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.

Create Your Vacay Budget
Just like with your personal finances, it is important to set your money limits before you even start exploring where you want to go on a trip. Be sure to account for everything in your budget, such as airfares, gas, hotels, food, entertainment, activities, souveneirs, and the unexpected surprises that may spring up.

Cement Your Airfare
If your flying for your trip, start looking at rates now ad book early to get the best deals and sae the most money. Websites like kayak.com can help you narrow down the best deals in airfare and travel times. Yapta.com will alert you when the airfare drops and for $15, the website will help your fight for  a refund if you have already played for your flight.

Bargain Rooms
When you are on vacation, the chances are good that, unless you are on your honeymoon, your hotel space will be used mostly for changing, bathing, and sleeping – so why spend a ton of cash for luxury digs when you never plan to be there? Visit hotels.com or tripadvisor.com to find low cost lodging and real-life reviews from those who have stayed before you.

Rental Cars
For the best rates on rented vehicles, at your destination, plan to rent from a location outside of the airport, perhaps find one near your hotel. Check out hotwire.com for the deals and the information. You can generally save a lot of cash if you shop around.

Insure Yourself
If your trip costs more that several hundred dollars, you might want to consider travel insurance to protract you. In the event of an illness, disaster, or even if the airline loses your bags, you will be protected. Insuremytrip.com can give you the lowdown on different coverage and prices.

Seek Professional Assistance
If our trip planning is not so simple, do not hesitate to consult with a travel agent. Their experience and accessibility to exclusive deals can save you way more money than you would spend on their services fees, which generally run between $50-$200.

Vacations should be a source of relaxation and fun. Getting into debt over a trip that is supposed to relieve stress, will only add to it. Planning ahead and shopping for deals can allow you to afford a vacation. If you want to even make it easier on yourself, start saving in advance so that when the time comes to go away, you’ll have the necessary cash to pay for your vacation and leave debt behind you.

More Vacation for Less Money was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

• Coordinating a complicated itinerary- Booking one round trip flight isn’t terribly complicated but if your trip has many different locations, dates and agendas you will undoubtedly save money, time and the hassle of doing it yourself  by hiring an experienced travel agent to coordinate your itinerary.
• Time is Money- Similar to other purchases you will save the most money by shopping around. There are dozens of travel websites each claiming they have the best deal on airfare, hotels and car rentals.  Finding the best deal however often requires quite a bit of time on your part. If you do not have the time to compare all prices and packages your travel agent can do the legwork  needed to help you find the best bargain.
• Inexperienced Travelers- First time travelers are often at a loss when it comes to planning a trip from start to finish. In this situation the knowledge and experience of a professional can prevent novice travelers from making costly mistakes. If the thought of making your own travel arrangements makes you nervous, hire a travel agent to get you where you want to go at the best price available.
• Frequent Travelers- If you are frequently on the road, making travel arrangements can become more of a hassle than an adventure. Travel agents are eager to retain good customers and will work extra hard to keep you satisfied.
• Troubleshooting- There are few things more frustrating that travel arrangements that go awry. The fact remains that the travel industry is staffed by people and computers which are both susceptible to error. If a travel agent made your arrangements and you encounter problems with your flight, car rental or room reservations you have someone in your corner to resolve the problem.

When in doubt remember that  travel agents earn their livelihood making travel arrangements for business and leisure travelers. They have the resources available to find the best prices as well as the experience needed to coordinate your travel needs.

Travel Agents Can Save You Time And Money was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: Jake McGuire

Traveling often for business in December and January, there is one distinct change I have noticed with airline travel and that is the abundance of great ticket prices, even on short notice. These flying deals are being offered amongst many airlines and even a few such as AirTran have announced New Year’s deals starting as low as $39 each way. Not to mention the weekly sales and opportunities to scoop up a flight on Spirit Airlines for as little as $1 at times (plus taxes and fees).

In my particular instance, the big airlines were offering the best availability in terms of flight times and pricing. I scored a round-trip non-stop flight to Washington, DC for under a $150 from southwest Florida. In addition, I secured a round-trip flight to Los Angeles (LA) for about $300 again from southwest Florida. I can remember flying to LA regularly for work and paying $600 on average.

Even with the reduced capacity, the seat availability was not bad on my selected airline routes. However, on two instances for my DC flights, I was unable to select a seat on my return flight. Instead the message stated “airline is assigning seats upon check in”.

A few road warrior tricks I have learned through navigating the friendly skies include:

1. Act Fast: Some online consumer booking sites will clearly state that there is only one ticket remaining at that price. I cannot tell you how many times that I have paused and did one more double-check of a competitor site just to click to purchase and find that the airline ticket price has changed.
2. Use a Travel Agent: Researching different flight options can be consuming to say the least and end up in frustration. A travel professional is an expert at quickly identifying availability, placing tickets on hold even through their technology systems, and securing a desired flight. Yes, some travel agents do charge a fee, but think about how much time you lose in terms of productivity and the travel agent just might save you additional monies on the actual airline ticket – more than making up for a fee levied.
3. Consider Alternatives: If you have some flexibility in your schedule, look at staying an extra day, which might result in a lower airfare or qualify you for some other supplier promotion offered by a car rental agency or a hotel. As an example, on one of my DC business trips, I opted to stay over on a Friday night my car rental price ended up being 50 percent less than if I had flew back the day earlier. Another example is my trip to LA where if I had taken the red eye home, my hotel would have cost me about $100 more as I would not have qualified for the 3-night sale and there were no differences in airline pricing.
4. Seasonal Travel: If your travels require you to select a flight with a connection, look at all of the different airlines and their connecting cities. If you are traveling to California in January and connections are offered through New York, Dallas or Charlotte, or St. Louis, as was the case with my flight, consider where winter weather might have the least effect on your travel plans. For me, I chose Dallas (even though an odd winter storm just crippled the Dallas area, I felt the odds were less that they would be hit twice compared to my other choices).

What are your road warrior tips when making airline travel arrangements?

Airline Travel: Scoring Flying Deals was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

When pricing airline tickets out of the Albany airport and into Harrisburg, the lowest I could find was $411 (including fees and taxes).  Travel time, including layovers for the cheapest rate was just shy of 5 hours.

When pricing train tickets out of the Albany-Rensselaer train station into Harrisburg, I could travel for $171 round trip.  If I wanted to pay an extra $40, I could travel part of the way there and part of the way back in business class (I say part of the way because business class seating was not available from the second train I would have to take from NYC to Harrisburg).  The total travel time was 6 hours on the way to PA and 8 hours on the way back (due to waiting times in Penn Station, to change trains).

Price alone was a major deciding factor for me, as I didn’t want to spend a fortune for a short trip and because I’m a frugal person, anyway.  And while I really didn’t want to spend a ton of wasted time sitting in either an airport or train station waiting for the next flight or train to arrive, I knew I could utlize the time working on my laptop if I had to.

Since my typical plane experiences always involve delays, I decided the longer train ride was probably about the same as what I would actually end up with if I decided to fly – if any of the flights were delayed as they usually are when I have tickets!

I chose the train, and upgraded my seat to business class (which entitled me to free drinks and my very own electrical outlet for my laptop, as well as more comfortable seating… almost too comfortable as I found it hard to work at first and wanted to nap, rocked to sleep by the constant rocking of the train!!)  It may have taken me a bit longer to get home than it would have if I flew or drove, but I saved $189 over the price of plane tickets, had more comfortable seating than I would have had on the plane, and was able to work the entire way using my laptop and the electricity provided by the train.

In my case – the train was absolutely the best option!

Should You Take the Train or the Plane? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Keeping Travel Incidentals Low

One way to cut costs is by bringing your medicine cabinet on the road with you – or at least a miniaturized version of it. Since the weather is unpredictable at this time of year, it is not uncommon, especially for kids, to come down with a cold or worse. Being on vacation with a sick child is not pleasant but it can be even more disastrous of you have a sick child (or adult) and nothing in your suitcase to help them feel better in the middle of the night.

In many places, there is no such thing as an all-night pharmacy and even if there is, you could up spending a lot of money on things you could have just as easily brought from home. Remember as you are packing up your suitcases and make up case, to prepare a first aid and medical travel kit for your family.

Some of the more common items you will want to include are:

• Thermometers
• Acetaminophen such as Tylenol in both adult and child strength
• Ibuprofen
• Cold medicine
• Cough drops/sore throat spray
• Band-aids
• First Aid Cream
• Antibacterial towlettes
• Hydrocortizone for itch relief
• Insect repellent if you are going somewhere warm
• Lip Moisturizer
• Diaper rash cream if your child is in diapers
• Tissues
• Gauze pads
• Motion sickness tablets for car or boat trips
• Gum for chewing during airline flights to help keep ears open

Also remember to pack any prescribed medications that you have access to immediately whether you are traveling by plane or by car. You might want to include a list of medication prescriptions and your physician’s phone number in the event you lose any of your prescribed medications. You should also ensure you have copies of medical insurance cards for each member of your family.

If you leave your house prepared, your trips to the convenience store will be limited and you will be able to keep more cash in your pocket to enjoy your vacation. The kids and adults alike will be able to feel better without extra stress of finding medicines or waiting for a store to open for business.

Update Your Supplies

When you arrive home after vacation, make sure you replenish any items you took from your case during your trip before you forget and then store the case with your suitcases. The next time you travel, the kit will be ready to go when you need it. If there is a significant period of time between trips, remember to use the medications before their expiration date or you will waste your money. Keep a simple list of the contents of your medical kit and the dates of expiration on your refrigerator to remind you what you have if you should need it.

Create A Traveling Medical Kit and Save Money 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.

Earlier this summer, it is reported by a TripAdvisor survey that nine out of 10 consumers are planning a leisure trip this summer. Forty-one percent of worldwide travelers, and 51 percent of U.S. respondents, said the high price of fuel is going to affect their travel plans this summer. Thirty-one percent of travelers (37 percent of U.S. respondents) said they will take fewer car trips to save on fuel and 15 percent (18 percent of U.S. respondents) plan to take shorter distance car trips to save on fuel.

Still, 64 percent of travelers (73 percent of U.S. respondents) are planning to travel via car this summer. Seventy-two percent of travelers (71 percent of U.S. respondents) said they are planning to fly this summer. This coincides with a recent travelhorizons^TM survey co-authored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Ypartnership, reporting that nearly 60 percent of Americans currently planning a trip this summer using a car, truck or SUV are not going to change their plans regardless of gas price increases.

Yet, as reported by last week’s AAA survey results, 95 percent of AAA auto travel managers say that high gas prices will cause travelers to alter their vacation plans this summer. However, this alteration does not translate to cancellation. AAA auto travel managers cited travelers taking trips closer to home, taking fewer trips, and reducing the number of vacation days traveled as the top ways that Americans will adjust their travel plans this summer.

Survey respondents pointed to Las Vegas; Orlando, FL/Walt Disney World; Branson, MO; Anaheim, CA/Disneyland; and San Francisco, CA as destinations providing bargains and value this summer. Internationally, respondents cited the Caribbean; European Cruises; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; South America; and Costa Rica as top bargain and value vacation options.

Oddly enough, Disney World is a more expensive vacation than some trips to Mexico or Canada, however there are ways you can get affordable Disney World tickets. Your Walt Disney World Vacations don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, just stay at a non-disney hotel, look for discounts such as AAA or AARP, and avoid buying food and gifts at the theme park. With a decent discount card, you can save 20% to 30% on Disney Theme Park Tickets.

Travelers are also taking advantage of travel savings this summer and fall by purposely traveling to hurricane prone destinations. Another TripAdvisor survey reveals 64 percent of U.S. respondents said they would be likely to visit a hurricane-susceptible destination this summer or fall, for a significant savings.

Eighteen percent of the TripAdvisor respondents said they are most likely to cut costs on their summer travel in their choice of accommodations. Twelve percent plan to eat in more often, 11 percent will save money by using less fuel/traveling a shorter distance, and another 11 percent will save money by taking a shorter trip/shorter trips.

“High gas prices, a weak U.S. dollar and the struggling economy are conspiring against Americans, but travelers refuse to stay home this summer,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

According to AAA, the top five domestic vacation destinations via air include Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, Las Angeles and Washington, DC. Internationally, top destinations via air this summer include Rome, London, Cancun, Dublin and Vancouver.

Other domestic “hot spots” for summer travel include New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Oregon; and Miami, Florida/South Beach. International “hot sports”, according to AAA, include Croatia; Montenegro; Vietnam; Cinque Terra, Italy; and Douro River, Portugal.

Have you changed your summer vacation plans as a result of soaring gas prices?

Rising Fuel Prices Cause Travelers to Adjust Vacation Plans 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.

In addition to the effect of gas prices, another hot topic is going green and conserving energy. While it may seem a bit old-fashioned, one concept to conquer both issues is by opting to car pool. Carpooling, the act of sharing a car ride by more than one person, can help save on gas and usage of your own personal vehicle. The arrangements involved in setting up a carpool system oes varying greatly. Some people will prefer to pitch in money towards gas and expenses. Others will rotate weekly driving schedules, all in an effort to save money and help the environment at the same time. Carpooling to some is not an attractive idea because people may feel a loss of privacy, quiet time, or just general control of their lives. However, the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages, especially when it comes to finances.

It may be difficult to find a ride-sharing opportunity. There are some online resources, such as eRideShare which is a community site for finding carpooling opportunities in your area. The service is free and may be worth a look. In the event the various online resources do not pan out for you, get innovative. Start a network in your office or in your community. Start putting together local resources together surrounding the people in your office and branch out from there. Put together a simple press release and let the local newspapers and radio stations know about your plan. You can start an inexpensive website to help connect the community to your ride-sharing idea. If you don’t have the time or energy to put together a system yourself, approach the local government officials for assistance.

By encouraging and utilizing a car-pooling system yourself, you can make a nice dent in the environmental protection of the planet as well as the safety of the roads. The more people that opt to car pool, the less traffic congestion there is during the commute, which can make driving more enjoyable and stress free for everyone.

Carpools Are The Way to Stay on the Go was created by and is property of American Consumer News.