Articles

Money and Fees

Article / Passportable

Tour Operator to Pay Passport Fees for Travelers Age 18–35

More than half of Americans age 18–35 don't have passports, according to Contiki, a tour operator specializing in that very demographic.For a limited time, Contiki is offering some…

Article / Passportable

Now You Can Fly Round-Trip to Europe for €399—with a Catch

First, U.S. domestic airlines introduced Basic Economy fares so their rates would appear more competitive with low-cost carriers in Web searches.Now the transatlantic airlines are…

Article / Passportable

No More Airline Miles for Hotel Stays Among Changes to Hilton's Loyalty Program

Hilton Worldwide is making changes to its 70-million-member hotel loyalty program, Hilton Honors.Among the most consequential of the updates: Starting April 1, members will no longer…

Article / Passportable

NYC's Met to Charge Mandatory Admission to Out-of-Towners

For the first time since its founding in the 1870s, New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art is instituting a mandatory admission fee. Starting March 1, visitors who do not live in…

Article / Passportable

When Southern California Museums Open for Free This Month

The 13th annual Free-for-All day at Southern California museums will be Sunday, January 28. Nineteen institutions in the area will waive their admission fees on that day, offering…

Article / Passportable

Royal Caribbean Increases the Daily Fee Used to Tip Staff

For the third time in three years, Royal Caribbean Cruises is hiking up its "automatic gratuity"—the term for the service fee that lines recommend each passenger pays per day during a…

Article / Slideshows

Do These Things Before Going to China—Your Trip Will Go Better

China can feel like a world unto itself—different ATM systems, different methods of paying, even different styles of bathrooms. If you're planning a vacation in China, there are a few…

Article / Passportable

In January, Learn to Ski—for Less—in Michigan

It might surprise you to learn that Michigan has one of the highest concentrations of ski areas in the United States. There are around 40 places to hit the slopes in the…

Article / Passportable

Why Hotel Bills in Hawaii Are About to Go Up

On January 1, the tax on lodgings in Hawaii will increase by 1% statewide.But that's not all. The fee charged to tourists who rent rooms in hotels, condos, B&Bs, and "transient…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Airbnb Just Made Planning Group Trips a Lot Easier

Humans have always traveled in packs. But booking this style of travel online has always been difficult—few sites allow users to divvy up payments among several travelers. Airbnb to…

Article / Slideshows

Frommer's Gift Guide: Great Stuff for Travel

Let us break it to you: They don't want yet another inflatable airline pillow. They never even used the last one. No, if you've got a travel lover in your life, they want one of these…

Article / Passportable

Airfare is About to Rise. Here's Why

American and Southwest airlines have both sent signals that their airfares are about to go up.Why? Simple: They're making more money, so they don't need to put flights on sale as…

Article / Passportable

One More Airline Adopts Basic Economy Pricing

Monkey see, monkey do. The biggest airlines have now instituted new, bare-bones "basic economy" fares that strip passengers of the automatic right to checked bags or seat assignments…

Article / Passportable

National Park Fees May Triple, Become Unaffordable

Entrance fees at many of the country's most popular national parks could soon go way up.To address a backlog of maintenance needs and infrastructure improvements, the National Park…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

One Key to a Successful European Vacation Is Planning Several Months Ahead

When is it best to begin planning your trip to Europe? Though some of the experts disagree, the majority of them say just after the start of the new year, when airline tickets tend to…

Article / Passportable

Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks Package Now the Priciest at Sea

Norwegian Cruise Line has raised the price of its Ultimate Beverage package, covering all alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks that a passenger consumes while on board the ship (except…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Arthur Frommer: Resort Fees are Immoral, But More Hotels Are Imposing Them

At a large and growing number of U.S. hotels, final room prices have recently risen by thirty to sixty dollars because of "resort charges" billed to hotel guests. This has happened…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

The Undeniable Drop in Incoming Foreign Tourists Will Gravely Affect Our Economy

Disturbing reports from a number of reliable sources have shown, beyond doubt, that the number of incoming foreign tourists to the United States has fallen dramatically in the past…

Article / Passportable

Rental Car Rates Could Zoom Sky-High Thanks to Lobbyists

Today, the American Car Rental Association (ACRA), a lobbying group for the car rental industry, is wrapping up its annual Washington, D.C. "Legislative Conference," during which it…

Article / Slideshows

8 Things You Didn't Know About New York City

When you live in a city your entire life, as I have, you learn things about it that few tourists get to know. Here are some odd facts that I’ve learned that will deepen your own…

Article / Miscellaneous

How to Protect Your Phone from Hackers (And Other Bad Stuff) When You Travel

We asked a travel tech expert for the lowdown on the apps to download and security features to enable so that your favorite carry-on device stays useful—and safe from prying…

Article / Money and Fees

The U.S. Dollar Continues to Soar Against Virtually Every Foreign Currency, Cutting the Cost of Rooms and Meals Abroad

There's an update to changes in the world currency markets, and the news is excellent for travelers considering a vacation abroad this year.

Article / Money and Fees

Though the Unusual Current Strength of the U.S. Dollar Is Harmful to the U.S. Economy, It Greatly Benefits the U.S. Traveler: A Moral Issue

Across the globe—in Central America, Asia, Europe, and beyond—a dollar goes awfully far these days.

Article / Money and Fees

For Americans, the Conditions for International Travel Are Better Now Than They Have Been for Years

From plunging airfares to a strong dollar, things couldn't get much better for Americans abroad.

Article / Slideshows

Travel 101: How to Get the Most Out of Hotel Loyalty Programs

Like labradoodles, travelers are expected to be loyal to earn "treats". But not all travel loyalty programs are the same. In fact, those offered by the airlines are extremely different…