Tagged: fees

Two More Airlines Start Charging for the First Checked Bag: Will Free Bags Go Extinct?

Sorry, Canada. Your Westjet just decided to start charging standard passengers for the first checked bag. One would think that would give rival Air Canada in an advantageous position…

Pay-As-You-Use Budget Hotels: Growing Worldwide, But Still Foreign to Americans

Tune Hotel Asoke, BangkokA few years ago in Europe, a new breed of budget hotel began to emerge, epitomized by Lindemann's hotels in Berlin. Although it was a generally…

Valet Padding: Another Trick Hotels Use to Suck More Cash Out of You

Fairmont Newport Beach: One of many hotels with mandatory valetPretty much everyone thinks resort fees are slimy. Yet the consumer uprising against them has merely simmered for…

Some Airlines Let You Bring Your Belongings But Not Take Them Back Home: Carry-On Rules are Erratically Enforced

I have just returned from an international trip. As you can probably imagine of a travel journalist, I have my packing down to a science. I take my standard amount every time. On my…

Confused About Navigating the Airport? One of Them Will Take $80 to Guide You Through It

More and more, airlines stand to make a lot more money when airports do their jobs inefficiently. Last month, I told you about how one airline at JFK was raking in fees for instant…

While We're Discussing Fee-Free Cards, Here's One That Charges No ATM Fees

Arthur Frommer recently let you know about the United Plus Explorer card, which waives the foreign transaction fee the way the famous Capital One suite of cards does. That card (in…

Plan Ahead or Do It On the Spot: The Conundrum of Modern Vacations

United Airlines caused a stir two days ago when it announced that travelers could now “subscribe” to its fees. Pay one lump sum in advance—$349, so that’s one big lump sum…

The Airlines Sometimes Profit when the TSA Does its Job Inefficiently

On Saturday morning at JFK, the line for passengers to have their I.D.s inspected by the Transportation Security Administration was extraordinarily long, and the lines to go through…

Airlines Make You Miserable to Maximize Profits, And It's Unfair to the Crew

On U.S. Airways, boarding announcements are like a comedy sketch. Gone are the days when getting on a plane was a simple matter of passengers who need extra time, then first class,…

United Jacks its Change fee to $200. What's the Real Cost?

Is the $200 change fee coming? No, it's already here.United is the first airline to jack up the fee it charges to passengers who need to amend their domestic travel plans. Now…

Travel Troubleshooter: But No One Told Me the Pool Was Closed

Renee Fasanella's son is booked at a water park for spring break. Problem is, none of the pools are open. Why didn't anyone mention that, and can he get his money back?Q: I thought I…

Where to Ski this Winter: U.S. Resort Upgrades & Improvements

Ski resorts from coast to coast were busy this summer with all sorts of upgrades and improvements on-mountain and in the villages below. From newer and faster lifts to bigger and…

Flying 10 Years After 9-11: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Ten years after 9-11, it's both harder and safer to fly. We have fewer airline and flight choices, we pay less for tickets but more in fees, and airport security can be really, really…

How to Use Travel Forums Effectively

Back in 2007, I planned my three-week honeymoon to Southeast Asia relying solely on information I found on online travel forums. The detailed tips I received from mostly anonymous…

Frequent-Flier Tips: How to Earn Elite Status More Quickly

To make air travel more enjoyable, and even less costly, Airfarewatchdog (www.airfarewatchdog.com) strongly recommends attaining elite status with a single airline -- and its…

Caribbean Calling: 3 Family-Friendly Vacation Packages

Spring is an excellent time of year to book a Caribbean getaway, as marquee resorts pull out all the stops to fill their rooms through the summer and fall. Here are three travel…

How to Stay Safe During Spring Break Escapes

For weeks now, there's been nothing but bad news for people planning spring break getaways.First, the clamor of warnings against going to Mexico rose when the Texas Department of…

Ask the Family Travel Expert: Smoky Mountains with Kids

Question: We've planned a family trip to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg during the week following Christmas. Can you give us some ideas for what to visit and do while we're there? Our…

Seattle's Gay-Friendly Neighborhoods Decorate with Public Art

Despite its reputation for stormy weather, Seattle adorns its fecund terrain with a surprising variety of outdoor art. The Emerald City is, in an abstract sense, a piece of beautiful…

LGBT Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in London

With an improved exchange rate, mild climate, and no shortage of things to do, London remains fabulous for travelers keen on urban vacations. To top it off, for gay, lesbian,…

How to See a Bullfight in Madrid

Love it or hate it, bull fighting -- heck, bulls in general -- are big business in the city of Madrid. In fact, bullfighters -- often-short, sequin-outfitted men -- are the country's…

Photo Slideshow: 5 Literary Walks Around the World

Click to view slideshowBooks set the scene for travel, and the destinations themselves are often the protagonist. Join one of these literary tours, and you can discover how these…

After the Quake: Chile's Tourism is Open for Business

While the aftershocks of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake are expected to continue for up to a month, many in Chile's tourism industry are concerned that they'll feel the rumblings in…

The Able Traveler: San Francisco's Cultural Treats for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

At first glance, San Francisco doesn't appear to be the best choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers; after all, wheelchairs and hills just don't mix. But appearances can de…

October's Prize: Win a Trip for Two to Ireland

Nestled in the quaint village of Killenard, just southwest of Dublin, winner and a guest will spend six nights at the Heritage Golf & Spa Resort. With easy access to the capital…