Monthly Archives for October 2016.
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week. If it was a good deal—or a notably bad deal—from an airline, hotel, or car rental loyalty program, you can read all about it here, and plan your travel accordingly. How the Government Failed Consumers:…
As in any walk of life, among travelers, there are good guys and bad guys. Naturally, you and I fall squarely in the good-guy category; here, we’re all above average. Still, it’s worth considering what makes a bad actor, travel-wise, and reality-checking our own habits. You know, just in case. As comprehensive a list of…
TripAdvisor (owner of SmarterTravel.com) is among a select few corporations that wear their social conscience on their sleeves, due in large part to the conviction and efforts of company founder and CEO Steve Kaufer. The company’s latest initiative, announced this week: a ban on sales of tickets to animal attractions “where travelers come into physical…
This new promotion for stays at Hyatt and MGM properties in Las Vegas raises the question: How skimpy can a bonus be and still be relevant? Offer Details Between October 19 and December 29, Hyatt Gold Passport members can earn 20 percent more points for stays at 13 Las Vegas hotels: Hyatt Place Las Vegas…
If you closely followed the debate leading up to the American-US Airways merger, you’ll recall a period during which it seemed a safe bet that the Department of Justice would nix the tie-up on antitrust grounds. DOJ officials signaled that, after signing off on mergers between United and Continental, Delta and Northwest, and Southwest and…
Supersonic speed – mainstream fares That’s the promise of Boom, a Colorado startup that’s developing a new supersonic plane that’s faster than the Concorde and, critically, much more economical to operate. To put some numbers to that claim, the company boasts it will be able to fly from New York to London in just over…
It’s hard enough maintaining a healthy lifestyle at home; staying fit on the road is exponentially more challenging. Irregular hours, limited dining options, stress, unfamiliar surroundings: It’s a recipe for undisciplined living. I wouldn’t normally put much stock in healthy-travel advice sponsored by a hotel companies, which have an obvious incentive to provide recommendations that…
With surprisingly little fanfare, Delta this week added a potentially significant perk to entry-level elite status in its SkyMiles program. Beginning October 10, 2016 Silver Medallion Members are eligible for Unlimited Complimentary First Class Upgrades on Award Travel 24 hours prior to departure. Relax before reaching your destination and arrive refreshed and ready to go.…
Fancy a little “Uptown Funk” to ring in your New Year? That’s right, four-time Grammy winner Bruno Mars will be funking it up in Las Vegas this New Year’s eve. The performance will be at the 5,300-seat Park Theater, opening in December, at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, which will be rebranded as the…
Got Delta miles? Looking for a way to get maximum value when redeeming them? This award sale may be the answer. On October 29, Delta will launch new service to Tokyo’s close-in Haneda airport, and advance bookings for the flights are apparently less than robust. So Delta is discounting award tickets between many U.S. cities…
Enter the USA Today Network “Magical Holiday Gift” sweepstakes by November 18, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a four-night Disney Cruise Line cruise for four to the Bahamas, including air, onboard meals, and gratuities. To enter, provide the requested contact information (name, email, etc.) on the sweepstakes landing page and press…