Articles

Trends & Hacks

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Navigating the Bewildering New World of Car Rentals

As vehicles become more sophisticated, travelers who rent cars should be able to cover the basics -- such as turning on the ignition -- before leaving the lot.

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Oh, Did I Offend You?

Angry readers sound off on recent debates about the types of annoying airline passengers.

Article / Air Travel

Three Nights in Napa Valley, from $683 With Air

Looking for a last-minute Valentine's Day trip? This three-night wine country package with airfare will save you more than $230 when compared to booking each component separately.

Article / Air Travel

10 Ways to Preserve Your Frequent-Flier Miles -- Without Flying or Using an Airline Credit Card

Use these 10 tricks to keep your mileage account active, and you can avoid the heartache of expired frequent-flier miles.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Why Can't I Transit Through London?

A traveler without the necessary visa for a layover is denied boarding. Should the airline have rerouted the passenger instead of turning him away?

Article / Air Travel

Four Nights in the Dominican Republic, from $499 With Air

Save nearly $225 per person by booking this Dominican Republic package, which includes airfare and four nights at an all-inclusive resort.

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Revenue-hungry Airlines Play "Chicken" with Passengers

Travelers who are reluctant to pay in advance for better seats or checked luggage can sometimes score last-minute freebies. But most travelers end up losing, thanks to all the extra…

Article / Air Travel

What Google's Little Flight Search Problem Means for Travelers

Does Google's improved Flight Search service hint at a future when the company controls too much?

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Travel Troubleshooter: "Maybe I Should've Taken a Picture of My Rental"

A traveler is shocked when a rental-car agency comes after her with a bill for nearly $500 in damages. How can this traveler prove that she didn't dent the car?

Article / Air Travel

New Rules for Airline Fees: Partial Victory for Travelers?

Here's what to expect when new U.S. Department of Transportation rules on airline pricing go into effect in late January.

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Should We Ban Jumbo Air Travelers -- or Junior?

When it comes to deciding which type of traveler is the most annoying airline passenger, would you rather ban obese passengers or screaming babies?

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Travel Troubleshooter: The Additional Driver Fee That Won't Get Lost

A traveler is surprised to learn that he'll have to pay extra for his wife to drive the rental car. Should this sneaky fee be refunded?

Article / Air Travel

Six-Night Ireland Vacation, from $899 With Air

Save up to about $200 by booking this six-night Ireland vacation, which includes airfare, a rental car, and even a night in a 17th-century castle.

Article / Air Travel

In-Flight Internet: What to Expect in the Air

Here's what to expect from online access when you're flying the largest domestic U.S. airlines. Hint: Not much.

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Are Cashless Toll Roads a Hazard for Car Renters?

Some rental-car agencies charge pricey administrative fees to cover processing small traffic violations. Here's what to look out for.

Article / Air Travel

Three-Night Winter Getaway to Cancun, from $305 With Air

Save up to about $450 if you book this affordable Cancun package, which includes airfare and three nights at a beachfront resort.

Article / Air Travel

A Holiday Surprise From the Travel Industry

In the spirit of the holidays, remember that even the smallest gesture of kindness can improve a fellow traveler's day.

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Airline Passengers Go to War Over Bin Space

A traveler's desperate scramble to claim space in the overhead bin can be avoided -- at least if the airline industry implemented one of these three solutions.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Maybe I Won't Be Home for Christmas

A technical error and a declined credit card leaves this traveler with no confirmed plane tickets for holiday travel. Should the airline or the online travel agency have notified this…

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! US Airways Charges Family Extra to Sit Together

Should airlines be allowed to charge extra for parents who need to sit next to their kids on flights?

Article / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: The Lights Went Out, but They Kept My Money

A trip turns into a nightmare after a power outage means no hot water, heat, or lights at the hotel. Do these travelers deserve a full refund?

Article / Hotels

That's Ridiculous! My Hotel Promised a Refund, But My Travel Agency Refused

In case you ever need to dispute a charge on your credit card, follow the example of this traveler -- he received a $282 hotel refund by getting the company's promise in writing.

Article / Cruise

Christmas Ham & Hanukkah Challah: How Cruise Lines Deck the Decks for the Holidays

During the holidays, cruise ships have special menus, music, and entertainment -- and sometimes even faux snow flurries in the Caribbean.

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Travel Troubleshooter: A $481 Bill for Rental-Car Damage I Didn't Do

How could this claim for nearly $500 in rental-car damages have been avoided? Plus, find out how readers helped this traveler win her case against the car rental company.

Article / Air Travel

Holiday Travel Tips: How to Get Through Airport Security Faster

Before you head to the airport this winter, brush up on what's allowed and what's banned at airport security checkpoints. Skip the snow globe, leave presents unwrapped, download the…