As of June 12th, the Florida-based airline had to suspend flights after failed contract talks. The pilots’ contracts have been in question for the last three years and pilots represented by the Airline Pilots Associations finally walked off the job. Contract conflicts are said to be over pilot pay and schedules. Negotiations have gone on through the night but neither side has been able to reach agreement.

Spirit Airlines operates more than 150 flights to the eastern United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The company is known for their low airline fares. Rival airlines like US Airways will be working to help displaced passengers whose flights were canceled. While some short-term profit boosts are expected to occur, overall earnings for other carriers were not likely to be affected.

Spirit customers will receive credits for the full purchase amount of canceled airline tickets in addition to $100 credit for use on future flights. Refund information can be obtained by calling 800-772-7117. The company released a statement on their website to address customer concerns. They stated “Spirit Airlines is continuing to work with our pilot union to reach a fair and equitable agreement that ensures the long-term stability of the company, and allows us to continue offering you the ultra-low fares you have come to know and love.”

The Airline Pilots Association has stated that the strike follows almost four years of negotiations to find middle ground between the pilots and the airline. They said that Spirit pilots have been working ‘at below-market rates’ for years, as well as enduring ‘sub-standard work rules’. Pilots have said their pay is not in line with other pilots working for other American airline companies.

Spirit Airline Flights Canceled Through Thursday was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had already ordered the machines prior to the security breach last week. The cost of each machine is said to be upwards of $170,000. The TSA also had plans to install 300 more of the machines by the year 2012.  Right now 19 airports in the United States use 40 full body scanners as part of security protocol.

Critics of the devices claim they are way too invasive for passengers to go through and the TSA claims on their website that the choice to go through these machines are optional. Passengers who refuse to participate in a full body scan are then subjected to other forms of more intensive search, such as being patted down by airport officials.

Airport body scan machines come in two forms. The first uses what is referred to as ‘backscatter technology’ produces an x-ray image of an individual. The other type of scan machine uses millimeter wave technology that results in a photo negative of the individual that is great with detail.

The privacy concerns voiced by passengers were met with the TSA’s promise to blur facial images ad properly delete produced images to keep information confidential.  But many critics still say the full body scanners should not be the only resource for heightening security measures at airports. Many feel that more analysis of the entire situation of security at airports be reviewed before more technology is brought in.

Others who support the full body scan measures believe that situations like the Christmas Day bombing attempt would have never been possible has the alleged terrorist had to undergo a full body screening. While the explosive hidden in the underwear of Umar Farouq AbdulMutallab may not have immediately been identified as an explosive from the scan, it may have signaled that something was amiss and required further investigation.

Concerns about increased wait time at the airport security counters are of concern to many consumers and the privacy issues may also present a problem for some fliers. The TSA continues to strive to meet security issues and in light of the recent bombing scare on US soil, many fliers may likely be willing to undergo the additional security screenings for now, even if the choice is no longer optional.

Prepare For A Full Body Scan was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Airlines like Northwest, American, Delta and United have now doubled the cost of the ticket surcharges. During such peak travel times, fliers can expect to pay an extra $20 surcharge  just for flying. This surcharge is in addition to the costs of baggage and taxes. Some airlines are still offering discounted ticket prices depending on where you plan to fly so it becomes much more difficult to make travel arrangements.

Consumers who are looking to fly  really need to check out what  the options are for airfare. Many times the surcharges will be added in with the price of the ticket and the websites will only show you the total price in bold. It is up to the consumer to check out the itemized costs and decide if the travel surcharges are worth it. This will take some time so consumers will need to start planning early. Check out multiple airlines and travel sites in order to find where the discounts lie. Consumers can also check out websites like FareCompare to find the best deals on travel from every airport.

Peak travel days are still predicted to be busy, despite the extra fees but rearranging travel dates to bypass these peak days may save on travel costs. To date, the peak travel days where travelers are likely to be faced with the surcharge are November 29, and 30, December 19, 26, and 27, January 2 and 3, with additional days during spring break time and the Memorial Day weekend. On these days, travelers can also expect to find limited seating on flights.

Planning early for the holiday travel season can certainly pay off in savings because you have more time to research your options and capitalize on getting seats before they are snapped up. If airline travel  is too costly for your budget, consider traveling after the holiday rush is over or using alternative methods of travel if possible.

Travel During The Holidays and Pay Double for Your Stuff was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

By the year 2011, more than 200 American Airlines domestic passenger flights will have Wi-Fi capability. The move is in effort to increase both the services available to airline passengers as well as bring in much needed money to the airlines. Currently, 15 of American Airlines Boeing aircrafts already had trial periods of broadband services on non-stop flights between New York’s JFK and San Francisco, Miami, and Los Angeles.

The addition of the Wi-Fi services will enable passengers to access the internet, check their emails, access corporate VPN, and send instant messages during the flight. Once the aircraft has reached 10,000 feet in the air, passengers can turn on Wi-Fi enabled devices, included hand-help PDA’s, smartphones, and laptops. Upon opening their browsers, they will be redirected to the Gogo portal page where they can register, pay, and start using the service. Gogo provides high-speed internet service to the airlines. It is powered by the Aircell ATG (air-to-ground) system, which utilizes three small antennas installed outside the plane which connects to Aircell’s exclusive nation-wide broadband network.  Upon the conclusion of the trial period, American Airlines found that indeed passengers were very willing to register for and use the mobile broadband amenities.

The cost of the services initially will depend on the length of the flight and the type of device being used. The pricing plans from Aircell are as follows:

Mobile Flight Pass $7.95
For hand-held devises, this price includes usage on flights of any amount of time.

Short Flight Pass $9.95
This is the standard price for Wi-Fi access on all flights ranging from 3 hours or less in time.

Long Flight Pass $12,95
This is the standard price for Wi-Fi access on all flights ranging 3 hours or more.

The paid sessions for the Gogo access does not include service for cell phones or VoIP services. Passengers who appreciate the opportunity to work and increase productivity while on flights, especially long flights, may find the prices reasonable and worth it to stay in touch from the skies.

It’s not just in the skies that mobile broadband is gaining popularity. You can now have mobile wireless internet everywhere with the proliferation of cell-phone broadband services. You can learn more about these services at http://www.broadbandexpert.com/.

Prepare for Wi-Fi In the Skies was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Here are some tips for capitalizing on the best vacation and travel deals out there now:

Go For the Dream Vacation
If you have been dreaming of Paris and other other international destinations as your dream getaway, now is the time to take advantage of the reasonable prices for such travel. For instance, there are luxury African safari trips priced two-for-one. The bigger the trip, potentially the better the deal. Shop around and see where you can go that you once never thought possible.

Check Out the Conversion Rates
The US dollar is gaining more strength so traveling abroad can get you even more of a deal. Travelers can do much more on the same amount of money they might have had to spend last year around this time. Before making a final decision about where you want to go, check out the currency of some interesting countries like Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Iceland. You can get a whole lot more for a whole lot less in some really great locations.

Be Flexible
Look around at some areas of the world that have been hit hard in the tourism department. If you can keep an open mind and be flexible about the dates you can travel, you can really find a deal of a lifetime. Experts suggest you start your search with a list of places you are interested in visiting. Take that list and see which location offers you the best deal for travel.

Get Into Negotiations
Even when you nail down the details of your trip, you can still save even more cash if you are willing to ask some questions and get a negotiation going. Ask the hotel manager what extras they can thrown in for your family for their regular prices, such as free kid’s meals or tickets to local attractions.

Go Ahead and Use Your Rewards
If you have credit cards that offer rewards miles or if you have a deal with the airline for frequent flier miles, now is the time to cash them in. Airlines are looking to fill seats and so they have become more flexible about letting you exhaust your miles when you want to do it – not when they dictate the time.

While we are struggling with just surviving paycheck to paycheck, there are many ways and benefits to planning a getaway. Your frugal ways can serve you well when you make a proactive attempt to keep finding the best deals for every aspect of your luxury vacation, even if that cruise cost 60% less than it did last year.

The Recession is Opening the Doors to Big Vacation Savings was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

TripAdvisor® just announced the results of its airline safety awareness survey of more than 2,100 U.S. respondents, conducted from January 16 – January 20, 2009. Sixty-eight percent of U.S. respondents said they frequently pay attention to the in-flight safety presentation, with of this compilation nearly a third said they always do. Of the 32 percent who said they rarely or never pay attention to the in-flight safety presentation, 81 percent said it is because they already know it by heart, according to TripAdvisor’s survey results.

Half of travelers surveyed said they have read the seat-back instruction card in the past, but following last week’s “Miracle on the Hudson,” 62 percent are more likely to read it in the future, TripAdvisor’s survey reveals. Seventy-three percent of respondents said they always check the locations of the exits on the plane, while 20 percent often do.  

Related to the US Airways “Miracle on the Hudson,” 31 percent of travelers said they had concerns about bird strikes even before this incident.

According to TripAdvisor survey respondents, the two best ways to recognize the heroic efforts of the US Airways pilot and crew are with monetary compensation, and medals of honor.

“The events of last week gave us all–even frequent flyers– a renewed awareness of the importance of airline safety precautions and procedures. It’s clear that the majority of travelers are paying attention,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

As reported in an official US Airways statement, “US Airways is extremely proud of the professional Crew of Flight 1549. All five of these outstanding aviation professionals performed in an exceptional way under extraordinary circumstances.”

Other TripAdvisor survey findings include:

• Twelve percent of travelers avoid booking in the emergency exit row because they don’t want the responsibility of opening the doors and assisting the crew in an emergency.
• Sixty-seven percent of respondents said that during a flight, they feel prepared in the event of an emergency. In the event of a water landing, 75 percent of travelers believe they would know what to do.
• Fifteen percent of travelers said they have experienced an emergency landing. Five percent of travelers said they have been on a flight where the oxygen masks were deployed, and two percent have had to pull the life jacket out from under their seat.
• Ninety-one percent said they always keep their seat belt fastened for the journey.

When flying with children, other issues arise. Louie Delaware, the Home Safety Guru, provides a few helpful hints to keep kids safe when flying.

1. Bring Your Own Car Seats - It is tempting to have a child that is under 2 years of age sit on your lap during your flight.  But it is much easier and safer for everyone if the child has their own seat.  “It is very difficult, and most likely physically impossible, to hold a child during turbulence,” Delaware says.  All children less than 40 pounds should be a car seat and older children in a booster seat.  Make certain that yours has the designation “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” as many car seats do not have this.  For best fit in aircraft seats, use a car seat that is less than 16″ wide.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make certain that the seat is properly installed with the airplane buckles.  It is a requirement on many international flights that every child have their own seat. 
2. Consider Using an Aviation Child Safety Device (ACSD) Strap - This is a restraint device that is allowed on airplanes for children between 22 and 44 pounds.  It attaches to the back of the seat works in addition to the lap belt.   These are much easier to carry as they are just straps.  And they install very easily.   You can order these at www.KidsFlySafe.com. 
3. Booster Seats – Also, be aware that booster seats are not allowed on many airlines.   
4. Oxygen Masks – If during your flight the oxygen masks drop from above, put yours on first as you will quickly loose your ability to deal with the emergency.  Once yours is properly on, put one on your child.  What is not communicated is that if there is a sudden loss of cabin pressure that your will possibly lose consciousness within 15-20 seconds without oxygen.  So it is very important that you can get yours on before dealing with your children’s mask.  You will not be of any assistance to them if you pass out after putting theirs on before yours. 

Take time to prepare for a dreaded “what if” scenario occurs when traveling to ensure you are ready if a crisis arises. Next time you board an aircraft, give proper attention to exit rows, safety information and demonstrations. You never know when you might need to employ these life-saving tips.

Air Travel Safety Awareness Heightened Resulting from US Airways Miracle Landing was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

CheapTickets has always been a personal favorite and the site did not disappoint this time. With just a week’s notice I was able to score a non-stop flight from Ft. Myers, Florida to Washington, DC for just over $150. I had to do a double-take. Then I researched a few car rental options and it turned out by staying two nights, the slight fare increase on the United/USAirways flight, my total package price was less due to a special car rental offer by Budget.

Despite a great flight and car rental price, I realized that extra charges could be lurking resulting in a bigger expense than what appeared on the surface. I wanted to ensure that I could avoid the baggage fees, so I packed with precision resulting in one carry on luggage item, along with my personal item. Since I typically check my bags, I do not often worry about TSA’s 3-1-1 rules as most of my liquids are in checked luggage. But this trip was different and I had to inspect each toiletry to ensure it was under the 3 oz. limit. To my surprise, a few of my “travel size” products were 3.2 oz. or larger which would not be permitted to be brought onboard in my carry on bag.

To my rescue, I previously discovered the Clear Bag System product which is a quart size, stylish, airport approved clear bag with ready to go 3 oz. and under containers for shampoo, condition, body lotion and more, complete with labels. This bag had ample room for extra liquid items such as anti bacterial liquid soap, lip gloss and my “can’t live without” hair serum!

One twist to my packing is that I came bearing gifts for the client and for the friend who was my gracious host. My husband declared that there would be no way that I could manage to pack all of the gifts plus the minimum five pairs of shoes that accompany me on my journey. I took his challenge and did sacrifice my shoes for convenience and successfully packed all “necessary” items for the trip.

The key for me to be able to get by with just my carry on and personal item is a large enough “purse” that serves almost as a piece of luggage, yet is not unwieldy. I’ve discovered the Coakley executive bag that is functional, durable and stylish. It has a place for everything and truly helps organize my pre-flight preparation.

One benefit I’ve quickly realized by traveling light is that I was able to bypass the long holiday check-in line and go straight to security with my roller in tow. I went online the night before to print off my boarding pass, which is a critical time saving step in any travels, but particularly when you are not checking luggage. But, in times of full flights, it is also wise to check-in online to ensure you indeed do have a seat.

Now I admit I did not follow the two-hour arrival rule. I arrived an hour prior as my departing day was not a peak travel day and since I was not checking luggage. Caution, do not necessarily follow in my footsteps though on this one as there have been times I have been stuck in long security lines of more than an hour.

Amenities onboard are limited now on most airlines and these flights were not exceptions. I have always packed along a few snack essentials since I’m typically traveling with a toddler in hand. I also always stop at one of the airport stores pass security to purchase a bottle of water to bring on board. While these steps might seem little, they do save money and provide convenience.

A few travel tips when planning last-minute travel during the holidays include:

• Expertise: Use a travel agent or their resources to research at-a-glance options for quick comparisons.
• Commit: Airlines have reduced capacity so flights are expected to be full this season, so when you find a price that seems reasonable, book it.
• Combine: More often than not, you can score a better deal when combining different travel elements such as airline ticket, car rental and hotel versus booking each independently.
• Planning: Depending on the amount of days you are traveling for take a few extra moments to really think about what you will need. Pack like colors to help provide additional mix and match options, reducing the need for different shoes or other accessories.
• Check In: Go online to your airline’s Web site and check in and print off your boarding pass. This is a time saver.
• Carry On: With inclement weather, possible flight delays and cancellations, if you can pack smartly to avoid checking your baggage, you’ve removed one more possible complication – lost luggage – that could damper holiday spirits. By having your items with you, you have also become more mobile in case you need to catch a quick connection or even change flights all together due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Bag It: When traveling with gifts, be cautious to not wrap ahead as it is possible security might require you to open these items. Pack some gift bags and tissue paper, which travel easily, if this is your case. Or purchase the gift wrapping essentials when you arrive.

What is your top space saver travel trick?

Tips to Navigate Busy Holiday Travel was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: TSA.gov

Photo Credit: TSA.gov

Photo Credit: TSA.gov

If you have ever traveled during the holidays, you have possibly experienced more stress due to increased volume at airports and on the road. Or, if you have traveled with infants and young children, you can appreciate that it just takes more time to juggle the stroller, baby, diaper bag and other kid necessities, especially as the impatient person stands behind you with no luggage waiting to rush through security.

However, this holiday season, airline travelers might be pleasantly surprised with less wait time to pass through airport security for some and reduced stress for families trying to manage little hands and extra items. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in time for this week’s Thanksgiving travel season, completed and unveiled its new family, expert and casual traveler lanes through security checkpoints in U.S. airports.

Less hassle in actual security lines coupled with an expected reduced amount of actual travelers will hopefully make holiday travels easier to navigate. Nearly 4.54 million (11 percent of holiday travelers) plan to travel by airplane, representing a 7.2 percent decrease from the 4.89 million travelers who flew last year, according to AAA.

Based on sample data released by the Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the three busiest travel days surrounding Thanksgiving Day are expected to be Sunday, Nov. 30, Monday, Dec. 1, and Wednesday, Nov. 26, respectively. On these days, ATA projects that planes will be, on average, close to 90 percent full.

“Despite the expected decline in passengers this Thanksgiving holiday travel season – the first such decline in seven years – Thanksgiving remains the busiest travel time of the year for airlines,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “And make no mistake – the airports will be busy and many flights will be 100 percent full.”

Hoping to ease congestion, provide additional help to those who need it, and to decrease wait time, the newly unveiled lanes, part of TSA’s Diamond Self-Select program currently at 48 airports, allow families, individuals unfamiliar with air travel procedures and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace, as reported by TSA. Click here to watch the Black Diamond Self-Select video.

Individuals traveling with medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols like baby formula, insulin, cough syrup, contact lens solution and prescription medications will undergo additional screening that will usually take less than two minutes to ensure these items do not pose a threat.

Just like a skier who sees the slopes marked with black diamonds for the “expert” to the green slope for the “beginner”, the security lines are now marked for “expert” travelers to those needing some more time to get through.

The introduction of lanes that will serve as both family lanes and dedicated lanes for passengers carrying medically necessary liquids strengthens TSA efforts to build a network of technology to detect liquid explosives, as reported in TSA’s release.

“Passengers have clearly demonstrated their preference to go at their own pace,” said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. “Expanding these lanes to every airport and directing families and passengers with medically necessary liquids to them, increases passenger convenience and security.”

TSA has put together some tips to help people get through the screening process faster. Visit: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm There is even a video demonstrating traveling with an infant available and special tips for this group of travelers: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

Family Travel Lanes Take Off in Time for Holiday Travel was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: www.spiritair.com

In 2008 the friendly skies have not been so friendly. Travelers have been hit with outrageous fees on top of fees for everything ranging from traveling with luggage to reserving a seat. Capacity has been reduced and routes eliminated. It is surprising the airlines have not started charging a reservation fee for oxygen in case of emergency. Seriously, getting through the ticket purchase process can be just as long and frustrating as going through an airport security line.

Last night, I had the honor of purchasing a ticket for my mother’s pending visit. Based on our locales there is only one airline and one daily flight for non-stop flights, so based on supply and demand theories a premium might be expected to be paid. Luckily, this single flight availability/route is on a discount airline, Spirit Airlines, so we have never had to pay an “outrageous” amount. When comparing other “nearby” airports, there are less expensive flights, but when considering gas prices and time to go an extra hour to this nearby airport, the savings are negated.

I have been purchasing Spirit Airline tickets for more than two years for this particular route and I have been lucky enough to score an insanely good sale price for certain visits. However, regardless of Spirit’s great sale offerings, I was disappointed in my purchasing experience.

The ticket price was acceptable and by waiting an extra day, an unexpected sale was announced which resulted in an additional $25 in savings, which was “lost” as I went through the reservation process and pre-paid the now $15 for first piece of checked luggage fee. But, hey, $25 is $25 and I am not complaining. My recollection of the luggage fee had been $10 for the first bag, so I was left wondering if prices had gone up for this “service”. Where I was shocked is when the seat reservation option came up. Spirit Airlines now charges $10 per seat, per flight, even for online reservations. This is unacceptable. If booking online, travelers should be able to reserve their seat as part of the process and ticket price.

While airlines reportedly are struggling, why tease a customer in with a sale fare only to bait and switch with fee on top of fee. As you approach the end of the buying experience, Spirit Airlines automatically tacks on its fee for its airline insurance, which provides zero protection if the airline goes bankrupt, and $9 for a trial membership in its $39.95 annual exclusive $9 fare club. Both of these items are optional and I did not opt for either, but I felt as though this “suggestive selling” was just more nickel and diming that was unnecessary.

Spirit overall I have had good flying experiences with and again, have scored amazing flight deals. I only wish the Burger King approach would be removed. I highly recommend visiting Spirit’s Web site, www.spiritair.com and sign up to receive its sale notices. A word of caution…be flexible and act quickly.

Purchasing Airline Tickets? It’s the a la carte line… was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The Bag: It is difficult to find a good carry-on bag that serves as a purse for women that is stylish and not bulky or manly and fits within the size restrictions. Travel-Advocate has found one…the Coakley travel bag. The only complaint about this product is before even packing it up with essentials, it is a heavy bag. But, just as with high heels, function and style trump comfort at times. Truly, the functionality of the Coakley can not be beat with the various compartments and the ease of reaching the passport, keys, baby wipes, cell phone when it is needed. Visit: www.coakleybusinessclass.com

The Wallet: The Original Taxi Wallet from Vallavista is the perfect everyday and travel accessory to keep track of money, receipts, coins, credit cards, and identification. This quality product is the perfect size, measuring 4 x 3 ¼, light weight, various stylish color options, and is functional. There are multiple currency pockets to easily separate monies when traveling abroad and it features an interior security pocket as well. Available at www.sylenedc.com under accessories.

The Sunscreen: Regardless of where travels might take someone, a travel-size sunscreen is important for both adults and children. For kids, a favorite is Hawaiian Tropic’s Kids Sunblock 60+ SPF. Either Kinesys 30 SPF or SmartShield’s 30 SPF travel well as a carry-on product. Both protect from both UVA and UVB harmful rays. SmartShield is eco-friendly and waterproof and its SPF 30 is also available in lotion, gel and convenient towelette form (and 2 oz bottles for carrying on airplanes). Visit: www.hawaiiantropic.com, www.kinesys.com, www.smartshield.com

The Eyes: Regardless of season, a good pair of sunglasses is an item to not leave at home. The Quattro polarized performance sunwear line protect the eyes from damaging UV rays and are light weight with no glare. Visit: www.quattrosunwear.com

The Lips: Keeping lips moisturized and protected while traveling is often forgotten. A great product serving multiple purposes is Softlips® flavored lip conditioning products providing SPF 20 protection and even have a tinted option eliminating the need for a lip gloss. Visit: www.softlips.com

The Head: This sun hat is the easiest product to pack due to its ability to fold up and how how light weith Soleil Chic’s UV hat is, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Visit: www.soleilchic.com

The Children’s Warmth: For infants and toddlers, SwaddleDesigns has a comfortable, light weight blanket called SummerSwaddle, as well as an easy-to-pack receiving blanket. Bringing your own blankets removes the wondering if a blanket will be available onboard. Beyond adult sun protection clothing items, Sun Safe Designer Clothing offers either a pink or blue baby blanket which is protected by a fabric that is 50+ SPF. All three products are easy to pack inside of the recommended Coakley bag. Visit: www.swaddledesigns.com or www.sunsafedesignerclothing.com

The Kid’s Entertainment: It goes without saying that an entertainment bag accompanies kids when traveling, but there is one product that is a favorite for infants and toddlers that is multi-purpose. The Munchkin Twisty® Traveling Flash Cards help kids with numbers, the alphabets, word association, counting and more. The product size is perfect to fit into a purse or diaper bag and is a hidden gem when traveling. Visit: www.munchkin.com

The Snacks: For the most part, the free meals are gone when flying. Pack some healthy snacks when traveling that are convenient, healthy and that kids will like. FruitaBü^TM Organic Fruit Twirls give kids a fun and convenient, mess-free way to unwrap a healthy fruit snack. Snacktrition products features some tasty travel-size products including Sea Salt Cashews with Fiber, Sea Salt Almonds with Calcium, Salt & Pepper Cashews with Fiber, Smoked Almonds with Calcium and Fruit & Nut Mix with Fiber and Calcium. Visit: www.fruitabu.com and www.snacktrition.com.

The You Never Know Items: Traveling With Toddlers kit ensures travelers are prepared for anything featuring items such as a small flashlight, disinfectant spray, toilet seat covers and bathroom tissue, paper towels, first aid kit, moist wipes, sunscreen, sun pain relief gel, sewing kit, Splinter Out, anti-cavity toothpaste, toothbrush, calming shampoo & body wash and hand sanitizer. All of these included products are within the TSA travel requirement sizes. Visit: http://www.minimus.biz

Of course there are other items that a traveler never leaves home without, but these are just a few essentials Travel-Advocate has found useful during recent travels.

What Is In Your Travel Bag? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Hurricanes, natural disasters, accidents, illnesses, airline strikes or bankruptcies are just a few items that can wreck havoc on people’s vacation plans and trip investments. ”There are as many options for travel insurance as there are scenarios – from life-threatening, to simply annoying – that can arise unexpectedly when people travel,” Squaremouth.com CEO Chris Harvey explains. So how can consumers be sure they’ve found the right policy for them?

In attempt to provide some clarity to travel insurance questions, Squaremouth.com, a leading travel insurance comparison site, released today its comprehensive set of answers to customers’ most pressing questions including a few that follow:

What are the main kinds of travel insurance? Medical policies cover illness, accidents and emergency evacuation. They may be sold separately, or wrapped into so-called “comprehensive” packages. At a minimum, comprehensive packages consist of “trip cancellation” and “trip delay” protection in circumstances ranging from poor weather or airport delays, to deficient aircraft; “trip interruption” benefits for vacations cut short because of a family emergency; and usually some baggage coverage.

Should I buy a ‘medical evacuation’ plan in addition to standard trip insurance?
A medical evacuation plan is designed to return the consumer home quickly after they’ve been hospitalized in a foreign country. This insurance typically doesn’t cover medical treatment they may need before the evacuation. Most standard travel insurance covers evacuations as well, but the insurance company and local physician are the ones deciding whether to bring them home; Medical evacuation plans, in contrast, allow travelers more control over that decision. Squaremouth considers standard plans’ evacuation coverage to be excellent, so unless the buyers want more control over the decision to evacuate there’s no need to buy additional medical evacuation cover.

Can I buy travel insurance without a ‘trip cancellation’ benefit?
Yes, a traveler can choose a plan that excludes cancellation coverage but still offers a full range of benefits, including coverage for trip delay, a medical emergency, medical evacuation, lost or delayed baggage, etc. Some plans allow the customer to enter a $0 trip cost, which will provide all the benefits of a comprehensive plan excluding trip cancellation and trip interruption. Another option to consider is a Post Departure Plan, which offers all comprehensive benefits including trip interruption, but excludes trip cancellation coverage.

Is there a money back guarantee?
Money back guarantees let travelers decide if the travel insurance policy they purchased is right for them. Their guarantee, called a “free look period,” in industry lingo, can last for up to 15 days depending on the insurance company, although it may expire sooner if they make a claim or reach your departure date before the period has ended. Most companies will refund the full amount minus an administrative fee of around $6 to $8 per policy.

When’s the best time to buy?
The best time to buy travel insurance is usually within 14 to 21 days of putting down the initial deposit on a trip. It means travelers’ typically qualify for coverage of any pre-existing medical conditions – though a few carriers provide such coverage up to the day before their last payment. If they need a “cancel for any reason” benefit, they will be required to buy this within 14 days of their deposit. But if a customer does not need either of these types of benefit, or they are buying medical coverage only, there’s no deadline to meet: travelers can buy insurance up until the day they leave.

Can I buy insurance to cover less than the cost of my trip?
Some plans require a traveler to insure the full pre-paid, non-refundable cost of a trip to be eligible for certain benefits, such as for pre-existing conditions. Others allow them to insure an amount less than your trip cost; however, any claim would be limited to the amount they have insured.

Can I insure trips paid for using frequent flier miles?
Frequent flier miles aren’t covered by travel insurance. If a consumer cancels a trip, they will only be reimbursed the money they actually lost. However, some policies will reimburse the cost of an airline-imposed change or reissue fee, if their trip was canceled by their travel supplier; plus fees to re-bank frequent flier miles up to the amount they entered as their trip cost.

Can I cancel for any reason and get my money back?
Standard trip cancellation insurance refunds the pre-paid, non-refundable costs of canceling a trip for one of the reasons covered by a customer’s policy, which generally are: sudden medical emergencies; airline, cruise line or tour operator bankruptcy; severe weather; terrorist attacks; or jury duty. A traveler can add ‘Cancel for any reason’ insurance as an option on many policies to help refund much of the value of a trip. This policy must be purchased within 14 days of putting down the initial deposit on a trip, and the traveler has to insure the trip’s full value. And to be able to make a claim, the customer must cancel a trip at least two days prior to their intended departure.

The ease of Squaremouth’s presentation of available travel insurance products aids in helping eliminate some of the confusion when seeing which options exist. Squaremouth displays policies in a format that allows for side-by-side comparison, similar to some airline ticketing sites such as Orbitz or CheapTickets.com.

It is easy for Squaremouth customers to sort policies by price, benefit or carrier, and instantly buy their choice of coverage. 

Still have questions? Don’t worry, Squaremouth’s team of licensed insurance experts is available to answer any questions via phone or email. Visit http://www.squaremouth.com/pages/travel-insurance-advice.php. To read up on this industry’s lingo, visit the Travel Insurance Glossary (fun beachside reading).

Confused about Travel Insurance? Here are some Questions & Answers was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

While last-minute holiday shoppers can score some good deals, this is not the case for the 2008 holiday travel season. Those who procrastinate might just have the Grinch steal their Christmas travel dreams.

The latest figures from OAG’s consolidated database reveal a 7% drop both in the number of flights and in seat capacity for October, November and December 2008 compared with the same time last year.  The U.S. domestic market will account for about 20 million of that figure, or 33% of the global decline in capacity, in what could potentially be the most widespread crisis to hit the aviation industry in recent memory, according to an OAG press release.

Steve Casley, Chief Operating Officer of OAG, said, “The data speaks for itself. It took a good three years for the industry to recover from the downturn in 2001 when it had a 5% drop in capacity and a 7% drop in flights.  Steady annual growth since 2002 looks set to plummet in the fourth quarter this year with an unprecedented global decline of 7%.”

OAG reports it is not only passengers who are facing reduced service and choice.  Many airports will be severely affected by the announced cuts by airline operations, with 275 airports around the world losing scheduled air service altogether based on current filed schedules. Of these, 32 are in the U.S. while 116 are in the Asia Pacific region, OAG reports.

Traveling during the holidays is hectic enough as it is without this capacity reduction and service elimination to certain airports. Travelers hoping to travel over the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas), should consider booking their flights now with this newly released data.

OAG, which also maintains the world’s leading fleet database, has adjusted its 10-year forecast for the global scheduled aircraft fleet to shrink by more than 3,500 aircraft as a result of high jet fuel prices and to reflect the impact of these capacity cuts.

Now is not the time to procrastinate or to hope airline prices “might” drop! “If you know you are traveling during peak holiday time, then go ahead and purchase your ticket now,” says Bill Thomas, owner of Tropical Latitudes Travel. “The continued airline turmoil is not conducive to shop around and only to end up paying more for a ticket, but even more importantly, missing the flight opportunity all together.”

To ensure travelers’ holiday trips are protected, travel insurance has never played a more important role. Those traveling during the holidays can purchase travel insurance through comparison sites such as Squaremouth.com to ensure their Christmas is still merry!

Do not assume that purchasing travel insurance through the airline direct is a full-proof protection as if the airline declares bankruptcy; customers are not covered, according to Squaremouth.com’s CEO Chris Harvey.

Travelers Who Wait Might Have a Disappointing Christmas: Nearly 60 Million Airline Seats will not be offered was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

According to a JetBlue news release, effective on August 4, 2008, customers on JetBlue flights longer than two hours may purchase the $7 eco-friendly pillow and blanket, which includes a coupon for $5 off the future purchase of any item at Bed Bath & Beyond. “Replacing our old, recycled pillows and blankets with this state-of-the-art, high-quality take home kit is an eco-conscious, health-conscious and customer-conscious decision,” said Brett Muney, General Manager of Product Development for JetBlue Airways. “We are constantly seeking ways to enhance the in-flight experience for our customers, and providing them the option to purchase The World’s Cleanest travel pillow and a fleece blanket at an affordable price delivers on that promise.”

The airline is trying to spin this move to be one of pro-consumer and eco-conscious choice. JetBlue executives were hammered for nickel and diming customers with this new move on the major talk shows, including Larry King Live, yesterday. In one of the responses delivered, the JetBlue executive stated that by charging fees for items such as blankets, they are allowing travelers to only pay for what they actually want to use. This allows them to keep ticket prices low and not increase ticket prices by $10 to $20 to cover costs for items that its customers may not even use, according to interview statements.

Not to hammer JetBlue, as they are one of the few airlines still offering a few complimentary items including Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, certain beverages, snacks, onboard entertainment by DIRECTV® and even wireless service.

On the “friendly skies” fee front, Delta Airlines has announced its changes to award ticketing pricing and associated fuel surcharges. According to Delta.com, starting August 15th, 2008, for award tickets issued customers face a zero to $150 fee depending on how far out ticket is issued. For travelers who plan ahead, a fee can be avoided if they ensure ticket is issued a minimum of 21 days before departure date. However, the fee is waived for award tickets for Platinum Medallion® members.

Regardless of when Delta fliers book their award tickets, they will not escape fee free. Effective August 15th, 2008, according to Delta.com, “Due to the continued rise in fuel prices, Delta will temporarily add the following fuel surcharge to Award Tickets originating from the US or Canada.” A $25 surcharge will be applied for award travel within the 50 states and Canada compared to a $50 fee for award travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations. “This fuel surcharge will not impact any existing ticketed award itineraries or any future Award Tickets issued prior to August 15, 2008, regardless of the date of travel,” stated on Delta.com.

Additionally, USAirways has impoased a $25 to $50 fee for its frequent fliers cashing in miles for trips and Northwest has announced a $25 to $100 fee for its World Persk ticket. Furthermore, American Airlines is charging a $5 online booking fee and increasing its mile requirements for travelers’ eligibility for “free” tickets.

With all of these new fees being levied this summer, airlines are reporting that millions are being made…but, at whose expense? If you’re looking for cheap tickets overseas, cheap airline tickets to Europe, or cheap tickets to asia, you’re probably out of luck. Even if you get a deal, you’ll get hit with huge fees.

No Free in Flying was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

When traveling, companies are taking note of the newly imposed carry-on restrictions, weight limits and additional fees for even checking a piece of luggage on most airlines. There are products designed to maximize space, minimize weight and hopefully save money on additional levied baggage fees (whether for an extra bag or for one that exceeds weight restrictions). Following are a few products to help travelers when packing or items that make traveling easier. 

• To maximize luggage space, use Compression Bags. The bags remove excess air around bulky items, creating up to 80% more packing space. Offered by TravelSmith Outfitters, www.travelsmith.com.
• Maximize clothing purposes with versatile articles such as the Women’s Sophisticated Three Piece Set. Offered by TravelSmith Outfitters, www.travelsmith.com.  
• Clear bag sets to take your personal toiletries, eliminating need to purchase travel-sized products. One stylish choice for men, women and children is the Clear Bag System^TM toiletry kit. Available at: www.clearbagsystem.com.
• Travel size personal care product packs by mysmartpac are convenient, carry-on approved, disposable, and earth-friendly. The packs, available in HIS and HERS, take the guess work out of packing personal hygiene products (figuring out container sizes and worrying about bottles opening en-route) when traveling. Visit: www.mysmartpac.com
• Maximizing space without sacrificing style is possible with Coakley travel bags. With the number of bags allowed as carry-on items when flying this functional product ensures nothing is left behind without trying to juggle lots of bags. Available at www.coakleybusinessclass.com
• For those needing some extra space for their souvenirs, pack an expandable checkable tote bag in your carry-on bag. Constructed from durable ballistic nylon and comes in black, olive, blue or red. Offered by Anne McAlpin^TM, www.packitup.com.
•  Wanting to avoid any checked-in luggage fees all together? Consider Brookstone’s Dash Rolling Hardside Carry-on, which is sleek and stylish and comes in black, silver, red, pink, green or yellow. The light weight (less than 8 pounds) hard plastic case protects your belongings and fits in standard overhead compartments. www.brookstone.com.
• Weigh luggage before arriving at airport to avoid surprises and the need to quickly perform the shuffle game (switching items from one bag to another) or even rushing to an airport kiosk/store to purchase a new bag. Several companies offer this product including:

• - TravelSmith Outfitters’ Digital Luggage Scale – a portable, handheld luggage scale that weighs up to 100 lbs. (44 kg.) of luggage. www.travelsmith.com
• - Brookstone’s Digital Luggage Scale (available October 2008) weighs your bags to ensure they meet airline requirements. Measures bags weighing up to 75 Lbs. Simply place the clip on your luggage strap and use the handle to lift the scale and bag off the ground. Measures the weight in pounds and kilograms. www.brookstone.com
• - Balanzza digital luggage scale (available August 15th), a scale developed specifically for travelers that weighs 10oz, so it is easy to pack and take with you to ensure souvenir bags are not over the limit. Weighs up to 100 pounds and weighs in pounds and kilograms. www.balanzza.com

Yet, if these packing products do not work and you still end up checking multiple bags with a resulting fee, some hotels are helping you ensure you leave nothing behind.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced the “We Got Your Bag” promotion that runs through Sept. 9, 2008. Guests need simply to show proof of an additional airline baggage charge upon check in at any one of Kimpton’s 43 hotels in the U.S. and Canada, and a room credit will be issued in that amount, up to $25, offsetting the fee imposed upon air travelers. Some restrictions apply. Visit www.kimptonhotels.com.

The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel in Washington, DC, has developed Travel Smart program offering a 10% discount to ship baggage; an Airline Restriction Relief package featuring a full-range of airline approved toiletries and other travel necessities, free of charge to guests; a 24/7 Tech Butler, offering adapters and chargers for its guests’ technology needs powered by I-Go; and more. Visit www.affinia.com.

What is your favorite travel product that is a must-have for any traveler?

Photo Credits: Top Left (www.coakleybusinessclass.com); Top Right (www.clearbagsystem.com); Middle (www.brookstone.com); Bottom Right (www.balanzza.com)

Travel Products Making Traveling Easier was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

According to a press release issued by Delta, these new fee increases are in attempt to offset the 70-80 percent increase in jet fuel prices in the last year. These domestic fees are being levied on the everyday traveler. According to Delta, “First Class, BusinessElite and Medallion customers will continue to be able to check up to three bags at no charge.”

With continued rising fees and considering the convenience factor, passengers are turning to shipping companies such as Luggage Free. Pricing is competitive when shipping oversized items domestically including skis and golf clubs for as little as $150 and $115 respectively and these prices include the cost of pick-up. Baggage pricing starts for as little as $1.65 a pound for domestic delivery.

In fact, Jeff Boyd, president of Luggage Free says travelers are continuing to see the benefits of shipping items ahead and the company is projecting a 45% growth in business for 2008. Boyd believes customers are turning to Luggage Free for “The pure convenience of it, which I believe is magnified a great deal by the airlines continued struggles with unfavorable incidents pertaining to their passenger’s luggage.”

Avoiding the hassle of checking luggage in prior to a trip and standing at the baggage carousel watching the bags go round and round are other reasons customers are electing to ship items separately, according to Boyd. While summer is the busiest time for the company, Boyd says “the rest of the year is starting to pick up”.

For Luggage Free, top destinations travelers are shipping their bags to include New York domestically and Italy internationally. For people traveling to international destinations, by opting to ship ahead, they also realize the benefit of avoiding having to clear luggage via Customs.

“We prepare all customs documentation on behalf of our customers,” Boyd says. “As a result, our customers need to only provide us a few small pieces of information, such as a copy of their passport, and we take care of the rest.”

Rising Baggage Fees, Consider Shipping Ahead was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

This week, US Airways joined the list of other airlines including Spirit and United for charging for the first bag checked. US Airways fee is $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second. However, there are some exemptions. According to the airlines baggage policy, all Dividend Preferred Miles enrollees are exempt for first and second piece of checked luggage that have met either the Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman’s Preferred levels. Those passengers traveling to and from Europe and Asia are also exempt; as well as Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members. While airlines typically charge a fee for an unaccompanied minor, US Airways is not imposing the checked baggage fee for this age group. Oh, and another perk for the “elite” traveler is those who are confirmed First-Class or Envoy class passengers at the time of check-in as they will not have to pay this new fee. They are not charging active duty service members on travel orders up to a certain weight limit as well.

Carry on luggage appears to be the only way to avoid this fee, but just wait as I’m sure this is in the works. The airline industry is becoming a carnival where you pay an entrance fee, then are nickled and dimed throughout the entire “experience”.

These fees are not the only less than desired customer service decisions being made by the airlines. US Airways has also announced the ending of curb-side check-in at many of the airports it serves. What’s next? Passengers will have to stand in line and actually place its luggage in the cargo hold of the aircraft?

For frequent travelers who have earned “free” travel, forget this idea as now airlines are imposing a fuel supplement for this ticket. Delta Air Lines announced a $25 fee for domestic flights and $50 for international routes. Yet, jet fuel has increased by 102% over past 12 months. Airlines are taking efforts to reduce weight to help conserve fuel. An example of this is US Airways additional announcement this week that it is eliminating its in-flight entertainment system for domestic flights.

These cuts are not just affecting flyers, but its’ employees. According to an NBC Nightly News Report, there are 26,000 announced lay offs in 2008.

The culprit to most of these changes is speculators who are unnecessarily driving up the price of oil. Twelve airlines including Jet Blue, United, Southwest, Delta and more are reaching out to its frequent fliers to contact Congress to step in and take control of this problem that is threatening the continued airlines’ existence.

Flying Fees Continue to be Levied & Services Eliminated was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

This new Gogo service by Aircell LLC is available for $9.95 for flights under three hours and $12.95 for flights three+ hours. This is a very reasonable fee for either pleasure or work in my opinion, especially considering this technology has not been previously available. 

American is the first domestic airline to make an airborne workstation available via its partner Aircell. Other airlines considering unveiling Internet connectivity include Virgin America, who is also installing Aircell’s gogo technology for a late 2008 roll out and JetBlue is testing a different system.

According to the Gogo Web site, it supports lap tops and many handheld devices including the iPhone, different Blackberry models, T-Mobile Dash, and others. No voice activated services will be authorized during flight. While this list looks inclusive, it raises concern for me as a Blackberry Verizon Wireless user as I do not see Verizon listed except with a Samsung product. I have found this same issue when sailing on cruise ships offering Wi-Fi connection service…Verizon was not one of the partners at the time, so the Blackberry while it has the capability rendered itself useless at sea. 

According to Forrester’s “Surfing Aloft: Airline Passengers Want In-Flight Internet Access” January 2008 report, “US leisure airline passengers – for whom in-flight Internet access is discretionary and self-funded – show strong interest in going online, even on flights as short as an hour. In fact, the report reveals that 15% of passengers traveling aboard short flights, such as a shuttle to/from New York and Boston, want online access. This number surges to 55% for longer flights of 4+ hours. When asked about pricing, the majority of respondents said “free”; 45% said they would pay $10 for flights 4+ hours in duration.

While this access can make a flight even more productive for a business person, I always enjoyed a few non-interrupted hours during flight time to work on strategic planning, catch up on documents needing review, or even at times reading that book which had been collecting dust since Christmas. Knowing I can check my email or be online if I WANT to be could turn out to be a lifesaver, but knowing I do NOT have to be 100% accessible is nice too. It’s a choice. 

I am curious though and if I’m on one of American’s flights where the service is offered, I will definitely try it out to check out connection speed and dependability…if we hit turbulence is the signal dropped? I know it’s not like a cell phone, but still, what is the reliability?

A Flying Office Becomes a Reality: 30,000 Feet & Open for Business was created by and is property of American Consumer News.