Consumer Alert: Where to find low airfares now
Bad news: Airfares are rising again in 2025, with domestic ticket prices expected to climb 10 to 15 percent, according to a new prediction. But there's good news, too. In some destinations, prices will fall this year. You have to know where to find low airfares....
How airlines often penalize early birds
Conventional wisdom was to be an early bird and book airline tickets as early as possible. Back years ago, that was true, especially with mileage award tickets. Early birds got the rewards. I have memories of waiting up until midnight 330 days or so in advance in...
13 top tips to prevent missing and stolen luggage on your next flight
Here are 13 top tips to help you prevent missing and stolen luggage on your next international or domestic flight. I'm back home from the month's long land and cruise vacation that I've been writing about. Checked luggage problems can hit any trip. They hit us three...
Packing systems may be the right way to improve your trip
Last weekend, I got sucked into YouTube watching packing videos. There are sure a lot of them and a oodles of time can be wasted watching them all. After watching for a while, I selected these as offering different systems for packing.
DOT denied boarding (or bumping) compensation rules you should know
Here is a recap of the DOT denied boarding rules today. Note the exceptions to these rules. Passengers must meet the required check-in times. No compensation is needed. Passengers should check the airline's "boarding priority." Passengers should know the rules that...
Eliminate lost valuables when you travel. Here are the rules
Eliminate lost valuables. You’d be surprised how many people lose them on vacation. A lot of valuables. I talk to travelers every day who have misplaced something while they are on the road, and they wish they had known how to eliminate lost valuables on vacation....
Even smart travelers make these eight passport mistakes
People who travel internationally are generally among the savviest travelers. But they can still make passport mistakes — and some of the most common ones involve passports. Learn about 8 of the worst and most common passport mistakes.
Etiquette of air travel — Boarding, in-flight, deplaning, and waiting for baggage
Etiquette of air travel — Boarding, in-flight, deplaning, and waiting for baggage The etiquette of air travel is relatively simple. Look around, and most of the passengers follow the unwritten etiquette quickly. One needs to follow the golden rule. Treat everyone as...
Do you lock checked luggage? It’s a smart question to ask
Should you lock checked luggage when you fly? If you do, should you use a TSA approved lock or some other method like seals or zip ties? A number of years ago, my wife and I flew home from Los Angeles with one checked bag that we shared, along with our carry-ons and...
Why female crash dummies have no place in safety testing today
A House bill is introduced to use female crash dummies in auto safety studies. Safety standards should be designed for both men and women, especially when 50 percent of drivers are women. Until now, only male dummies have been in crash studies.