Articles

Air Travel

Article / Air Travel

Stay Seated? What You Need to Know About Flying This Week

Flyers should arrive at airports hours in advance and expect confusing security arrangements while the government sorts things out in the wake of a passenger's attempt to light an…

Article / Air Travel

The Olympian Task of Going Head-to-Head With a Travel Business

How do you define a successful argument with a travel provider? For some customers, it's money. And for others it's that sense of satisfaction when the company is shamed in public.

Article / Air Travel

The DOT Sneaks in Passengers Rights Before the End of the Year

Just in time for the holidays, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood handed U.S. airline passengers a long-awaited present in the form of new regulations governing excessive tarmac…

Article / Air Travel

Flight Check: Toronto to New York City on Porter

Canadian friendliness, easy access to flights, and decent prices are making Porter a leader on Toronto to U.S. flights.

Article / Air Travel

If You're Nice, Maybe You'll Get a Seat Next to Santa

Go on. Ask your airline for a favor. While you're at it, see whether your hotel will offer you a suite for the price of a standard room. The answer could be yes.

Article / Air Travel

Washington Trade Groups Want Their Piece of Pie in the Sky

What kind of law would really improve your travel experience next year? Here's what the industry trade groups want you to believe.

Article / Air Travel

A Holiday Survival Guide: 5 Things You Absolutely Must Know

The upcoming travel season will be different than past ones in several important ways. You need more than promises of warm fuzzies. You need a survival guide.

Article / Air Travel

London's Best Bargains: Saving Money on Your Family Trip

With London's surprise tumble from number 2 to number 19 in the list of the world's most expensive cities and the dollar generally strong (compared to recent years, at least) against…

Article / Air Travel

Why the Transportation Security Administration Likes to Keep You Guessing

Shoes on, or off? Laptop computer in the bag, or on the conveyor belt? And tickets: middle name, middle initial or just first and last? Why the confusion may be good for you (but is…

Article / Air Travel

It's Holiday Travel Time! You Heard It Here First!

Which holiday travel tips are cliches that should be ignored, and which are bona fide, you-must-do-this advice? If you've been reading these stories as long as I have, you must be…

Article / Air Travel

Don't Fly High: 7 Reasons to Lose the Booze

When I proposed an alcohol ban on flights more than a decade ago the response from readers was a resounding 'no.' But a lot has changed since then. Here are a few reasons for keeping…

Article / Air Travel

Don't Let Holiday Shopping Frequent Flyer Miles Slip Through Your Fingers

Travelers forgo millions of frequent flyer miles each holiday season because they forget to buy from their favorite online merchants via links at the airlines' shopping mall websites.…

Article / Air Travel

Traveling Smart and Healthy With Children This Holiday Season

Airline surcharges, swine flu, and the trials of traveling with children will keep some people home for the holidays. Here are nine ways to keep you healthy, richer, and more relaxed…

Article / Air Travel

Home for the Holidays? Our Annual Calendar of the Best Days to Fly

The total gutting of the American economy encouraged lower airfares for those who could still afford to fly home for the holidays. But as those much-spoken-about 'green shoots' come up…

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: One Airline Ticket for the Price of Two

Our reader's flight from LA to Dallas has all the makings of a trip from hell, including weather delays, cancellations, and almost-missed flights. What could be worse? Having to pay…

Article / Air Travel

6 Really Nice Ways to Get Your Way When You Travel

Is politeness a new form of currency in travel? Could a smile be more effective in getting preferential treatment than elite-level status or the amount of money you paid for your…

Article / Air Travel

Is Upgrading Using Miles Just a Wild Fare Chase?

It's not easy to snag an upgradeable seat at a reasonable fare, as major U.S.-based airlines have tinkered with their upgrade policies and changed mileage requirements and the eligible…

Article / Air Travel

Air Chapter 11: 5 Tips for Surviving the Bankrupt Skies

One day -- maybe soon -- you could be flying the bankrupt skies. How will that affect your trip? Here's how you can prepare.

Article / Air Travel

How to Find Trip Security When You're Insecure About Your Job

Worried about forfeiting your airfare and vacation if you get canned? Insurance policies offer protection.

Article / Air Travel

8 Tips for Getting a Better Airplane Seat

Now, more than ever, upgrading can be a trip-saver. Here are eight ways to help make your next flight more comfortable without paying -- or cramping -- an arm and a leg.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: A Bankrupt Airline Ruined My Honeymoon

Our reader's airline goes out of business, but Travelocity assures her the Hawaii honeymoon flight is still a go -- but that doesn't happen. She's forced to buy new tickets and now the…

Article / Air Travel

Airfarewatchdog's 11 Ticket Buying Tips

You may know the basics to getting lower fares on your flights, but Airfarewatchdog.com has gathered some additional advice that will save you money next time you're shopping for a…

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: My Airline's Giving Me the Cold Shoulder

Our reader books seven tickets on Icelandair's website. Then it bills her twice and cancels her tickets. Rebooking will cost $100 apiece. Plus, there's still a $6,897 charge on her…

Article / Air Travel

The Baggage "Insurance" Airlines Never Tell You About

Excess valuation can come in handy when you're flying with valuables. Never heard of this? The airline isn't likely to tell you about it unless you ask. So let us explain.

Article / Air Travel

7 Ways to Avoid Checked Luggage Fees

Airlines are depending on ancillary revenues in general, and luggage fees in particular, more than ever. Here's how air travelers can be more vigilant than ever about avoiding them.