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Trends & Hacks

Article / Passportable

Wait Times for U.S. Passports Haven't Been This Short in Years!

In the first half of 2021, the United States State Department had an epic backlog of 2 million passport applications. As the Biden Administration began, the wait time for a new…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

Online U.S. Passport Renewal is Now Fully Available! Here's All You'll Need

After a two-year period of beta testing, digital passport renewal is now a full reality for American travelers. Here's how it works and how long it takes.

Article / Passportable

These Travel Apps Gobble Up the Most of Your Phone's Mobile Data

Depending on your smartphone's service plan, the expense of data while you're roaming abroad can be one of the ugliest surprises in a travel budget. Forgetting to use the correct…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

When to Start a Renewal of a U.S. Passport

Mail-in processing of passport renewal takes as long as three months, so it's crucial to know how soon you can apply to renew. The good news: A new digital renewal process is on…

Article / Slideshows

How to Bike Normandy’s D-Day Beaches: A Car-Free Side Trip from Paris

Beyond their historical significance, Normandy’s D-Day beaches are quite simply beautiful. The stark and ever-changing light on the vast water creates a palette of colors that makes…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Exclusive: TSA Chief Reveals Huge Changes for Faster Airport Security—And Some Are Already in Place

With no fanfare, and with little public comment, one of the most dreaded aspects of air travel got faster, less intrusive, and far more pleasant. I’m talking about airport security,…

Article / Slideshows

Alaska by Ferry: See Incredible Places for a Fraction of What Cruises Cost

I honestly don't know what made me open my eyes. Traveling aboard one of Alaska ’s state ferries from Juneau to Petersburg, I'd dozed off in the outdoor solarium—enjoying the mix of…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Will Southwest Keep Checked Luggage Free? We Finally Have an Answer

Every budget-minded air passenger in the United States already knows that longtime no-frills kingpin Southwest Airlines is in bad trouble. The list of woes is daunting: Repeated…

Article / Air Travel

Oakland Airport's Name Change is Causing "Traveler Confusion" in San Francisco

The city of San Francisco says a recent name change at Oakland's OAK is unlawful, disorienting, and is tricking passengers into going to the wrong airport

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Oakland Airport's Name Change is Causing "Traveler Confusion" in San Francisco

If you wanted to fly to the San Francisco area's Oakland airport, which airport code would you use during booking?If you said SFO, short for San Francisco Oakland, you'd be flying to…

Article / Air Travel

Airline Miles Programs Are Essentially Pyramid Schemes Now

They started out well. But here are 5 key ways airline loyalty points schemes are screwing you now.

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Don’t Have TSA PreCheck? In Boston, There’s a $3 Trick to Skipping Airport Lines

A blessing and a curse for travelers to and from Boston is that the city’s international airport is pretty much smack-dab in the middle of the action. Buttressed against the Atlantic…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Unplugged! Royal Caribbean Bans a Popular Item That Many Cruisers Pack

Royal Caribbean has revised its list of forbidden items to ban a useful travel tool that many cruisers pack as an essential item. Even though the change "was not communicated to…

Article / Cruise

The First-Time Cruiser's Packing List: 20 Things Your Cabin Won't Have

What do you need to bring on a cruise? The items on this checklist—unless you want to buy them at inflated prices later.

Article / Slideshows

15+ Amazing Travel Tricks Your iPhone Can Already Do for Free: Flight Status, Translation, Conversion, Measuring Bags, More

If you have been traveling with an iPhone for a while, you might assume you already know all the things it can do for you. But for the past few years, Apple has been quietly adding new…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

What Hotel Workers Wish You Knew About Being a Good Guest in These Times

Everyone who has stayed at a hotel since Covid-19 knows that something is off. You're not losing your mind. Room rates have gone way up. Business is way up, yet housekeeping services…

Article / Passportable

These Are the Best Airports in the U.S. in 2024, According to Passengers

Nearly two-thirds of North American flyers (60% to be precise) report having "enjoyed spending time in their airport," according to the latest passenger satisfaction survey from J.D.…

Article / Passportable

When Is United Airlines Getting Free Wi-Fi?

It's pretty shocking that even though the internet has been an essential part of our lives for nearly 30 years, the number of U.S. airlines that supply free Wi-Fi to all passengers…

Article / Slideshows

What to Do in Provincetown: A 1-Day Side Trip from Boston

Windswept sand dunes and a windswept Cher impersonator riding a stand-up scooter down Commercial Street—those are basically the twin poles of any getaway in Provincetown, Massachusetts…

Article / Passportable

The Best National Parks to Visit for Fall Colors This Year? Surprising New Data Shapes This List

For hikers and road trippers eager to see vibrant fall colors, many U.S. national parks have impressive displays this time of year. Makes sense—where there are trees, after all, there…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

What to Know About the U.K.’s New Online Application and Entry Fee for Visitors

Launch dates, fees, and other info to know about the U.K.'s ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), a requirement for all visitors, including U.S. citizens

Article / Passportable

Should the Eiffel Tower Olympic Rings Stay Up Permanently?

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris had a lot of memorable moments. That cringey Australian breakdancer alone provided enough fodder for several highlight reels. But we've all moved on…

Article / Cruise

Douro River Cruise: Our Review of Uniworld’s Trip Through Portugal’s Top Wine Region

What to expect on a river cruise through Portugal's most storied wine region

Article / Slideshows

Cheap Last-Minute Flights: How to Find Them (And There Aren't Many)

Gather round, children, and I will tell you the tale of what last-minute travel was once like, when finding cheap airfare meant simply showing up at the airport with a suitcase and a…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Fall Foliage Map for 2024 Predicts Midwest Will Outdo New England

The Midwest will have the most vibrant fall foliage in the United States this year, according to a new forecast released by the weather watchers at AccuWeather. In a wedge of the…