Articles

Trends & Hacks

Article / Air Travel

Why Is the Clear Airfares Act Left Sitting on the Tarmac?

If you've ever been hit with a surprise fee when you rented a car or booked an airline ticket and found yourself saying, 'There ought to be a law,' I have some good news for you: There…

Article / Cruise

Cruise Lines and the Environment: The Industry's Take

Nobody in their right mind would say that cruise ships are good for the environment. But there is more to the story: Cruise lines are experimenting with environmental technologies and…

Article / Air Travel

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: Checkpoint Checkout

TSA checkpoint staff aren't your friends, but they aren't your enemies either, and life goes more smoothly if you make things easy for them.

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

When Travel Companies Sue Their Customers

When travel operators get desperate, they sometimes look to their customers for someone to blame. You can help yourself avoid legal trouble by taking precautions when you travel.

Article / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: A Canceled Room, But No Refund

After a death in the family, our reader tries to cancel his pre-paid reservation at a Days Inn, but the rate is totally nonrefundable. Appeals to Days Inn are useless. Is he going to…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

10 Questions Most Frequently Asked By Travelers

With governments imposing new security rules, airlines teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and many hotels facing foreclosure, travelers often have more questions than answers. Here…

Article / Air Travel

Should Airlines Honor Fares That Are Obvious Mistakes?

In an age when airfares drop as low as $1 on some routes, how can you tell the difference between a real deal and a fat finger mistake? And how should the airlines make things right?

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: An Australia Tour That Wasn't Meant to Be

First our reader's flight is canceled. Then she misses another flight after her bus breaks down. Finally, she cancels her Australia tour. And then the tour operator refuses her request…

Article / Air Travel

Flight Check: Toronto to Tel Aviv on EL AL

Since the thwarted airline attack on Christmas Day, many travelers have been asking why U.S. airlines can't have security like Israel's national carrier, EL AL. I'm one of them,…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Find a Cheaper Car Rental Rate Away From the Airport

You can save over half off the price on your next car rental if you skip the airport agencies, but this won't always lower your total cost. Here's why.

Article / Air Travel

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: How To Dodge The Lines at Top U.S. Airports

According to the Transportation Security Administration, lines at security checkpoints aren't a problem any more. For those of us who've experienced otherwise, here are a few ways to…

Article / Cruise

Small Lines Make Mouths Water at Gourmet Beach Parties

Small boutique ships carry so few passengers that they can drop anchor off a deserted beach, pack their hampers, and bring everyone ashore for a picnic. Here are some of the best

Article / Air Travel

Why You May Be Better off With a Cash Back Credit Card Than a Frequent Flyer One

The bonus miles you can earn with an airline miles credit card can be tempting, but once you've collected the come on bonus, take a second look.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: A Canceled Flight and a Missing Refund

Our reader's flight is canceled, but Expedia is dragging its feet on a refund. The reason? The airlines involved haven't sent the money to the agency yet. Why should our reader wait?

Article / Air Travel

Transportation Department Steps Up Efforts in Aviation Consumer Protection

Even air travelers are impressed with the 'new' Department of Transportation, which, if you listen to the buzz, appears to be protecting consumers for the first time in years.

Article / Cruise

Our Favorite Picks: Embarkation Ports, Dream Cruises and Favorite Moments

Cruises are not created equal. Some offer better value or higher quality service than others, some are fancy schmancy and others are yee-haa casual. There's something for nearly…

Article / Air Travel

What? You're Still Paying the Airlines to Carry Your Bags?

Now that the airlines have raised their fees for checked bags yet again, it's time to take another look at the alternative: shipping your bags.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: One Year Later, Still No Refund

Our reader cancels her flight when her father falls ill. He soon dies, and she hopes the airline will refund her nonrefundable ticket. Will the airline keep her money?

Article / Air Travel

5 Easy Ways to Avoid a la Carte Anarchy When You Fly

It used to be so simple: The price you were quoted for an airline ticket, rental car or cruise used to be the price you actually paid. Here's how you can avoid being nickel and dimed.

Article / Air Travel

Airport Report: Checking in on Mexico City's Budget Alternative

Toluca has been a convenient alternative for Mexicans since it opened in 2002 -- kind of like Burbank near Los Angeles -- but now that both Southwest and Continental offer non-stops…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

7 Trips You Should Never Book Online

Some vacations should never be booked through anyone but a travel agent, and a honeymoon is arguably one of them. But there are others, too, as travelers have discovered the hard way.

Article / Cruise

McMansions of the Seas: The Dawn of the Affordable Suite

In the old days, your average mainstream ship might only have a handful suites, and they were generally snapped up at full fare by the big spenders. Now there are more options for rest…

Article / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: You Call That a Two-Star Hotel?

When our reader books a two-star hotel he expects a reliable property with minimal amenities -- not the dump he ends up in. He asks Hotwire if he can change and it says 'no.' What now?

Article / Air Travel

Flying Under the Influence of the TSA: What Now?

Since the last time we wrote about the Transportation Security Administration, the agency charged with protecting air travel has encountered some unexpected turbulence

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

5 Common Travel Mistakes -- and How to Fix Them

Tired of being penny-pinched and disappointed? These basic rules can help you protect your next trip from unforeseen problems and travel headaches.