Amelia Island: A town time forgot — thank goodness
It’s a town time forgot — or maybe it just refused to move forward. Serene and unpretentious, Amelia Island remains in the 1900s — reveling in its long, colorful history, quite aware it no longer has to prove anything to the rest of the world.
Weekend what we're reading: Major airline closing operations, buy welcome banners at airports, bullfights back on Spanish TV
This weekend we learn about one of the world’s biggest airlines being dismantled, poster vending machines at airports and bullfighting possibly returning to Spanish TV.
7 changes to be thankful for with airline travel
Admittedly, most airline holiday travel these days is more of an ordeal than anything. However, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are a few developments for which we can be very thankful. My travel Thanksgiving list follows.
Bill mandating one free checked bag included with airfare filed in Congress
A new bill, the Airline Passenger BASICS – or Basic Airline Standards to Improve Customer Satisfaction – Act would require airlines to allow passengers one checked and one carry-on bag for free.
5 holiday travel trips for frequent fliers who don't normally need tips
Most frequent fliers know the airport drill at this point, get there early, limit your carry-on liquids, wear shoes that are easy to get on and off, etc. And, of course, board as early as possible if you have bags that need to go overhead. During holiday periods, even...
A STEP for keeping safe while traveling in countries with fast-changing political conditions
Ned Levi has just returned from Cairo, Egypt, and an extensive trip through the Middle East Region less than a week ago, discusses problems of Egyptian tourism, and keeping safe while traveling in countries with a difficult and fast changing political climate, in light of the new turmoil in Egypt since he left.
Weekend what we're reading: Sleepboxes at airports? Why trains are best in Europe, high-speed rail expands except in U.S.
Is Sleepbox the right solution for weary business travelers? We've heard of tiny hotel rooms showing up in the middle of London and New York, but now sleeping cubes are being introduced to airports as a place to catch a few winks between flights. Who knows? This idea...
Is the United-Continental merger reducing Elite customer service?
As a travel agent based in Northern California, many of my best clients are United elite frequent fliers, which means they are used to the vagaries of dealing with the airline. Even without upgrades, this has generally meant that as one client said, “Fly a lot of miles and you get treated less badly.”
Google excludes online travel agents from "Flight Search"
At the PhoCusWright Travel Conference in Hollywood, Florida, the VP for travel at Google announced that the search engine giant has decided to exclude online travel agencies such as Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity and metasearch sites like Kayak from their flight search results. A search on Google will only return airline results.
Airport concessions — surprising new outlets and annual awards
Airport concessions are big business these days. They are turning in more and more of airports’ operating profits. What were once an afterthought can now churn bigger and bigger profits as passengers spend more time in airports because of security procedures.