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Air Travel

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: When the Airline Says You Have No Ticket

This week's Travel Troubleshooter finds out what happens when you book a package deal but the provider forgets to buy your plane ticket.

Article / Air Travel

The Best Frequent Flier Programs for Infrequent Fliers

Unless you're a road warrior, it'll take you years to build up enough miles just by flying to get a free ticket. Here are the best ways for the little guy to earn and spend miles.

Article / Air Travel

Fall Travel Deal: Four Nights in Florence, from $749 With Air

This week's Smart Deal gives you airfare plus four nights' hotel in Florence, Venice, or Rome -- all for under $800 this fall.

Article / Air Travel

How to Beat Jet Lag: Top Tips from Experts

Resetting your watch when you travel is easy. Resetting your brain is a lot more difficult, which is why Jet Lag challenges even the savviest of travelers

Article / Air Travel

Passenger Rights: Why It Pays to Know EU 261

If you're flying to Europe, know your rights as a passenger. EU 261 is Europe's equivalent of Rule 240, which compensates you in the event of denied boarding.

Article / Air Travel

How Much Does an Airline Ticket Really Cost?

Once you add the price of a checked bag, a confirmed seat reservation, and a day-old turkey sandwich, you'll pay more than you expected.

Article / Air Travel

Are the TSA's 3-1-1 Liquid Rules Still Enforced?

The Transportation Security Administration's unpopular restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage -- better known as the 3-1-1 rule -- are history. Well, probably.

Article / Air Travel

How to Travel With Pets: Why Leaving them at Home May Be Better

If you're thinking of flying with your pet, I have one word of advice: Don't. Traveling by plane with pets is not only expensive, it's fraught with danger for your dog or cat.

Article / Air Travel

Confessions of a Frequent-Flier Program Skeptic

There's a steep and hidden price to be paid when you collect miles. The game can easily turn into an obsession that disables your common sense and compels you to make irrational…

Article / Air Travel

How to Complain to the Airlines: Effective Ways to Get Ahead

Air travel isn't always fun. Things go wrong. But it's often worth complaining to the airlines and seeing what you can get for your travel inconveniences.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Help! My Refund is Missing in Action

A traveler closes her bank account before receiving a refund from the airline. What are her options, and how can you avoid landing in a similar situation?

Article / Air Travel

Saying "No" to the TSA's Full-Body Scans May Come at a Price

Have second thoughts about those full-body scanners being used at airports by the Transportation Security Administration? Then the agency charged with protecting the nation's…

Article / Air Travel

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: Airline Worst-Case Scenarios

What do you do when a volcano or some other accident or act of nature brings your trip to a halt? Here are 6 ways to prepare for and manage airline worst-case scenarios.

Article / Air Travel

Maiden Voyages: What You Can Learn From a First-Time Air Traveler

Flying has become such an unbelievably humiliating experience, it's no wonder there are still people out there who haven't flown. Can these 'never-evers' teach you anything? I think so.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Two Change Fees on One Ticket, and Zero Help

A traveler contacts British Airways to change her plane ticket just as her sister calls from Spain with the same request. Charged twice in different currencies, is this traveler out of…

Article / Air Travel

Flight Check: Los Angeles to Honolulu on American

What to expect from American Airlines on one of the most popular routes from the U.S. west coast to Hawaii.

Article / Air Travel

What's Next For Airlines, Paying by the Pound?

Now that one airline has announced plans to begin charging for carry-on bags this summer -- that's right, carry-on bags -- the question everyone seems to be asking is: What's next?

Article / Air Travel

The Lies Pet Owners Tell When Traveling

Instead of paying extra 'pet fees' to hotels or airlines, owners are spiriting their animal companions into their bags or under blankets in the hope of saving a few bucks.

Article / Air Travel

No Airline Cookie Conspiracy? What About This Trail of Crumbs?

Do airlines and online travel agencies surreptitiously use computer 'cookies' to track your activity on their sites and then raise prices when it appears that you're interested in a…

Article / Air Travel

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: Secrets of Airline Seating

Your seat is where you spend your flight, and travelers have strong feelings about those uncomfortable frames of fabric and metal. Here's how to get the most out of your personal space.

Article / Air Travel

Flight Check: Los Angeles to Zurich on Swiss

Johnny Jet checks in to see if you can really take off and land like clockwork with Switzerland's national carrier.

Article / Air Travel

How Unbundling Fees Make Airlines a Bundle of Cash

Lately, the industry has been busy unbundling services that traditionally came with a seat, such as baggage checking, seat reservations, and even the ability to pay by credit card.

Article / Air Travel

Can't Get No Satisfaction From the Airlines? File a Grievance in 140 Characters or Less

In the time it takes you to get through to customer service, you can tweet your question or comment. And, depending on the airline, you may get your answer and get on you way.

Article / Air Travel

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: How to Decode Code Shares

Code shares are lies the airline industry tells to make their lives easier. They take one airline's flight and stamp another airline's name on it. Here's what's wrong and what's right…

Article / Air Travel

Labor Disputes at American Airlines and British Airways Put Travel Plans at Risk

What should a traveler do when faced with the prospect that their flight's crew may walk a picket line with a placard rather than the aisle with a drinks trolley? Find out here how to…