Tuesday, August 09, 2011
How to find the right travel agent by Ed Hewitt
Back before I became a diehard fan of travel agents, I was a diehard fan of doing it myself. But a few bad trips, many of which I've written about in this column, resulted in numerous comments from travel agents that they could have saved me the agony, not to mention quite possibly some money. Here's the story of my quest to find the perfect travel agent.
With the advent of the Web, airlines figure they can sell directly to the customer. The travel agent is a classic middleman, and the death of the middleman was predicted even in the early days of the Web. Time was you had to call every airline yourself, or use a travel agent. Now, not only can you comparison shop over the Web, but you can book the flights yourself while downloading pictures of your grandkids in the background.
Companies and reservations services offer airfares, hotel rooms, car rentals, online vacation package deals, online B&B reservations, even bidding. With so much information right here on my laptop screen, why do I need to call anyone? And why do I need a travel agent?
There's something to this notion, and to tell the truth, for most routine travel I'm an unrepentant do-it-myselfer. But on the rare occasion I complain about one trip or another, I often get mail from travel agents who tell me "Get a good travel agent, and you won't have these problems." To my ear, the emphasis is on the word "good."
I suspected that travel agents still have their place in the world, and wanted to find out where that place might be.
What makes a 'good' travel agent?
Full disclosure: I'm in the market for a holiday trip to a popular destination (a Hawaiian island) for a friend's wedding. I figured I'd mix business and pleasure, and turn this article into a quest for an affordable airfare.
As a result, I had three agendas:
1) To find a "good travel agent." What is this elusive creature?
2) To experience this creature's purported magic first-hand.
3) To (somehow!) find a great airfare in a sold-out market.
A recent Monday afternoon's calls to some local travel agents went thusly:
First call: No answer, left message, no returned call within 48 hours, still haven't heard from them.
Second call: Spoke to an agent, gave her my itinerary, then had this exchange:
"We'll see what we can do, and give you a call." I had to ask when that call might come.
"Hopefully by the end of the week."
Remember, this was on Monday.
Third call: Receptionist answers, asks my name, then tells me (and I swear these were his exact words): "All our agents are currently busy with other customers. Please call back in 15 to 20 minutes."
Aside from the fact that he sounded like a computer-generated on-hold operator, he made no offer to take my name or my number to have someone call me. Call us, we won't call you ...
Fourth call: The folks at the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) are always trumpeting their agents, so I chose an agent who sported the ASTA logo in his Yellow Pages ad. Pay dirt.
Gene was funny, happily swapped war stories with me, called back promptly after investigating my itinerary, and explored other options at length when I wasn't entirely happy with prices or the airline. In short order, by using some alternative airports, he found a fare that was $200 cheaper than I had seen online.
He placed the reservation but asked if I could wait until the morning, as he was going to a party that night with some colleagues, and wanted to see if he could find anything interesting.
At 9:15 a.m., Gene called with some news: he had found a package deal with a three-night "throwaway hotel" (when you don't even have to show up if you don't want to) for almost $2,000 less than either of us could find anywhere else. He had nailed down our preferred dates of travel, if not our preferred airline, but beggars can't be choosers, as the saying goes. As I said before: pay dirt.
Finding a 'good travel agent'
Needless to say, I'm sold that a "good travel agent" can do some things no search engine will ever do. (I'll still use online booking sites, nonetheless, for speed and convenience, but will call my new travel agent much more frequently.)
Unfortunately, commission cuts could make finding a good travel agent that much tougher, as the best of the profession might move on, and potential future stars will choose other work.
A few guidelines for choosing your travel agent:
1) I have to trumpet the ASTA connection; go with an ASTA agency. ASTA has a code of conduct, a Consumer Affairs Department where you can register complaints against members, and a reputation to uphold. You can search for ASTA-affiliated agents on the organization's consumer site, TravelSense.org.
(Note that, on further inspection, I discovered that at least one of the agencies I didn't use was an ASTA shop. ASTA affiliation isn't a guarantee, but it's a good start.)
2) Does the agent tell you everything you need to know? When you don't like a certain airline, departure times or dates, or connection, does he shift gears immediately to find alternatives, or try to force the issue? If your agent responds well in these situations, stick by him.
3) Is the agent local? This is a personal preference, but one I think can pay off.
On occasion, you're going to want to drive by the agent's office to pick up tickets at the last minute, get passport photos taken or get reticketed in the event of changes. When flights are canceled, airlines go bankrupt or trips disappoint, you want to be able to stop in the office to straighten everything out, rather than write a half-dozen irate e-mails and or make a half-dozen angry phone calls.
4) Do the agent's fares and itineraries stack up well against the online booking services? Even when I call the airlines directly, I check an online reservations site to investigate my options ahead of time; I do the same with travel agents. The more information you have as a consumer of any product, the more likely you are to find what you really want.
When to use a travel agent
Strongly consider using a travel agent instead of doing it yourself in the following cases:
Group trips/sales.
Getting 25 people on the same plane with seats together at an affordable price is no job for a dilettante. Call a travel agent or outfitter immediately when traveling with a large group. Be firm and clear in your instructions on your budget, time and date restrictions, and other preferences or requirements.
Family travel.
I consider our family travel just a smaller subset of a group trip — we want sensible flight times, the fewest connections and shortest overall travel time possible, seats together throughout, hotel rooms with enough sleeping space, a car that can accept a child's seat, etc. A good travel agent understands all of this intuitively, and can save you the headaches of sorting through all of this yourself.
When looking for a package deal.
There are so many package deals out there, at hotels you've never heard of, with itineraries so vague you're not sure what country you're visiting, that you may need some assistance. (Our story on "Unpacking your vacation package deal" can also help.)
When you fly frequently.
When you fly frequently, and especially when it's SEM (Someone Else's Money), having a good travel agent can be essential. No hours on hold, no endless Web surfing, no hassles; just a quick phone call, and your e-tickets arrive in your inbox.
When traveling to an exotic locale or new "resort" area.
I once took a trip to a new resort that hadn't completed its plumbing installation, overlooked a beach at an oil drilling site and was plagued with thefts. I rented a car and disappeared for the rest of the trip, swallowing the cost of the hotel.
A good travel agent has an ear to the ground and will know whether a new hotel in an exotic location is safe and ready to welcome travelers. Many travel agents routinely visit hot new locations (often on the tab of the resort — see potential conflicts of interest below).
Additionally, if any components of your itinerary collapse, your travel agent is accountable to help try to set things right. If you made all your reservations yourself, you're up the creek without the proverbial paddle.
When you don't have time.
You might save a few dollars in fees, while you lose two hours in research. What is your time worth? Travel agents earn their keep by doing work you don't have time to do.
When you have all the time in the world.
If you have a relationship with your travel agent, you can ask them to keep an eye out for good deals to your favorite locations. Sure, e-mail notification services can do the same, but your travel agent might catch something a "bot" might not.
You have the itinerary from H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.
If you have a particularly sticky itinerary — one with stopovers, rented cars in every city, several hotels and the like — you might want to get a pro on the job.
When you have a great travel agent.
If you've found the world's best travel agent right in your neighborhood, throw them all your business. You won't do better anywhere else. She can see everything the booking engines can see, and sometimes more. She'll make a living, you'll become a preferred customer and the world will be a better place. (Well, maybe not, but we can try.)
When to do it yourself
I do believe there are times when you can just make your bookings yourself:
Routine travel.
If you're booking your routine flight, you can probably do it yourself online with your preferred airline. This way, there's no third party "monkey in the middle" if you have to make quick, simple decisions about departure times, prices or other factors. You make a few clicks and it's done. No travel agent is going to make this process simpler or likely even cheaper.
When you're working on word of mouth, or with Mom and Pop operations.
Many small hotels, B&B's, local car rental joints or similar outfits don't register on the average travel agent's radar screen. When a friend tells you about this great and affordable little cabin that you can get by calling the local bait shop, make the call yourself.
What to look for, what to watch out for
A good travel agent will answer the following questions honestly and without resistance.
Do you apply a surcharge to my purchase? How big is it?
I think it is unfortunate that travel agents have been forced to apply a surcharge to get paid for the valuable work they do. And usually they're worth the admittedly small fee. I have no sympathy, however, for agents and agencies that institute a surcharge and don't tell their customers until after the fact.
Does the price quote include all taxes and other charges?
The odd travel agent will quote you the base price on a flight or hotel stay; then when you try to pay, it's much higher. Even online booking engines quote final prices; expect your travel agent to do so as well.
What about incentive programs?
Are agents getting paid to steer you to a specific airline, cruise companies, hotels, or car rental agencies? You want to know.
Are there airlines that do not appear in their computers?
Some airlines are more equal than others. Some airlines, such as Southwest and other smaller discounters, may not participate in the central reservations system. Good agents will know to check those airlines' sites when appropriate.
Do they routinely work with vacation package companies?
The truly creative agent might not just offer you an airfare, but might find a vacation package that could even come in cheaper than the flight.
Potential conflicts of interest
An agent who is paid to find the best airfare, but is simultaneously paid by airlines to steer customers to their flights, encounters a clear conflict of interest. While most agents should be assumed honest, you want to know about these arrangements, as the agent is put in a tough position of saving you a few bucks or making a few more bucks for himself.
It's a conflict of interest, a little like when a real estate agent represents both the buyer and the seller. Whose interests are they protecting? Besides their own, of course. Please understand that I'm not attacking travel agents' right to make a living. But when an agent sells out the customer on the other end of the phone to the airline on the other end of an incentive program, we have a problem.
Familiarization trips
Often called "fam" trips, these are partly educational trips for travel agents, and partly favors from travel companies, who often expect to be "paid back" with sales to that destination. Probably a necessary evil, but when someone recommends a new locale she's just visited and loved, remember that she didn't pay as much as you will to visit there. Again, ask the tough questions.
Overrides
An "override" refers to an incentive program where agents are rewarded, in commission increase or other perks, when they sell a minimum number or dollar amount of reservations for a particular airline, hotel, car rental company, cruise line or the like. The temptation to steer passengers to that company can be overwhelming, even if it's not entirely in the best interests of the traveler.
Overrides are primarily an issue at large companies; your average local company can't get anywhere near the numbers required for most overrides.
Not slamming agents
I'm not slamming agents by highlighting these issues; remember, one just saved me $2,000. I'm merely reinforcing my eternal credo: caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). Do your homework to find that "good travel agent," and you won't regret it.
More from IndependentTraveler.com
Why you still need a travel agent
9 tips for insanely busy travelers
The 5 worst trip planning mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Most Expensive US cities to visit
By Tom Van Riper
updated 4/12/2011 9:33:51 AM ET
If you vacationed in New York or Honolulu in 2010, chances are you got a pretty good deal on a hotel room. Room rates in North America's priciest cities declined for a second straight year in 2010. The bad news for tourists (or good news for the industry): Price declines slowed markedly last year from the freefall of 2009, and they're swinging back up in many spots this year.
Forbes.com slideshow: The most expensive U.S. cities to visit
Hotel prices in most of North America's most expensive cities — New York, Honolulu, Boston, and Chicago, among others — declined by an average of 2 percent in 2010, according to the latest Hotel Price Index from hotels.com. A soft year, but a big improvement from 2009, when prices in most of the same cities fell 10 percent or more from 2008. New York, which had to absorb the added capacity of about 4,000 new rooms in 2009 while dealing with the recession, saw its average room rate drop more than 20 percent, to $199. Big Apple prices dipped again in 2010 to $194 a night, making it the most expensive city to spend a night in the U.S.
America's Musical Cities
Forbes Guide To Worldwide Travel: Midsummer
America's Great Fourth Of July Celebrations
Yahoo! BuzzPrices ended 2010 at roughly 2004 levels, says Hotels.com Vice President Victor Owens, the net result of a two-year slump cancelling out the four years of growth that preceded it. "There is still value (for consumers) in the marketplace, but we seem to be slowly climbing out of the ditch," says Owens. Prices outside the major markets rose a bit, he notes, especially in high-income niche areas. California tells the tale: Two pricey spots, Monterey and Santa Barbara, replaced San Diego and San Francisco in the top 10. "The first wave of leisure travelers that comes back is the affluent one," says Owens.
Others making the top 10 for 2010: Washington, D.C., ($140 a night, down a few dollars from 2009) and Miami ($139.58, virtually unchanged). Both are perennial placeholders on the list — Washington thanks to its trove of landmarks and drivable distance from many population centers, Miami thanks to its status as an international hub that attracts travelers from south of the border.
A peek at 2011 shows an early surge in demand and prices. According to Expedia.com, average prices during January, February and early March were up from last year, as much as 20 percent or so in Honolulu, Boston, Miami and Washington, D.C.
And what might be the story of the year in the hotel business: the recovery of New Orleans some five years after Hurricane Katrina. Hotel prices in the Big Easy rose to an average of $132.27 in 2010, from $118 in 2009, according to Hotels.com data. And Expedia's numbers show they've shot up even further in early 2011, to about $150 a night.
Both leisure travelers and conventions are making their way back to New Orleans. The Saints' Super Bowl win last year didn't hurt. What better advertisement for your city than thousands partying in the French Quarter in front of millions on national television? City officials took that ball and parlayed it into a strong promotional message, according to Owens. "It's a good growth story; they're just doing a very good job of getting out there and promoting themselves," he says.
updated 4/12/2011 9:33:51 AM ET
If you vacationed in New York or Honolulu in 2010, chances are you got a pretty good deal on a hotel room. Room rates in North America's priciest cities declined for a second straight year in 2010. The bad news for tourists (or good news for the industry): Price declines slowed markedly last year from the freefall of 2009, and they're swinging back up in many spots this year.
Forbes.com slideshow: The most expensive U.S. cities to visit
Hotel prices in most of North America's most expensive cities — New York, Honolulu, Boston, and Chicago, among others — declined by an average of 2 percent in 2010, according to the latest Hotel Price Index from hotels.com. A soft year, but a big improvement from 2009, when prices in most of the same cities fell 10 percent or more from 2008. New York, which had to absorb the added capacity of about 4,000 new rooms in 2009 while dealing with the recession, saw its average room rate drop more than 20 percent, to $199. Big Apple prices dipped again in 2010 to $194 a night, making it the most expensive city to spend a night in the U.S.
America's Musical Cities
Forbes Guide To Worldwide Travel: Midsummer
America's Great Fourth Of July Celebrations
Yahoo! BuzzPrices ended 2010 at roughly 2004 levels, says Hotels.com Vice President Victor Owens, the net result of a two-year slump cancelling out the four years of growth that preceded it. "There is still value (for consumers) in the marketplace, but we seem to be slowly climbing out of the ditch," says Owens. Prices outside the major markets rose a bit, he notes, especially in high-income niche areas. California tells the tale: Two pricey spots, Monterey and Santa Barbara, replaced San Diego and San Francisco in the top 10. "The first wave of leisure travelers that comes back is the affluent one," says Owens.
Others making the top 10 for 2010: Washington, D.C., ($140 a night, down a few dollars from 2009) and Miami ($139.58, virtually unchanged). Both are perennial placeholders on the list — Washington thanks to its trove of landmarks and drivable distance from many population centers, Miami thanks to its status as an international hub that attracts travelers from south of the border.
A peek at 2011 shows an early surge in demand and prices. According to Expedia.com, average prices during January, February and early March were up from last year, as much as 20 percent or so in Honolulu, Boston, Miami and Washington, D.C.
And what might be the story of the year in the hotel business: the recovery of New Orleans some five years after Hurricane Katrina. Hotel prices in the Big Easy rose to an average of $132.27 in 2010, from $118 in 2009, according to Hotels.com data. And Expedia's numbers show they've shot up even further in early 2011, to about $150 a night.
Both leisure travelers and conventions are making their way back to New Orleans. The Saints' Super Bowl win last year didn't hurt. What better advertisement for your city than thousands partying in the French Quarter in front of millions on national television? City officials took that ball and parlayed it into a strong promotional message, according to Owens. "It's a good growth story; they're just doing a very good job of getting out there and promoting themselves," he says.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Carnival Fantasy
On a recent trip to Charleston, I had the opportunity to tour and have lunch on board the Carnival Fantasy while she was docked there between cruises. I have done several of these type tours and lunches in the past, both with Carnival and other cruise lines and have had mixed reactions to the product being offered.
I have always loved the idea that I could board a cruise in Charleston, just 3 hours from home, and avoid the hassles that air travel involves these days but I always felt that Charleston was being fed the “leftovers” of the various cruise lines: the ships that no one really wanted to sail on because they were old and tired and dated.
Not so with the Fantasy. She just had a “makeover” in December (and previously in 2008) and, though some small bits of neon from the era of her birth in 1990 remain, overall she is a delight. The ship feels very warm and comfortable and I felt at home as soon as I walked on board. While there are no rock-climbing walls or ice skating rinks, there is the new Carnival Water Works area with its 300-foot-long water slide; an 82-foot-long dual racing slide; fountains and splash pools; a resort-style pool area; an adults-only Serenity sunning and relaxation area with whirlpools; a gift shop where everything in it is $10 and cruise rates that often allow the entire family to cruise for what one person’s fare might be on a mega ship.
As far as onboard activities, the schedule is overflowing with such fun things as laser tag, three-minute makeovers, karaoke – including a live band backup for qualified singers, dance lessons, casino game tournaments, top-notch entertainment and Carnival’s famous singing and dancing dining room waiters, and, of course, the 12000-square-foot Spa Carnival including a spacious workout center. Spa Carnival has 10 treatment massage rooms, 2 saunas, 2 steam rooms and a Hair Salon for men and women. European-style treatments and services are offered. Generally, hours are 8:00am -8:00pm but may vary depending upon area of service
In talking with past passengers, food had been an issue on the Fantasy. Not so today. There are two formal dining rooms, the Jubilee and the Celebration, and there is no skimping on either the quality or variety of offerings from them. The entrees of lobster, prime rib, chateaubriand and the like are very popular, as is the lobster bisque. We were treated to Carnival’s signature dessert, molten chocolate cake with a choice of ice creams.
The Windows on the Sea buffet provides a more casual setting without giving up the quality of the food. We were told that the rotisserie chicken there is to die for! There is a pizzeria area where you can get pizza 24 hours a day. Your teen will love you for this, let alone the multiple self-serve ice cream machines. Oh, did I mention the 24-hour free room service yet??
Outside on the pool deck you will also find a Mongolian Grill where you can “build your own entrée” with a choice from dozens of ingredients then have the Mongolian Chef prepare it for you. There is also a station serving hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, fries and the like.
The ship features 3 basic types of cabins: inside, ocean view and suites. It was built before the Balcony era so only the 28 Grand Suites and 26 Ocean Suites have balconies. For larger families, a Grand Suite with an adjoining ocean view cabin can comfortably house up to 8 (four in the suite and four in the ocean view room). The ocean view rooms have a good sized window, not just a porthole. The interior rooms are just as spacious as the ocean view, they just have no window.
One of the upgrades done in late 2010 was to the cabin interiors. The linens and bedding have all been upgraded. There is plenty of storage space and a nice vanity area. Other upgrades include new carpeting and upholstered furniture.
The bathrooms are among the largest I’ve seen on a cruise ship. No need to worry about injuring yourself if you drop the soap in the shower and bend over to pick it up.
All of the crew that we encountered were friendly and courteous and seemed really glad to be working on the Fantasy. The bar service was good without being pushy and was available even in the more secluded areas, such as the Serenity area and the decks above the main pool.
Bar areas include the Cleopatra Bar, the Cats Lounge, the 21st Century Bar, the Majestic Bar where smoking is permitted, and the Forum Bar. And then there is The Promenade, a wonderful open area for meeting friends or just relaxing. The Bistro on the Boulevard there is a specialty shop where cakes, cookies, pastries, milkshakes and specialty coffees are served at nominal cost. The huge slices of carrot or deep chocolate cake go for around $2.25.
If you are traveling with kids, they will love Camp Carnival, and so will you. There are programs designed for varying age groups. Kids 2-5 will have a blast with toys and arts and crafts. Those aged 6-8 make spin art and play games. And ages 9-11 can chill at pool parties and go on scavenger hunts. Camp is in session from 9am-12pm, 2pm – 5pm and 7pm-10pm on sea days and from 2pm – 5pm and 7pm- 10pm on days in port.
There are special programs for teens, as well. Circle “C” is a place where young teens hang out together for late-night movies, nighttime swims, sports, the latest video games and dance parties. Club O₂ is where teens 15-17 gather in their own lounge area to play the latest video games, relax in comfy seats, dance on the state-of-the-art dance floor and hang at the non-alcoholic drink bar. All activities are supervised by Carnival’s Youth Staff who have college degrees in related fields or professional childcare experience.
The Carnival Fantasy sails out of Charleston year round on 5, 6 or 7 day cruises to the Bahamas, Key West and Bermuda.
I have always loved the idea that I could board a cruise in Charleston, just 3 hours from home, and avoid the hassles that air travel involves these days but I always felt that Charleston was being fed the “leftovers” of the various cruise lines: the ships that no one really wanted to sail on because they were old and tired and dated.
Not so with the Fantasy. She just had a “makeover” in December (and previously in 2008) and, though some small bits of neon from the era of her birth in 1990 remain, overall she is a delight. The ship feels very warm and comfortable and I felt at home as soon as I walked on board. While there are no rock-climbing walls or ice skating rinks, there is the new Carnival Water Works area with its 300-foot-long water slide; an 82-foot-long dual racing slide; fountains and splash pools; a resort-style pool area; an adults-only Serenity sunning and relaxation area with whirlpools; a gift shop where everything in it is $10 and cruise rates that often allow the entire family to cruise for what one person’s fare might be on a mega ship.
As far as onboard activities, the schedule is overflowing with such fun things as laser tag, three-minute makeovers, karaoke – including a live band backup for qualified singers, dance lessons, casino game tournaments, top-notch entertainment and Carnival’s famous singing and dancing dining room waiters, and, of course, the 12000-square-foot Spa Carnival including a spacious workout center. Spa Carnival has 10 treatment massage rooms, 2 saunas, 2 steam rooms and a Hair Salon for men and women. European-style treatments and services are offered. Generally, hours are 8:00am -8:00pm but may vary depending upon area of service
In talking with past passengers, food had been an issue on the Fantasy. Not so today. There are two formal dining rooms, the Jubilee and the Celebration, and there is no skimping on either the quality or variety of offerings from them. The entrees of lobster, prime rib, chateaubriand and the like are very popular, as is the lobster bisque. We were treated to Carnival’s signature dessert, molten chocolate cake with a choice of ice creams.
The Windows on the Sea buffet provides a more casual setting without giving up the quality of the food. We were told that the rotisserie chicken there is to die for! There is a pizzeria area where you can get pizza 24 hours a day. Your teen will love you for this, let alone the multiple self-serve ice cream machines. Oh, did I mention the 24-hour free room service yet??
Outside on the pool deck you will also find a Mongolian Grill where you can “build your own entrée” with a choice from dozens of ingredients then have the Mongolian Chef prepare it for you. There is also a station serving hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, fries and the like.
The ship features 3 basic types of cabins: inside, ocean view and suites. It was built before the Balcony era so only the 28 Grand Suites and 26 Ocean Suites have balconies. For larger families, a Grand Suite with an adjoining ocean view cabin can comfortably house up to 8 (four in the suite and four in the ocean view room). The ocean view rooms have a good sized window, not just a porthole. The interior rooms are just as spacious as the ocean view, they just have no window.
One of the upgrades done in late 2010 was to the cabin interiors. The linens and bedding have all been upgraded. There is plenty of storage space and a nice vanity area. Other upgrades include new carpeting and upholstered furniture.
The bathrooms are among the largest I’ve seen on a cruise ship. No need to worry about injuring yourself if you drop the soap in the shower and bend over to pick it up.
All of the crew that we encountered were friendly and courteous and seemed really glad to be working on the Fantasy. The bar service was good without being pushy and was available even in the more secluded areas, such as the Serenity area and the decks above the main pool.
Bar areas include the Cleopatra Bar, the Cats Lounge, the 21st Century Bar, the Majestic Bar where smoking is permitted, and the Forum Bar. And then there is The Promenade, a wonderful open area for meeting friends or just relaxing. The Bistro on the Boulevard there is a specialty shop where cakes, cookies, pastries, milkshakes and specialty coffees are served at nominal cost. The huge slices of carrot or deep chocolate cake go for around $2.25.
If you are traveling with kids, they will love Camp Carnival, and so will you. There are programs designed for varying age groups. Kids 2-5 will have a blast with toys and arts and crafts. Those aged 6-8 make spin art and play games. And ages 9-11 can chill at pool parties and go on scavenger hunts. Camp is in session from 9am-12pm, 2pm – 5pm and 7pm-10pm on sea days and from 2pm – 5pm and 7pm- 10pm on days in port.
There are special programs for teens, as well. Circle “C” is a place where young teens hang out together for late-night movies, nighttime swims, sports, the latest video games and dance parties. Club O₂ is where teens 15-17 gather in their own lounge area to play the latest video games, relax in comfy seats, dance on the state-of-the-art dance floor and hang at the non-alcoholic drink bar. All activities are supervised by Carnival’s Youth Staff who have college degrees in related fields or professional childcare experience.
The Carnival Fantasy sails out of Charleston year round on 5, 6 or 7 day cruises to the Bahamas, Key West and Bermuda.
Friday, January 28, 2011
10 great places to savor Chinese food
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Visiting Italy
What's new in Italy: Less chaos, smoother visits
Online museum reservations and new renovations and transport make Italy less chaotic for tourists.
By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services
Read the article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ricksteveseurope/2013840592_websteves04.html
Online museum reservations and new renovations and transport make Italy less chaotic for tourists.
By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services
Read the article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ricksteveseurope/2013840592_websteves04.html
Top 10 Travel articles for 2010 - courtesy of the New York Times
"If our traffic is any guide, readers in 2010 were as interested in articles that gave advice as they were in articles that focused on a destination. Stories on 31 Places to Go in 2010, a Practical Traveler column on 10 ways to cut travel costs and a Frugal Traveler guide to San Francisco were among the most viewed articles last year."
Read the article at
http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/travel/05topstories.html?ref=travel
Read the article at
http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/travel/05topstories.html?ref=travel
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Customer service is a reward in itself
Some of you who know me know that I work a few hours a week at Kohl's.
I started working there for extra Christmas money in 2004 and now, six years later, I'm still there!
I was asked to stay on after that first Christmas season and found out I could qualify for health insurance benefits even working part-time with no minimum hours required.
Since my husband and I were paying somewhat north of $900 a month for health insurance as self-employed business owners at that time, it was a God-send not to mention a no-brainer.
When we moved to South Carolina, I was able to transfer to a nearby Kohl's in Pineville, NC.
One of the things I love about Kohl's is their dedication to the happiness of each and every customer. Even as a part-time POS associate, I am empowered to do what it takes to make the customer leave the store with a good feeling about their shopping experience at Kohl's. They are a "Yes, we can" company in word AND deed. And that applies to the way I am treated by the company, too!
When I had been there for 5 years, I was given an Amazon.com gift certificate. When I was named employee of the month, I was given an extra $25 in my paycheck. When I went on to be employee of the quarter, I was given a day's pay added to my paycheck.
And I'm only part time!
Last week I was given an iPod Touch. When I asked what I did to deserve it, I was told that I and another associate from Pineville had our names put into a drawing for the entire district and mine was chosen. I still didn't understand why we were nominated so I asked my store manager who said it was because of our great customer service skills.
That seemed so ironic to me since my great customer service skills have been learned from being an associate at Kohl's!
After working in the travel field for 39 years, this mindset of Kohl's is quite in contrast to that of the airlines. With them, THEY are always right, if you make a mistake it's your fault, there is never an easy solution to a problem and they have no responsibility to you,their customer. I could tell of many nightmarish situations I have encountered with the airlines over the years but the focus of this post is to show the positive effect of good cusotomer service.
The most interesting thing to me about my latest award has been how it has prompted me to give even better customer service. I would be embarassed to have someone know I won a customer service award when I'm treating them poorly!
This same customer service ethic has spilled over into my travel business, I'm sure. I have an entirely different outlook when someone comes to me with a problem they have encountered in their travel arrangements.
Thank you, Kohl's for what you have taught me!
I started working there for extra Christmas money in 2004 and now, six years later, I'm still there!
I was asked to stay on after that first Christmas season and found out I could qualify for health insurance benefits even working part-time with no minimum hours required.
Since my husband and I were paying somewhat north of $900 a month for health insurance as self-employed business owners at that time, it was a God-send not to mention a no-brainer.
When we moved to South Carolina, I was able to transfer to a nearby Kohl's in Pineville, NC.
One of the things I love about Kohl's is their dedication to the happiness of each and every customer. Even as a part-time POS associate, I am empowered to do what it takes to make the customer leave the store with a good feeling about their shopping experience at Kohl's. They are a "Yes, we can" company in word AND deed. And that applies to the way I am treated by the company, too!
When I had been there for 5 years, I was given an Amazon.com gift certificate. When I was named employee of the month, I was given an extra $25 in my paycheck. When I went on to be employee of the quarter, I was given a day's pay added to my paycheck.
And I'm only part time!
Last week I was given an iPod Touch. When I asked what I did to deserve it, I was told that I and another associate from Pineville had our names put into a drawing for the entire district and mine was chosen. I still didn't understand why we were nominated so I asked my store manager who said it was because of our great customer service skills.
That seemed so ironic to me since my great customer service skills have been learned from being an associate at Kohl's!
After working in the travel field for 39 years, this mindset of Kohl's is quite in contrast to that of the airlines. With them, THEY are always right, if you make a mistake it's your fault, there is never an easy solution to a problem and they have no responsibility to you,their customer. I could tell of many nightmarish situations I have encountered with the airlines over the years but the focus of this post is to show the positive effect of good cusotomer service.
The most interesting thing to me about my latest award has been how it has prompted me to give even better customer service. I would be embarassed to have someone know I won a customer service award when I'm treating them poorly!
This same customer service ethic has spilled over into my travel business, I'm sure. I have an entirely different outlook when someone comes to me with a problem they have encountered in their travel arrangements.
Thank you, Kohl's for what you have taught me!
Monday, November 01, 2010
client appreciation
Over the weekend I received this lovely note from a client about the services I recently arranged for him and his 5 travel companions:
"Linda, I wanted to give you a brief cheer on all the arrangements for the European part of our current trip. Every connection, every ticket, every reservation and the circumstances they promised worked just great for us. I might make some different decisions in the future about the kind and location of hotel, but it will be because of now informed taste rather than speculation. And Sandy has said that she will ask for airport meet and transport and individual guides whenever she travels abroad, now that you've taught her how valuable they are to maximize travel time.
We had a great time, and we're now enjoying a slow transport back and perhaps a few more days of it than we would like, since we spent so much energy in the ground portion.
I'll send you my travel notes when they're ready.
Thanks, good friend, for your professional care of us.--Mark"
Mark S. Auburn
Fairlawn, OH
"Linda, I wanted to give you a brief cheer on all the arrangements for the European part of our current trip. Every connection, every ticket, every reservation and the circumstances they promised worked just great for us. I might make some different decisions in the future about the kind and location of hotel, but it will be because of now informed taste rather than speculation. And Sandy has said that she will ask for airport meet and transport and individual guides whenever she travels abroad, now that you've taught her how valuable they are to maximize travel time.
We had a great time, and we're now enjoying a slow transport back and perhaps a few more days of it than we would like, since we spent so much energy in the ground portion.
I'll send you my travel notes when they're ready.
Thanks, good friend, for your professional care of us.--Mark"
Mark S. Auburn
Fairlawn, OH
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Top Airport Restaurants
Another goodie from my favorite travel tip site, Smarter Travel.
by Christine Sarkis July 1, 2010
Looking for an airport dining experience where you won't hear, "Do you want fries with that?" Airports around the world are offering their captive audiences increasingly better options.
One trend in particular has brightened culinary horizons at the airport. More local restaurants and chefs are opening airport locations to bring regional favorites to travelers. Some cities even add a bit of glamour with airport locations of celebrity-chef-run restaurants.
Airports tend to be proud of their local outposts, so they're often pretty easy to spot. For instance, I was in the international terminal at San Francisco International the other day and stopped to read a large poster detailing all the local options on offer, including local sushi favorite Ebisu. And unlike the restaurant in San Francisco's Sunset District, you won't have to wait an hour for a table at the airport location.
Not ready to leave Paris behind quite yet? With the Brasserie Flo location at Charles de Gaulle Airport, you don't have to. You'll get rapid service and cloth napkins, and can have one last steak tartare or creme brulee before jetting home.
Barbecue joint The Salt Lick at Austin-Bergstrom International is just one of the many local flavors available while you're waiting for a flight. Portland, Oregon's PDX airport has a "Uniquely Oregon" theme that delivers locally made coffee and beer, among other treats.
Looking for a celebrity-chef-inspired experience? Check out Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food at London Heathrow, or Todd English's Bonfire Restaurant at either New York-JFK or Boston Logan. And, New York's JFK has other offerings from well-known local restaurateurs.
If you're not looking to spend much on your airport snack, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy local offerings. Chicago chain Gold Coast Dogs serves up hot dogs and sausages at both O'Hare and Midway. And at Minneapolis' MSP, you can grab salads and sandwiches from the local organic bakery French Meadow.
by Christine Sarkis July 1, 2010
Looking for an airport dining experience where you won't hear, "Do you want fries with that?" Airports around the world are offering their captive audiences increasingly better options.
One trend in particular has brightened culinary horizons at the airport. More local restaurants and chefs are opening airport locations to bring regional favorites to travelers. Some cities even add a bit of glamour with airport locations of celebrity-chef-run restaurants.
Airports tend to be proud of their local outposts, so they're often pretty easy to spot. For instance, I was in the international terminal at San Francisco International the other day and stopped to read a large poster detailing all the local options on offer, including local sushi favorite Ebisu. And unlike the restaurant in San Francisco's Sunset District, you won't have to wait an hour for a table at the airport location.
Not ready to leave Paris behind quite yet? With the Brasserie Flo location at Charles de Gaulle Airport, you don't have to. You'll get rapid service and cloth napkins, and can have one last steak tartare or creme brulee before jetting home.
Barbecue joint The Salt Lick at Austin-Bergstrom International is just one of the many local flavors available while you're waiting for a flight. Portland, Oregon's PDX airport has a "Uniquely Oregon" theme that delivers locally made coffee and beer, among other treats.
Looking for a celebrity-chef-inspired experience? Check out Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food at London Heathrow, or Todd English's Bonfire Restaurant at either New York-JFK or Boston Logan. And, New York's JFK has other offerings from well-known local restaurateurs.
If you're not looking to spend much on your airport snack, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy local offerings. Chicago chain Gold Coast Dogs serves up hot dogs and sausages at both O'Hare and Midway. And at Minneapolis' MSP, you can grab salads and sandwiches from the local organic bakery French Meadow.
Friday, July 02, 2010
PASSPORT FEES ARE GOING UP JULY 13!!
ALERT!!! ALERT!!! ALERT!!!
State department Passport fees will be raised significantly on July 13. Fees for an individual passport are going from $75 to $110 and all others have similar increases.
If you are planning any international travel, be sure to get your passport application in before July 13
State department Passport fees will be raised significantly on July 13. Fees for an individual passport are going from $75 to $110 and all others have similar increases.
If you are planning any international travel, be sure to get your passport application in before July 13
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Think you know your Caribbean islands?
Here is a link to Fodor's blog where you will find a fun quiz about the Caribbean!
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3742.html?ref=77b
I got them all. See how well you can do then call me to book you to your favorite!
To go along with the quiz, see Fodor's "12 Best Value Hotels in the Caribbean" at http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3702.html?ref=77b
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3742.html?ref=77b
I got them all. See how well you can do then call me to book you to your favorite!
To go along with the quiz, see Fodor's "12 Best Value Hotels in the Caribbean" at http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3702.html?ref=77b
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
NYC potty spots
Got this from Eric Gordon of Beyond Times Square and thought many might find it useful!
The Magic of Porcelain
There is never one when you need one, so you think You just need to know where to look. There are plenty of public toilets to go around. Some are obvious like Barnes and Noble and Starbucks (but beware of Starbucks, many are nasty) and others may not be as easy to find (Police stations and public parks). Below is a listing of rest stops for both groups and individuals in need of some relief.
Good for Groups
The World Financial Center in Battery Park City
Lower concourse of Rockefeller Center
Pier 17 at South Street Seaport
Food Court at Grand Central Terminal
Staten Island Ferry Terminal
The Shops at Columbus Circle
Castle Clinton
Good for individuals
There are bathrooms everywhere if you are on your own. Part of the battle is just being cool and confident about using a bathroom that is not meant for you, such as in a random restaurant. You have to walk in and act like you own the place; like you are supposed to be there and just make your way to the bathroom. If that is not your style, you can take care of business at any of the locations below:
Any of the restrooms listed under groups above
Almost any hotel (go for the five star ones)
Many bars will let you use them because they do not know who is coming or going
NYC Public Toilet in Greenly Square (used to be .50c, now it is free)
Penn Station
Port Authority
Several in Central Park
547 6th Avenue, 3rd floor, 4th door on the right when you exit the elevator. The key is under the blue tile to the left of the door. DO NOT FORGET TO PUT IT BACK, OR I WILL FIND YOU.
TIP: It cannot hurt to carry some extra tissues. You never know when the TP will run dry.
I do want to mention special something that is happening right now in NYC. The wonderful people at Charmin set up free and very clean public toilets at 1540 Broadway (between 45th and 46th Sts) from November 23, to January 1, 2010 (until 2:00 am). So for all the crowds in NYC there is always a clean toilet available in midtown. Besides being clean there are six rolls of Charmin Toilet Paper, an ipod stero playing tunes and soap for your hands. In addition when your mission is complete you can get your picture taken.
So enjoy that third cup of coffee or that extra fiber bar, you have toilet knowledge and knowledge is comfort.
======================================================================================
Thank you for reading.
Please email us at comments@btsq.com.
Beyond Times Square is a receptive tour company specializing in the five boroughs of New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. We provide our group and individual clients with unique and memorable experiences in a friendly and professional manner. We achieve this by listening to what our clients want and incorporating their wishes along with our expertise into our travel programs and other products.
Contact us at 800.999.8160, skype: eric.gordon311 or info@btsq.com
The Magic of Porcelain
There is never one when you need one, so you think You just need to know where to look. There are plenty of public toilets to go around. Some are obvious like Barnes and Noble and Starbucks (but beware of Starbucks, many are nasty) and others may not be as easy to find (Police stations and public parks). Below is a listing of rest stops for both groups and individuals in need of some relief.
Good for Groups
The World Financial Center in Battery Park City
Lower concourse of Rockefeller Center
Pier 17 at South Street Seaport
Food Court at Grand Central Terminal
Staten Island Ferry Terminal
The Shops at Columbus Circle
Castle Clinton
Good for individuals
There are bathrooms everywhere if you are on your own. Part of the battle is just being cool and confident about using a bathroom that is not meant for you, such as in a random restaurant. You have to walk in and act like you own the place; like you are supposed to be there and just make your way to the bathroom. If that is not your style, you can take care of business at any of the locations below:
Any of the restrooms listed under groups above
Almost any hotel (go for the five star ones)
Many bars will let you use them because they do not know who is coming or going
NYC Public Toilet in Greenly Square (used to be .50c, now it is free)
Penn Station
Port Authority
Several in Central Park
547 6th Avenue, 3rd floor, 4th door on the right when you exit the elevator. The key is under the blue tile to the left of the door. DO NOT FORGET TO PUT IT BACK, OR I WILL FIND YOU.
TIP: It cannot hurt to carry some extra tissues. You never know when the TP will run dry.
I do want to mention special something that is happening right now in NYC. The wonderful people at Charmin set up free and very clean public toilets at 1540 Broadway (between 45th and 46th Sts) from November 23, to January 1, 2010 (until 2:00 am). So for all the crowds in NYC there is always a clean toilet available in midtown. Besides being clean there are six rolls of Charmin Toilet Paper, an ipod stero playing tunes and soap for your hands. In addition when your mission is complete you can get your picture taken.
So enjoy that third cup of coffee or that extra fiber bar, you have toilet knowledge and knowledge is comfort.
======================================================================================
Thank you for reading.
Please email us at comments@btsq.com.
Beyond Times Square is a receptive tour company specializing in the five boroughs of New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. We provide our group and individual clients with unique and memorable experiences in a friendly and professional manner. We achieve this by listening to what our clients want and incorporating their wishes along with our expertise into our travel programs and other products.
Contact us at 800.999.8160, skype: eric.gordon311 or info@btsq.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010 - #5
Los Cabos
On the peaceful tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos has been a longtime favorite among Americans seeking natural beauty, great water sports, and nightlife. This winter, a noteworthy airfare sale and dozens of vacation packages join forces to offer more Los Cabos for less.
Vacation packages are another way to make a winter trip to Los Cabos more affordable. We have a Book Early and Save offer, with discounts up to 50 percent off for air-and-hotel packages, and rates from $375 for roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles and four nights' accommodations. US Airways is offering up to $100 off Mexico vacation packages booked by November 23 for travel through March.
On the peaceful tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos has been a longtime favorite among Americans seeking natural beauty, great water sports, and nightlife. This winter, a noteworthy airfare sale and dozens of vacation packages join forces to offer more Los Cabos for less.
Vacation packages are another way to make a winter trip to Los Cabos more affordable. We have a Book Early and Save offer, with discounts up to 50 percent off for air-and-hotel packages, and rates from $375 for roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles and four nights' accommodations. US Airways is offering up to $100 off Mexico vacation packages booked by November 23 for travel through March.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010
Bargain #4
Budapest
Budapest was made for winter travel. Hundreds of thermal springs feed public baths and spa hotels around the city, offering endless ways to while away chilly winter days. Plenty of indoor shopping and sightseeing add to the appeal. This winter, air-and-hotel packages offer the best value, though airfare sales and generally reasonable hotel rates provide affordable options as well. And since Hungary isn't yet using the euro, it tends to be less expensive than many other European countries.
Vacation packages provide good value for the Budapest-bound this coming winter. At press time, Go-Today was advertising six night air-and-hotel winter packages to Budapest from $679, and multi-country packages that tack on cities such as Vienna and Prague for not much more. Gate1Travel has an eight-day Budapest and Prague package from $849.
There are ways to save on a-la-carte bookings as well. Delta currently has sale fares between New York and Budapest for $359 each way. Since the city is also well served by European low-cost carriers, combining a cheap fare to a major European hub with intra-European service to Budapest can be an affordable option. EasyJet flies from Paris and London, Ryanair from Dublin, Wizzair from a number of major European cities including London and Madrid, and Germanwings from London and elsewhere.
Los Cabos tomorrow
Budapest
Budapest was made for winter travel. Hundreds of thermal springs feed public baths and spa hotels around the city, offering endless ways to while away chilly winter days. Plenty of indoor shopping and sightseeing add to the appeal. This winter, air-and-hotel packages offer the best value, though airfare sales and generally reasonable hotel rates provide affordable options as well. And since Hungary isn't yet using the euro, it tends to be less expensive than many other European countries.
Vacation packages provide good value for the Budapest-bound this coming winter. At press time, Go-Today was advertising six night air-and-hotel winter packages to Budapest from $679, and multi-country packages that tack on cities such as Vienna and Prague for not much more. Gate1Travel has an eight-day Budapest and Prague package from $849.
There are ways to save on a-la-carte bookings as well. Delta currently has sale fares between New York and Budapest for $359 each way. Since the city is also well served by European low-cost carriers, combining a cheap fare to a major European hub with intra-European service to Budapest can be an affordable option. EasyJet flies from Paris and London, Ryanair from Dublin, Wizzair from a number of major European cities including London and Madrid, and Germanwings from London and elsewhere.
Los Cabos tomorrow
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010 (cont.)
#3
St. Lucia
Among Caribbean islands, St. Lucia has always retained an upscale, romantic allure. This winter though, you don't need to splurge on a honeymoon to enjoy the best of the island. The rough economy brought prices down this year, and new low-cost carrier service has put St. Lucia within reach of more travelers.
Late last month, JetBlue started new nonstop service three times a week between New York and St. Lucia with rates from $129 each way. The airline is promoting the new service with three-night air-and-hotel packages from $369 per person.
Hotels and resorts around the island are offering their own winter specials, including plenty of options under $100 and discounted rates or added amenities at popular resorts. For instance, winter rates with daily breakfast for two at the Fox Grove Inn range from $70 to $85. At the Marigot Beach Club—with average nightly rates of $237 according to SmarterTravel sister site Trip Advisor— winter rates for a beachfront studio are $181 a night.
St. Lucia
Among Caribbean islands, St. Lucia has always retained an upscale, romantic allure. This winter though, you don't need to splurge on a honeymoon to enjoy the best of the island. The rough economy brought prices down this year, and new low-cost carrier service has put St. Lucia within reach of more travelers.
Late last month, JetBlue started new nonstop service three times a week between New York and St. Lucia with rates from $129 each way. The airline is promoting the new service with three-night air-and-hotel packages from $369 per person.
Hotels and resorts around the island are offering their own winter specials, including plenty of options under $100 and discounted rates or added amenities at popular resorts. For instance, winter rates with daily breakfast for two at the Fox Grove Inn range from $70 to $85. At the Marigot Beach Club—with average nightly rates of $237 according to SmarterTravel sister site Trip Advisor— winter rates for a beachfront studio are $181 a night.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010 (cont.)
#2
Salt Lake City
Skiing vacations get pricey fast. But Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountain destinations stand out as an affordable winter vacation spot this year. Domestic airfare sales and ski-friendly offers make getting there a bargain, and more discounts on hotels and ski expenses can bring down the overall cost substantially.
Southwest and United are currently running airfare sales that include Salt Lake City, and Frontier just ended a promotion and will likely roll out another soon. Southwest also has this ski destination special: Book air-and-hotel packages by November 26 for travel through February 10, and every second person flies free to Salt Lake City. Plus, the fourth night is free, as is the third lift ticket day. The offer is valid at more than a half dozen ski resorts near Salt Lake City.
Many hotels and resorts are also offering a fourth night of lodging and skiing free when you book a four-night stay before December 15 for travel through spring. And, more hotels are offering early winter discounts of 10 to 35 percent.
Salt Lake City
Skiing vacations get pricey fast. But Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountain destinations stand out as an affordable winter vacation spot this year. Domestic airfare sales and ski-friendly offers make getting there a bargain, and more discounts on hotels and ski expenses can bring down the overall cost substantially.
Southwest and United are currently running airfare sales that include Salt Lake City, and Frontier just ended a promotion and will likely roll out another soon. Southwest also has this ski destination special: Book air-and-hotel packages by November 26 for travel through February 10, and every second person flies free to Salt Lake City. Plus, the fourth night is free, as is the third lift ticket day. The offer is valid at more than a half dozen ski resorts near Salt Lake City.
Many hotels and resorts are also offering a fourth night of lodging and skiing free when you book a four-night stay before December 15 for travel through spring. And, more hotels are offering early winter discounts of 10 to 35 percent.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010
From Smarter Travel:
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff - November 12, 2009
"Whether winter calls for sun or snow in your book, there are plenty of deals to put a vacation on your horizon. As destinations attempt to pull themselves out of the recession funk, they're offering winter deals worth serious consideration.
I've monitored trends, industry news, and sale patterns to point you in the direction of places that offer the best bargain value for the coming season. Below you'll find examples of deals presently available for winter trips. Like all deals, these are sure to expire; however, a little research on your part can yield similar results when you're ready to book.
Key West
Good deals bask in the sun in Key West, Florida. New air service from two airlines put a winter tan within easy reach. And, a free companion airfare deal for future travel adds value to a trip.
AirTran will become the first low-cost carrier to serve Key West when it begins nonstop service from Orlando and same-plane service from Atlanta on December 17. Flights are scheduled to operate four times each week with fares from $119 each way. Also on December 17, Delta will expand its service between Atlanta and Key West, offering daily flights between the cities.
The well-known Cheeca Lodge & Spa will reopen on December 15 after a major renovation. The property is offering introductory winter specials of 10 to 30 percent off room rates. Not affordable enough? There are also seasonal discounts at more hotels around town.
A stay in Key West can help you save on your next trip as well. The Florida Keys Tourism Council has teamed up with hotels in Key West and other nearby cities to offer free companion airfare vouchers with qualifying hotel stays. The vouchers are good for future travel in the Continental U.S. on participating airlines through April, 2011. Booking restrictions are detailed on the vouchers.
tomorrow - Salt Lake City
(to read the full article go to http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/top-five-bargain-destinations-for-winter-2009-2010.html?id=3826729
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff - November 12, 2009
"Whether winter calls for sun or snow in your book, there are plenty of deals to put a vacation on your horizon. As destinations attempt to pull themselves out of the recession funk, they're offering winter deals worth serious consideration.
I've monitored trends, industry news, and sale patterns to point you in the direction of places that offer the best bargain value for the coming season. Below you'll find examples of deals presently available for winter trips. Like all deals, these are sure to expire; however, a little research on your part can yield similar results when you're ready to book.
Key West
Good deals bask in the sun in Key West, Florida. New air service from two airlines put a winter tan within easy reach. And, a free companion airfare deal for future travel adds value to a trip.
AirTran will become the first low-cost carrier to serve Key West when it begins nonstop service from Orlando and same-plane service from Atlanta on December 17. Flights are scheduled to operate four times each week with fares from $119 each way. Also on December 17, Delta will expand its service between Atlanta and Key West, offering daily flights between the cities.
The well-known Cheeca Lodge & Spa will reopen on December 15 after a major renovation. The property is offering introductory winter specials of 10 to 30 percent off room rates. Not affordable enough? There are also seasonal discounts at more hotels around town.
A stay in Key West can help you save on your next trip as well. The Florida Keys Tourism Council has teamed up with hotels in Key West and other nearby cities to offer free companion airfare vouchers with qualifying hotel stays. The vouchers are good for future travel in the Continental U.S. on participating airlines through April, 2011. Booking restrictions are detailed on the vouchers.
tomorrow - Salt Lake City
(to read the full article go to http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/top-five-bargain-destinations-for-winter-2009-2010.html?id=3826729
Thursday, May 21, 2009
NYC Trivia
This came in today from Eric G of Beyond TImes Square. I found it fun and interesting and hope you do, too!
"On my desk I have a lot of things. Papers, contracts, to do lists, maps, a computer, a phone, speakers, an ipod charger, last week's lunch & so on. I also have several books and many of course have to do with New York City I though this week I would share a few bits of NYC Trivia. They are good tid-bits for your itineraries and fun facts for the motorcoach ride.
New York has 660 miles of subway track.
There are over 18,000 eating establishment in NYC. Too bad we do not have as many public toilets.
The New York Post was established by Alexander Hamilton in 1803 and is the oldest running newspaper in the USA.
The real name of New York City is the City of Greater of New York, but tha takes too long to say.
There are 6,374.6 miles of streets in New York City.
During the time of slavery in the United States, New York City was second behind Charleston in how much slavery penetrated everyday life. (Not something we are proud of, but an important piece of history, not many people know).
The actual name of the Statue of Liberty is Liberty Enlightening the World, but that is also is too long.
The nation's largest public Halloween parade is the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. It is lots of fun.
There are almost 13,000 traffic lights in New York City. You will get stuck at one.
The Bronx is the only borough in the City of Greater of New York (seems long, right?), that is connected to the lower 48 states. The other four boroughs are all islands.
The best oysters in the world used to come from New York Harbor. (17th and 18th Centuries)
Oreo Cookies were developed and produced in 1912 in a factory in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea.
$362,201 is the cost for the city permit for one year to sell hotdogs outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Northside of the sidewalk. That's a lot of mustard.
Hellmann's Mayonnaise was introduced in Hellmann's Delicatessen in 1912 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan
There are 55 species of bird in Central Park."
"On my desk I have a lot of things. Papers, contracts, to do lists, maps, a computer, a phone, speakers, an ipod charger, last week's lunch & so on. I also have several books and many of course have to do with New York City I though this week I would share a few bits of NYC Trivia. They are good tid-bits for your itineraries and fun facts for the motorcoach ride.
New York has 660 miles of subway track.
There are over 18,000 eating establishment in NYC. Too bad we do not have as many public toilets.
The New York Post was established by Alexander Hamilton in 1803 and is the oldest running newspaper in the USA.
The real name of New York City is the City of Greater of New York, but tha takes too long to say.
There are 6,374.6 miles of streets in New York City.
During the time of slavery in the United States, New York City was second behind Charleston in how much slavery penetrated everyday life. (Not something we are proud of, but an important piece of history, not many people know).
The actual name of the Statue of Liberty is Liberty Enlightening the World, but that is also is too long.
The nation's largest public Halloween parade is the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. It is lots of fun.
There are almost 13,000 traffic lights in New York City. You will get stuck at one.
The Bronx is the only borough in the City of Greater of New York (seems long, right?), that is connected to the lower 48 states. The other four boroughs are all islands.
The best oysters in the world used to come from New York Harbor. (17th and 18th Centuries)
Oreo Cookies were developed and produced in 1912 in a factory in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea.
$362,201 is the cost for the city permit for one year to sell hotdogs outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Northside of the sidewalk. That's a lot of mustard.
Hellmann's Mayonnaise was introduced in Hellmann's Delicatessen in 1912 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan
There are 55 species of bird in Central Park."
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
An interesting insight into airline frequent flyer programs
Straight from smartertravel.com comes this comparison of Ponzi schemes and airline frequent flyer programs. I found it entertaining and hope you do, too.
Five Ways Mileage Programs Are Like Ponzi SchemesThe Extra Mile
by Tim Winship - April 21, 2009
Frequent flyer programs have come in for considerable bashing from consumers exasperated by their ever-shifting rules and flagging value.
The mileage schemes have been described as unregulated lotteries, cons, false advertising, games of musical chairs, pyramid schemes, and outright scams. And those are just a few of the milder epithets.
The latest term of derision is ripped straight from today's most sensational headlines: Ponzi schemes.
Well publicized pyramid scams operated by the likes of Bernard Madoff and Robert Allen Stanford have cost thousands of investors hundreds of billions of dollars, in the process capturing the public's attention and inviting comparison with the airlines' loyalty programs.
Among the similarities are the following five characteristics shared by Ponzi schemes and loyalty programs.
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1. The Appearance of Propriety
The 'con' in con game is short for confidence. And confidence is key here, because unlike a smash-and-grab heist, Ponzi schemes play out over months and years, as money from later investors is used to create the appearance of legitimate earnings for early investors, which in turn attracts more investors, and so on.
It's easy to forget that until he was exposed, Madoff's credentials were impeccable. Among his resume's line items, he is the former chairman of NASDAQ. And he has a distinguished record of philanthropy. A criminal, yes, but Bernie Madoff was hardly a hoodlum in a cheap suit.
The airlines too have a claim to legitimacy. The major carriers' stock is traded on the venerable New York Stock Exchange. They employ hundreds of thousands of workers directly, and many more through subcontractors and related businesses. Their brand names are globally known.
So while they may be unloved and routinely demonized as nickel-and-dimeing bunglers, the airlines are generally assumed to be essentially upright. As a result, most consumers expect that frequent flyer miles have the full faith and credit of legit companies behind them.
2. Lack of Transparency
Madoff was famously secretive about his investment strategies and tactics, refusing to divulge any details of his trading and insisting that clients should judge him by his results.
There's a similar black-box aspect to frequent flyer program participation.
In place of Madoff's simple "just trust me," the airlines' implicit assurance runs something like this: "If you contribute to our profitability by purchasing airline tickets and doing business with our business partners, we might reward you with a free trip. Or we might not. But hey, trust us. Because ... well, just because."
3. Too Good to Be True
Ponzi schemes are, by definition, unsustainable—eventually they collapse under the weight of promises that can never be met.
Are mileage programs similarly doomed to implode, leaving participants empty-handed?
Just as Madoff owed his investors more than he could ever hope to repay, there are trillions of outstanding frequent flyer miles on the airlines' books. And every year, the airlines issue more miles than consumers redeem, expanding rather than shrinking that unfunded liability. The scenario certainly seems Ponzi-ish in that crucial respect.
But as anyone who has tried to cash out miles knows, the airlines have capacity controls in place that prevent a run on award redemptions that could overwhelm the airlines' ability to fly customers for free.
The airlines, in other words, are effectively issuing a currency they are under no legal obligation to honor.
4. Lack of Oversight
While Madoff's activities were clearly in violation of laws and regulations on the local, state, and federal levels, he managed to avoid detection for over a decade, operating in plain sight of those charged with preventing just such misdeeds. (The full story of that regulatory breakdown has yet to be written.)
Loyalty programs don't so much elude regulators and law enforcement agencies as they preemptively exempt themselves from oversight. In a neat legal maneuver, the airlines in their terms and conditions have claimed for themselves the right to modify the programs howsoever they choose, whenever they choose, no matter how negative the consequences for consumers.
Imagine how many more investors Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff might have bilked had they reserved the right to operate pyramid schemes.
5. Benign Beginnings
Neither Charles Ponzi nor Bernard Madoff started down the road to perdition with criminal intentions. Rather they eased into criminal behavior gradually, as their bad bets required ever-larger illicit countermeasures to conceal their escalating financial insolvency.
Mileage programs too began on the up and up, as uncomplicated rebate schemes. The Travel Pass program of Western Airlines, for example, awarded $50 in travel certificates to passengers that flew five trips with Western. The earliest versions of the modern era's mileage programs were similarly straightforward in the value propositions they offered travelers.
In the cases of Ponzi and Madoff, it was a combination of greed, desperation, and a lack of regulatory oversight that gave rise to criminal activity.
Significantly, those same forces are in play in the case of airline mileage programs.
Madoff Under Indictment, an Industry Under a Cloud
Having pled guilty to 11 felonies—including securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, perjury, and misleading the SEC—Ponzi schemer extraordinaire Bernie Madoff is currently incarcerated as Inmate #61727-054 at New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center, while he awaits sentencing.
Madoff was eventually exposed not because of any regulatory perspicacity, but because he ran out of money to maintain the illusion of solvency, as all too-good-to-be-true propositions must.
Throughout the history of Ponzi schemes, investors who cashed out early—whether by chance or through prescience—escaped the crushing losses faced by those whose money remained invested when the meltdown occurred. There's a lesson there for frequent flyers.
Whatever you call them, mileage programs pose a clear risk to participants. Even if the programs remain a fixture in the travel landscape, the long-term trend is decidedly negative: A frequent flyer mile earned today is less valuable than a mile earned a year ago; and a mile earned a year from now will likely be worth less than a mile earned today. The best way to minimize that risk—short of abstaining altogether—is to redeem miles as soon as award thresholds are reached. In the language of finance: Minimize your exposure.
For all the similarities, it's not clear that loyalty schemes are truly Ponzi schemes. The very fact that they haven't collapsed under the weight of their liabilities suggests that they're not. Still, consumers would do well to treat them as though they were.
Five Ways Mileage Programs Are Like Ponzi SchemesThe Extra Mile
by Tim Winship - April 21, 2009
Frequent flyer programs have come in for considerable bashing from consumers exasperated by their ever-shifting rules and flagging value.
The mileage schemes have been described as unregulated lotteries, cons, false advertising, games of musical chairs, pyramid schemes, and outright scams. And those are just a few of the milder epithets.
The latest term of derision is ripped straight from today's most sensational headlines: Ponzi schemes.
Well publicized pyramid scams operated by the likes of Bernard Madoff and Robert Allen Stanford have cost thousands of investors hundreds of billions of dollars, in the process capturing the public's attention and inviting comparison with the airlines' loyalty programs.
Among the similarities are the following five characteristics shared by Ponzi schemes and loyalty programs.
Advertisement
1. The Appearance of Propriety
The 'con' in con game is short for confidence. And confidence is key here, because unlike a smash-and-grab heist, Ponzi schemes play out over months and years, as money from later investors is used to create the appearance of legitimate earnings for early investors, which in turn attracts more investors, and so on.
It's easy to forget that until he was exposed, Madoff's credentials were impeccable. Among his resume's line items, he is the former chairman of NASDAQ. And he has a distinguished record of philanthropy. A criminal, yes, but Bernie Madoff was hardly a hoodlum in a cheap suit.
The airlines too have a claim to legitimacy. The major carriers' stock is traded on the venerable New York Stock Exchange. They employ hundreds of thousands of workers directly, and many more through subcontractors and related businesses. Their brand names are globally known.
So while they may be unloved and routinely demonized as nickel-and-dimeing bunglers, the airlines are generally assumed to be essentially upright. As a result, most consumers expect that frequent flyer miles have the full faith and credit of legit companies behind them.
2. Lack of Transparency
Madoff was famously secretive about his investment strategies and tactics, refusing to divulge any details of his trading and insisting that clients should judge him by his results.
There's a similar black-box aspect to frequent flyer program participation.
In place of Madoff's simple "just trust me," the airlines' implicit assurance runs something like this: "If you contribute to our profitability by purchasing airline tickets and doing business with our business partners, we might reward you with a free trip. Or we might not. But hey, trust us. Because ... well, just because."
3. Too Good to Be True
Ponzi schemes are, by definition, unsustainable—eventually they collapse under the weight of promises that can never be met.
Are mileage programs similarly doomed to implode, leaving participants empty-handed?
Just as Madoff owed his investors more than he could ever hope to repay, there are trillions of outstanding frequent flyer miles on the airlines' books. And every year, the airlines issue more miles than consumers redeem, expanding rather than shrinking that unfunded liability. The scenario certainly seems Ponzi-ish in that crucial respect.
But as anyone who has tried to cash out miles knows, the airlines have capacity controls in place that prevent a run on award redemptions that could overwhelm the airlines' ability to fly customers for free.
The airlines, in other words, are effectively issuing a currency they are under no legal obligation to honor.
4. Lack of Oversight
While Madoff's activities were clearly in violation of laws and regulations on the local, state, and federal levels, he managed to avoid detection for over a decade, operating in plain sight of those charged with preventing just such misdeeds. (The full story of that regulatory breakdown has yet to be written.)
Loyalty programs don't so much elude regulators and law enforcement agencies as they preemptively exempt themselves from oversight. In a neat legal maneuver, the airlines in their terms and conditions have claimed for themselves the right to modify the programs howsoever they choose, whenever they choose, no matter how negative the consequences for consumers.
Imagine how many more investors Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff might have bilked had they reserved the right to operate pyramid schemes.
5. Benign Beginnings
Neither Charles Ponzi nor Bernard Madoff started down the road to perdition with criminal intentions. Rather they eased into criminal behavior gradually, as their bad bets required ever-larger illicit countermeasures to conceal their escalating financial insolvency.
Mileage programs too began on the up and up, as uncomplicated rebate schemes. The Travel Pass program of Western Airlines, for example, awarded $50 in travel certificates to passengers that flew five trips with Western. The earliest versions of the modern era's mileage programs were similarly straightforward in the value propositions they offered travelers.
In the cases of Ponzi and Madoff, it was a combination of greed, desperation, and a lack of regulatory oversight that gave rise to criminal activity.
Significantly, those same forces are in play in the case of airline mileage programs.
Madoff Under Indictment, an Industry Under a Cloud
Having pled guilty to 11 felonies—including securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, perjury, and misleading the SEC—Ponzi schemer extraordinaire Bernie Madoff is currently incarcerated as Inmate #61727-054 at New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center, while he awaits sentencing.
Madoff was eventually exposed not because of any regulatory perspicacity, but because he ran out of money to maintain the illusion of solvency, as all too-good-to-be-true propositions must.
Throughout the history of Ponzi schemes, investors who cashed out early—whether by chance or through prescience—escaped the crushing losses faced by those whose money remained invested when the meltdown occurred. There's a lesson there for frequent flyers.
Whatever you call them, mileage programs pose a clear risk to participants. Even if the programs remain a fixture in the travel landscape, the long-term trend is decidedly negative: A frequent flyer mile earned today is less valuable than a mile earned a year ago; and a mile earned a year from now will likely be worth less than a mile earned today. The best way to minimize that risk—short of abstaining altogether—is to redeem miles as soon as award thresholds are reached. In the language of finance: Minimize your exposure.
For all the similarities, it's not clear that loyalty schemes are truly Ponzi schemes. The very fact that they haven't collapsed under the weight of their liabilities suggests that they're not. Still, consumers would do well to treat them as though they were.
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