Articles

Trends & Hacks

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.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Poof! There Go My SkyMiles

Our reader's Delta SkyMiles are gone -- all 101,000 of them. They were never supposed to expire, but the airline changed its rules without telling him. Does he have any chance of…

Article / Miscellaneous

Digital Travel Photography: Planning Your Trip from a Photo Perspective

The anticipation leading up to your departure can be delightful, especially if you spend some of that time planning your trip. Here's what you need to take and what to remember.

Article / Timing Your Trip

Post-Holiday Travel Bargains Abound, But Are They Worth It?

After the New Year's holiday occupancy rates and prices plunge to their lowest levels in months. So why might you ignore the deals and stay home during the first week of the year?

Article / Air Travel

Airport Security: Back To Normal -- Mostly

Flying is getting mostly back to normal after a solid week of uncertainties and over-reactions, although some airports and airlines are enforcing new carry-on bag restrictions.

Article / Miscellaneous

Digital Travel Photography: Backing Up and Sharing Your Images

'Having a wonderful time; wish you were here!' is never truer than when you've got some great photos to share. Fortunately, sharing your images has never been easier, and you don't…

Article / Miscellaneous

Digital Travel Photography: Recommended Resources

Want to get started shooting? Here are the websites, magazines, and books that are essential resources for digital photographers.

Article / Miscellaneous

Digital Travel Photography: Sharing Images While Traveling

If you have access to a computer while traveling, you have several ways of backing up your photos and sharing them using the Internet.

Article / Air Travel

Flying in the Snow: 6 Lessons for Coping With Winter-Weather Delays

Last weekend's blizzard was a warning to air travelers: Winter is only starting, and when bad weather moves in, your flight schedule isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Charged Too Soon For My Hotel Stay

Our reader books a refundable rate at the Holiday Inn, but when the hotel changes its name and his card is charged early, it refuses to adjust his rate to a cheaper, prepaid price. Is…

Article / Air Travel

Gifts From Above: 7 Presents We Wish Airlines Would Give Us

This was supposed to be a feel-good column where readers share what presents they wanted from the travel industry. Then readers shared their not so warm and fuzzy thoughts.

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 / Cruise

Ship Report: Cruising the Norwegian Fjords on the Costa Atlantica

In the spirit of balance of harmony, it takes both a great itinerary and a great ship to equal a great travel experience. Atlantica's Norwegian route and ship-board atmosphere make a…

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 / Hotels

Renovation Regrets: 6 Questions to Ask Before Staying at a New Hotel

Newly refurbished hotel rooms don't always live up to guests' expectations. What should you ask before you stay in a remodeled hotel? Here's what the experts have to say.

Article / Cruise

Travel Troubleshooter: An All-Inclusive Hotel That Wasn't

Our reader makes a pre-cruise hotel reservation through Celebrity at an all-inclusive that is anything but. Although it's the cruise line's fault, they won't help. Isn't she entitled…