Articles

Trends & Hacks

Article / Timing Your Trip

5 Great Reasons to Travel Over the Holidays

Here's a holiday travel forecast you probably won't read many places: look for lower prices on everything from air fares to hotel room rates, smaller crowds and a more pleasant overall…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

European Bus Options for Independent and Group Travelers

Bus tours aren't just geared towards the young travelers, there trips suited for independent travelers and families who want both value and a group travel atmosphere.

Article / Air Travel

Unfair Fares: 5 Secrets for Avoiding the Bait-and-Switch

We may never fully comprehend what's commonly known as 'yield management' in the travel industry, but there are a few ways of making sure you don't become a victim of these deceptive…

Article / Air Travel

Flying Traitors? 3 Reasons Why Airline Travel May Be Un-American

What's fair about flying? If you said 'nothing,' you're right. Air travel has become so Balkanized that flying has become practically un-American.

Article / Cruise

High Kicks, High Notes, and Highly Entertaining Shows on the High Seas

Vegas-style production shows with feather boa-clad show girls are still alive and kicking onboard, but more and more they're being offered with a fresh twist to keep the cruise…

Article / Cruise

Adventure Cruises: A Baker's Dozen for Every Taste

The cruise world offers adventure experiences for almost every type, from adrenaline junkies to culture and history hounds. Here's a baker's dozen of great choices, sorted into five…

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Is My Lost Ticket a Lost Cause?

Virgin Atlantic promises our reader a paper ticket for his flight to Johannesburg. But when it doesn't show, the airline won't track it down. Is his lost ticket a lost cause?

Article / Air Travel

Pauline Frommer's Spend-Less-See-More Tips for Using Frequent Flyer Miles

In this series of monthly tips, you'll find some terrific tips to help you get the most out of every trip. This time, we share insight about how to get the most out of frequent flyer…

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 / 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 / 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: 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?