Fewer Americans to travel over July 4 holiday

For the first time in this decade, AAA is predicting a decline in Americans traveling during the Fourth of July holiday. "It does seem like gas prices and the economy have finally caught up with people," said Marie Montgomery Nordhues, spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest in the AAA federation, with more than 6 million members. In a report released today, AAA said about 1.3% fewer Americans will travel over Fourth of July than during last year's holiday; in the West, the estimated decline was 0.8%. For Memorial Day, AAA had predicted a nearly 1% drop nationally. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Gas prices aren't crimping Texans' travel plans

Steep gas prices and a sluggish economy aren’t keeping some Texans from heading out of town this summer. Fifty-three percent of AAA Texas members said they plan to travel as much as they did last year, according to a survey by the travel club released Wednesday.
Survival Guide: Tips and tricks for reducing pain at the pump
AAA Texas said 15 percent of its members plan to take more trips than last year and 31 percent said they’d take fewer getaways. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline Cutbacks

High fuel prices are threatening airlines across the country.These are hard times for major airline hubs and a small airport like Idaho Falls could fall victim to some major cutbacks. According to a recent study conducted for Business Travel Coalition, Idaho Falls was identified as one of the 100 regional markets most likely to lose some or all of its services. Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Have gadget, will travel - WHAT DEVICES GO IN YOUR SUITCASE WHEN PACKING FOR A TRIP?

It's vacation season, and when it comes to packing for a long trip, some things are no-brainers. But what gadgets do you take?
Well, that depends. Some, like cameras, are close to must-haves. Others, like laptops, are much more discretionary.
The decision about whether to take a particular gadget is usually not as simple as whether to pack a certain shirt or pair of shoes. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline changes alliance - Continental moving to Star, from SkyTeam

Continental Airlines agreed yesterday to join United Airlines in an alliance of international carriers that will allow business passengers to reach more cities in Asia and Europe.
Continental will join the Star Alliance, a group of airlines that cooperate in selling flights on international routes. The largest carrier at Newark Liberty International Airport, Continental will pull out of SkyTeam, an alliance that includes Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines. Delta is merging with Northwest. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Who's exempt from new airline baggage fees?

Amid all the hemming and hawing over American, United, and now US Airways charging extra fees for all checked baggage ($15 for the first, $25 for the second), some of you may have missed the fact that these fees do not apply to everyone. Some passengers—in particular, travelers going overseas, elite-level frequent flyers, and early bookers—can get by without having to pay for their first and second checked bags. You're exempt from the new checked baggage fees if you fall into one or more of the following categories: More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline Satisfaction at 3-Year Low

Researchers at J.D. Power & Associates weren't surprised to find that customer satisfaction with the North American airline industry has hit a three-year low.
Linda Hirneise, executive director of the research firm, said, "It was surprising to learn that customers are less concerned about paying higher fees than about what they see as a decline in the quality of customer service. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airports Lose Service as Carriers Struggle

At airports around the country, employees said details released about where and when Continental Airlines is cutting service will pose a huge challenge in continuing to provide travelers with access to the skies.
Starting in September, Continental will offer fewer seats out of its Newark, Houston and Cleveland hubs, discontinuing service entirely from those hubs to several cities in the United States and abroad. As a result, Continental will no longer be an option in nine U.S. cities, the airline announced. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Bankruptcies seen for major airlines

FORT WORTH, Texas - All of the major airlines could be in bankruptcy by early next year if oil prices stay where they are, a new study predicts. The grim analysis by the consulting firm AirlineForecasts was commissioned by the Business Travel Coalition. Its author concludes that the airline industry is in a full-blown crisis "and heading toward a catastrophe." More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

US online travel registration program supported by NBTA

North America’s National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has come out in support of the new online registration process to be implemented by the United States Government.
“The U.S. Congress created an excellent framework for simultaneously expanding the Visa Waiver Program and enhancing the program’s security,” said Bill Connors, NBTA Executive Director & COO.
The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) sees those travellers who are entitled to visa-free travel into the US, when staying within a 90-day period, first registering their travel and personal details online before boarding a plane or ship. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

US air travel options shrink amid carrier strife

CHICAGO, Illilnois - First it was soaring ticket prices and vanishing bargain fares, then new baggage fees. Now air travelers are facing dwindling choices for when they can fly and where — even to such popular tourist destinations as Las Vegas and Orlando.
The squeeze, a byproduct of record oil prices that are pushing airlines toward financial disaster, accelerated Wednesday when United Airlines announced plans to take 70 more jets out of service and cut domestic capacity by 17 to 18 percent in 2008-09. Its discount unit Ted will be shut down and 1,100 additional jobs eliminated, with more to follow. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

United Air to reduce fleet, cut jobs

NEW YORK - United Airlines said Wednesday it will reduce its fleet by 100 planes by 2009 and will cut 1,400 to 1,600 jobs to stave off losses related to fuel costs.
United, owned by UAL Corp., said it was culling 94 B737s and six B747s from its fleet. The airline is getting rid of its entire fleet of B737s, which it identified as its "oldest and least fuel-efficient" planes. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

US to require online travel registration

WASHINGTON - The United States said Tuesday that visitors from closely allied countries like Britain and Japan will soon have to register personal details online at least three days before arrival.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who announced the changes Tuesday, said they will help the United States boost security of its visa-free travel program by allowing the government to screen visitors before they travel. Currently, visitors fill out paper forms on route and are screened by U.S. customs agents upon entry.
The United States will begin implementing the changes in August, Chertoff said. Online registration will be mandatory for all visa-free travel by Jan. 12. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News