Articles

Money and Fees

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: No Place to Park or Sleep

Our reader makes a reservation at an airport hotel through ParkSleepFly.com, but when she tries to check in, the hotel has never heard of her. Should she get a refund for the $180 she…

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: A Mileage Mess on My Mortgage

Northwest Airlines promises our reader frequent flier miles when he applies for his mortgage. But after several rounds of finger-pointing between supervisors, his miles remain missing.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Where's My Hotel Room?

Our reader books a hotel room through Cheaptickets, but when he checks in he's told there's no reservation. He finds another room and Cheaptickets keeps his money. Can it do that?

Article / Money and Fees

Four Secrets to Picking the Right Travel Agent

Good travel agents have an edge over almost any other seller of travel. They know what you want, they speak your language, and they're there for you when you run into trouble.

Article / Money and Fees

10 Smart Alternatives To Higher Fare Routes

Here are ten routes where the dominant carrier raised rates recently, and what you can do to keep from paying the higher costs.

Article / Money and Fees

Ask Suzy: Our Born to Shop Author Answers Your Global Shopping Queries

Sometimes the best is simply where you get value for your money, find what you are looking for, and have a great time in the hunting and gathering game of life.

Article / Money and Fees

How (and How Not) to Find an Airline Fare

Even travel writers can sometimes find it a little tough when searching through the Internet black hole for the right airfare on the right date.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Half the Car for Twice the Price

When our couple arrives at the car rental counter in Naples, the company downgrades his car and almost doubles its rate. What now?

Article / Money and Fees

What to Expect During the Year of the Fee

Let's assume you'll cheerfully pay every fuel surcharge, resort fee, excess luggage fee and security fee travel operators throw at you. What can you get out of it?

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Remember My Alamo Rate

When our reader's car rental company runs out of the vehicle he reserved, it sends him to an agency next door. How nice, right? Then the bill arrives.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Hey Marriott, Where Are My Miles?

Our reader books a vacation where she's promised a 25,000-mile bonus, but the loyalty points fail to show up. How can she get Marriott to make good?

Article / Money and Fees

U.S. Credit Cards Lose Their Cachet in Europe

Many European countries have moved from the magnetic-stripe cards U.S. travelers are familiar with to a system called 'chip and PIN' -- which for us might as well be called 'chip and…

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Forcing a Rental Car Upgrade

What happens when you don't get the car you've reserved and instead get stuck with a bigger bill? One reader gets the run around.

Article / Money and Fees

Great Meals, Shopping and Antiques in . . . Atlantic City?

It had been at least three years since I'd ventured down the Garden State Parkway towards Atlantic City (AC). Of course I was curious to revisit several casinos and see first hand what…

Article / Money and Fees

Check Our Holiday Calendar For Best Days to Fly

You're not imagining things: holiday airfares are higher this year than last. But there are ways to get the lowest possible fares, and ways to make the best of a miserable peak-day…

Article / Money and Fees

Help with Converting Currency, ATMs and Other Traveling Financial Nightmares

Just when you thought that the banks and credit card companies couldn't get any greedier, now they are determined to make your overseas dream vacation even more expensive.

Article / Money and Fees

What to See on a Sightseeing Spree That's Free (or Nearly so) in London

London has a deserved reputation of being one of the most expensive cities in the world. Those in the know about London will tell you it isn't a problem -- there are plenty of things…

Article / Money and Fees

Keep Your Cool in Hot New York City for Free (or Next to Nothing)

While nearly every moment spent in New York far outweighs any travel difficulties, breaks from the heat that don't cost an arm and a leg (or anything at all) can be found all over the…

Article / Air Travel

Airfones Get Cheaper: Is This a Good Thing?

March 15, 2004 -- Rarely do I look at lower prices in the air as a bad thing. But I admit to a little trepidation about one new development: for many people, those seatback phones in…

Article / Air Travel

Budget Hotels Ascend With New Frequent-Stay Program

Cendant has merged its multiple loyalty programs into one efficient über-reward system.

Article / Money and Fees

Dollars Looking Limp? Take Them South

As the dollar falls, there are still places where you can get more bang for your American buck.

Article / Air Travel

Big Ideas for Hawaii, the Big Island

If you're planning a trip to Hawaii, the Big Island, here are some of our suggestions.

Article / Senior

Silver Wings Means Spectacular Savings for Seniors

Depending on your destination, United Airline's Silver Wings Plus program can save 'seniors' serious bucks.

Article / Money and Fees

Tips From the Publisher: Traveling Light

Helpful hints before you go.

Article / Money and Fees

What to Do if Your Wallet Gets Stolen

How to be prepared in a tough situation.