Search Results for: blog carry on rules lets review

Cracking Down on Carry-Ons

Weeks ago when American Airlines announced it would be charging passengers $15 to check in their first piece of luggage (and $25 for the second bag) every travel analyst in the country echoed the same comment: Beware of an impending crack down on carry ons. Sure enough a few days ago American Airlines announced it will be clamping down on the size of carry-ons (and you can bet other carriers will follow suit in a timely manner). American is the first airline to issue a statement regarding carry-ons. According to an American spokesperson, the airline usually adds extra staff during … Continue reading →

Airline Fee Free for All

Despite making headlines weeks ago, my frequent-flying friend is still steaming about Spirit Airlines’ new few for carry-on bags. If you haven’t already heard, the discount airline is planning to charge as much as $45 each way for passengers to store their carry-on bags in overhead bins. After the announcement was made, a litany of airline fee-related jokes sprouted up in my email inbox, including one that suggested that Spirit Airlines’ passengers should start wearing multiple layers of clothing on flights in an effort to avoid the carry-on fee. If you plan to fly the fee-friendly skies this summer be … Continue reading →

The Downside of Ski Vacations

Two words: Luggage fees. My brother just took off for a 10-day ski vacation with his wife and son, but yesterday I got a call from him saying it may be the last one they take—-EVER! Apparently, the amount of money they spent on airline luggage fees was almost as much as a roundtrip ticket. Admittedly, my brother is not the world’s savviest packer, but considering that they planned to rent most of their ski equipment, it was quite a shock that they spent in excess of $150 on luggage fees. I won’t bore you with the breakdown of their … Continue reading →

Money Saving Travel Tips for Cash Strapped Flyers

By now you know that a single flight could easily put a major dent in your family’s budget. From rising airfares to insane luggage fees to the “brilliant” idea of charging passengers for everything from water to pillows and blankets, airlines are not ruling out any means to milk flyers for everything they are worth. If you are planning to fly in the near future now is the time to devise ways you can get from point A to point B without going broke. Here are some tips: WEIGH YOUR BAGS BEFORE HEADING TO THE AIRPORT The ol’ human scale … Continue reading →

More Airline Fees: Pillows, Blankets, Water and More

What’s next, having to pay to use the toilet mid-flight? Another day, another announcement from airlines saying that they simply can’t stay in business unless they find another way to earn some extra cash. The latest brilliant money making idea: JetBlue’s plan to charge passengers $7 for a pillow and blanket set. It’s no joke. But before you cancel your reservations you should know that the carrier is quick to point out that you are free to bring along your own pillows and blankets (though doing so will mean you will be able to carry on little else). Frankly, I … Continue reading →

Disney Hikes Prices—How Much You’ll Have to Spend to Visit Mickey

Getting into the House of Mouse is going to cost you more. New admission prices went into effect today at Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. Tickets for guests aged 10 and older to Walt Disney World in Orlando now cost $75 (up from $71), while tickets for children aged 3 to 9 are now priced at $63 (up from $60). At Disneyland in Anaheim, one-day prices are now selling for $69 (up from $66) for those aged 10 and older, and $59 (up from $56) for children aged 3 to 9. In addition, the park hopper option, … Continue reading →

Luggage Fees Increase—AGAIN!

You’ve got to be kidding! Then again, are any of us really shocked to learn that a major airline has increased luggage fees yet again? About 12 hours ago Delta Air Lines, the nation’s third-largest carrier, announced it plans to double its fee for checking a second bag to $50 each way on a domestic flight as a way to… you guessed it… offset the high cost of fuel. Reps for the Atlanta-based carrier said that the changes will apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after Thursday for travel on or after August 5, 2008. So here’s … Continue reading →

Do You Over Pack?

I used to… until one trip when I ended up paying nearly the equivalent of my roundtrip ticket in luggage fees. Both my checked pieces weighed more than the allotted 50 pounds and I ended up paying in the triple digits to get them on the plane with me. It was a horrific experience (namely because the airline employee checking me in had me open one of my suitcases to see what we could stuff in my carry-ons so I wouldn’t have to pay the penalty fees—-she was great-—it was the blow to my wallet that was excruciatingly painful). Since … Continue reading →

More Must-Have Items to Pack When Traveling with Children

Yesterday I raved about a cheap toy that is essential to have when visiting the beach with young children. The 99-cent rubber duck was a priceless commodity on our family’s recent trip to Hawaii. So what other basic, but often overlooked items should you also consider packing before you head off on your next family trip? Take a look: INFLATABLE TOYS Not only are they affordable, but they are also a cinch to pack. What’s more, if they get played with a half dozen times you’ve probably got your money’s worth and you won’t feel bad leaving them behind before … Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About the New Homeland Security-Approved Drivers Licenses

For starters the only people who will need to have new Homeland Security-approved drivers licenses are those U.S. residents who wish to use their ID to board an airplane or enter a federal building. If you were born after December 1, 1964 you have until December 1, 2014 to make the switch. Old drivers have until 2017 to get a new ID. You are not being forced to get one. They are no rules that require states to issue the new identification cards to every resident, but if you don’t get one you will not be able to use your … Continue reading →