New consumer protections for airline passengers take effect

New consumer protections for airline passengers established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) went into effect this month, making flying more convenient and hassle-free for air travelers nationwide.

The new consumer protections, finalized earlier this year, include requirements that airlines refund baggage fees if bags are lost, increase compensation provided to passengers bumped from oversold flights, and provide passengers greater protections from lengthy tarmac delays.

As Kate Hanni of FlyersRights.org said, “It’s huge. If you’re flying, you’re 400% better off than you were before.”

Here are some of the common-sense ways we’re looking out for passengers under these new protections:

• If you are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, the new rules double the amount of money you are eligible for as compensation.
• DOT’s successful ban on lengthy tarmac delays will now cover the international flights of foreign airlines at U.S. airports, and domestic flights at small-hub and non-hub airports.
• If your bag is lost, you are entitled to a refund of any fee for carrying that bag. Airlines are already required to compensate passengers for reasonable expenses for loss, damage or delay in the carriage of passenger baggage.
• Airlines must prominently disclose all optional fees on their websites, including but not limited to fees for baggage, meals, canceling or changing reservations, or advanced or upgraded seating.

Additional measures under the new rule will take effect January 24, 2012, including:

• Requiring all taxes and fees to be included in advertised fares.
• Banning post-purchase price increases.
• Allowing passengers to hold a reservation without payment, or to cancel it without penalty, for 24 hours after the reservation is made, if the reservation is made one week or more prior to a flight’s departure date.
• Requiring disclosure of baggage fees when passengers book a flight.
• Requiring that the same baggage allowances and fees apply throughout a passenger’s journey.
• Requiring disclosure of baggage fee information on e-ticket confirmations.
• Requiring prompt notification of delays of over 30 minutes, as well as cancellations and diversions.

The Department of Transportation’s new passenger protections will help ensure that air travelers receive the respect they deserve before, during and after their flight.

Written by Lisa Codianne Fowler; reprinted from blog.getawayplus.com (c) 2011.

Here’s the scenario: You’ve just checked in to your hotel at a luxurious European resort, and you’re looking forward to a fun and exciting vacation. You dump your bags on the bed and pull out your cell, eager to call up that great local restaurant your cab driver recommended…

Hold the phone! Calling from your personal mobile phone while abroad can be very expensive, and sometimes it won’t work at all. We’ve gathered a few tips to help you stay in touch while you’re overseas without breaking the bank — keep these in mind to save your wallet and your sanity.

• Do the Research: First, you’ll need to find out if your personal cell phone works abroad. Some networks’ phones are more compatible with foreign networks than others. If it will work abroad, make sure to ask your provider about roaming charges and data fees, as these can be very high when overseas. Turn off any automatic downloads or services on your phone that may incur fees, and find out if features besides calling — like text or data — work normally, and ask about your options.
• Buy A SIM Card: If you have an unlocked cell phone which can work with other carriers’ networks, you can buy a local SIM card. This removable chip determines a phone’s network and number. You buy minutes for the SIM card and temporarily replace the original card in your phone with the new one (your SIM card is probably hiding behind the phone’s battery.) Be careful not to lose the original — they are very small. Prepaid SIM cards offer a cheap and easy solution to calling in the country you’re staying in.
• Get A Local Phone: If need be, you can buy a new phone to use abroad. Prepaid disposable phones or inexpensive local phones with prepaid SIM cards offer one type of solution. If you’re going to stay for an extended period, you may have to cave and buy a local phone and calling plan. If you’re staying for several months or more, it may be worthwhile. Remember, in some countries texting is cheaper than calling, so find out before you purchase a plan.
• Skype and Internet Calling: Skype and other internet calling services allow you to make calls wherever you have an internet connection. The call quality can vary, but this method is still by far the cheapest. Both pay-as-you-go and monthly plans are available.
• Calling Cards: The classic solution! This may seem like an old-fashioned way to make your calls, but it’s still cheap and convenient. Locally-purchased cards typically offer the best call quality and value.
• Use a Device: Devices like Magic Jack offer another option. This type of device plugs into your computer’s USB port and allows you to make calls over the computer’s Internet connection. Once you’ve paid the monthly fee, your local calls are typically unlimited — for international calls, you’ll likely need to purchase prepaid international minutes.

Keeping these tips in mind should help keep your international calling cheap and painless. Spend less time worrying about your bill, and more time relaxing and enjoying your vacation!

Reprinted from blog.getawayplus.com (c) 2011

Computers have become increasingly powerful and portable. With more and more devices like tablets, netbooks and sliders being introduced that are no larger than a children’s book, it’s completely practical to bring one on your next vacation. Here are a few reasons why:

1.You’ll have access to updated road maps and information on nearby places of interest. You’ll also be able to search for places to eat, or make last minute hotel reservations.

2. Edit and organize your photos with ease on your computer while your memories are still fresh during the trip.

3. You can save space by storing content from DVDs and CDs on the device. Slim designs also make it easy to set up in your back seat to keep your kids entertained with a movie.

4. With a larger screen and longer battery life, you can read numerous magazines, newspapers and books on the go.

5. You can play your favorite games like Angry Birds and Downhill Snowboard or watch animations and other media content that run on Flash.

6. There’s always the possibility that you’ll need to check in with the house sitter or pay a bill you forgot to take care of before you left. A mobile device allows you to do these things with ease.

Written by Lisa Codianne Fowler; reprinted from www.blog.getawayplus.com (c) 2011

There’s this amazing poet and philosopher, Allen Jesson, who’s got lots of secrets to share. Here’s one of his 77: when traveling, ditch the earphones and strike up a conversation!

The Conversation Secret

By Allen Jesson

I’m one of those annoying blokes on the plane. If you look half interesting and I’m not too tired, I will strike up a conversation with you. It’s fairly easy to do and if you’re a good talker, I’m a good listener. I’ve had some truly wonderful conversations and I can remember discussing God, the Universe, love, family, work, gardening, in fact, you name it, I’ve discussed it with (what were) total strangers. You will find that whoever you sit next to, will have a lot more in common with them than you can possibly imagine.

I think this ’striking’ up a conversation was a fairly natural thing to do. It appears that during the Olympics and the World Cup and other big events that conversations between strangers dramatically increase on public transport. Yes, people just start talking to each other. Go figure.

But what happens on the normal day to day? It all stops. People put on their iPods, read their papers or just stare into space. Underground trains are the worst, the silence on those is almost deafening.

Air travel is no different. On most mid haul planes now there is ‘in seat’ entertainment. So instead of talking to the person next door, people put on their earphones and watch the latest movie or play the latest ’shoot them up’.

There is nothing wrong with all that. It’s all progress. But along the way, we are losing the art of conversation. Who’s the big loser in all of that? You. Yes, talking is a great way to ‘off load’. Listening is a great way to ‘understand’ and broaden your perspectives. Conversing is a great way to learn. It’s how you can take the cork out of your bottled up feelings.

So, this is my advice to you: Start a conversation. With a friend, with a colleague, with a stranger. Then with two ears and one mouth, exchange your views on any number of subjects. Find some common ground and then dig together. Before you know it, your journey will be over and I promise, at the end of it, you will feel very different indeed.

All the very best,

Allen Jesson

Poet and Philosopher

the77secrets.com

You’ve booked and paid for the cruise. Whether low- or high-end, you’ve predetermined your vacation budget. Problem is, many novice cruisers neglect to factor in unexpected and less than obvious costs. Cruise lines are in business to not only encourage loyalty from their guests with their stellar offerings, but also to profit from ancillary services that just sort of well, add up. The good news is that it’s possible to contain some of those costs.

My esteemed editor commented recently that since I travel so frequently, I must have some good packing tips to share. I’m guessing she assumed I’m one of those people that can travel for a weekend or a month with nothing more than a carryon. Oh honey. I usually have a suitcase devoted just to shoes!

Nowadays, upright, rolling luggage comes in all sizes, and the pieces clip on to each other so it’s easy to be prepared for anything … from soaking in the hotel Jacuzzi to attending a black tie affair.

However,  I don’t always travel like Cher. For sailing trips and casual tropical destinations, especially via prop plane, a duffle bag is more convenient and still holds plenty. Clothing for warmer climates is usually lightweight, small and easy to roll. Friends have commented that the parade of outfits coming out of my little bag is like a Volkswagen Bug from which 50 people emerge, one by one.

Part of the secret is preparing a packing list ahead of time. I keep a database of clothing options for all climates, modifying the appropriate list for my anticipated itinerary, and yes, I’m anal. I also keep a travel checklist that I print out before each trip, reminders of mundane tasks like stopping the newspaper and mail.

My toiletry bag is packed and ready to go at all times, including medications. Antibiotics are a good idea – my doctor has no problem prescribing them, just in case, especially when I’m leaving the country. I also keep packed a voltage converter and adapters, and travel hair appliances, travel iron and travel alarm, whether or not they will be provided at my final destination.

A few other things I don’t leave home without are scented candles for romantic evenings, a corkscrew, nightlight, laptop with music CDs and DVD movies (for long airport layovers) and something called “Wrinkle-Free,” a small can of magical spray that instantly smoothes wrinkles from most fabrics (available at luggage stores).

Other essentials: a sports coat for hubby, even for casual destinations; a bathing suit, even for cold climates, and a jacket or sweater, even for warm ones. Having to buy a jacket in Finland was an interesting experience – the language is truly foreign.

On a recent trip to Europe I went from day to night with six items of clothing I purchased from Chico’s.  The mix and match tops, tanks, skirt and slacks are all from their “Traveler’s”  line … they practically disappear when folded or rolled, are machine washable or hand-washable in your hotel room, and hang dry in a flash. They refuse to wrinkle, they’re lightweight but warm and can be dressed up or down with scarves, jewelry and hats.

Finally, I should mention that while visiting Chile, I was pick-pocketed twice in the same day. The next day I returned home to find my home had been burglarized. First order of business for my husband and I was a champagne toast to celebrate our otherwise wonderful trip and our good health.

Positive attitudes notwithstanding, I don’t recommend the experience. I also don’t recommend carrying a purse with a shoulder strap in a third-world country, or in any large city, for that matter. Flashing money isn’t wise, either, and on that note, by all means, pack the jewels (carryon only), but use the hotel safe.

Plan for safety, comfort, and above all, looking great. Pack it in. After all, what sets us apart from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

Reprinted from Style Magazine

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Ask any bride. But working with an ASTA travel consultant who specializes in honeymoons means one less thing to worry about. And finding the perfect agent is even easier, thanks to the ‘Find a Travel Agent’ directory on TravelSense.org, where grooms and brides can search for a travel agent who specializes in honeymoons or a given destination.

“Working with a travel consultant who specializes in honeymoons gives a couple some much-needed breathing room when it comes to planning their wedding and everything it entails,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo. “A professional travel consultant can take care of all the planning details and that gives the happy couple much needed time to focus on what’s important—each other.”

Among ASTA travel agents’ tips for planning a honeymoon are:

Begin early and share the planning. To ensure that both parties enjoy the honeymoon, couples should consider making all the decisions together.

Define “Ideal.” If just one person will be doing the planning, he or she shouldn’t assume that because they have always dreamt of honeymooning in a tropical paradise their soon-to-be-spouse shares that dream. Consider these questions as soon as honeymoon talks begin:

What is most important? Suntan lotion, sand and surf or the privacy and seclusion a cozy mountain retreat?

Are you looking to experience new cultures or do you just want to get away from it all?
Are you more interested in going around the corner or around the world?

Do you want to spend more on the wedding or the honeymoon?

What sounds better: a cruise, a package vacation or an all-inclusive resort, something tailored just for you?

Pick your paradise. When it comes to honeymoon planning, most couples try to select the destination first, yet ASTA travel agents suggest a different approach: Unless the dream destination has already been set in stone, couples should first decide what type of vacation (all-inclusive resort, cruise, adventure vacation, cultural trip) they want and then narrow down their list of destinations accordingly.

Make time for yourselves. Pad the honeymoon schedule with generous amounts of free time. A rushed and overly organized honeymoon might feel too much like the wedding. Instead, plan a few enjoyable activities and leave lots of opportunities to just enjoy each other’s company.

Set a tentative budget. Talk about expectations and priorities from the very beginning and decide what you might splurge on and where you might cut corners.

Splurge on accommodations. No matter what type of vacation package a couple chooses, they will spend an enormous amount of time in their room or cabin. This is not a place to cut corners.

Brides-use your maiden name. Unless a couple is planning on taking a delayed honeymoon, the bride won’t have time to change the name on her passport and driver’s license. She should use her maiden name on visas, airline tickets, etc., so they match as it appears on official documents.

Leave it to a professional. After “I do,” a couple’s two favorite words will be “stress free,” if they opt to work with an expert, such as an ASTA travel consultant who specializes in planning honeymoons. For stress-free travel plans–especially those with multiple steps like a honeymoon–seek out the expert advice of a travel agent. A good travel agent can save money as well as time, two enormous factors for a couple trying to plan a wedding and a honeymoon simultaneously.

Regardless of travel plans, using a professional ASTA travel consultant can save time and money. For information, visit TravelSense.org. There, consumers not only can find travel tips and advice but an ASTA travel consultant in their area who specializes in a particular destination or type of travel on the Find a Travel Agent Directory.

The thing is, I’ve been traveling a LOT of years.  And, I’ve learned, through trial and error, which travel products work, and which don’t. I’ve just started listing my favorites here. Stay tuned for more specific endorsements…. all based on personal experience.

* Traveler’s Line of Women’s Clothing by Chico’s

I’m a Chico’s Chick. For as long as the Traveler’s line has been out, I’ve been wearing it!  And Chico’s has just come out with New Traveler’s… “a new collection of pieces we’d never leave without. Mix them. Match them. Just don’t forget to pack them.”

On a recent trip to Europe I went from day to night with just six items from the Traveler’s line. The mix and match tops, tanks, skirt and slacks practically disappear when folded or rolled, are machine washable or hand-washable in your hotel room, and hang dry in a flash. They refuse to wrinkle, they’re lightweight but warm and can be dressed up or down with scarves, jewelry and hats. And speaking of accessories, Chico’s has a treasure trove of stylish baubles to complement your clothes.

* Easihair by Jon Renau

Wish I could claim these luscious locks as my own. Well, I do own them, so I guess I can! Clip-on hair is the greatest invention since the flat-iron, even better, actually, since you don’t spend any time or effort to look your coiffed best! Just clip-on and go. I’ve tried many brands, but Easihair is my fave, hands-down. All the quality, color and style without the high price. I pack several styles whenever I travel. Great for going to last minute meetings, parties or just looking and feeling great in a flash.

Easihair is always striving to present a fashion forward image that exudes fine quality and prestige. Trend-setting styles, colors and quality make up the characteristics that define the Easihair brand.

* Canon Powershot Camera

As you can imagine, we’ve gone through many brands of cameras. We found Canon’s Powershot to be the best suited for our needs, and here’s why. This high-end line of digital cameras incorporates the creative performance of a professional digital SLR camera and the compact convenience of a point-and-shoot.

The Powershot is easy for us to operate yet yields professional quality videos and stills. We love it. Well, Patrick does, and occasionally,  he’ll even let ME fire off a few stills or capture some video footage.

* Acer Aspire One Netbook

I’m a Chihuahua. Just like my little Mimi. Yeah, we’re small, but watch out! Our diminutive size belies our spunk. So it goes with Acer’s netbooks. Here’s the scoop. No disrespect intended to other companies’ products; I’ve tried (and returned) several of them but happily ended up with an Acer Aspire One.

Why? Large keyboard for its size, sharp screen, faster than you can imagine, lots of storage, small enough to fit in my purse, and well, simply sweet. I love my Acer. And not just ‘cause it’s pink.

* Mini Mouse by Targus

No matter the brand, size or style of laptop or netbook I’ve tried, I’ve never mastered the skill of using a touch pad. So in concert with my tiny netbook, I use a tiny mouse! The Targus Compact Optical Mouse is only 3 inches long and features a scroll button, handy retractable cord and standard USB connection.

I’m here to tell ya, good things really do come in small packages!

Pets are often a big part of the family, and sometimes it’s hard to leave them behind when you leave town. With these simple tips from ASTA, your pet won’t have to miss out on one fun moment of your family’s big vacation.

“Traveling today involves countless details and decisions. Working with a professional travel consultant can ensure that you and your pet have a safe and enjoyable trip. Travel consultants know the right questions to ask and where to find the answers, which means that your pet can be the perfect addition to a perfect vacation,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair.

Consider these tips if you are considering traveling with your pet:

* Check up before checking out. Before you take your pet anywhere, take him to the vet for an overall checkup, and ask for the number of an associate in the area where you will be staying. If you’re unsure whether your pet is up for the trip – ask. Don’t wait to find out that Fido couldn’t handle the hike up the mountain – or even the plane journey. Most airline and state officials mandate a clean bill of health in the form of a health certificate dated within 10 days prior to travel before your pet can fly. And even if your pet is in top shape, traveling abroad sometimes assumes an automatic quarantine upon arrival whether or not there is an outbreak of a disease. Moreover, some states require certain pets to have entry permits issued by the destination state’s regulatory agency, and may request to view the interstate health certificate in advance.

* Pooch papers. Always keep an ID collar with your name and phone number on your pet, and always travel with favorite toys, proof of vaccination and proper licenses. Bring color photos of your pet, too, in the unfortunate event he gets lost.

* Rules and regs. Because airlines limit the number of pets that can be on board at once, have your travel agent notify the airline of your pet when your reservation is made. Also ask for the allowable dimensions of your pet carrier. Regulations state that dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and fully-weaned before flying. Written instructions for food and water must accompany any shipped pet regardless of the amount of time they are scheduled to spend in transit.

* Flying the feline skies. If your pet is less than 15 pounds and you are on a domestic flight, you may be able to fit a small, airline-approved kennel (check with your travel agent) under the seat in front of you. On international flights, larger animals can be shipped (for a fee) in the forward cargo bins, which are climate-controlled. Contact your travel agent or the airline for specific information on fees and requirements.

* Traveling ‘kennel’ class. Let your pet eat and sleep in the kennel before you leave. Prior to departure, exercise, feed and give water to your pet, and place a dish for food and one for water inside the kennel. If you’re shipping your pet, write the words “LIVE ANIMAL” on the crate with arrows pointing in the upright direction, and put your name, phone number and address on a well-fastened label. Check with your travel agent to learn about additional costs for your pet to travel with you.

* On the road with Fido. Be careful if you’re driving to your destination. Countless pets die each year from heatstroke after being left alone in hot cars. As a general rule, if you leave your car, your pet should leave. If you park, make sure it’s in a shaded area. Exercise is necessary – make frequent stops for water and exercise, keeping a leash on your pet at all times. If your pet is unaccustomed to car trips, take some practice drives. One piece of sugar candy – not chocolate – before hitting the road may quell motion sickness. And, leave a window of six hours before a car trip during which your pet is not eating.

* Your pets and hotels. Ask your travel agent to call ahead to make sure your hotel or motel allows pets. Or, for a list of pet-friendly lodgings, call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at your destination. Request a room at the end of the hall so other guests aren’t bothered by the possible noise. In addition to hotels, you can also rent vacation suites from owners of timeshares at pet friendly resorts. Timeshares are more spacious than standard hotel rooms, and the resort amenities are designed to cater to all guests, even those with fur.

* Snakes on the plane. Travel is not recommended for smaller animals and birds because of the stress it causes them. Reptiles are especially discouraged because of their specialized requirements. Travelers should be advised that they may be held liable for any damage wild animals or reptiles cause to the plan or passengers.