Articles

Trends & Hacks

Article / Hotels

Where to Find Legal Short-Term Apartment Stays in New York City

New York has banned short-term apartment rentals, but short-term lodgings remain legal, whether they're technically classed as hotels or through some other loophole.

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

How to Avoid Buying Unwanted Travel Insurance

Watch out for these common pitfalls so you don't inadvertently buy trip insurance.

Article / Hotels

What New York State's Illegal Hotels Law Means for Travelers

Is your hotel room in New York City really legal? What you need to know about short-term apartment rentals.

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 / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: Overcharged For My Hotel in New York

A major hotel chain refuses to honor a traveler's group-rate reservation, resulting in an extra $250 charge. How can this traveler get her money back?

Article / Cruise

Best Honeymoon Cruise Ships: 9 Small Ships for Big Romantics

A short list of intimate, small-ship sailing options for all you romantics out there. These ships have cozy romance written all over them, whether due to their look, their onboard…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

How Bad Companies Turn Customers Into Critics: It's in the Fine Print

Travel companies take liberties when it comes to their obligation to their customers, and management sees the maneuverings as profit opportunities.

Article / Packages

Last-Minute Travel Deal: Three Nights in Hawaii from $459 With Air

This week's Smart Deal gets you an Oahu vacation for less.

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

The Gulf of Mexico Needs Tourists to Swim Against the Tide

As tens of thousands of travelers cancel their beach vacations in the wake of the massive oil spill, a small number of tourists will swim against the tide. Too bad it's just a small…

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 / Hotels

Hotels Maximum Occupancy Rules: Should You Try to Beat Them?

Cramming the family into just one roo breaks a hotel's maximum occupancy rules but it saves money. What to be prepared for if you break the rules.

Article / Packing & Luggage

Packing Tips: 4 Things to Take (or Leave Behind) When You Travel

For all the travelers who have succumbed to buying cheesy souvenirs, here are some packing guidelines on what to keep and and what to skip. How many sombreros or berets do you really…

Article / Cruise

A Review of NCL's Norwegian Epic: A Flawed Giant with Va-Va-Voom

Can the Norwegian Epic live up to all the hype? From the dining options to the bathroom design that's a colossal mistake, writer Matt Hannafin susses out all the details in this ship…

Article / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: I Didn't Wake Up Happy at My Hotel

A traveler thinks she books two nonsmoking rooms through Hotels.com, but winds up with two smoky rooms that make her family feel ill. Should this online travel agency have guaranteed…

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 / Money and Fees

They Canceled My Hotel Room (And I Can't Get It Back)

A traveler's Priceline reservation is mistakenly canceled when he calls to add an extra night. Here's what you should do if you're ever in a similar situation.

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: When Kids Fly Alone

Sending an unaccompanied minor on a flight can be anxiety-inducing for everyone involved. Streamline the trip by following these simple steps and knowing what to pack for your child.

Article / Hotels

Affordable Lodging: A Café-Turned-Hostel in Taxco, Mexico

Mexico is full of budget-friendly destinations, but this could be one of the cheapest: A popular café in Taxco has added a hostel, which is free if you spend a certain amount in the…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

6 Bad Car Rental Rules and How to Steer Clear of Them

The price of renting a car can quickly add up once you add in all the extra fees. Here are six simple ways to help keep your rental costs under control.

Article / Cruise

Ask the Cruise Experts: 600 Ships and Counting

With so many cruise lines to choose from, how can you pick just one? Get some advice from these four cruise experts, who have collectively sailed on more than 600(!) ships.

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

How to Protect Yourself Against Travel 'Phishing' Scams

Desperate pleas from traveling friends in need are just the latest kind of online scams that can sap your bank accounts and leave you in need. Here's what to look out for.

Article / Cruise

How to Choose a Lesbian or Gay-Friendly Cruise

You want to cruise, but you want something more than an occasional 'Friends of Dorothy' gathering. Here's how you can be yourself -- solo, with your sweetheart, or your kids.

Article / Cruise

7 Cruise Policies That Hurt Cruisers

Whether it's asking you to pay extra for fine dining, or dumb laws that prevent you from boarding your vessel, you won't fail to find something absurd about traveling by sea.