Articles

Trends & Hacks

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: A Ski Vacation that Was All Downhill

Our reader prepays for a hotel at a ski resort during Christmas. She misses her plane, then has to cancel her make-up vacation, too. The hotel is giving her until May to use the…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

Travel Health & Safety: Is My Airplane Too Old?

Are some planes just too old to be safe? And is a newer plane always safer than an older one? For the answer our writer looks into fleets foreign and domestic.

Article / Air Travel

How to Get Home for the Holidays For Less: Our Annual Calendar for the Cheapest Days to Fly

Our exclusive calendar mixes the fare findings of three top websites, giving you the most comprehensive look at low holiday fares on the web.

Article / Money and Fees

Undecided Traveler? 5 Questions to Ask Before Voting

It's up to us to figure out the real traveler's candidate. Here are five questions that might help.

Article / Cruise

Travel Troubleshooter: Two Bills, One Collection Agency -- and Zero Options?

Before our reader books a cruise through Travelocity, her screen goes blank and she loses her reservation. But before long, a collections agency is after her to pay for the missing…

Article / Cruise

Travel Troubleshooter: Uh-Oh, My Anniversary Cruise is Sunk

Our reader's 25th anniversary cruise is booked using Marriott award points. But when the hotel chain doesn't renewing its agreement with Carnival, it cancels the cruise. Can it do that?

Article / Money and Fees

Dump This! 7 Things Airlines Should Jettison from Their Planes Now

Is there anything the airlines haven't tried to remove from their planes? As a matter of fact, yes. Here are seven they should consider.

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Bus Trips are Back: Forget Flying and Take Coaches Instead of Cars

With gas relatively high, perhaps we should consider going old school and let someone else do the driving while we sit back, relax, take in the sights, and make new friends from around…

Article / Cruise

The QE2 Sails into the Sunset, Heading East

A series of valedictory voyages that this month saw the venerable 'Queen Elizabeth 2' liner calling for the last time on American ports that she's graced for nearly four decades.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Hey Priceline, I Want My Taxes Back

When our reader cancels his trip to Istanbul, he tries to get a refund for the taxes and fees on his flight. But his online travel agent is giving him the runaround. How does he get…

Article / Cruise

What the Economy Sours, Cruise Rates Sweeten: Here's What the Experts Think

The good news: Tough times usually mean some good deals are out there. To take advantage of the current buying opportunity, here are some tips from a group of experienced travel agents.

Article / Money and Fees

8 Reasons Your Travel Company is Ignoring You

Here are the biggest mistakes made by complaining travelers. Avoid these errors and you'll probably get a prompt answer -- if not a resolution -- from your travel company.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Insurance is Extra on This "Hot" Mexican Car

Our reader pays for a rental car through Hotwire.com, but gets strong-armed into buying extra insurance at the car rental counter in Mexico. Is there any way of getting his money back?

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

Obama and McCain Strike Out on Travelers' Issues

In this intense presidential campaign, the two major candidates have talked about many issues, but they've said very little about issues affecting travelers. Here's where we think they…

Article / Cruise

Art on Board: What Ships Hang When They Want to Look Good

Cruise lines spend millions per ship on art, commissioning works and buying pieces from emerging artists and masters alike. What's it all add up to?

Article / Cruise

Princess Reports Passengers' Favorite Alaska Excursions -- and We Report Ours

Princess Cruises has announced the winners of its ninth annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards, which recognize Alaska's best shore excursions. We've added our own perspective -- and…

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: A Married Name, A Singular Headache

When our newly married flyer puts the wrong name on her airline ticket the carrier demands $400 to get it right. Is that right?

Article / Cruise

October's Prize: Win a Cruise for Two to Scandinavia!

Frommers.com and www.goscandinavia.com/citybreaks are sending one lucky winner & a guest on a cruise to Scandinavia! Register now to win this vacation!

Article / Miscellaneous

Travel Writing 101: Becoming an Expert

Want to get a writing assignment? Make a name for yourself by developing expertise based on geography and curiosity.

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

3 Ways to Deal With Emergency Travel

What happens when you a family member's health fails and you have to alter your flight plans or cancel part of a trip altogether? Here's what happened to three relatives.

Article / Cruise

Cruising Carnival Victory to Canada: 10 Tips to Make it Work

With first-time cruisers along for the ride, we had pressure to make this a wonderful debut. So from the start I started trouble-shooting a list of ways to do so from the start.

Article / Cruise

Galveston Whacked by Hurricane Ike: Historic Sites Damaged, Port Closed, Ships Rerouted

On September 12-13, Hurricane Ike and its related storm surge hit the Texas port city of Galveston like a hammer, wrecking homes and businesses -- including it's port -- downing trees…

Article / Air Travel

New Sites Make Booking Low-Fare European Airlines Easier

Europe's many low-fare airlines don't show up on major search engines. Now, new search engines let you scan low-fare airlines more easily than ever -- even hooking them up with flights…

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Pick Up the Phone, Pay Twice the Price

Our reader runs into a snag when he tries to buy an airline ticket online for his mother. So he calls the online agency and is sold a ticket that costs twice the online rate. Do rates…

Article / Money and Fees

Pauline Frommer's Spend Less, See More Tips for Not Getting Bumped

In this series of monthly tips, you'll find some terrific tips to help you make the most of every trip. This time around, find out how you can avoid getting bumped, or at least make…