Analysts predict that gas prices throughout the upcoming summer may drop even lower than they currently stand. Gas is getting less expensive because there is a large supply of oil and the overall costs is down. There is also concern about the financial crisis in Europe. The current price of a barrel was set at $74.55 today. Nationally, the average price per gallon of gas was at $2.77. A year ago it was about $2.50.

Along with smaller prices, gas appears to be in greater demand during the first three months of May than it was at this time last year. It is estimated that more people will venture away from home during the Memorial Day weekend than last year. It is the first major jump in Memorial Day weekend travel in five years. This is especially true for RV owners who traveled much less in 2009 due to the high cost of fuel. However, the greater demand may ultimately cause gas prices to start rising again.

For now though it appears this summer will see lowered prices through June. The cost of gasoline declines by about 2.5 cents for each $1 per barrel drop in crude oil prices. A $13 drop in the price in crude oil would mean drivers paying about 33 cents per gallon of gas at the pump.

In most parts of the country, drivers can likely shop around for the best price before heading out on the road to celebrate the kick start of summer. With good weather forecasted for most areas and cheaper prices at the pump, it may make for a very busy holiday travel weekend.

Memorial Day Gas Prices Falling 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.

Thanksgiving is traditionally the most traveled holiday of the year. Digital marketing firm Zeta Interactive conducted a survey and found that 84% of people are positive about holiday travel – with buzz words like “enjoy”, “rest” and “relax” surrounding blog posts about 2009 travel plans. Last year, the same marketing firm found only about 68% of people had positive opinions about the upcoming holiday travel season.

Despite the positive outlook, the 2009 holiday travel season will differ from previous years in a variety of ways, including:

Traveling because you have to – this year, less people are using Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays to get away on a relaxing vacation. If people are traveling, it’s typically to visit family for the holidays rather than take a trip.

Being extra careful not to miss your flight – it used to be if you missed your flight, there would be another one leaving soon after that you would have a good chance of getting a ticket for. In an effort to reduce expenses, airlines have reduced their flight schedules, meaning every seat on every flight is pretty much taken. If you miss the holiday flight, you might not have the opportunity to get another one until 2010!

More opportunities to be left behind – also due to the airlines booking each flight to full capacity, you can expect an increase in the number of over-booked flights. This means the airlines sell more tickets than they have seats on the plan – assuming a few people won’t show up for the scheduled flight! While this has happened from time to time before airlines started cutting back their flight schedules – during the 2009 holiday season there is likely an increased opportunity for over bookings. Make sure you know the airlines policy if you aren’t able to get on the flight you have a ticket for.

You’ll probably have to pay to bring your luggage – most airlines have begun charging a fee for checked baggage. During the holidays, travelers tend to bring extra luggage to carry gifts to the people they’re traveling to visit so be sure to budget for the extra expense – or do your shopping after you arrive to your destination. Alternatively, you could mail your gifts ahead of time so they arrive about the same time you do! If you can pack lighter, you can get away with just your carry-on luggage but keep in mind other travelers are likely doing the same and therefore those overhead bins are going to fill up quickly.

Thanksgiving is the Busiest day for Travel: Here’s How Traveling in 2009 is Different was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: www.NoradSanta.org

When traveling internationally or even domestically, taking different time zones into consideration is important for travel planning. Well, there is no one who understands the importance of on time departure and arrivals than none other than Santa himself. Depending on where you might live, Santa’s Christmas Eve journey to visit children around the world is already underway. See Santa visiting the Great Wall of China by visiting here.

Like checking flight status of travelers who unfortunately might be caught in the havoc of the winter storm that is crippling parts of the United States, we can check Santa’s arrival status to our homes this blessed evening by visiting the American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, site: www.noradsanta.org

According to Fox News, 500 travelers are stranded overnight at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and report several delays at Newark and other major airports, as well as Amtrak delays. But, no fear, Santa has his own reliable transportation that can make it despite any weather conditions!

We can visit the North Pole without actually leaving the warmth of our homes by visiting the Norad site. It is interactive and offers many fun, holiday activities including one winter travel favorite, skiing!

In addition to tracking Santa in Google Maps, you can also track him in Google Earth – which allows you see 3D mountains, valleys and buildings. Visit Norad’s site to see the 3D Santa tracking.

So for a virtual around the world trip and to check on Santa’s whereabouts, visit:  www.noradsanta.org

From Travel Advocate, a healthy and safe holiday and New Year for everyone!

Santa’s Big Travel Night: Around the World Virtual Trip was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Mattel is offering unique and timeless favorites for boys and girls that will entertain when traveling over the holidays. Travel Advocate has reviewed several gift ideas that are easy to pack along:

My Meebas^TM: An exciting new toy brand for girls, My Meebas combines electronic game play with a plush surprise.  Each My Meebas is encased in a colored tube – symbolizing one of the six virtues of love, luck, beauty, intelligence, friendship, and happiness. The tube is a portable electronic gaming device (20+ games) with a sliding LCD screen and control panel. Through lots of fun, nurturing game play, girls care for their My Meebas until they are fully grown and then – surprise! The tube unlocks one of 60 different cuddly plush toys.  Retail price: 19.99  Age: 6+

Barbie® Peekaboo Petites^TM Dolls: A great travel gift for under $20.00, these adorable dolls are big on fashion and beauty play, collectibility and on-the-go play. Each doll comes tucked inside a whimsical locket case in fun shapes matching its theme such as hearts, flowers, gems, ice cream cones, ballet shoes, snowflakes and more. Packing two gifts in one, each Barbie Peekaboo Petites doll comes with a whimsical wear-and-share themed accessory for the girl such as necklaces and back-pack clips. Helping the girl on your gift list start her own collection, she will enjoy collecting all of the dolls in different themes including wedding, ballet, ice cream, gems, flowers, tea party, holiday and world travel. Retail price: $4.99 Age: 3+  

DC Super Friends^TM Basic Figure: The perfect addition to any little superheroes stocking are the DC Super Friends basic figure assortment and are perfect for taking along during holiday travels. Featuring Superman^TM, Batman^TM, The Flash^TM, Aquaman^TM,  Green Lantern^TM and Lex Luthor^TM figures, DC Super Friends introduces kids to the ultimate Super Hero universe with easy-to-use features. Each basic figure comes with an air-powered accessory so youngsters can play, protect their hometown and capture the bad guys alongside the galaxy’s greatest heroes. Retail price: $7.99  Age: 2+ 

Batman^TM: The Dark Knight^TM Battle Stations® Playset: Relive all the action packed adventures from The Dark Knight this holiday season with this unique and action-packed playset. This Batmobile^TM transforms into four different environments for Batman to battle the villains of Gotham City^TM, allowing for complete, immersive play for boys to reenact all their favorite scenes from the film. Retail price: $39.99  Age: 4+  

Matchbox® Power Scouts^TM Vehicles & Playsets: This holiday season, Matchbox introduces a track system and line of vehicles perfect for smaller hands and for packing to grandma’s house. The Power Scouts vehicles are battery-powered, rough-riding and touch-climbing adventure 4x4s, complete with griping tires. They can go from neutral hand-powered mode to battery-powered all-wheel drive with a simple tap on the back of the truck to activate the motor. The Power Scouts assortment includes eight different 4x4s – ranging from the latest licensed trucks to the coolest original Matchbox designs. Retail price for Power Scouts Vehicles: $6.99  Age: 3+ 

CARS Mini Adventures^TM Two-Pack Assortment: The perfect travel companion and playset for your little one’s stockings are the “CARS” Mini Adventures Two-Pack Assortment inspired by the hit Disney/Pixar film featuring kids’ favorite characters in all new scales and proportions. These exclusive mini vehicles are available in a variety of themes kids love, including military, fire rescue and police vehicles. The playsets are available in three different themes, all inspired by scenes from the film. Retail price for the car 2-pack: $4.99  Age: 3+

CARS Walkin’ Talkin’ Lightning McQueen: Stemming from the kids’ favorite movie “CARS”, this new version of Lightening McQueen lets kids play out all their favorite scenes from the movie as he talks, walks, and fuels kids’ imaginations. This character is perfect to take along for holiday enjoyment. Retail price: $39.99  Age: 4+ 

Barbie® Party Cruise: If taking a family cruise, Barbie’s Party Cruise keeps the vacation alive and provides the most fun and travels for Barbie and friends, featuring three separate play areas, a water slide & poolcuzzi^TM with a dolphin; a rotating buffet with “live” aquarium; and a performance deck with lights and sounds. The five-star cabin is equipped with an “entertainment system,” mini fridge, two beds, lots of play pieces and a storage area. Retail price: $59.99   Age: 3+  

Polly Pocket^TM Pop ‘N Swap^TM Fashion Dolls: Perfect for travels, the Polly Pocket dolls offer an innovative yet low tech twist on fashion. The customizeable Pop ‘N Swap Fashion Dolls let girls mix-and-match different styling outfits for Polly and friends as they Pop ‘N Swap five heads, nine torsos and nine bottoms to create over thousands of different fashion combinations in each of two sets. This one toy provides a large variety guaranteeing countless hours of play time. Retail price: $19.99 Age: 4+

Polly Pocket^TM Mega Mall Playset: A different twist on a doll house is Polly Pocket’s Mega Mall Playset. For any young shopper, this new playset allows girls to discover an ultimate shopping destination complete with magical transformation and lots of totally stylin’ new fashions and accessories for Polly and friends. Girls can swipe the credit card which opens up the Mega Mall Playset to reveal three levels of stores (including a skating rink, ski shop, pet store and candy shop) for hours of play! The Mega Mall Playset also includes a Polly doll and two adorable pets. Retail price: $49.99 each  Age: 4+

Little Mommy^TM Real Loving Baby^TM Gotta Go^TM Doll: A classic gift idea for a girl is a baby doll and is one of the most seen products that accompany toddlers and young girls on their travels. Girls will love the realistic, nurturing play elements of the doll and its accessories, which include a complete bathroom area where girls can help their doll learn to go potty and clean up. Just like a real toddler, the Gotta Go Doll goes both “number 1″ (and “number 2!”) on her very own small potty, but, unlike real toddlers, there is no mess and no water – just realistic sights and sounds! The doll can flush, knows to wash her hands and loves to do all the things a big girl does when she gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night. When traveling, while the doll is perfect as a traveling companion, the accessories might want to stay home to conserve space unless going via car and room is available. Retail price: $39.99  Age: 3+  

Matchbox® Mega Rig® Shuttle Mission: For young astronauts in the making, this inspiring playset takes boys “out-of-this-world” this holiday season with the introduction of the new Mega Rig® Shuttle Mission. This building system starts as one gigantic space ship and breaks down to 30 different combinations of space vehicles for kids to create.  Equipped with cool accessories, including a space arm to grab things, an ATV and a UFO with a space alien inside, the Mega Rig Shuttle Mission provides kids with hours of fun and imaginative play. Retail price: $44.99 Age: 4+

These products are sure to provide hours of entertainment both during the journey itself and after arriving at the holiday destination!

What is your favorite toy to give or receive that can be taken along travel adventures?

Twas a Few Nights Before Traveling… 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.

Beyond the traditional portable DVD, digital camera, camcorder, iPhone, Smartphone, or Blackberry, a few other electronic gift ideas for adult and children alike top this year’s travel gift list. First for trips via car there is the ever popular GPS unit. A Garmin Nuvi 255W unit was an early gift our family received in preparation of our pre-holiday tropical escape to the Florida Keys. Not to disappoint, the Garmin device allowed us to eliminate the numerous pieces of paper printed from Mapquest or trying to manage a map that is bigger than the front seat itself. A GPS is sure to delight men and women as the men will love to try out the unique features and functions (be careful while driving) and for women it will eliminate the “just stop and ask for directions” conversation.

Making pieces work together is another trend that arrives in time for holiday travel. The new Philips DCP Docking Portable DVD Player DCP951 allows the viewing of DVDs, photos and iPod videos while traveling to be easier – and bigger. The player unleashes videos from an iPod’s small screen into a brilliant, widescreen display with the retractable iPod adapter. This product also features a memory card reader which can display digital photos captured during vacation travels.

Keeping kids entertained during vacation travels can be the challenge, but these days there is no shortage of products that cater to youth of all ages and reduce the number of times parents will hear, “are we there yet?” questions. An mp3 player solves the struggle of who controls the radio dial. Catering to kids’ brand or color preferences, there is a Hello Kitty mp3 player, which has changing faceplates, created by Sakar, and comes with heart shaped ear buds. The easy to use technology allows users to convert CD’s into mp3 format and it stores up to 64 hours of music. Available at ToysRUs.

One product that is dominating kids’ wish lists this year is the continuing popular Nintendo DS. It is hard to go almost anywhere without seeing little hands moving fast and being entertained. To accompany the Nintendo DS, Ubisoft makes the Imagine series, the first ever brand of games dedicated to girls where they can play as a fashion designer, rock star, movie star, teacher and more. These games are designed to allow girls to be creative, as each has been uniquely designed to specialize in the hobbies and likes of girls ages 6-14. One game, My Secret World by Imagine, allows young girls to express themselves in a fully customizable diary. They’ll learn more about their own personality with dozens of fun quizzes. They can socialize with friends via Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, trade customization items, share secrets and play mini-games together.

Another girl-focused game is the Imagine Wedding Designer. As a young wedding designer, players create the perfect wedding that satisfies the bride’s taste and meets her expectations. Manage the weddings of six different brides, each with their own personality and specific tastes. Players can design the wedding invitation, choose the dress, veil, bouquet, the bride’s hair and makeup, the location of the ceremony, the music and more.

One tween, Morgan who is 12, loves the variety of games available to accompany her Nintendo DS. She said she likes how it’s hand held, easy to take along, that no computer is required, tons of games, and that there are ones designed specifically for girls.

“Secret World is cool, because you have to use a password and it has a sentence to complete if you forget, but don’t tell anyone. It is a little journal and you can write secrets without your parents getting in,” Morgan explains. “My grandmother gave me a diary which my parents can see so I write goofy things and I use Secret World for my real secrets.”

For younger kids, you can not go wrong with ensuring a LeapFrog product is under the tree. The original Leapster, new Leapster2, new Didj, and its portable reading system titled Tag Reading System are all great choices that entertain kids while simultaneously provide educational value and are compact and easy to pack. Our toddler is the proud owner of the Leapster and we were amazed how quickly she grasped using the “pen” and different buttons to play the various games. Nemo has been her favorite and this year the Cars game will be arriving from her uncle. She is also receiving the Tag from her uncle Santa and as parents we are excited to see her bring words to life as she is quite the story teller already.

One mom, Kim Woldofsky of Momformation, says “The Tag is great! It’s wonderful to travel with as it’s fun and educational and there are almost no parts to keep track of.”

LeapFrog’s new Didj is for the next age group of gamers after toddlers and has many unique interactive features allowing for parent monitoring and the ability to score prizes to customize their personal games.

What cool travel gadget is on your holiday wish list?

Travel Gift Ideas: Electronic Products Travel Well for Adults and Kids was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: www.Bowdabra.com

Weather delays when traveling can wreck havoc on a planned vacation, particularly during the holidays. Coupled with reduced airline capacity, flying during Christmas and New Year’s might be causing some anxiety for travelers.

According to TripAdvisor’s December holiday travel survey, when asked about the best “gift” for travelers this holiday season, 46 percent of Americans are dreaming of a direct flight without delays, while 23 percent are wishing for good weather. 

Other tangible most wanted holiday gifts for travelers as reported by the TripAdvisor survey include digital cameras, frequent flyer miles, noise-canceling headphones, GPS device and an iPod/MP3 player.

While more Americans plan to travel for the holidays, 68 percent of survey respondents said that they will be more budget conscious with their holiday travel compared to the previous year.

Budget Friendly Holiday Tips from TripAdvisor Travelers:

1.  “Be flexible! One Advantage of the current economy is last minute deals.”

2.  “Crash at a relative’s and say you want a good old-fashioned family Christmas.”

3.  “It’s OK to haggle on pricing.  Most U.S. citizens are uncomfortable with haggling prices.  Try it in New Orleans, or any city!”

4.  “Bring leftovers from home and have a nice, hot meal in your hotel room.”

5.  “Take a small Christmas tree and ornament hooks in a suitcase and decorate your hotel room with your trip souvenirs.”

6.  “Be a traveler in your own state to boost the local economy.”

7.  “Finding someone to check in on your pets is far less expensive than boarding them.”

8.  “Check for free events happening in the city you’re visiting.”

9.  “Avoid parking fees and have a friend take you to the airport.”

10. “Ask locals where they shop and dine.  They live there so they know.”

“While more Americans plan to travel this holiday season, people are increasingly looking for inexpensive ways to enjoy this special time of year,” according to Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. “From exploring their own backyards, to taking advantage of free holiday attractions, the majority of travelers will spend time with family and friends this holiday season, while mixing in the occasional ‘escape’ to alleviate stress.”

What is your top frugal holiday travel tip?

I’m Dreaming of a Travel-Friendly Gift…and it May Not be Snow was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

However, with a little persistence and some flexibility, you too can score some great deals on flights.

Here’s how:

Fast-Forward Christmas

Of course, the world celebrates Christmas on December 25^th but no one says your family can’t do it a week earlier that the rest of the world. The point is togetherness and celebration. Does it really matter if you are drinking eggnog on the day before the week before Christmas? No! Check out flights for the week before Christmas or even the week after New Year’s. It doesn’t matter when the gifts are opened but it will matter if the plan tickets and the stress of planning completely wipe you out both mentally and financially.

Use An Online Fare Watcher

There are plenty of competing websites, such as Farcompare.com that will look all around the web to find the flight you want without you sitting at the keyboard for hours. You can check comparison flights from several popular websites and decide which is the best deal and the best time for you to purchase tickets.

Fly Standby

This is probably not the option for an entire family traveling together but it may work for individuals or couples who are more flexible with time. You might know someone who works for the airline who can give you a standby pass, which will require you to wait at the flight gates to see if you can get on the plane that still has seats available. It is not impossible as it sounds but you should make preparations in the event you can not catch a flight out for the holidays.

Opt for the Open Road

Depending on the travel time it takes to reach your destination, you may want to reconsider flying and drive instead. Larger families can combine efforts and rent a large vehicle such as a Winnebago to travel in style. They can share gas and food money and make the best of time together. Stop off in different places to add family to the trip and celebrate the family reunion all the way to your destination. It might be even cheaper to hit the road than the skies but it will require patience and flexibility.

Can You Find on Bargain on Holiday Flights? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Rome, a top Holiday dream destination. Photo credit: Fototeca ENIT

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales surged, the travel industry is experiencing a predicted increase this holiday season with 42 percent traveling for the holidays, an increase compared to last year. Stemming from its holiday travel survey, TripAdvisor® reports of those traveling for the holidays, 66 percent plan to drive and 52 percent will fly. 

Off to grandma’s house we go with the TripAdvisor survey revealing 55 percent will travel to visit family compared to 38 percent who will host family this season. While 81 percent of U.S. respondents will see family and friends over the holidays, up from 77 percent last year, 13 percent plan to “escape” family by taking a trip this holiday season, according to survey results.

Top 10 Holiday Dream Escapes for 2008, according to TripAdvisor travelers:

  1.  Hawaii

  2.  London

  3.  Paris

  4.  Aruba

  5.  New York City

  6.  Las Vegas

  7.  Jamaica

  8.  Rome

  9.  Bahamas

  10. Tahiti

Cruising offers cost-effective travel. Photo Credit: Regent Seven Seas

While more Americans plan to travel for the holidays, 68 percent of TripAdvisor survey respondents said that they will be more budget conscious with their holiday travel compared to the previous year. Thirty-six percent of U.S. travelers are staying closer to home and 18 percent said they will fly on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day because it is cheaper.

One value-based vacation for travelers to consider is a cruise. Cruise Line Industry Association’s (CLIA) President and CEO Terry L. Dale, says “In the current economic environment, consumers want to make every penny count. A cruise vacation is always excellent value for money spent because of inclusive pricing.”

According to a recent CLIA and Cruise Critic survey, over 83 percent of families said cruise vacations are very good or extremely good value.

Another finding in the TripAdvisor survey states that 52 percent of Americans find traveling for the holiday season stressful. Despite this, 25 percent of travelers still believe taking a trip somewhere is the best way to alleviate holiday-related stress.

Cruising is often viewed as a stress-free vacation. Almost 70 percent of the CLIA and Cruise Critic survey respondents said that planning a cruise was easier than planning a resort vacation and over 20 percent cited the hassle-free “don’t need to plan anything” quality of a cruise as the most enjoyable feature of a vacation at sea.

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of Cruise Critic, agrees, “The cruise vacation is an attractive way to travel because many elements of a stress-free family trip are wrapped up into one tidy package for passengers.”

Are you taking a holiday vacation? If so, where are you traveling?

A Holiday Travel Gift: More Americans Traveling this Season was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Games are a favorite evening or rainy day past time and are easy to pack resulting in together time and fun for kids and adults alike.

Pictionary Man^TMis the perfect gift for families, offering a contemporary twist on two old favorites – Pictionary and Charades. The new Pictionary Man  is a 3D-figure complete with accessories that are all made of “dry-erase” material, eliminating the need for paper, which is perfect for traveling. The figure digitally displays game clues on the bottom of his foot as players are challenged to bring the clue to life by drawing on “the Man” and his accessories as well as acting out the phrase so team members can guess the right answer! This is truly a great update on a known game and its use of “the Man” makes it the perfect size for traveling. Retail Price: $29.99  Age: 14+

UNO Flash^TM is a new electronic version of a classic game to pack on vacations. The element of speed is added now with a built-in timer and resulting in a new level of excitement for this classic game. Either the new UNO Flash or the classic card game provide some great one on one time together adding additional fun along the way. Retail Price: $29.99  Age: 7+

Apples-to-Apples® game is the wild, award-winning party game of hilarious comparisons and is a great choice for group play on vacation. Using the cards to “compare apples to apples,” each round of the game is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons. This interactive game is easy to learn and fast-paced and is perfect to take along where lots of family members will be together. Retail Price: $24.99  Age: 12+  

Scene It?® Disney Channel Edition is the ultimate gift for any tween girl hooked on the Disney Channel shows. Just like its adult versions, this Scene It game is interactive, entertaining and fun for all. This is one game where the kids might overtake the grown ups! This trivia game features Disney Channel shows, including “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody,” “Hannah Montana,” “High School Musical” and many more! When traveling, another option is to take along the DVD and not the board game for a trivia game version with less pieces, but the entire game is easy to pack along. Retail Price: $34.99  Age: 8+ 

The High School Musical 3 DVD Game combines trivia, video clips, outtakes, songs and dances from all three of these popular movies. Players are sure to become Wildcats as they compete in different categories and test their knowledge of each of the High School Musical movies! For those traveling to Walt Disney World over the holidays, this game will keep the HSM parade at Hollywood Studios alive after your trip ends! Retail Price: $19.99  Age: 8+  Available: Fall 2008

Hannah Montana 2 DVD Game features Hannah Montana during her second year of high school with this performance-based DVD game. The new DVD game features real clips, trivia, songs and dance moves from the second season of the hit Disney Channel show. Even moms and dads might show off their Hannah Montana alter egos in this interactive game. Retail Price: $19.99  Age: 6+

The DVD based games are great for car travels too as they can be played in the back seat helping the hours pass during holiday travels resulting in less “are we there yet” questions. When packing up the car and suitcase on the way to grandma’s house, be sure to select a game or two to help provide some interactive family fun together this holiday season.

What is your favorite game to take along on car trips or vacations?

Photo Credits: Mattel.com

Black Friday Shopping: Games Make Great Travel Take-Alongs 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: TripAdvisor.com

In less than one week, travelers will be packing up the cars, turkeys and suitcases on the way to “grandma’s house” for a Thanksgiving holiday. Or perhaps a travel destination this holiday might be to the beach or a shopping mall. TripAdvisor® and AAA have announced the results of its Thanksgiving travel survey and forecasts and each have a slightly different ending.

Despite a continued downturn in the U.S. economy, 37 percent of Americans plan to travel this Thanksgiving, equal to 37 percent one year ago, according to TripAdvisor survey results. Other findings include that 57 percent of respondents plan to drive to their destination this Thanksgiving, down slightly from 59 percent, last year, while 38 percent intend to fly, up marginally from 37 percent, one year ago.

“We continue to see that Thanksgiving is a dedicated travel holiday among our respondents, regardless of circumstance,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

According to a released report by AAA, approximately 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a decrease of 600,000 travelers (1.4 percent) from last year’s total of 41.6 million. This is the first decline in Thanksgiving holiday travel since 2002 and is the fourth consecutive travel holiday this year with a year-to-year decline in the number of travelers.

Travelers are weighing spending money on holiday trips or conserving cash on other life needs. Even with the Dow dropping below 8000 on November 20, 2008, the continuing decrease in petroleum is contributing toward predicted decreases this holiday season from being worse.

“The overall state of the economy continues to present real challenges for some Americans looking to travel this Thanksgiving,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “However, the desire to spend time with family, combined with significantly lower gasoline prices than earlier this year, will provide a strong impetus for many Americans to travel this holiday season.”

AAA reports the national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $2.07 per gallon. Today’s price is 88 cents less than a month ago and $1.03 less than a year ago.

Thanksgiving travel TripAdvisor survey results include:

Family Matters

Seventy-seven percent will see family and friends for the holiday. Seven percent said they are traveling specifically to avoid family and friends. Thirty percent of respondents said they feel pressure to travel and spend Thanksgiving with family.

Fifty-five percent said seeing family and friends makes Thanksgiving travel worth all the hassle, while 25 percent said just getting away makes it worth it.

Cash Considerations

Seventy-six percent of travelers said economic and market concerns have not affected their Thanksgiving plans. If money was no object, 30 percent said their dream Thanksgiving would be exploring an exotic tropical destination, while the greatest amount, 31 percent said their idea of a dream Thanksgiving is right at home with family and friends.

Time and Distance

Twenty-eight percent will travel to their destination on Thanksgiving Day, and 28 percent will travel the day before on Wednesday, November 26. Twenty-seven percent will travel home on Sunday, November 30. Thirteen percent will travel home on Thanksgiving Day.

Fifteen percent will travel less than 100 miles from home for Thanksgiving, and 36 percent will travel less than 300 miles. Nine percent said they will be traveling overseas this Thanksgiving. Fifteen percent of respondents said they will be traveling outside the U.S. for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thirty-six percent will visit a city this Thanksgiving, 33 percent will go to the suburbs for the holiday and 15 percent will be going to a beach.

Thanksgiving Love and Hate

Thirty-four percent said they love everything about Thanksgiving. Ten percent cited flight delays as the most annoying aspect of Thanksgiving, 10 percent said getting stuck in traffic and 10 percent said they always eat too much.

Are you traveling this Thanksgiving holiday? If so, where and how far?

Thanksgiving Travel: Americans Preparing for Busy Holiday Trips was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Part view of ornate Victorian gothic architecture of the iconic Big Ben clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, designed by Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin; Photo Credit: visitlondonimages/ britainonview

The Las Vegas Strip is home to 17 of the 20 largest hotels in the United States. Photo Credit: The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

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

According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), nearly 60 million airline seats will be eliminated in the 4^th quarter of 2008, compared to available seats in 2007…just in time for the busy holiday travel season.

But here is an early holiday gift from MacNair Dream Trips (MDT). “If you have not yet planned your holiday vacation do not wait any longer,” according to Michael MacNair, owner of MDT and author of Smooth Landings. “We are still able to find special value in some of the more exciting destinations but space is disappearing quickly, so it is critical for travelers to act quickly.”

Below are some samples of great travel holiday ideas prepared by MDT Dream Trip Designers.

Costa Rica-8 Days/7 Nights Exploration

Photo Credit: www.tourism.co.cr & Photographer: www.photographerincostarica.com

Timeframe:

Departure December 21-28, 2008

Destinations: Gulf of Papagayo, Rincon Vieja Volcano, Arenal Volcano, River rafting on Penas Blanca River, Playa Tortuga and San Jose.

Activities: Special activities are planned every day to include visit to a working hacienda, horseback riding, an exciting river-tubing adventure and volcanically heated mud pools. Visitors will also be able to spot giant iguanas, monkeys, sloths, toucans and spot an occasional crocodile along with green turtles at Playa Tortuga.

Package Includes: All hotel and lodge accommodations, entertainment, breakfast, lunch and dinners, land transportation, sightseeing, luggage handling, the charter flight from Tortuguero to San José, and the services of the guides and drivers.

Resorts/Lodges: Hilton Papagayo Resort, Tilajari Resort Hotel, Pachira Lodge Tortuguero and Costa Rica Marriott Hotel

Not Included: International airfare.

Price: $2,795.00 per person

Rome Photo credit: Fototeca ENIT

Italian Dreams: Rome to Venice

Timeframe: 20-27 December; 8 Days/7 Nights

Destinations/Activities: Explore the imperial city of Rome and the legacy of the powerful Roman Empire that ruled the world millennia ago, and look up at the celebrated ceiling of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. View the amazing art treasures of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, try the art of pizza-making and demonstration, and travel to see famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Take the high-speed Eurostar train to Florence and to Venice, and enter a remarkable world of Renaissance architecture surrounded by water and take in the view of Venice from a gondola.
Package Includes: Hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing and transfers.

Hotels: Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi, Rome, Hotel Brunelleschi Florence and The Westin Excelsior, Venice Lido Resort.

Not Included: International airfare.

Price: $3,350.00 per person 

Photo Credit: Regent Seven Seas

Western Caribbean Holiday Luxury Cruise

Timeframe: December 18-29, 2008

Cruise: The Regent Navigator has a holiday sailing for December 18^th for 11 nights from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Itinerary: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize City, Guatemala, Costa Maya and Key West.

Package Includes: All inclusive rate includes a beautiful balcony suite, airfare from Washington, DC. Round trip transfers from airport to ship, all drinks and food.

Not Included: Shore excursions.

Price: $6,245.00 per person

European Dream

Timeframe: December 18-28, 2008

Destinations/Activities: Rome: Visit St. Peter’s Basilica to see the famous Pieta by Michelangelo, the Piazza Venezia to view the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Forum, Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Venice: Cruise the canals of Venice to St. Mark’s Square, visit a glass-blowing workshop, and the Italian lake district. Lucerne, Switzerland: See the Lion Monument and stroll across the Chapel Bridge.  Paris, France:

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, an ascent to the second level of the Eiffel Tower and more. London, England: Visit the major sites of the British Capital including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and holiday shopping at Harrods.

Package Includes: Airport transfers in Rome; hotels; hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling nine breakfasts; four three-course dinners; host service in London; private luxury motor coach; sightseeing with a local guide in Rome, Paris, and London; special features and scenic highlights will vary based on availability.

Not Included: International airfare.

Price: $1,799.00 per person

Las Vegas New Years Quick Escape

Timeframe: December 30, 2008 -January 2, 2009

Destination: Stay at the exciting Excalibur Hotel and Casino and bring in the New Year Las Vegas style. The Excalibur features 4,000 rooms, a deluxe spa and fitness center, tournament of kings’ dinner show, swimming pools, 5 restaurants, 5 bars and lounges and 100,000 square feet of non-stop gaming action. Located on the 4 corners of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana, the Excalibur is one of Las Vegas’s best value resorts.

Package Includes: Roundtrip airfare from Dulles (Washington, DC) to Las Vegas and hotel accommodations. 

Not Included: Sightseeing, dining, beverages, gratuities, and transfers.

Price: $840 per person

What is your holiday travel dream destination?

Holiday Travel: Luxury Dream Trips Still Available was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: IgoUgo.com

Holiday traditions? Every Thanksgiving, a tradition for many travelers is making the trek to New York City to experience the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (airs live on November 27^th, 2008 at 9am EST on NBC). For those who do not make the trip, they can still witness this amazing event from the comfort of their home. Meanwhile, others take to the air and roads for their own holiday celebrations.

Thanksgiving is often boasted as one of the most traveled holidays via air and car. From day trips to long weekends, travelers are preparing for what could be a busy few days on the roads and in the air.  For Thanksgiving alone, TripAdvisor® reports that 37 percent of Americans plan to travel this Thanksgiving, which is equal to those traveling last year.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents plan to drive to their destination this Thanksgiving, down slightly from 59 percent, last year, while 38 percent intend to fly, up marginally from 37 percent, one year ago, according to the TripAdvisor survey.

“The holiday season is always the year’s busiest time for travel, but it doesn’t have to be frustrating,” according to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) President and CEO Chris Russo. “One sure way to make holiday trips smoother is by having a travel agent take care of all your travel details. Travel agents’ always have inside information and can make holiday travel a lot less stressful.”

ASTA has prepared some travel tips for both air and car trips to help ensure smooth travels. Tips for air travel include:

• Book your ticket ASAP. If you must book last minute, remember, you have options. The key to securing the best deal is flexibility in travel dates–ask your ASTA travel agent to check into holiday fares; the slow week between Christmas and New Year’s; or consider flying into an alternate airport and renting a car. If your holiday vacation includes international travel, make sure you have a valid passport.
• Arrive early. Difficult airport parking, long lines at security checkpoints and the possibility of the airline overselling the flight and bumping passengers, should all be considered when deciding what time to arrive at the airport. Give yourself plenty of extra time. Need some incentive? Keep in mind that those who arrive earliest for an overbooked flight stand the greatest chance of staying onboard.
• Avoid getting bumped. 1) Get an advance seat assignment. Passengers with seat assignments are typically only bumped if they arrive late and their seat assignment is released. 2) Check-in online. Most airlines allow you to do so within 24 hours of departure. Seat assignments that were not available at the time of ticketing may be available when checking in online. 3) Don’t be late. If all else fails, get to the airport early. Some airlines reserve a portion of their seat assignment inventory for airport check-in. If you are denied a seat assignment at check-in, put your name on the “standby” seat assignment list.
• Remember 3-1-1. New regulations limit the amount of gels and liquids passengers can take through security in their carry-on luggage to travel-size toiletries of three (3) ounces or less that fit comfortably in one (1) quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag and the one (1) bag per passenger must be placed in the screening bin.
• Know your limits. Pack light and know baggage limits. Some airlines place special restrictions during the holidays and allow only one carry-on.

Tips for travel by car include:

• Plan itineraries and arrange accommodations well in advance. Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars get booked quickly during peak travel times. Your travel agent can help you get the lowest rate and make sure your rental car has room for your family, luggage and whatever souvenirs you bring home.
• Get a tune up. Before any long-distance drive, make sure to have your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked. The slightest deficiency in air pressure significantly reduces your car’s gas mileage. On the flip side, too much air can result in a flat.
• Get an early start to avoid holiday gridlock. Traveling during late night/early morning hours helps. The worst times to travel are after meals since most travelers postpone leaving until they’ve eaten with their families. Make sure that all drivers are thoroughly rested.

Taking some time for preparation and planning results in travels with less-stress and anxiety…allowing time to celebrate the season.

Do you plan to travel this holiday season? If so, where are you going and how are you traveling?

Holiday Travel Tips: Thanksgiving Kicks Off Travel Traditions was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: IgoUgo.com

Besides long lines and possible winter weather delays, traveling during the holidays can be stressful for most.  With the Thanksgiving travel season (one of, if not the busiest travel times) nearing and the airlines reducing seat capacity just in time for the holidays, travelers are facing increased travel challenges.  Third party travel insurance provider Squaremouth.com’s CEO Chris Harvey advises to purchase travel insurance to protect a vacation investment and helps guide travelers to identifying the policy that meets their needs and that they do not over purchase.

He shares some basic tips with Travel Advocate for protecting costly annual vacations, especially those occuring during the holidays and during times where inclement weather is common.

In this uncertain age of travel, you’d think consumers would be keen to protect costly investments in their vacations, Harvey says. But according to the US Travel Insurance Association, large numbers of Americans still travel completely uninsured, or rely on coverage provided by credit cards and employee benefits – not realizing these sources may offer only partial protection.

“Employers, for example, won’t always compensate for lost luggage or aborted trips. Credit card travel insurance might only cover what was bought with the card,” Harvey says.

There are some unusual sources of travel-related benefits as well, he adds. Homeowners or renters insurance may reimburse part of the value of lost, damaged or stolen property. Some resorts, airlines and hotel associations offer hurricane guarantees. Such a vast range of options for coverage from different sources can be confusing for the traveler.

Squaremouth is committed to making sure its customers fully understand the travel insurance they buy. So this Thanksgiving, consider these basic tips to help decide which policy fits each family best:

Don’t assume paying more means getting more. There are often huge price spreads between similar policies. This is because competitors try to match each others’ coverage closely, yet they each have a “sweet spot” – a segment of the market to which they’ll offer a really good deal. Comparing policies side by side at squaremouth.com can show you exactly what each policy offers, so you’ll be able to choose options and a price that’s right for you.

Shop smart online. A reputable travel insurance comparison web site won’t present options you aren’t eligible to buy. It won’t pad its site with policies that companies no longer sell. At Squaremouth, we expeditiously remove obsolete products, and we lay out each benefit of each policy you’re eligible to buy within an easily searchable format. You can compare options side-by-side, and sort them by price, benefit or carrier.

Don’t spend more than you need to. If you’re a US resident traveling in the US and you have a company medical plan, you probably won’t need any extra health coverage. You may still want to consider getting trip cancellation or interruption coverage, though, which lets you recoup the cost of backing out of a trip. And you’ll need to confirm how much coverage your spouse and children receive through your work policy, or if third-party insurance is needed to cover them.

Insure a pre-existing illness. Travel insurance covers most emergency and non-routine health issues. But make sure to buy insurance that specifically covers your pre-existing medical condition. Squaremouth clearly shows every policy that allows pre-existing cover and we tell you the date you need to purchase the insurance by to qualify.

Don’t expect insurers to pick up the tab for your loss instantly. They won’t. As is true of any policy, until you’ve been told what that delayed flight, unexpected hospital stay or hurricane-routed hotel has cost you, you can’t claim for the loss.

Know all the coverage you already have. You may be partially covered through your cruise line, airline, charter company, credit card, home insurance or employee benefits policy. Knowing what coverage you already have will speed up the claims process, since you may need to track down refunds from those sources first. With medical policies, you could be asked to pay for treatment and be reimbursed later, or the insurer will cover costs up front.

It’s always a cash claim. If you cancel a trip booked with air miles, you won’t be compensated for the perceived value of those miles (though some policies reimburse the cost of re-banking frequent flier miles). Ditto your time share paid for a decade ago – you can’t recoup the value of those weeks. So don’t add in non-cash items when calculating the amount of insurance to buy. You’ll end up needlessly paying more.

Don’t buy the first policy your travel agent offers. Often, travel agents will represent only one or two insurers, and they collect a commission for every policy sold. Your choice of insurance will be limited. And you could end up paying more than you need to for less than the coverage you require.

Research who the best insurers are. If you are already on your vacation, this isn’t the time to find out you’ll need to haggle with your insurance company when problems arise. Before buying travel insurance, research who the reputable carriers are; the ones who can swiftly mobilize aid in a crisis. Squaremouth shows each carrier’s ‘AM Best rating’, an independent evaluation, and we only deal with insurers rated A- or higher.

Do not be left stranded at the gate or in the snow this holiday season. Take a look at third party travel insurance policies in a manner of what you might need. Protect your investment to ensure you have a worry free holiday celebration.

Protecting Thanksgiving Travel Investment & Other Travel Insurance Tips was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

“We all look forward to that last trip to the beach or to a final summer visit to see friends or relatives,” Roger Dow, Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) president and CEO says. “But what most of us don’t know is that the benefits of our summer travel will stay with us long after we’ve returned home.”

Dow cited decades of research on how individuals and families benefit from traveling in the areas of health, education, career success, relationship-building and creativity.

“The evidence is overwhelming that when you take a trip, the benefits are everywhere,” Dow said. “Despite the fact that Americans get less vacation time than in any country in the industrialized world, because of the personal benefits gained, we can’t afford not to travel.”

Among the findings of various studies* conducted during the past few decades:

-Travelers rate their overall health one full point higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) while on vacation. They also get three times more deep sleep after their vacation and sleep almost 20 minutes longer after their vacation.

-An annual vacation can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 percent.

-Women who take more vacations are more satisfied with their marriages.

-More than half of employed Americans say they come back feeling reconnected with their family after vacation (53%).

-Three out of four executives believe that vacations are necessary for them to prevent burnout (78%) or that vacations improve their personal job performance (75%).

-Travelers experience a 25% increase in performance on vigilance tests after returning from vacation – travelers 45 or older show a 50% increase in performance.

-Two out of three executives believe that vacations improve their creativity (68%).

There are some who intend to not have Labor Day be the end of 2008 travels.

TripAdvisor® just released the results of its annual fall travel survey revealing that 82 percent of U.S. respondents plan to travel for leisure this autumn, up from 70 percent who said they took pleasure trips last fall. Twenty-six percent of U.S. respondents said they will travel more this autumn than last, while 49 percent intend to travel the same amount as one year ago. Nearly 60 percent percent of travelers said they plan to fly this autumn for their leisure travel, while close to 50 percent plan to drive.

According to the TripAdvisor survey results, 31 percent of U.S. respondents are planning to travel on Labor Day weekend, nearly equal to the 30 percent who said they traveled the same timeframe in 2007. Those who are traveling Labor Day weekend are doing so via automobile (67%) compared to just over a quarter (26%) of people who plan to fly.

In comparison, AAA projects a slight decrease of 0.9 percent in the number of Americans traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend, representing the first decline in Labor Day travel since 2006. However, even with a slight predicted decrease nearly 34.38 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend.

“More travelers concerned about the economy, gasoline prices and rising airfares are opting to travel by train, bus, motorcycle and cruise ship to their holiday weekend destinations,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “This trend points to a desire on the part of the American public to seek alternatives to flying and driving to enjoy the traditional end of summer vacation.”

According to the AAA report, more than 83 percent of all holiday travelers expect to travel by automobile to their destinations over Labor Day, which represents a higher percentage than the TripAdvisor survey revealed.

The national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $3.69 per gallon as reported by AAA, but this is already changing by the minute with the approach of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna in the Atlantic.

*Studies referenced through www.tia.org by clicking here.

Photo Credit: The Weather Channel

NOTE: Storm names and conditions were accurate at time of publishing on August 29, 2008.

Official End of Summer Vacations 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.