Articles

Trends & Hacks

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Are Airlines Cheating On Their Taxes?

A traveler discovers that his domestic plane ticket has international taxes and customs fees bundled into the price. Is it a system error or are airlines tacking on extra taxes?

Article / Hotels

Best Apps and Websites for Booking a Hotel Tonight

Need a hotel tonight? We road test apps and websites to find the best options for budget bookings.

Article / Hotels

BackBid Promises a Better Hotel Deal, but At What Price?

A new site lets hotels bid for your business. How will travelers benefit from all the competition?

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

Travel Troubleshooter: Insurance Doesn't Cover My Trip Cancellation

Is it ever a good idea to buy flight insurance through the airline's site? This traveler learns this lesson the hard way after her vacation is canceled and rescheduled.

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Pay a Seat Reservation Fee -- or Your Kids Don't Fly With You

Afraid that his three kids will be moved to another flight, a traveler pays extra for premium seats -- and peace of mind. Have airlines gone too far to earn extra money from seat…

Article / Air Travel

Four All-inclusive Nights in Cancun, from $729 With Air

Hit the beach at this all-inclusive resort in Cancun, and save $198 per person.

Article / Air Travel

New Airline Rules Yet to be Enforced

Even as the Department of Transportation levies record fines on airlines, the new airline rules to protect travelers aren't being enforced. What was the point of those rules again?

Article / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: Hey, That's No Four-Star Hotel!

A traveler uses an online travel agency to reserve a four-star hotel but feels cheated when the hotel winds up being a three-star property. What gives?

Article / Hotels

That's Ridiculous! A Best Rate Guarantee with the Worst Service

Travelers share their horror stories of getting hotels to honor any best rate guarantees. Should the misleading booking policy be banned?

Article / Air Travel

Six Nights in Ireland, from $999 With Air

Explore Ireland's countryside with this spring deal, which saves you more than $400 per person and includes stays at castles and abbeys.

Article / Air Travel

On Travel Sites, the Pre-Checked Box Checks Out

Travelers who have been duped into buying travel insurance via a pre-checked box may now have reason to rejoice. Online travel companies are slowly stopping the sneaky practice.

Article / Miscellaneous

Best Non-Travel Apps for Travelers

Five essential non-travel apps and websites that will make your vacation or business trip all the more enjoyable and productive.

Article / Packages

Three Nights in Scottsdale, from $600 With Air

Looking for some sun or a spa getaway? This Delta Vacations package to Scottsdale will save you $143.50 per person

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! First the Fine Print, Then the Fare Code?

What happens when a 'best fare guarantee' has fine print that's almost impossible to discover? Here's what one polite email can do to make things better.

Article / Air Travel

Consultants Help Turn Frequent-Flier Awards Into Tickets -- For a Price

Does it pay to redeem frequent-flier miles for plane tickets? Or do travelers actually end up paying to use the loyalty points?

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Wow, That's Some Luggage Fee!

A traveler receives a nasty surprise when she has to pay €500 ($671) to check her bags. Should the online travel agency, which misinformed her about the extra fees, cough up a…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

That's Ridiculous! Car Rental Companies Double My Rate Because I'm Not American

Is it fair if a car rental company charges you more money based on your nationality?

Article / Air Travel

Six Nights in Oahu & Kauai, from $909 With Air

Save $175 per person with this six-night Hawaii package, which includes airfare, three nights in Oahu, three nights in Kauai, and breakfast daily.

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Who's Afraid to Drive on the Left-hand Side?

U.S. travelers need to be especially cautious if they plan to rent a car in Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! The Travel Experience is Improving -- Isn't It?

Are travelers experiencing better service than a decade ago? Or do all the ridiculous fees and travel scams indicate that things are worse than ever before?

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: No Refund for Derailed Train Trip

Does this traveler's substandard train experience warrant a full refund from Amtrak?

Article / Air Travel

Athens & Istanbul for Six Nights, from $1,439 With Air

Head to Athens and Istanbul this spring, and save about $200 per person on this six-night stay.

Article / Hotels

That's Ridiculous! Why Don't Hotels Advertise "All-In" Prices?

Given the uproar over airfare pricing, should hotels still be allowed to hide taxes, mandatory resort fees, and other charges that inflate your total room rate?

Article / Air Travel

Bill Aims to Scuttle New Airfare Pricing Rule

Politicians, airlines, and consumers appear to be at odds when it comes to the government's new airfare pricing rule. Will consumers win or lose in the end?

Article / Hotels

How to Rent a Villa in Tuscany

What you need to know before you trade in that urban hotel for a house in the Italian countryside.