The Transportation Security Administration, (TSA) just announced that they would be allowing passengers to keep their laptops in specialty designed laptop bags when they go through x-ray machines. The TSA has given design guidelines to manufactures such as Skooba and Targus who will be taking the first stab at designing these new bags. These new laptop bags will allow passengers to keep their laptops secure while stilling letting security officials x-ray your laptop and the bag.

The TSA is hoping that these new bags will make the screening time quicker, since passengers will no longer have to remove their laptops. Unfortunately, some passengers may try and sneak their laptops in bags that do not meet these guidelines. This will in fact make the screening time longer since security personnel will have to remove the laptop and thoroughly check the bag and laptop.

Until the TSA has approved these new bags, the best thing to do would be to be prepared to take your laptop out of your bag. If you have your laptop ready for screening you will be able to get through security a bit quicker since you are already prepared.

Traveling With Your Kids

Taking a family vacation can be fun, but traveling to your destination with children can be taxing. There are many websites out there that are devoted to giving advice when it comes to traveling with kids. The following are some tips and strategies for traveling with children taken from some of these specialty sites.

• Things do not always go as planned; the same is true when traveling with children. Try to have a positive attitude and it will rub off on your children.
• When taking an airplane- if possible plan the flight around your child’s nap schedule
• Take toys to entertain your children. Stay away from toys that have small parts that can get lost easily.
• Books, stickers, crayons and paper are great ways to entertain children
• Make sure to take some of your child’s medication with you such as children’s Tylenol
• Pack some laundry detergent with you so you can do a quick spot wash in the hotel sink
• Bring baby wipes; they can be used to clean anything from faces to tables
• When traveling by plane, make sure you inform your children of the security process. Let them know that they will have to take off their shoes and that they will get them back
• Before boarding the plane- use the bathroom since the ones on planes are small and cramped
• Make sure to bring a change of clothes for you and your children
• Due to cabin pressure; your ears will pop. Pack some hard candies, pacifier, or bottle to give to your children during take off and landing

There are some airports that are kid-friendly. At Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport there is a designated play area for kids. If you are planning non flying, check out the airport’s web page to see if there are any family friendly attractions or areas in the airport. There are also some games and activities that you and your child can play while waiting in a terminal. Such as:

• People watching
• Airplane watching
• Conveyor belts
• Counting how many ‘red’ bags can be found
• Counting seats
• Explore by walking around the terminal

Additional web pages devoted to traveling with your children:

Flying With Kids, Kids Can Travel, Travel With Your Kids, Traveling With Kids

American Airlines to Charge for Checking Bags

According to ABC News and the Wall Street Journal, American Airlines will be charging $15 to check a bag. This new fee comes on the heels of numerous other airlines announcing that they will be charging $25 to check a second bag. American is hoping that the new fee will help them end up in the black by the end of the fiscal year. With crude oil prices being higher than ever, airlines are having to look for new ways to improve their bottom line. Some airlines are charging for amenities such as a blanket, more leg room or an aisle seat, while other airlines are limiting the number of flights they offer. To some individuals, the implementation of this new fee is not a surprise. One would assume that competitors of American Airlines will get more business since they do not require such a fee. But in order for the competing airlines to make money, they will have to cut costs in other areas, whether it be amenities or the number of available flights.



So what does this new fee mean to passengers? This new fee will probably make the number of carry-on bags increase, which will mean that there will be fighting over the already limited overhead space. What happens if you plan on storing your bag into the overhead bin and there is no room? You'd better be prepared to fork over the extra money to have it checked. How much longer will it be before all the airlines start to implement similar fees?

Getting Through Security

One of the greatest stressors about traveling by plane is getting through airport security. Going through security can take a long time and can be very intrusive. There are some ways that one can expedite their security check. Here are some suggestions on how to reduce your stress.