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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 →

Summer Travel Tips: Pack Your Patience and Some Common Sense

Summer might be halfway over, but millions of Americans have yet to embark on their annual family vacations. For those of you who are planning to take to the skies during the last weeks of summer be warned–packed planes, tighter security, horrific luggage restrictions and frustrated fellow flyers await you. Still, if your situation is like mine there is no other option besides flying to visit family and friends abroad. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the most of flying during the peak summer season. By planning ahead and using common sense you can avoid travel hassles whether you … Continue reading →

Taking to the Skies this Summer? Don’t Forget Your Wallet

And don’t forget to fill it with wads of green… you are going to need it if you want to quench your thirst, have a snack, or use the bathroom. I’m kidding about the last one, but at the rate that airlines are assessing additional fees for drinks, pretzels and luggage these days could paying to use an airplane’s lavatory really be that far off? If you are taking to the skies this summer you might want to review the following fee changes recently implement by various carriers throughout the United States. Then pack your wallet accordingly. US Airways In … Continue reading →

More Bad News for Cash Strapped Flyers

Well, I guess this means I have to stop picking on American Airlines. On Thursday United Airlines announced it plans to join American and charge passengers $15 for a first checked bag. American set the precedent for the charge and now it appears baggage fees are becoming an unavoidable part of U.S. air travel. First, it was the $25 charge for checking a second bag now this $15 fee for the first bag… before you know it U.S. carriers will be charging travelers for each carry-on they lug on board planes. Blame it on the record fuel prices they say. … Continue reading →

Derrie-Air Ready for Take-Off

It’s an airline that would have been thoroughly embraced by Bart Simpson and his dad Homer, but alas it turns out that a new carrier called Derrie-Air, which purportedly charged passengers by the pound, is as fictional as the big-eyed, yellow-skinned characters from animated Springfield. Only not everyone who saw the ads for the fake airline knew they were a joke. D’Oh! Late last week millions of unsuspecting readers of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News opened their newspapers to see ads for a new airline called Derrie-Air, which offered a way to save big on summer travel. According … 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 →

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 →

Ready, Set, Fly!

Our family does a lot more driving in the summer than flying (we travel more by plane during the winter months). However, judging by the huge amount of bad press the airline industry has been getting over the past few months you have to wonder how many travelers willingly opt to drive (or just stay home) rather than endure the headaches that come with flying. Given that my family lives in Hawaii, flying is a necessity in order for us to see each other. That said I have compiled a list of some tips that have served us well as … Continue reading →