Articles

Money and Fees

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Disney's New Lightning Lane Premier Pass: How to Access It for Less Money

Ever since the pandemic, one of the biggest annoyances at Disney theme parks has been the monetization of lines for rides. A few years ago, Disney invented a way to trick customers…

Article / Money and Fees

$9 Chocolate Milk! $34 Club Sandwich! $200 Ticket! Disney's Prices Are Officially Nuts

Newly posted prices at Disney resorts are positively shocking. Has the famous storytelling company lost the plot?

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Is "Skiplagging" Illegal? And Does the Controversial Airfare Hack Even Save Money?

The controversial airfare trick known as "skiplagging" will soon go on trial in federal court. The purportedly money-saving hack involves booking a flight with a connection, but then…

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 / 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

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 / 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 / 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 / Passportable

Southwest Airlines Opens 2-for-1 Companion Pass Deal to Everyone for a Hot Minute

This'll have to be quick—because Southwest's promotion will be, too.Until Thursday, September 5, Southwest Airlines opening a window to register for its Companion Pass deal, which…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Why You Should Think Twice Before Buying Rental Car Insurance From Expedia and Others

Getting rental car insurance from a vendor other than your car rental company may complicate claims and present more headaches than it's worth. It’s all in the fine…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

What’s Up with These Hourslong Check-in Lines at Las Vegas Hotels?

"Hotel check in wait times are out of control in Las Vegas," social media influencer VegasStarfish argues in a recent posting. The video evidence accompanying the claim certainly makes…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Say Goodbye to Passport Stamps in Europe: New Entry/Exit System Starts in November

The European Union Commission has officially announced the start date of its incoming Entry/Exit System (EES) for arriving tourists, which will change the way international passports…

Article / Local Experiences

Planning a Trip to Italy: Where to Save and When to Splurge

The cost of a trip to Italy doesn't always translate to the quality of the experience. Our guide book author, a 15-year resident, knows the best places to apply your budget, no matter…

Article / Passportable

Cheap Flights on National Cheap Flight Day: Airfare’s Money-Saving Season Is Here

You might not have celebrated National Best Friends Day on June 8, National Piña Colada Day on July 10, or National Nude Day on July 14 (do you hate fun?), but there's at least one…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

Multi-Trip Travel Insurance: One Policy That Covers Every Trip for a Year

You don't have to buy travel insurance each time you go somewhere. You can buy it annually. Here's what multi-trip insurance is, how it works, and how to tell if it's the economical…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Las Vegas without Taxis or Ubers: Try These Free or Cheap Transit Methods

How to get around the Strip without hiring a driver: We braved the summer heat to tell you about Vegas' shuttles, trams, and other ways to move around town.

Article / Air Travel

The Fastest Way to Get from NYC to Boston? A Waterfront-to-Waterfront Seaplane

Traveling from Boston Harbor to Manhattan's East River by amphibious aircraft is fast, fun—and expensive.

Article / Cruise

Free Cruises for Casino Lovers: How Gamblers Get Invited to Cruise for Free

In casino lingo, a "whale" is a high roller—and whales can sail on the major cruise lines for next to nothing. How to win an invitation to their little-known subculture

Article / Air Travel

How We Helped to End Family Seating Fees, the Worst Airline Junk Fee Ever

For more than ten years, airlines have charged families with young kids to sit together. It’s finally going to stop. Here's how we made change happen.

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

U.S. Forbids Airlines from Charging Families to Sit Together

There's been another big win for consumers at the U.S. airports. On Thursday, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that it has proposed a rule that forbids commercial…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport or Visa

Here's everything you need to get an American passport or a passport card: the rules, fees, instructions, photos, forms, and directions.