Search Results for: blog last minute gifts for those fighting the black bag war

Summer Travel Tidbits—In Search of Slopes, Surf and Suitcase Rebates

SKI/SURF And here I thought the Big Island of Hawaii was the only place in the United States where you could surf and ski in the same afternoon. Travelers to Kellogg, Idaho know better. Last weekend visitors to the city’s newest addition—-the Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark–had the rare opportunity to ski and surf when the end of the ski season (June 1st) overlapped with the opening of surf season (May 30th). Okay, it’s not quite as natural as the ski and surf option Hawaii offers, but Idaho’s version was big enough to make headlines in that neck of the woods. … Continue reading →

Say Good Bye to Free Pretzels and Peanuts

Can the airline industry really do anything more to shock us? I’m afraid to ask. And I don’t really need to given US Airways latest announcement. One travel analyst referred to it as the “ultimate cost-cutting move,” yet somehow I am not at all surprised that US Airways has decided to eliminate free snacks in coach class on all its domestic flights. The new rule went into effect on Sunday the same day the carrier matched last week’s fare hikes by United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The increases are from $10 to $60 per round trip and … Continue reading →

More New Airline Fees

Okay, now I’ve heard everything. By now you know that American Airlines is charging passengers $15 to check in a single piece of luggage (and $25 for the second) on flights. And I’m sure you are well aware that most airlines are now charging more for extra legroom in their cabins and that the price of food and beverages is going up too. Well, now you’ll also have to dig deeper if you want to bring antlers on board Frontier Airlines. Yes, you read right—antlers. As in antlers that are normally connected to an animal’s head. Frontier Airlines (which, by … Continue reading →

Travel Insanity—Airline Charges for One Checked Bag

Not an extra bag. Not an extra carry-on. I’m talking about one single checked bag. American Airlines just announced it plans to start charging $15 for passengers to check in a single suitcase. INSANITY! Oh, and did I mention it also plans to cut flights and lay off thousands of workers too? The nation’s largest carrier blames the moves on record-high fuel prices. INSANITY! They are serious folks. Beginning June 15th—as in three weeks from now—if you are flying American you will be charged $15 for the first suitcase you check in and $25 for the second piece of luggage … Continue reading →

Ship It

If your kids can’t seem to get enough of Nickelodeon then here’s some good news. Get your calendars and Sharpies out because this summer, SpongeBob SquarePants and his pals are teaming up with Royal Caribbean to host the inaugural Nickelodeon Family Cruise. The ship departs Miami on August 10th and sets sail for the Western Caribbean and seven days of “sun, surf and slime.” The 4,000-plus-passenger Freedom of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s largest and newest vessels, according to the company’s website. And it would have to be massive given that it is home to a veritable amusement … 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 →

Airline Luggage Wars—-Can It Get Any Worse?

I’ve had my share of luggage horror stories (many of which I’ve shared on this site), but now I am bracing for what could prove to be a cataclysmic move by the airline industry in regards to checked bags. As if the price of airfare wasn’t enough to force you to vacation in your own backyard airlines are about to take another shot at your wallet via your luggage. Recently, United Airlines announced that it would be making a major (and alarming) change in its checked baggage policy. Instead of being able to check in two bags for free, as … Continue reading →

The Gift of Luggage

Two years ago my mom bought me new luggage for Christmas. Initially I told her that my current set still had a few good years left in it and tried to talk her out of the purchase. Looking back I am so glad that she went with her gut and got it for me. The bags she gifted me with are lighter, stronger and better designed to handle traveling with kids. What’s more, they include 360-degree swivel wheels, which I find to be invaluable when you are carrying a kid with one arm and dragging your luggage with the other. … Continue reading →

More Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Travelers

Believe it or not one of my brothers has not completed a lick of holiday shopping yet. I know this because he called me today asking what he should get my parents for Christmas. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s got a stressful job and very little free time. What’s more, I know he’s not alone… the world is filled with procrastinators and in their eyes they still have almost four full shopping days left before Christmas. With that in mind I offer these last-minute gift ideas for gift buyers looking to fulfill the needs and wants of the … Continue reading →

Protecting Your Luggage

In previous blogs I’ve written about the horror of experiencing lost luggage (it’s been a record year for lost bags), but I have neglected to detail what recourse you have should an airline misplace your baggage. As I noted above, 2007 has been a terrible year for baggage handling across the board. According to travel experts, more than 3.5 million travelers suffered luggage problems in just the first 9 months of the year. Bags were lost, damaged, temporarily misplaced, and in some cases the contents of some pieces of luggage were stolen by airport employees. Making matter worse is the … Continue reading →