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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…

Article / Air Travel

Washington Trade Groups Want Their Piece of Pie in the Sky

What kind of law would really improve your travel experience next year? Here's what the industry trade groups want you to believe.

Article / Air Travel

A Holiday Survival Guide: 5 Things You Absolutely Must Know

The upcoming travel season will be different than past ones in several important ways. You need more than promises of warm fuzzies. You need a survival guide.

Article / Cruise

Scenic Explorations in Norwegian Waters and Cities

Of my nearly 100 cruises over the past 15 years, there is a handful that have really stood out above the rest. One was a cruise I took with my family last summer aboard the 'Costa…

Article / Hotels

Ask the Family Travel Expert: How to Stay in an Irish Castle, Lighthouse, or Manor

For a family trip to Ireland next summer, one family is looking for one place to stay for one week. They hate the idea of having to unpack and repack every day, and would like to find…

Article / Hotels

Nakation, Anyone? 5 Reasons to Bare All on Your Next Vacation

Would you consider baring everything on your next vacation? Here are five reasons that may make the less encumbered escape more attractive next time around.

Article / Air Travel

London's Best Bargains: Saving Money on Your Family Trip

With London's surprise tumble from number 2 to number 19 in the list of the world's most expensive cities and the dollar generally strong (compared to recent years, at least) against…

Article / Air Travel

Why the Transportation Security Administration Likes to Keep You Guessing

Shoes on, or off? Laptop computer in the bag, or on the conveyor belt? And tickets: middle name, middle initial or just first and last? Why the confusion may be good for you (but is…

Article / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: Hotwire's Half-Star Mistake

Our reader books a four-star hotel on Hotwire, and ends up with the three-and-a-half star one she didn't want. Hotwire claims it just changed its ratings and she cries foul. Is she…

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: A Canceled Flight, a Missing Refund

When our reader's honeymoon flight is delayed by two days, she buys a ticket on another carrier with the promise of a refund from her first airline. But now that the honeymoon is over,…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

10 Questions To Ask Your Travel Insurance Provider

Travel insurance is a tricky, slippery world, but we've identified 10 good questions to ask any broker or insurance company to get you started.

Article / Cruise

How Young is Too Young? You Must Be This Old to Cruise

When's the right time to take kids on a cruise? And how do you find help taking care of them once you're all on board? Refer to our quick and handy chart for all the major lines.

Article / Cruise

Oasis of the Seas: The Game-Changer Cometh

She's finally here: 'Oasis of the Seas,' the 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger colossus that cost Royal Caribbean $1.4 billion and nine to ten million working hours to design and build. And…

Article / Air Travel

It's Holiday Travel Time! You Heard It Here First!

Which holiday travel tips are cliches that should be ignored, and which are bona fide, you-must-do-this advice? If you've been reading these stories as long as I have, you must be…

Article / Air Travel

Don't Fly High: 7 Reasons to Lose the Booze

When I proposed an alcohol ban on flights more than a decade ago the response from readers was a resounding 'no.' But a lot has changed since then. Here are a few reasons for keeping…

Article / Air Travel

Don't Let Holiday Shopping Frequent Flyer Miles Slip Through Your Fingers

Travelers forgo millions of frequent flyer miles each holiday season because they forget to buy from their favorite online merchants via links at the airlines' shopping mall websites.…