Five great travel booking sites

Five great travel booking sites
By Brad Tuttle (Budget Travel) -- The following five sites have proven the most consistently useful for the editors of Budget Travel, who do thousands of ...
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Travel habits prompt conflict of interest concerns

Travel habits prompt conflict of interest concerns
WASHINGTON — Pentagon employees have received millions of dollars in free travel and lodging from foreign countries, trade groups and companies with an ...
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Memorial Day weekend: travel advisories and tips

Memorial Day weekend: travel advisories and tips
Sticking around the Bay Area this Memorial Day weekend? Should be business-as-usual traffic-wise with no major road closures planned. ...
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Memorial Day weekend travel forecast to fall

Memorial Day weekend travel forecast to fall
A survey found that of those planning to travel during the holiday weekend this year, 83% will go by car. 2.3% fewer Southern Californians will be heading ...
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CDC Lifts Warning on Mexico Travel

CDC Lifts Warning on Mexico Travel
While the H1N1 influenza outbreak is believed to have started in Mexico the virus is now in most parts of the US so limiting travel to Mexico wouldn't slow ...
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AAA: Memorial Day to spur travel

AAA: Memorial Day to spur travel
Far lower gas prices coupled with deeply discounted hotel rates, should lead 32.4 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday ...
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Vacation-phobia: Top 5 travel fears

Vacation-phobia: Top 5 travel fears
“When we called our online travel agency to cancel, they told us we'd lose almost half what we paid for the trip,” she says. “The news told everyone to ...
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Cuban American travel to Cuba on the rise

Cuban American travel to Cuba on the rise
Legislation lifting all travel restrictions on US citizens travelling to Cuba was introduced in Congress just over a month ago, and with a slight thaw in ...
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Swine flu and low travel may hurt Elizabeth Arden

Swine flu and low travel may hurt Elizabeth Arden
AP , 05.05.09, 02:57 PM EDT A decline in airline travel and the swine flu may hurt Elizabeth Arden's travel retail business, an analyst said on Tuesday, ...
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Airlines Seek to Reassure Passengers in Outbreak

PARIS — Lufthansa has placed a doctor on board each of its flights to Mexico; American Airlines has issued medical kits to cabin crews; British Airways is distributing face masks; and Alaska Airways is removing pillows as fears of a flu pandemic rattle the global aviation industry. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Swine flu and travel plans: Stay informed on H1N1 virus

Because the situation with the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu, is fluid, travelers need as much information as possible before making travel decisions. Here's what you need to consider as you make or rearrange travel plans. Keep current. Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web page at www.cdc.gov/swineflu for basic information on symptoms and updates and latimes.com or other media outlets for breaking news. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines upset with Biden's suggestion to avoid air travel

Airlines upset with Biden's suggestion to avoid air travel because ...
Airlines are upset with Vice President Joseph Biden's suggestion Thursday to avoid air travel and mass transit systems, and to not visit places impacted by ...
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Feds see no current cause to avoid travel to US

Feds see no current cause to avoid travel to US
A top federal health official says he believe it is "premature" to urge people not to travel to the United States in the ...
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Premium Air Travel Keeps Declining

Premium Air Travel Keeps Declining
Wall Street Journal
By KAVERI NITHTHYANANTHAN LONDON -- Global premium air travel fell for the ninth straight month in February as passengers felt the pinch of the economic ...
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US to Lift Some Curbs on Travel to Cuba

US to Lift Some Curbs on Travel to Cuba
Wall Street Journal
The president has authority to loosen the restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba on his own. The new rules will affect an estimated 1.5 million ...
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Ban on travel to Cuba may be lifted

A bipartisan group of senators predicted Tuesday that Congress was ready to pass legislation to allow all Americans to travel to Cuba.Removing the travel ban would produce a burst of tourism, create thousands of jobs and generate as much as $1.6 billion in business a year, an independent research group said. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

How to avoid travel fees

NEW YORK—Here are some common travel fees and charges you can look to cut out, potentially saving hundreds of dollars a year.
Ask hotels and resorts if they charge fees for amenities like fitness centers or pools when you make a reservation, and again when you check in, advises David Lytle, editorial director of Frommers.com. If you're not going to use certain facilities, negotiate with the hotel before you sign anything that allows them to bill your credit card, he advised. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

United Airlines Settles Porn Suit

A lawsuit by a former flight attendant against United Airlines has been settled out of court.
UPI reports Captain Lisa Stout complained to her superiors when she kept finding pornographic materials in the cockpits of airplanes on domestic airline flights. She claimed between 2004 and 2005, it happened 20 times... and furthermore, her complaints resulted in retaliation rather than appropriate measures to identify the individuals responsible. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airline Deals Are Soaring

With the U.S. recession raging, air fares sit at bargain-basement levels on many routes. Business travelers are being lured with double-mile promotions. And airlines are only deepening the discounts as they near the end of a dreadful winter quarter. In the past week, for example, a bevy of bargains has been unleashed: Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) is offering one-way fares between Australia and California for $299, and New York for $399. United Airlines (UAUA) is selling a new Moscow route for as low as $119 one way, before taxes and fees. American (AMR) has fares from Chicago to Dublin for $147. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Add-on software apps make iPhone a great travel partner

Tech-savvy road warriors are enjoying a new era of handheld computing as more sophisticated smartphone software floods the market.
The iPhone, in particular, has amassed more than 900 applications targeting business or leisure travelers. Many applications are free, and others range from 99 cents to $19.99. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

U.S. airlines losing less luggage

Airlines lost 1.3 million fewer bags in 2008, as more passengers wheeled, dragged and toted their luggage aboard planes to avoid paying new fees to check bags, federal data show.Passenger reports of lost or destroyed luggage on domestic flights operated by the 20 largest U.S. airlines plunged by one-third last year versus 2007, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, with improvements most noticeable during the fall, when fees for the first checked bag became commonplace. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

U.S. Lawmakers travel lavishly on VIP luxury Air Force jets, stay in upscale hotels

WASHINGTON - U.S. lawmakers traveled around the globe during Congress' winter recess on VIP luxury Air Force jets, the U.S. television program Inside Edition says.Using hidden cameras, a reporter and producer from the syndicated show reported that the members of Congress frequently brought their spouses along on the trips to European destinations, where they stayed in upscale hotels. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Congress easing restrictions on Cuba travel

WASHINGTON — Democrats controlling Congress are loosening restrictions on allowing people of Cuban descent to visit their relatives on the island.
A huge bill wrapping up last year's budget would block enforcement of restrictions imposed by President Bush in 2004 on family travel to Cuba. The Bush rules limit family visits to once every three years for no more than 14 days. Travel spending is now capped at $50 per day.
Once signed by Obama, the legislation would allow Cuban-Americans to travel to Cuba once a year to visit relatives, spend up to $170 a day and visit for an unlimited duration. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

US Airways to restore free beverages

After taking considerable heat, US Airways has decided to resume free in-flight beverage service starting March 1.
Last year amid rising fuel costs, airlines piled on new fees for checked luggage, blankets, and other formerly complimentary amenities. US Airways, however, came under particularly tough criticism after it began charging $1 for coffee and tea and $2 for bottled water and soft drinks -- fees that its competitors opted not to match. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Peanuts on Northwest Airlines prompt protests

ATLANTA, Georgia - The return of peanuts to the snack menu at Northwest Airlines this month has prompted a spasm of protests from travelers with allergies. The change comes four months after Northwest merged with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and in the midst of a national salmonella outbreak involving Peanut Corporation of America. Georgia, where the company has a plant, is the top peanut-producing state in the country. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Southwest Air To Offer In-Flight Wi-Fi

Southwest Airlines is planning to outfit four aircraft with Wi-Fi access for passengers by early March. The airline said the service, which is based on Row 44's satellite technology, will be free during a trial period.
Southwest is the latest airline to offer Wi-Fi service to passengers as airlines throughout the world rush to supply online technology to their customers. Row 44's satellite service is competing with air-to-ground technology offered by Aircell in the US. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Surprising number of companies cut travel spending

Twice as many U.S. companies as previously expected are cutting their travel spending this year in response to economic weakness and uncertainty.
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives says 71% of its member companies now plan to spend less on travel this year than in 2008. That's a huge and unprecedented shift in corporate travel managers' plans from just five months ago, says Susan Gurley, the association's executive director. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines forced to repack exit slides

American Airlines crews had to inspect and test the exit slides on about 272 aircraft last week after a mechanic discovered a "potential problem" with the way the work had been done, the carrier said Monday.
The slides were found to be working on all of American's McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets, but they had been packed and stowed on the planes using the wrong tool, said a spokesman for the airline. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

US Airways to charge for pillows

US Airways passengers soon won't find free pillows and blankets in the overhead bin anymore, unless they're flying first class or to Europe.
Later this month, the Tempe-based airline will replace them with a reusable pillow-and-blanket kit that will sell for $7 in-flight and online.
The kit, which officials had said they were considering, is US Airways' latest move to boost revenue by charging for things that previously were free. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines will carry 41 million fewer passengers this year

The nation’s airlines will carry 41 million fewer passengers this year, according to a new forecast, and the industry won’t begin to rebound until 2010 at the earliest.
The projection from the Boyd Group, an aviation consulting firm in Evergreen, Colo., predicted that the airline industry will take in $25 billion less through 2011, unless ticket prices are increased significantly. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Passport applications plunge as recession chokes off foreign travel

With the recession choking foreign travel, passport applications are plunging and the workload at the State Department is easing enough that those applying are getting their documents in three weeks or less.The State Department said last week that it expected to issue 12 million passports this fiscal year, about 25% fewer than last year. In early December, it was forecasting 17 million passports for the year ending Sept. 30. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines Extends Offer of Free Companion Ticket for Future Travel to United Kingdom or Caribbean

FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines has extended a special offer that rewards customers who fly round trip from the United States to the United Kingdom with a free* companion ticket for future travel to the UK or to select destinations in the Caribbean.
Now through March 31, simply fly American Airlines round trip in First Class or Business Class, or on select Economy Class fares from the United States to the United Kingdom, and earn the free companion ticket for future travel. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines won't furlough more flight attendants

American Airlines Inc. apparently won't have to furlough additional flight attendants, with sufficient employees volunteering to take leaves, early departures or other options to reduce the number of working flight attendants.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendents told its members today that they'd been told that there won't be the 200 to 400 layoffs that had been threatened two weeks earlier. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Arbitrator rules against flight attendants

An arbitrator has ruled that Midwest Airlines Inc.’s decision to operate a fleet of regional jets is permissible under a union contract with its flight attendants.
On Sept. 3, 2008, Oak Creek-based Midwest Airlines entered into an airline services agreement with Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings Inc. to operate a fleet of Embraer 170 aircraft under the Midwest Connect brand. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines serving Houston seek brighter skies this year

The nation’s airlines, which began 2008 suffering under high fuel prices and ended by slashing capacity as the global economy weakened, are hoping for a smoother ride in 2009.
The industry has lost money lately, but many analysts predict this year could be profitable as airlines operate fewer, but fuller, planes.
Carriers begin reporting fourth-quarter and full-year 2008 financial results this week, with United and American airlines kicking off earnings season today. Both are expected to post losses.
Houston-based Continental Airlines is scheduled to release earnings next week, when it too is expected to be in the red. While Continental and Southwest airlines dominate Houston air traffic, there are nine mainline carriers that serve the two main airports. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Troops are restricted on travel to Mexico

In response to the "prolonged, escalating violence" in Mexico, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force has tightened regulations for all Marines who want to travel south of the border, officials said.Lt. Gen. Samuel Holland has ordered that all Marines and sailors under his command seek a "liberty chit" from a lieutenant colonel. In the past, that regulation has applied only to younger enlisted ranks. Marines and sailors cannot travel alone to Mexico and must use the buddy system. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

U.S. Institutes New Security Requirements for Foreign Visitors

Effective Monday, travelers visiting the United States from 35 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must be approved for travel electronically prior to boarding a carrier to the United States via the country's new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced this week. Initially launched in August 2008, the Web-based system requires international travelers to pre-register online for travel authorization in order to ascertain whether or not they pose a security risk. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines continue good run in on-time performance

The U.S. airlines' on-time performance improved in November compared to the same month a year ago, but worsened slightly compared to October, according to government data released today.
The 19 carriers filing information reported an on-time rate of 83.3% in November, higher than November 2007's 80%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines Starts the New Year Right With Great Low Fares to Destinations Near and Far

Here's a great way to jump start the new year: Grab a great low fare on American Airlines and take a trip to somewhere exciting in the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Europe or Asia. Wherever you pick you can't go wrong, because American is offering very attractive fares throughout much of its worldwide route network. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

How to find a good travel agent

As a rule, most travel agents are well-trained, competent professionals who work hard for you. But there are exceptions to every rule. Take Kathleen Rossano of East Brunswick, N.J., who was recently sentenced to a 10-year prison term for stealing more than $75,000 from her travel agency. Prosecutors had charged her with offering luxury vacations to her friends, taking cash payments, billing the expenses to her agency's credit card and then pocketing the money. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

US travel rules change for those not needing visa

LONDON — U.S. officials say people from countries that do not need visas to enter the United States must begin registering under a new travel authorization program before making their journey.
Travelers from the 35 countries are asked to obtain an authorization from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at least 72 hours before their flight departs to the U.S. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Continental Airlines uses biofuel on test flight

Continental Airlines Inc. ratcheted up the race to develop alternate fuel for passenger planes Wednesday as it successfully flew a Boeing 737 twin-engine jet powered partly by algae and weed. The two-hour test flight over Houston, where the carrier's headquarters is located, involved powering one of the two engines with a mix of 50% kerosene and a blend of fuel derived from algae and jatropha, a weed that bears oil-producing seeds. No passengers were on board. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines fly into new year with wave of fare sales

ATLANTA — A wave of fare sales has spread across the airline industry in the early days of the new year as the weak economy continues to put pressure on carriers to fill seats even after they drastically reduced capacity and some expressed willingness to cut more.
Many experts and even executives at some airlines had expected that after deep capacity cuts went into effect starting in September, the number of fare sales going forward would be fewer and farther between. But fuel prices have come down significantly, and the weak economy has eroded demand for air travel. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Inauguration travel tip: text

For those planning a trip to DC for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, chances are you’re already hearing tales of the crowds and transportation woes that are predicted for the city on Jan. 20. But today, the Washington Post highlighted another potential limit to modern convenience during the event: cell phone service. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Strategies to stretch your travel dollars in '09

The economic tailspin ensures that 2009 will be a travel year like no other. We're already seeing hefty discounts, but beyond that, who knows?So rather than deliver dubious prognostications about prices and trends, I offer five New Year's resolutions for the savvy vacationer. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage