Articles

Jason Cochran

Article / Family & Kids

Disney Slashes Prices for Kids and Brings Back Free Meals This Summer

Publicly, executives at the Walt Disney Company insist that the May opening of Universal's Epic Universe doesn't have them spooked at all. Sure, it's the first full theme park to open…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

Can You Really Get Water Past TSA by Claiming It's "Medical"? Fact-Checking Social Media

An Instagrammer says he figured out how to get full-size bottles of water past Transportation Security Administration checkpoints."Here's the greatest travel hack of all time,"…

Article / Cruise

5 Things Cruise Passengers Must Remember to Do—or Else Get Soaked for Thousands of Dollars

Put your smartphone in airplane mode.As TheStreet warns: "It’s not uncommon to hear horror stories of first-time cruisers who neglected to put their phones in airplane mode, only to…

Article / Hotels

Leaving Airbnb: How to Find a Safe, High-Quality Vacation Rental on Your Own

Even giants can fall if they grow too big. The problems with Airbnb are legion, and not getting much better.Many travelers want to find a new method for finding vacation rentals.…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Rocky Mountaineer's U.S. Scenic Rail Train Gets Easier, Cheaper, and a New Name

A well-received scenic rail service through the red-rock canyons of the American west will expand its service options in 2026, making it easier to use.In 2021, the Rocky Mountaineer,…

Article / National Parks

Which National Park Facilities Are Closed Because of Trump's Actions? How to Find Out

As you prepare to pay your federal income tax again this year, take special note of how much less you're getting from your government for your money now.The National Park Service (NPS)…

Article / National Parks

Full List of 34 Targeted National Park Leases: "Parks Being Dismantled Before Our Eyes"

The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate the National Park Service leases of at least 34 buildings that function as visitor centers, law enforcement offices, museums,…

Article / Packing & Luggage

When Stuff Gets Left Behind at the TSA, the U.S. Government Sells It on This Site

Every travel blog and morning TV show seems to have unpacked every last detail about Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, Alabama. The store where your luggage might wind up for sale if…

Article / Theme Park

Disney Is Poised to Solve its Lightning Lane Disaster—But at What Cost?

We don't have to tell you that just about everything in the life of an American consumer seems to be degrading in quality, from useless AI chatbots replacing the assistance of live…

Article / Hotels

Florence Bans Key Lockboxes in Its Effort to Drive Out Vacation Rentals

As vacation rental properties continue to hollow out traditional neighborhoods, European cities have found themselves in a battle for their futures.One European destination determined…

Article / Hotels

Here's Why More and More People are Done with Airbnb—It's Quite a List

"The 'Airbnb effect' is crumbling," warned TheStreet.com in 2023, as evidence mounted that homeowners had seen collapses of as much as 47% in key U.S. vacation markets following the…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

Get a Global Entry Interview Appointment Faster: These Services Find Availability

Americans who travel internationally on a regular basis have come to love Global Entry. It's the government-run program, active since 2008, that allows preapproved members to skip the…

Article / Slideshows

Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs: A Tour of His Hangouts

He sang about Chicago and New York, but Frank Sinatra, who would have turned 100 in 2015, usually did it his way at his California home, Palm Springs . You can still visit the places…

Article / Money and Fees

Uber Changed Its Settings to Charge Travelers Extra Fees: Here's How to Undo It

When Americans pay for something in other countries and they're asked if they would rather charge their accounts in the local currency or in U.S. dollars, only one correct choice will…

Article / Air Travel

For $486 Each Way, the "First-Ever" Nonstop Flights Between Puglia, Italy, and the USA

It's always happy news when an airline makes it easier and cheaper for Americans to reach new destinations.This week, Italy-based Neos Airlines announced that it will soon inaugurate…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

If You Need a US Passport in the Next Year, You'd Better Apply Now

The last time the United States faced major disruptions in the federal government, wait times for passports soared. Starting in March 2020, pandemic-related understaffing in the U.S.…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

What to Do When Your Tour Company Goes Out of Business

Travel vendors go bankrupt—it happens. But there are things travelers can do to protect themselves from that possibility.

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

Here Are the Only Official Ways to Apply for the UK's New ETA

Whenever there's a new wrinkle in travel, ne'er-do-wells are quick to appear to take advantage of any confusion.In 2025, one of those new changes is the United Kingdom's Electronic…

Article / Theme Park

Disney World's Purge Begins: Last Chance to See These Things Before They're Destroyed

When the Walt Disney Company proudly announced that it planned to spend an estimated $60 billion over the coming decade to "accelerate and expand investment" in the company's theme…

Article / Cruise

Celebrity Cruises Announces It’s Getting Into Small-Boat European River Cruising

Celebrity announced that it has ordered 10 ships that will ply European rivers starting in 2027.The line has already booked berth space, but it did not announce where.Celebrity’s…

Article / Passportable

Long Hiking Tradition Ends As Canada Closes Border on the Pacific Crest Trail

Canada closes its connection to the Pacific Crest Trail, a landmark for international hikers, in response to changes in U.S. policy.

Article / Passportable

Do You Have to Pay the UK's New ETA if You're Changing Planes? The Rules Just Changed

Let's not dwell too long on what a convoluted mess the rollout of the United Kingdom's new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) has been. It's enough to note that nothing seems to go…

Article / Passportable

New Royal Caribbean Discount Codes: 60% Off Second Guest and Kids Sail Free

Cruise "wave season," the prime period for discounts, is here, and two worthwhile new deals from Royal Caribbean have just ridden the surf into vacationers' wallets.From now until…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Amtrak Discounts: A Guide to Cheaper Train Tickets

Use these promo codes and dedicated links to save up to 60% on your train ticket.

Article / Passportable

Get Amtrak's USA Rail Pass for Nearly Half Off in January Flash Sale

You have until the end of Friday, January 17, to buy a USA Rail Pass from Amtrak for just $299. The usual price is $499.The USA Rail Pass is like Amtrak's version of Europe's Eurail…