OK. I was curious so thought I would share. Here's what it costs to stay overnight midweek at Maryland's AAA Four-Diamond resorts, according to hotels.com. May be more affordable at Priceline.com or even AAA.com. Not sure. But both Loews and Rocky Gap sure look like real bargains - diamonds in the rough, perhaps?

Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel: $159.20

Intercontinental Harbor Court: $261

Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace: $339

Hyatt Regency Baltimore: $223.23

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay (Cambridge): $155.22

Loews Annapolis: $119

Gaylord National Resort: $229

Hilton Suites Ocean City: $84 (off-season)

Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort: $99

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Are diamonds a hotel guest's best friend? I don't know. I care far more about how much the hotel costs than how much bling it can hang around its neck. But nonetheless, we will pause to recognize the new AAA four-diamond ratings won by Maryland hotels and announced today at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit in Ocean City.

New on the list: the Hilton Baltimore - the city's convention center hotel gets high marks just a little more than a year after its grand opening. Still on the list: Hyatt Regency Baltimore - 29 years and counting. Intercontinental Harbor Court - 23 years and counting. Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace - 22 years and counting.

But what I'm really counting is the overnight rate or discount on the rack rate. Stars and diamonds are nice, but not if you can't pay the price.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

AirTran Airways said today that it will offer buy one, get one free WiFi session on its flights next month.

The airline, which is the only major airline with wireless Internet on all of its planes, will offer the deal from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. The free session will have to be redeemed by Jan. 31, 2010.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Free, Technology, Travel
        

No, they're not really flying flu shots. But beginning this week, you can get a flu shot at the airport. BWI-Marshall has an AeroClinic that is providing seasonal flu shots for $40 and the H1N1 vaccine - when it's available - for $22. (Not sure why the H1N1 shot costs less - it's more in demand so my Economics 101 lessons tell me it should cost a whole lot more.)

BWI has provided flu shot clinics for travelers for the past couple years. The clinic is located on A/B Concourse next to Sunglass Hut and D Concourse at Gate D1. Flu shots will be provided 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Nov. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19; and Dec. 1, 3, 8 and 10.

You'd think they would extend the clinic through the holidays when a larger number of folks will be traveling. But maybe there's not that much demand. According to a survey of 1,500 travelers last month by TripAdvisor.com, only 23% said they would get a flu shot at the airport; 77% said no. At this point, I'll take my flu shot where ever I can get it.

Associated Press Photo

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Travel
        

Less than 12 hours left in Southwest's "4th Quarter Sale" with flights starting at $25 one-way. I did a quick check this morning and found some bargain flights remain. Don't try to return on Sundays, though, since those flights are higher in most cases. I sometimes fly back early Monday and go right from the airport to work. So how about a weekend getaway to ski or sightsee for the following destinations and dates:

Albany: Depart Friday, Jan. 22, return Monday by 10 a.m. for $71.20 round trip 

Buffalo: Depart Friday, Dec. 4, return Monday by 8 a.m. for $71.20 round trip

Boston: Depart Friday, Dec. 4, return Monday by 8 a.m. for $71.20 round trip

Cleveland: Depart Friday, Dec. 4, return Monday by 8 a.m. for $71.20 round trip

Detroit: Depart Saturday, Dec. 5, return Monday by 9 a.m. for $121.20 round trip

Indianapolis: Depart Saturday, Dec. 5, return Monday by 8 a.m. for $121.20 round trip

Manchester, NH: Depart Saturday, Feb. 6, return Monday by 10 a.m. for $71.20 round trip

Nashville, TN: Depart Friday, Dec. 4, return Monday by 10 a.m. for $169.70 round trip

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

I don't wear the iPhone pants in my family. I have a cell phone, but my husband has an iPhone that he's pretty good about sharing. So on our last road trip, we loaded it up with some travel apps - using only the ones that were free (that's where hubby draws the line). We downloaded many more than we actually used, mostly because when we had an issue, we relied on humans instead of remembering there's an app for that. Silly travelers. Based on that trip, here are my five favorite iPhone apps for land travel. (Next time we fly, I'll do the same.)

1. Cheap Gas. Does just what you think. Takes your location and shows you where to find the best prices on gassing up. Also, a new version was recently released that seems to take it to a new level.

2. AAA Discounts. Tells you which businesses - hotels, drug stores, etc - near you offer AAA discounts. Great if you have an AAA card and can never figure out where to use it other than for a tow truck. (If you're not a member, this won't be helpful.)

3. Urban Spoon. Shake up some grub using this handy app that resembles a slot machine. The app recommends restaurants in more than 50 cities, adding reviews from critics and diners alike.

Associated Press Photo

Continue reading "Top 5 iPhone apps for road trips" »

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Hotel Monaco is offering special rates on Halloween for those revelers who don't feel like going home after a night of costume parties.

The $65 million, 202-room hotel, which opened in Baltimore's historic B&O Building on Charles Street in August, is offering rooms starting at $109 Oct 30 and 31.

The rate is for a single or double bed room and does not include tax. A spokeswoman said normal room rates are $199. A search of the hotel's Internet site found room rates ranging from $130 to $250.

To reserve the special price call the hotel at 888-752-2636 and ask for the R.I.P. rate or you can book online and enter RIP in the rate code slot.

Photo by Karl Ferron, The Baltimore Sun

Posted by Andrea Walker at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

I wrote today about how BWI Airport has seen an uptick in passengers in four out of the last six months because people are flying its discount airlines.

Thanks to economy, many people aren't traveling at all. But those who are taking trips are looking for the best price out there.

More than 63 percent of BWI's flights are with discount airlines Southwest, AirTran and JetBlue. If you do enough comparison shopping you can normally find a good deal.

Take our poll and let us know how you decide which airport to use.

Photo by Amy Davis at The Sun

Posted by Andrea Walker at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Airlines, Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

Are you flying home for the Thanksgiving or winter holidays? Have you bought your plane ticket?

We’re looking to talk to consumers about airfares during the holidays.

Did you get a good deal or decided to drive because of steep fares? Or do you have advice to others who haven’t bought a ticket yet?

If interested in talking, send me an email at eileen.ambrose@baltsun.com.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

O, my. A former flight attendant on Oprah's private jet is suing the talk show host over some mile-high shenanigans involving the daughter of Gayle King, according to the blog Chicago Now (which has a copy of the lawsuit). The female flight attendant alleges King's daughter accused her of hanky panky with the pilot and then told Oprah about it, which led to the flight attendant's firing.

The lawsuit also alleges that on a different flight Gayle King slept in a double bed with another one of Oprah's flight attendants, however Oprah turned a blind eye to that - whatever that was. Other little travel nuggets from the court filing: Oprah takes sleeping pills when flying and apparently likes to eat Southern food while in the air.

Baby on board. If you're wondering whether it's safe to fly while pregnant, wonder no more. Doctors and ob-gyn experts say pregnant women with no medical complications shouldn't be afraid to take flight. WEar comfy clothes and your seat belt and all should be just fine. And don't worry about the radiation either - a typical flight exposes passengers to only 15 percent of the limit for cosmic radiation.

Hot hotels. The New York Times has a great weekend story on European lodging with a list of 100 hotels under $150 a night.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

To celebrate the release of the newly minted U.S. Virgin Islands quarter, the Department of Tourism has a promotion offering a limited number of 25-cent hotel rooms on the islands. For 25 days only - until Nov. 2 - travelers can book a maximum of three nights at participating hotels for 25 cents per night. You have to travel by Nov. 15 and the offer does not include resort fees or taxes. In addition, guests will receive a $25 dining credit and $25 activities credit. Also, reservations must be made at BookIt.com and must be air/hotel packages.

Hotel choices for the "CENTsational Sale" include Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Hotel Caravelle, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Windward Passage and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & SpaNow. (Some hotels may have blackout dates.)

Now, I asked the tourism folks how many rooms were actually up for grabs and received an e-mail stating: "We can’t say at this time how many rooms/packages are available." As for taxes and fees, the average tax is about 7 percent, while fees vary. For example, the Secret Harbour Beach Resort has fees of $28 per night. If you're looking for a quick island escape this could be a great deal if the rooms are there and the airfares are not inflated in some way to make up for the cheap hotel. As usual, read the fine print.

Photo courtesy USVI Department of Tourism

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

AAA Mid-Atlantic is hosting an "Ultimate Ravens Fan Cruise" next July, sailing a boatload of fans from Baltimore to Bermuda aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. It's the first time the motor club has organized a Ravens cruise, although they do organize other team cruises including one with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The five-day cruise features Ravens players like Jonathan Ogden, LeRon McClain and Michael McCrary, who will host autograph and photo sessions as well as a Q&A and other assorted cocktail parties. The ship is new to Baltimore and comes on line next season - it's also the ship that had a fender-bender in Mexico with another cruise liner.

AAA has special rates for the cruise, but I'm not sure how special they are. An interior stateroom starts at $1,038 per person. A balcony room is about $1,750, but you'll only need $300 to reserve your spot. So this cruise may be for hardcore Ravens fans. Still, could be popular. After all, the ship has a capacity of about 2,500 passengers, while M&T Bank Stadium holds just a bit north of 70,000. So, you'll potentially be a lot closer. Of course, the ship is at least twice the length of a football field.

Perhaps someone should pay for this gal guy to go. (Sorry, Cindy.) Baltimore Sun Photo By Christopher T. Assaf

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Is the Point Lookout Light in Scotland haunted? Coastal Living magazine seems to think so. The local lighthouse was named among five others for its spookiness and haunted legend dating to its use as a hospital and prison camp during the Civil War. I've never visited the place myself, but according to a Sun reporter, who wrote about it in 2003, the haunting is as much history as local lore:

"It's not just Point Lookout's whipping winds and remoteness that give it a haunted feel. Some say it's the turbulent history of a place where thousands died slow deaths.From 1863 until 1865, the point was the site of the Civil War's largest prisoner of war camp, housing more than 52,000 Confederate soldiers. Historians say at least 4,000 died, most from disease and exposure. The prison was dismantled soon after the war ended, and much of the site is underwater."

Most of the lighthouses on the magazine's scary list have at least one ghost. The list included Owls Head Light in Owls Head, Maine; St. Simons Lighhouse in St. Simons Island, Ga.; Port Boca Grande Lighthouse in Gasparilla Island, Fla.; Point Big Sur Lightstation in Big Sur, Calif. and Heceta Head Lighthouse in Yachats, Ore., named the America's spookiest lighthouse. 

Point Lookout Light, Baltimore Sun File Photo

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

A Carnival cruise ship leaving port in Cozumel somehow collided with a Royal Caribbean ship docked nearby on Wednesday. Both vessels sustained damage, according to USA Today, but not enough to change their itineraries. The ship the Carnival Legend bumped just so happens to be the Baltimore-bound Enchantment of the Seas, which will arrive here next summer as Royal Caribbean begins offering year-round cruises from our home port. Maybe it'll get a new paint job.

Speaking of paint, I don't want to layer this on too thickly, but aren't cats supposed to be afraid of water? So it makes absolutely no sense that there would ever be an International Cougar Cruise. Unless the cougars you're talking about are those older women who have an eye for younger men called Cubs - who knew? In that case, of course it makes sense. (Thanks, Courtney Cox.) Singles Travel Company has a 3-day cougar cruise set for December, leaving San Diego for Mexico, with fares starting at $125 per person. The guest of honor on the cruise will be Miss Cougar America. Again, who knew? Not me-ow.

ABC Photo by James White (For all you cougar fans. But please note, to my knowledge, she will not be on that cruise.)

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Travel
        

Hotels have really been trying hard to get your business. A recent survey by hotels.com found that room rates in the U.S. dropped about 17 percent during the first half of the year, averaging about $115 a night, down from $139 in 2008.

What's better than a low rate? Free, of course. And free nights are just about everywhere you turn, often of the BOGO type. But Sheraton is offering a freebie outright to celebrate the $4 billion renovation of its U.S. hotels. All you have to do is register in advance and then go at the site on Oct. 6 for the hotel you want. The offer includes taxes and fees, too, so you don't have to fork over any cash. Bonus. 

However, the free night can be used only on Oct. 23 - that's a Friday night. And there are only 2,100 rooms available and it's first come, first serve. Last time I heard about one of these offers, the hotel's Web site crashed within minutes. May happen again. I don't know. Sheraton says those who get there too late will be offered a coupon for a discount on a future stay.

So hire a babysitter and plan a romantic night at the Sheraton Baltimore, Sheraton Baltimore-Washington or Sheraton Baltimore North (Towson). Or what about a shopping spree with your girlfriends at the Sheraton Tysons Corner? Enjoy it now because once the economy stops looking so sluggish (soon by some predictions), these deals will begin to fade.

UPDATE: I'm told by the folks at Sheraton that the free night is more like an instant scratch-off lottery. If a room is available when you register or "enter" on Oct. 6, you can make your booking right away. If not, you can go back once a day through Oct. 9 to try again at that hotel or another hotel. But you can only try once a day.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Travel
        

Rooms rates are down nearly 20 percent, according to hotels.com's survey during the first half of 2009. Not only are guests paying less, they're also getting free nights - a favorite hotel promotion that is sometimes significant and other times more slight of hand. Here are two recent free night offers that seem to work in a traveler's favor:

Country Inns & Suites is offering a voucher for a future free night to guests who stay two consecutive nights this fall. The Free Night Fall promotion is available for stays between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30. To redeem your free night, you'll need to book a separate stay of at least two nights between Dec. 15 and Feb. 28. There's a lot of small type on this one, including the fact that you have to register your voucher before you book the freebie, so read it closely.

The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., offers the third night free when you book a two-night stay by Monday. The offer is available for travel now through Dec. 22, but some blackout dates (think Thanksgiving) may apply and you have to pay taxes on the third night - that's pretty standard on these offers.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 7:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

This weekend is a big one for national parks, which are poised to break visitor records thanks to frugal summer travelers and fee-free weekends.

First, Saturday is National Public Lands Day where volunteers spend time removing trash, building trails, planting trees and more in an effort to improve America's parks, forests and other historic sites. If you want to volunteer, head to the National Mall to pull weeds or to Antietam to clear brush or to Catoctin Mountain to rid invasive plants or to Assateague Island to pick up trash off the beach. You get the idea. There are 42 sites in Maryland where you can help. If you'd rather just visit than volunteer, admission is free at all 391 parks this Saturday.

Then on Sunday the amazing Ken Burns unveils his six-part PBS series "National Parks: America's Best Idea," featuring 12 hours of film footage of our majestic parks from the Shenandoah Valley to Denali. To celebrate the TV program, some parks, including Shenandoah National Park, are offering the "America's Best Ideas" fall package with two nights starting at $255 and including a bag lunch - about a 20-30% savings (use code BESTIDEA when booking). It's a great time of year to head to Virginia and explore the fall foliage along Skyline Drive.

Associated Press Photo

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

The photo of the man carrying a gun at an event in Phoenix where President Obama appeared has certainly made the rounds. Everyone has an opinion of it, and I guess travel expert Arthur Frommer didn't want to be left out. According to the Associated Press, the travel guide author says he won't be spending any of his travel dollars in Arizona anytime soon. In a blog post, he said the state's laws allowing open carry of firearms by "thugs" and "extremists" is shocking. Frommer says he won't personally travel to a state where civilians carry loaded guns as a means of protest.

I didn't really think of it as a travel issue, but he does and I guess he has a point. Travel safety is most important, but on my last visit to Phoenix, I didn't notice anyone brandishing firearms in the open. We went to the Grand Canyon and most people were carrying binoculars and cameras - and wearing short shorts, of course. So I think it's a stretch to say Arizona, as a destination, is any more threatening than say a visit to Florida, which has a "right to shoot first" law. What do you think?

Are those flashes of light or gunfire in the Phoenix skyline? Photo: Associated Press

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Travel
        

With a little research, you can book a fabulous hotel stay for a ridiculously low price --- if you follow these instructions for how to bid on Priceline from Consumers' Checkbook.

The membership site, known for its reviews of auto mechanics, contractors and now doctors, has a  step-by-step guide for finding four- and five-star hotel rooms for a fraction of the list price.

Priceline works by finding a sweet spot between your desire to stay in a hotel and the hotel's desire to make money on rooms that would otherwise go unfilled. If you can find a mutually agreeable middle ground, you've got yourself a room --- and they've got a paying customer.

This system takes advantage of some of Priceline's features and restrictions. You get the best deals by "naming your price" --- otherwise known as bidding on a room. But you're not allowed to choose which hotel you're booking. If the site finds one that meets your specifications (geographic area, star ranking) and price, it locks you in.

But, you can't just bid something ridiculously low and just keep upping your price until you score. Priceline blocks bids using the same credit card --- and credit card billing address -- for 24 hours after a bid.

So how can you get outrageously low prices on a room? I don't want to give away all their secrets, so look at the Consumers' Checkbook site for more details, but it involves ...

Continue reading "Priceline your way to cheap hotel rooms" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

If you've got a cruise planned for this coming week and your destination is Bermuda, you'll want to keep a close eye on that churlish Hurricane Bill. The cat 4 cane is packing a serious punch and the only good news appears to be that forecasters believe it will stay out over open water. But the island of Bermuda, while not directly in its path, may get a brush from the powerful Bill. Or the storm could just go right down the middle, between the U.S. East Coast and the island's pink sands.

Either way, the Atlantic Ocean is going to be rocking the waves, which isn't the best news for cruisegoers. Generally, cruise ships are pretty nimble in storms - they can go another direction. This weekend, there are three Baltimore cruises headed down the Chesapeake and out into the Atlantic - two of them destined for Bermuda, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas departs Saturday and the Norwegian Majesty heads out on Sunday. The Carnival Pride leaves Friday for the Caribbean.

According to the National Hurricane Center forecast, Bill should be offshore from Bermuda by Saturday. With a large wind field and a 30 nautical-mile eye, the effects will probably be felt. Norwegian, Carnival and RCL have tropical updates on their Web sites. The cruise lines plan ahead for hurricane season and are ready for anything. So while no changes in itinerary are planned so far, it's worth watching.

Update: Late Wednesday, Norwegian Cruise Lines announced that the Majesty cruise which departed Baltimore last Sunday, will be leaving Bermuda earlier than scheduled, departing today at 5 p.m. In the mean time, Hurricane Bill has been drowngraded to a Category 3. CruiseCritic.com has a good site for keeping tabs on hurricane itinerary changes. And did you know? Another Bill is in Bermuda: the Clintons are reportedly vacationing there.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Travel
        

Headed to the airport? If public transportation is not an option, and if you have exhausted all the airport-ride favors owed to you, then perhaps BestParking.com could be of assistance.

The site shows the best price for parking at the airport based on your arrival and departure time. For example, the lowest price from Friday morning to Monday night was offered at the BWI Airport Long Term Parking Lots A or B. 

Now, these prices don't reflect any Internet discounts or coupons you might find on a company's Web site or elsewhere. And, you should call to confirm the rates, if they are not guaranteed. But, it's a good place to get some trip planning information.

I discovered BestParking via ShopSmart magazine, which points out that the site also compares best places to park in cities like Washington, Philadelphia and New York. 

Posted by Liz Kay at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

Marriott has decided to take the high road after the low road turns out to be really, really low. The Associated Press reports that in a lawsuit brought by a Connecticut woman who was raped at gunpoint in the parking garage of the Stamford Marriott in front of her young children, the Bethesda-based hotel chain had filed a defense claiming the woman failed to watch out for her safety and that of her family and failed to maintain “proper use of her senses and facilities” in the 2006 rape. After the court documents were made public last week, Marriott changed its mind and instead, said they were "profoundly sorry" about the incident that took place in their garage.

No kidding? I don't know a thing about the case law or how liable the hotel is for this crime, but it's a pretty idiotic public relations move to take this tack. I've said it before, Marriott is one of my fave places to stay, so I'm really disappointed because hotel safety is paramount. And I'd like to think hotels get that about women, who make up a growing share of business travelers, in addition to leisure travel with their families. So, Marriott, you blew it this time.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Travel
        

This is it, people. Last chance for free admission to national parks like Assateague Island National Seashore, Antietam National Battlefield, Fort McHenry National Monument and 147 other parks that charge an entrance fee. (Some 250 others are already free.)

President Obama and his family are taking advantage of the freebie with a visit this weekend to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park. Spokesman Robert Gibbs said the trip is meant to encourage people to visit the national park system.

The National Park Service launched the "fee-free" weekends program in June in hopes of giving families a budget break and also increasing traffic to some of our national treasures. But a story in today's Washington Post says that while visits are up modestly, the offer is having little impact on sales and lodging at the nation's parks.

Maybe the President and his family can pick up a few souvenirs. Maybe more than a few.

Baltimore Sun Photo

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Travel
        

Not all drivers traded in their old cars under the federal government’s “cash for clunkers” program. Some of us didn’t want to take on a new car payment. Others found our cars didn’t qualify for the program. And then there were those of us who are happy with the cars we own.

With that in mind, Angie’s List asked auto experts how to make our current vehicles a little more fuel efficient. Here is what they found would help:

Regular engine tune-ups: Have your mechanic do a regular checkup two weeks before your road trip. Annual, biannual and mileage-based preventative maintenance is intended to give technicians the chance to uncover any problems in the early stages.

Monitor tire inflation and mileage: Regularly monitor your tire’s air pressure. It’s like pedaling your bike with a flat tire –you have to work harder and so does your car. Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure can increase your gas mileage up to three percent. Look on the driver’s side door jamb or in your owner’s manual for your vehicles recommended tire pressure.

Save the limbo for the beach: Don’t get below one-eighth of a tank of gas. Your fuel pump is located there and the bottom of the gas tank collects sediment from gasoline. When you run your car on low fuel, the pump can pick up the sediment and become damaged from it, which results in low fuel-efficiency.

Slow down: Speeding and rapid acceleration/deceleration can decrease your gas mileage – it’s bad for your transmission too. Avoid driving while you’re on the phone, not only is it unsafe, but it takes your attention away from how you are accelerating and decelerating.

Sleep all day, drive all night: Consider driving to any vacation destination during non-peak hours. Nearly half the energy needed to power your vehicle goes in acceleration. Unnecessary braking wastes that energy.

Photo courtesy of AP

Posted by Andrea Walker at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Cars, Gas prices, Travel
        

The still slow travel market has come to this: Megabus.com is offering a stimulus for bus travel. Between Sept. 14 and Nov. 19, Megabus.com has an additional 50,000 seats prices at $1 each way. There's a nominal service fee, but basically you can get to and from New York for less than $3 - about what a gallon of gas will cost. So if that $20 one-way fare to New York was keeping you from going places, now all you have to do is scrounge for change in your sofa and you've got a ticket.

Use code HOTDEAL when booking your seats - and you may need to hurry. I was going to verify the prices, but the site kept giving me a "busy" signal, which means travelers are searching for seats. (Or their server has crashed.)

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Anyone who has tried to pick up somebody from Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport knows it can be a pain.

Wait more than a few minutes outside the terminal and you’ll get flashed by the lights of a police car, or worse they’ll write you a ticket. The strict enforcement is because of federal guidelines associated with homeland security.

The airport used to give people a half hour of free parking in the hourly garage to make it a little easier. But as of a week ago, that grace period has been eliminated. You’ll now pay $2 each for the first two half hours and $4 per hour after that.

The airport needs to raise revenue in this tough economic climate, said airport spokesman Jonathan Dean. The parking change is expected to bring $500,000 annually in additional funds.

Dean notes there is still a cell phone lot where you can wait if you’re picking up passengers.

But is that enough? Tell us what you think about the changes in parking at the airport.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Airlines, Cars, Travel
        

I love lists, travel and saving money - who doesn't? - so the Frugal Traveler's "Top 10 Travel Gadgets under $50" caught my attention. It's a great collection of very useful stuff to take on any trip. I have tried the #5 (Travel Space bags - love em) and #10 (the Ecojot travel journals).

The only thing I would add to the list is a travel pillow. I like the Happy Company's Down to Earth organic cotton pillow ($22) made with recycled memory foam. It's very crushable and easy to pack - and even lightly scented. Another pillow I've heard good things about but never tried is the TravelRest travel pillow. Looks strange, but it might work.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Hilton opened its new Homewood Suites on Wednesday on Philadelphia Road in Bel Air . The all-suite hotel has 92 rooms on five floors. Guests of the hotel receive a free hot breakfast, nightly reception and 24-hour snack pantry. The hotel also has a swimming pool, sports court, whirlpool and meeting space.

The Baltimore region is having a rash of hotel openings. Near Arundel Mills, the Element and Aloft hotels opened side-by-side a little more than six months ago. There's also an Aloft hotel that opened at BWI Marshall Airport. A new Country Inn & Suites opened in Rosedale earlier this year. In the city, the Fairfield Inn & Suites and Kimpton's Hotel Monaco Baltimore open this month. (See our story on green hotels here.)  And of course, the giant Hilton Baltimore, a convention center hotel with nearly 800 rooms, opened last summer.

And there are more hotels on deck: In September, the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites opens on Gay Street in downtown Baltimore. (It was supposed to open this month.) Hotel Indigo, a boutique hotel, from the same group that owns Holiday Inn, is scheduled to open by the end of the year. And I'm probably forgetting a couple.

With travel slowing this year, I guess it's a good sign that hospitality groups have confidence in Baltimore as a market. Or, all of these projects began years ago before the economy went bust. Glass half-full. Glass half-empty. Take your pick.

Photo courtesy of Aloft Hotels

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Erin Andrews has been all over the news lately in a way I'm certain she couldn't imagine and would probably love to go away. That's not happening. People are still searching the internet looking for the infamous "peeping Tom" clips that show the ESPN sportscaster in the buff.

The video was possibly taken through a makeshift hole in a wall at some as yet unnamed hotel. Kinda scary for those women who often travel solo for business, adventure or pleasure. Although I've read that the culprit could be a co-worker, that doesn't ease the feeling that women traveling alone can be seen as easy prey. When I'm traveling alone, i always use the double locks and sometimes I bring along a doorstop, too. I also refuse to stay on the first floor. And always park directly under a light or use valet, if it's available.

SmarterTravel.com offers these tips for hotel safety for women. (You can read more here.) An even more exhaustive list of safety tips are offered by Kevin Coffey at Corporate Travel Safety. They're helpful, but maybe a piece of tape over the peephole is a good idea, too:

1. Arrive during the daylight hours.

2. Ask for a room close to the elevator - that way you can avoid walking down dimly lit hallways. You're also closer to getting help.

3. For hotel registration, use your first initial instead of your full name and skip the Mr./Mrs/Ms. box.

4. Don't hang out a breakfast order for room service on your door knob - it gives a clue that you're traveling alone and also means you're expecting someone at the door.

5. Exude confidence and use common sense. Don't walk around late at night or drink with strange men.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Honestly, I don't like critters much when I'm on the ground so finding them on a plane at 35,000 feet would freak me out. But this Indiana Arizona man who had a scorpion drop on him from the overhead luggage compartment on a Southwest flight from Phoenix to Indianapolis seems to have kept his cool. Me, I would have been one of the people on my chair screaming. (I know that doesn't help but it makes me feel better. Thanks, hon.)

According to this video report, the flier simply brushed the venomous scorpion off his leg, ending up with a sting to his hand. He then checked his luggage and found that not only was there a big scorpion but also several scorpion babies - both dead and alive - tucked away in his baggage. Gross. The airline says no one else was hurt and the airplane later was fumigated.

Here's the moral of the story: you're visiting the desert Southwest - home to rattlesnakes and scorpions - be careful where you leave your bags. Maybe give them an extra shake before packing for your trip home. And please don't take any specimens.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

OK, let's get this out of the way up front: there's a lot of fine print with this promotional offer. You've been warned. I don't like it either, but it's not my party. If you follow the rules, all should be fine.

Intercontinental Hotel Group, owners of Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Candlewood Suites, to name a few, is offering a free night for every two nights you stay by Aug. 15. You have to join their Priority Choice Club and register for the offer. Book your room using your member number.

After you pay for your stay, they will email you the information about your free night. You can earn a maximum of 4 free nights, which can be redeemed now through Dec. 26. When you go to use your free night, make sure the date is certain, because if you cancel your reservation you will forfeit the free night. Got it? There's more.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Head out to a national park or monument this weekend and get free admission. In June, the National Park Service designated several fee-free weekends for summer 2009 and there are only two remaining. The waiver applies only to the entrance fee.

Here in Maryland, you can get in free at Assateague National Seashore, Antietam National Battlefield, C&O Canal Historic Park, Fort McHenry National Monument, Fort Washington Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Speaking of Antietam, this weekend is a 6th annual event focusing on the New Hampshire Infantry and featuring living history volunteers, weapons demonstrations, and stories of the common soldiers who fought with this unit.

Photo by Wessel Kok, Special to the Baltimore Sun

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

My colleague Sarah over at the RealityCheck blog is celebrating her 9th anniversary today and I figured she deserved something special. Since this was waiting in my inbox, I think it's serendipity: Gaylord National Resort at the National Harbor in Prince George's County is offering a two-night wedding anniversary package with the second night free.

The "Unforgettable Anniversary Weekend Package" includes atrium-view room, access to the spa's sauna, steamroom and whirlpool areas, a complimentary dessert selection (probably not wedding cake) and late check-out. The package is available any weekend during your anniversary month and you'll have to show proof in the form of a marriage certificate. Rates for the first night start at about $199.

The offer is good through August 2010. Also, it's available only by phone, so you have to call 301-965-2000.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

It's been light years - well, not really - just 40 years since Apollo 11's grand moon landing on July 20, 1969. Museums across the country are celebrating the anniversary with events and exhibits and more.

At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, where you can see the capsule (command module) that carried the astronauts back to Earth, a new exhibit of paintings by Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean opens Thursday, which is also "Countdown to the Moon" family day at the museum with special lectures and more. On Sunday, the museum hosts a book signing with three astronauts: Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean and Michael Collins. Best of all, admission to the museum is free.

But the best celebration, I think, takes place at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida: They're unveiling a 55-pound chocolate-marshmallow Moon Pie on Monday. And, yep, the public is invited to eat it! Happy Birthday, Moon.

Photo by AP/Smithsonian Institution, Eric Long

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Pet Airways, the new airline that only allows pets on board, took its first flight from BWI Airport Tuesday. I have to admit that I don’t have a pet so I was a little skeptical about the idea. But there seemed to be plenty of people willing to pay a little money to ensure their pets travel as comfortably as they do.

The airline, which is serving 5 major cities initially, is booked for the first two months. And there were plenty of the furry friends flying from BWI yesterday, including a Bernese Mountain Dog and four cats.

So, is there a niche for this kind of business? Read what my colleague Jill Rosen had to say about Pet Airways on the unleashed blog.

(Photo courtesy of Associated Press)

Posted by Andrea Walker at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Airlines, Pets, Travel
        

A Southwest Airlines jet headed to Baltimore from Nashville was forced to make an emergency landing Monday evening in West Virginia after a football-sized hole opened in the fuselage causing the cabin to lose pressure.

The incident led Southwest to order an overnight inspection of its entire fleet of Boeing 737-300s. Flight 2294 made a safe landing at Yeager Airport in Charleston, W. Va. There were no injuries among the 126 passengers and five crew members, a Southwest spokeswoman said.

The plane departed Nashville at 4:05 p.m. and was about 30 minutes into the flight when the cabin depressurized, activating oxygen masks throughout the aircraft. According to passenger and crew reports, a hole was seen about mid-cabin in the top of the plane.

"We heard a loud pop, and one of the panels [on the ceiling] was sucked up tight against the ceiling. You could definitely tell there was a hole there," passenger Steve Hall of Murfreesboro, Tenn., told the Charleston Gazette. Hall said passengers put on the oxygen masks and the flight continued for about 20 or 30 minutes before landing at Yeager, a regional airport.

The NTSB is investigating the cause of the incident. Southwest said it is sending maintenance personnel to Charleston to assess the aircraft. In addition, out of "an abundance of caution," the airline ordered a review of its planes overnight. The review may cause some delays in the airline's scheduled flights Tuesday.

<i> If you were on the flight, we'd love to talk to you! E-mail me at liz.kay@baltsun.com. --- Liz Kay.</i>

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 5:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

So the "staycation" has made it into the books. The Merriam-Webster dictionary to be specific. Last week, the publisher announced some 100 "new" words have made it into this year's Collegiate editions. I have no problem with "locavore," "flash mob," or "Reggaeton." But staycation? It's more like a "frenemy" (also being added).

The dictionary defines staycation as "a vacation spent at home or nearby." If I spend my vacation at home, it's no longer a vacation. It's housecleaning, organizing, garden-tending, catching up on laundry and bills. It's 5 days that make me wish I was at work. Don't get me wrong. A day trip is great. It's fun to explore your home state. Maryland has so much to do that you could probably staycate here for the rest of your life. But my point is a staycation sounds like something it's not.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Yeah, you can save reward points, you can win it, you can get your Mom to pay for it, but here's a really cool way to earn a one-night stay at more than 50 hotels across the U.S.: Just spend 8 hours as a volunteer or doing community service between now and the end of the year.

The group you volunteer with has to be a 501c3 organization - a place like Habitat for Humanity, for example - and you'll need a letter from the organization proving that you did the work. Then make your reservation at least 48 hours in advance at places like the Hilton Garden Inn in Orlando, the Marriott in Charlotte, the Renaissance Pittsburgh, the Doubletree Atlanta etc.

You'll have to pay the taxes and rooms are limited at each hotel - but the offer is good through Dec. 20. Plenty of time to "give a day and get a night" from Sage Hospitality, the group that operates the hotels. (They also offer 50% off for military and first responders.)

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Airlines keep trying to get your attention for that all-important safety info at the beginning of each flight. Typically, we're fidgeting, popping gum, checking our bags, talking - anything except listening to the flight attendants or watching the video. Seems to be a problem for airlines everywhere. First, Delta had the beautiful blonde with the sexy voice talking about oxygen masks and exit doors. Now comes Air New Zealand with an in-flight safety video that features flight crew wearing nothing but body paint. It's part of the airline's "Nothing to Hide" campaign to promote their no-hidden-fees airfares. Take a peek, it's in pretty good taste. Nothing you'll want to hide from the kids. You can read more about the video from this NYT story.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 6:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

If you're a golf or history fan, or simply enjoy being pampered, the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., has a terrific, but limited offer: buy three nights and get two free. Sounds good to me. I've never stayed at The Homestead but I've read good things about it. The resort is set against a backdrop of the Allegheny Mountains and has been welcoming guests since before the American Revolution. That's good enough for me. 

A classic room is $200 per night plus a 15% daily resort charge, covering internet access, gratuities, etc. Tax is additional. So the savings are about $400. The deal is only good if you book in the next 7 days or by July 6. Call 800-838-1766. You can also book online here.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

It's a little hard to call it "miscommunication" when you send someone's child on a plane to the wrong state. But when you do it twice in the same week to two different families, it becomes obvious there's not a whole lot of communication going on in the first place.

A 10-year-old girl traveling from Boston was placed on the wrong plane by a flight attendant. Instead of meeting her granddad in Cleveland, she ended up in Newark. During the same weekend, an 8-year-old girl heading from Texas to Charlotte ended up in Fayetteville. No, not North Carolina - Arkansas. Both kids were flying as unaccompanied minors.

Here's how it should work: after the first "mixup," you apologize profusely, give the family free round-trip tickets, give the flight attendant a stern warning and a map and hope you don't hear from the lawyers. (Too late.) In the mean time, you make certain that every minor in your care for the next month gets on the right plane no matter what. Even if it means the CEO himself has to tow a couple of whiny kids to the tarmac. You get it right.

George Hobica over at airfarewatchdog.com has an idea for parents - buy a ticket for yourself even though you're not flying. That way you can take your child right onto the plane, get him settled with snacks and games, buckle him up, kiss him goodbye and then head for the airline counter to get your refund. Of course, airlines aren't known for handing out refunds, but maybe you could get a credit toward your next flight.

A better idea, from Jonathan Dean, spokesman for BWI Marshall Airport, is for parents to request a "gate pass" from the airline's ticket counter. (Make sure you have your I.D.) This may vary by airline, but it doesn't hurt to ask. That way, you can escort your child to the gate. Here are some more tips for parents from Southwest Airlines.

Either way, you'll know your child is on the correct flight. Because with Continental calling this a "freak accident," I'm not sure you can trust them - or maybe any airline - to get it right.

Photo by Jerry Jackson, Baltimore Sun Staff

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Travel
        

Mark Malkoff is pulling a stunt that's sure to amuse airplane geeks. Malkoff, a comedian, is spending a month on a jet in an effort to defeat his fear of flying. He began June 1 with an AirTran flight from his home in New York to Atlanta. He's spending the rest of the month flying from 5 to 12 flights a day - wherever AirTran will take him.

I'm sure you have lots of questions like - who's paying for it? I don't know. But the publicity doesn't hurt AirTran - or Malkoff, who has done other stunts before like living in an Ikea store, so he's media savvy, too. Doesn't matter. The guy is funny - check out his video on airplane toilets. Bathroom humor at its best.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 7:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Off to Ocean City's Air Show this weekend? Taking a road trip this summer? Here are some tips from ExxonMobil on how to get the most from every tank of gas:

Tune up: Before hitting the road, get your car checked out. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed aemissions test can improve its fuel economy by an average of 4%.

Apply pressure: Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure to improve gas mileage by 5% percent. Properly inflated tires also last longer, saving you money on replacement tires.

Avoid idling: Idling gets 0 miles per gallon.  So try to avoid congested roads by traveling when fewer cars are on the road. Map out a backup route beforehand, and carry a GPS system to re-route quickly, if needed.

Pack light: Remove any unnecessary baggage from your vehicle.  For every extra 100 pounds a car carries, its fuel economy is reduced by about 1-2%. A loaded roof rack can decrease a vehicle’s fuel economy by 5%.

Observe the speed limit: For every 5 MPH driven over 60 MPH, a car’s fuel economy can be reduced by 7-8%. (It takes gas to accelerate.)  Driving within the speed limit can also spare you a costly ticket.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Forgive me, for I have sinned. I went on vacation and totally forgot about my work. Well, sorta. I took a cruise last week on the Carnival Pride and while I did file reports to Twitter, I didn't leave any good stuff for the blog. My apologies. So, now I'll play catch up. (And if you want details on my trip, you can check out next week's cruise guide in The Sun's Travel section.)

-Speaking of vacation, does yours need saving? HomeAway.com seems to think so. They've launched a SaveOurSummerVacation site and a petition for Congress to create a "National Vacation Day" on Aug. 7. I imagine that'll go over well - isn't Congress in recess in August?

-Speaking of cruising, the Port of Baltimore set a record last weekend for number of cruise passengers on a single sailing when the Carnival Pride sailed June 6 with 2,577 passengers on board. All hands on deck.

-This summer, TSA begins operation "Secure Flight." I know - it seems like the 200th time! But it signals an important change for fliers: you'll have to provide your gender and birth date when booking a flight. You'll also have to use your legal name - no nicknames - on your ticket. (I guess I won't be flying as Donald Duck anymore.) TSA says the extra info will help them quickly clear passengers against their watch list. Some airlines are already asking for the info, but others may not do so until later this year. It's a government operation, you know, it takes time.

-Reservations begin this weekend for visitors who want to see inside the Statue of Liberty's crown. The monument's top hat opens to the public July 4 for the first time since the terror attacks of 9/11. You can walk up the 354 steps for beautiful views of the New York harbor. Admission to the crown costs an extra $3 and will be limited to about 250 guests each day.

-If you love the beach - who doesn't? - check out our Best of the Beach series. We're having our team of bloggers check out food, family, fitness, fun finds and more throughout the summer.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

This year is not last year.

As Getting There blogger Michael Dresser points out, more people are expected to drive this Memorial Day weekend than did in 2008, because the gas costs $1.50 less per gallon on average.

(Check out Dresser's Bay Bridge crossing tips, if you are headed to the shore, and tips for avoiding the Delaware I-95 tolls.)

Don't get me wrong --- it's still more expensive than a few weeks ago, and I'm thinking it's hot enough to revive some of those gas-miser hypermiling tips and techniques we talked about last summer to avoid ruining my fuel efficiency stats with air conditioning use.

If you've got the funds, this might be a good time to take advantage of Walt Disney World discounts and savings, because lower demand means deals abound on Disney hotels and lodging.

But with unemployment on the rise and job security on the decline, staycations aren't out of style yet ... 

Continue reading "Staycation ideas: cheap, easy and local" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

The online travel site BookIt.com is offering a free* Blackberry or smart phone or music phone when you book your vacation at their site. That's a value of $349. But please note the asterisk. You have to enter into a 2-year calling plan agreement and pay the usual activation fees. Still, from what I can tell, the phone itself is free.

I like the fact that it's an instant rebate, no mail-in required. And it looks like BookIt.com has a handy Q&A where they spell out all of the details of the offer - including the fact that iPhones are not part of the deal. The offer doesn't expire until 2010 or while supplies last.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

A quick roundup of some recent travel stuff:

-Southwest is offering last-minute Memorial Day travel sale. Don't know where to or how good, but it's Southwest, so it's probably a bargain.

-Speaking of Memorial Day, Hampton Inn is offering a $9 Amazon gift card to AAA members who book a weekend stay by June 30. Use code CLOUD9 and you'll also be entered to win a hotel bedding package. Hilton HHonors members can also earn 1,000 bonus points per night.

-Today's the last day for AirTran's most recent 3-day sale. The New York Times writes about the travel trend of "flash sales," basically too-good-to-miss prices/sales that pop up for hours or a few days and are gone in a flash.

-Here's an example of a flash sale: Atlantis Paradise Island Resorts in the Bahamas is having a "48-Hour Frenzy" sale beginning Saturday (at 7 a.m.) with discounts up to 65% off.  There's a 4-night offer at The Reef starting at $399 per person and kids age 11 and under stay free. You have to arrive on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Taxes, gratuity, etc may add up to $110 per person. (Please read the fine print.) Here's the link, but it doesn't go live until 7 a.m.

-And if you prefer staying close to home, it's a beautiful time of year to escape to a nearby garden for picnics and more. From the colonial gardens of Colonial Williamsburg to the crisp woods of Winterthur Museum & Country Estate. Take your pick.

Photo courtesy of Atlantis Paradise Island Resorts

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

What's a little flu if you can get a great deal? Well, that's my take on it here, and I'm not convinced that those people who talk about "passive" infection are wrong.

But this is travel, not health, so we're all about saving money on your next trip. And if you make that next trip a beach in Mexico, Apple Vacations will save you a lot of dough. The travel provider is offering crazy discounts to Mexico in their "Biggest-Ever Sale" with three nights in Cancun starting at $519 per person, including the flight from Baltimore. Punta Cana starts at $579 for three nights.

That's probably less than what you'll spend in Ocean City this summer, but I haven't heard of any H1N1 flu cases on the Eastern Shore. Just sayin.

Photo of the Grand Sunset Princess in Riviera Maya courtesy of Apple Vacations

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Cabbing it to Preakness this year, or have friends coming into town? The Maryland Public Service Commission, which regulates taxi rates in Baltimore city, offers these tips to avoid getting swindled on the way to or from the Stakes. Take note: these rules are in effect year-round, so watch for some of these tricks on other days as well.

•    Taxi cabs being hailed from Baltimore City or Baltimore County may not offer a flat rate to Pimlico.
•    Taxis may not charge per-person charges.
•    Signs displaying a per-person or flat charge rate violate Commission regulations.
•    Passengers should only pay the amount displayed on the meter.
•    If there is no fare displayed on the meter, passengers are NOT obligated to pay the fare requested.  Customers may tip the driver at their discretion.
•    Passengers are required by law to pay is the fare on the meter, which covers the entire party in the cab
•    Check the meter for a blue tab, which shows it has been sealed and checked by the Commission.
•    Customers have the right to check the driver’s badge, which located on the sides and rear cabs.  Get that number if you plan to file a complaint with the Commission – that will confirm the identify of the driver.

Don't take a cab that claims to charge a flat rate to Pimlico. In Baltimore, the only flat rates are from downtown or the cruise ship terminal to BWI Marshall Airport, which cost $30.

Continue reading "Getting to Preakness: a taxi-fare primer" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cars, Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

TGIF - for so many reasons. But here's one more: Radisson Hotels is launching a summerlong promotion that lets travelers stay overnight on Fridays for free. Whoa. There is a catch - you also have to stay either the Thursday before or the Saturday after. And you have to pay for that night. So it's kinda like stay one night, get a night free. Either way, it's a great deal. Especially for those of you who like to play hooky on Fridays or just take long weekends. (I'm not looking at you.)

The "Friday is Freeday" offer begins today and is available for travel May 15 through Sept. 15 at participating Radisson Hotels in North, Central and South America and Asia Pacific. Also available at the Radisson Edwardian Hotels in the United Kingdom. That's like, basically, everywhere. Sorta. The extra fine print says the number of rooms for the promotion may be limited at each hotel. And you have to book at least seven days in advance. So plan that sick day now.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Book by tomorrow for AirTran's two-day nonstop sale with $39 one-way fares from Baltimore to Boston, $99 to Cancun, $59 to Miami, $99 to Seattle. Must travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday and by June 23.

Norwegian Cruise Line's one-day sale has savings of up to 81% on cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska and Europe. In November, sail the Mediterranean on the Norwegian Gem for 7 days, starting at $549 per person, roundtrip from Barcelona. Port calls include Naples, Florence and Cannes, France. Yes, it costs more to get there, but flights to Europe have been incredibly affordable this year.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Hotels.com kicks off its Memorial Day Sale this month with a bunch of ways to save money. First up, there are more than 450 properties on sale, some with 20% off and others with up to 50% off, although a minimum stay may be required. In addition, hotels.com will give travelers who book at least three nights a $50 prepaid Mastercard debit card (kinda like a gift card - I've booked at hotels.com in the past when they've had prepaid gas card offers and I had no problem redeeming it.).

Local offers include the Radisson Lord Baltimore from $79 per night and the Quality Inn Harbor South from $73/night. In Ocean City, the Clarion Fontainebleau starts at $69/night.

If you're over the flu by then, several Cancun hotels are on the list, some at half-off. Lots of destinations to choose from as long as you book by May 25, for travel May 21-27.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Just a reminder that Bank of America cardholders get free admission to more than 100 museums across the country during the first weekend of every month. The "Museums on Us" program has been going strong for several years, unlike the bank that sponsors it. The good news is that they recognize the goodwill among customers that an offer like this promotes.

In Maryland, you can get in free to the American Visionary Arts Museum or the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History. In Washington, you can check out the Phillips Collection. If you're elsewhere this weekend, like say New York, you can get in free to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Whitney Museum. All you need is a Bank of America ATM card, credit card or check card. And you're in like Flynn.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

OK. So you don't like US Airways' policy on ticketing changes related to the swine flu. You really don't like it and you're letting me - and them - know. You've been so loud and persistent that you've goaded me into doing tedious, mind-numbing, read-the-fine-print research about said policies and I'm not even going to Mexico.

The problem, you tell me, is this: airlines get favorable press for being good citizens during a health emergency by waiving change fees, when in fact, these fees are the least of passenger worries once the airlines start tacking on higher prices for the new tickets you're forced to purchase within a limited period of time. You may be right.

But not so quick. Based on my research, most airlines are being fairly lenient with travelers who need to rebook flights. Most are allowing changes for flights scheduled through May 31. (I think 30 days should be the standard.) And most are also allowing passengers to rebook another flight sometime within several months up to a year. WestJet is even offering full refunds.

The exception in terms of generosity seems to be US Airways, which is funny since they were first out of the gate in waiving change fees. US Airways' policy forcing travelers to use their tickets within 14 days of the original travel date seems unusually restrictive. A spokesperson for US Airways offered to look into specific traveler claims but referred me to their travel advisory page. In the annual Airline Quality Ratings released last month, US Airways had the worst rate in terms of consumer complaints. Enough said.

So here are the policies related to swine flu cancellations/changes from some major airlines that fly to Mexico:

Continue reading "In flu emergency, are airlines playing fair with fliers?" »

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 7:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Travel is becoming so competitive in Baltimore. Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival on year-round cruises. JetBlue vs. Southwest vs. AirTran for BWI-Boston supremacy. And now, BoltBus is arriving to challenge MegaBus.com for road rights from Baltimore to New York.

BoltBus, a division of Greyhound, will offer seven daily roundtrip schedules between Baltimore and New York beginning May 7. Pickup is at the MARC Penn Station, just south of E. Lanvale Street, on St. Paul. Buy tickets in advance or from the driver. One-way fares start at $1 plus a booking fee of 50 cents. The highest fares will adjust based on demand, so booking early saves you money. Every seat on every schedule is available for $1 for May 7-10. BoltBus offers extra leg room, power outlets, free WiFi onboard and loyalty discounts for frequent travelers.

I haven't been on BoltBus, but I've read some reviews and most travelers seem to be pleased - for the price. Boltbus has been operating routes from DC for the past year or so. And I'm told folks in Baltimore won't have to climb over DC passengers to get to their seats. The route begins and ends in Baltimore. (For now - a company spokesperson says BoltBus may add a stop in College Park at some time in the future.)

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Travel
        

Cruise lines have second thoughts about continuing port calls in Mexico. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian changing their itineraries this week to avoid swine flu outbreak.

An AirTran flight from Cancun to BWI was briefly delayed last night after a couple passengers reported feeling ill. But health officials said their illness was not respiratory related. Turns out they were just tipsy.

A reminder that the borders remain open and there are no restrictions on travel to Mexico. However, the CDC has warned Americans to avoid non-essential travel to the country. "Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told the Associated Press.

And even though some passengers are changing their plans, airlines continue to fly into and out of the affected areas. As of late Tuesday, only Cuba and Argentina had imposed an outright ban on flights to Mexico.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 6:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

U.S. officials are preparing a travel advisory warning Americans against non-essential travel to Mexico, according to the Associated Press. The advisory is being issued "out of an abundance of caution," according to the CDC. Airlines are reporting that some travelers have already switched their plans for vacations in Mexico, but the changes have been "minimal," an American Airlines spokesperson told the AP. Some countries overseas have already issued warnings against travel parts of North America. Meanwhile, cruise operators like Carnival Cruise Lines say scheduled stops in Mexico are going forward over the next few days.

Air traffic from Mexico to BWI-Marshall Airport is fairly limited. There are no nonstop flights between Mexico City and Baltimore, according to a BWI spokesman. AirTran has one daily flight between Cancun and BWI and the airline is waiving change fees for travelers. USA3000 has thrice-weekly service from Mexico City and Cancun and will also waive change fees. BWI is coordinating response with state and federal authorities. It's the same approach they took a few years back with the SARS outbreak.

Meanwhile, here are 7 things you need to know about swine flu. And is it safe to fly during the swine flu outbreak?

Photo: Deserted Mexicana Airlines counter at San Francisco International Airport. Ben Margot, Associated Press

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 5:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Spent the afternoon touring the Carnival Pride ship - that's the one offering the new year-round cruises from Baltimore to the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean. There was a reception in the Butterflies Lounge where a welcoming committee made up of travel agents, city officials, media, tourism folks and state leaders flitted about, including U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, Baltimore County executive Jim Smith and state transportation Secretary John D. Porcari (of recent Obama fame).

Officials say Carnival's arrival will mean 1,500 jobs and $152 million added to Maryland's economy. We'll take it. As Rep. Elijah Cummings said: "Those jobs were goin to go somewhere. Those cruises were going to take off from somewhere. I'm glad it's Baltimore."

The ship is decorated with an artsy Renaissance theme - it's all dark and woody with coffered ceilings, elaborate paintings, glass staircases and an 11-deck-high atrium that made me dizzy. There's one deck of the ship that's totally dedicated to lounges and bars - a total of 16 of them. There's a spa, fitness center, huge two-tiered dining room and more. The 88,500-ton ship, while massive, is not the largest Carnival vessel, but it is among the fastest.

Photo: Associated Press

Continue reading "Carnival Pride arrives in Baltimore" »

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Bought a ticket to Mexico and now you're thinking it's a no go because of the swine flu? You're smart. And you're lucky if you purchased your ticket from US Airways. The airline has issued a travel advisory for Mexico and will issue a credit to ticketholders, allowing them to book another flight to, presumably, a different destination, within seven days of the origination date. The airline is also waiving any change fees. Now, you must be holding airline tickets to Mexico City for travel through April 30. If you bought your tickets through a third-party site like Travelocity or Orbitz, call them to see what the policy is.

US Airways is the first airline I've heard of to offer this, but others will likely follow. Especially if the U.S. issues a travel advisory for Mexico - I can't see how they won't do that, possibly as soon as today, since cases of swine flu appear to be spreading. Some places are already checking travelers' temperatures before allowing them into the country. If I had travel planned for Mexico over the next 14 days or so, I'd certainly be calling the airline, hotel and checking out my options.

A few resources: check out Google's swine flu outbreak map. Also, CDC has some good travel health information that's being updated frequently. 

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Travel
        

Geez, talk about french fries. US Airways already charges a $15 fee for the first checked bag, but now the airline is tacking on an extra $5 if you don't prepay the $15 when you check-in online for your flight. The new fee means beginning July 9 passengers pay 20 bucks to check your first bag at the airport and $30 for the second. Does everybody check in online nowadays? I don't know that that's the case. (I do. But I fly Southwest and if you don't check in online you have to sit on the wings.) Aren't they in effect penalizing people like my grandmother?

At this point we're all numb to the litany of fees. Earlier this week, Delta said they would charge $50 to check a second bag on overseas flights. Yawn. But couldn't US Airways use a little cloak and dagger? Do they have to make it so obvious when they pick your pocket? Naturally the airline said it was all about the convenience for the customer: "save time and money." But let's note the company lost $103 million in the first quarter. They're obviously not alone - the travel industry is suffering big time. But so are consumers. 

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Whether you're driving or flying or cruising, if you're traveling - you're leaving a footprint. And that's OK, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't  do our part to leave our paths a little cleaner. You could buy carbon offsets at Terrapass - its calculator says just one person flying from Baltimore to Los Angeles is responsible for emitting 1,400 pounds of carbon into the environment. Or you could stay at a green hotel - several are opening in the Baltimore region. Either way, you should be greenwise about your travels - and many of us already are.

I used to love those little single size toiletries - Red Flower is my favorite - but they come in little plastic bottles that just add to landfills. Many hotels are switching to dispensers for shampoo and soap. A good move. When I do stay at a hotel with those travel size bottles, I take the half-empty ones home and refill them for the guest bathroom. Many hotels are eliminating plastic spoons and forks and replacing them with genuine silverware. Others are building saline pools to reduce chlorine use. Still more are using green cleaning supplies - or electrolyzed water.

You can find more tips for green travel here. And if you like to see your garbage going to a good cause, check out the trash museum.

Photo courtesy of Aloft, a new hotel at Arundel Mills that opens in May and uses refillable dispensers for in-room shampoo and soap.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Looking for a great vacation deal? The AAA Travel Expo this weekend at the Port of Baltimore Cruise Terminal should be a good place to find one. The expo - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.- will offer travel information, seminars, bookings, prizes and giveaways.

Representatives from Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Hertz, Hyatt, Starwood, Disney World and Universal Studios will be on hand along with many others. Also, passport applications are being accepted here, including a free passport photo.

The event is free and open to the public, but bring a photo I.D. If you're a member of AAA, bring your card - they offer pretty good travel deals. I booked my upcoming summer cruise through AAA and got a terrific deal with membership discounts. A 7-day cruise for just over $500. Not bad at all.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Well, you probably live some place nearby, so I guess you at least like Baltimore a little. So there's no reason you shouldn't click here to vote for our city in Travel + Leisure's annual America's Favorite Cities 2009 poll. The travel magazine is adding five new cities to the list and they're asking readers to choose among Anchorage, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Memphis, Providence, Salt Lake City and St. Louis. Vote by May 15.

Last year's number 1 favorite city was Boston. The magazine ranks the cities in various categories. For example, Washington DC ranked #1 in historical sites/monuments last time. Miami ranked #1 in attractive people. San Francisco was tops in notable neighborhoods. What category would Baltimore rank high in? (I'm afraid to ask, but I just did.)

Photo by Jerry Jackson, Sun Photographer

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Travel
        

First Priceline. Then Expedia. Travelocity. Then Orbitz. Now they're all on board with what I call the booking fee bailouts. It's a temporary move for most (through May 31) that some travel industry insiders say could become permanent as the sites battle it out for your business. The changes mean you won't have to pay the usual $7-$12 fee on airfare tickets. Yay. Well, wait a minute. I don't care. Why? Because I prefer to book my flights directly with the airline.

Priceline did away with their air booking fees a couple years ago and I'd make an exception for them because you can find good deals. Travelocity and Orbitz have good vacation package deals, too. But if you're just looking for a flight, I'd skip the middle man and go directly to the airline. (Note: Several airlines, including American, United, Delta and Northwest, have major stakes in Orbitz.)

That's not saying I don't use Travelocity or Orbitz for research, because I do. I also use SideStep. Kayak. And Vayama for international trips. There are occasions where these third-party sites will offer a fare that you can't find at the airline's site. And sometimes Travelocity or Orbitz will come up with options that you may have never thought of, mostly for international travel. But in general, I say do your homework and then book your flight with the airline.

UPDATE: An Orbitz spokesperson points out that the airlines no longer have any ownership stake in the company. My mistake.

AP Photo

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

It's that time of year again. When rental car companies work to shift their fleets from southern areas of the U.S. to the northeast for the lucrative summer car rental season.

Bestfares.com points out this deal from Hertz, which is offering an economy car rental for just $14.99 a week - or $3 per day if you don't want to keep it that long - provided you drive the car out of Florida and drop it off somewhere else.  Where? Pick a city. St. Louis. Dallas. Phoenix. New York. Baltimore. There are some exceptions: no drop-offs in California, Iowa, Nevada, West Virginia, Oregon or Washington state.

This is a quick offer though - you have to book by Sunday using the code 1WAY for travel through June 30.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Want free travel? Here's an idea: Get yourself over to tomorrow's casting call for Survivor, the CBS reality show that takes place at really cool destinations around the world. The show has sent contestants to Australia, the Cook Islands, China, Africa, Guatemala, Palau, Micronesia, Fiji, Brazil and many more exotic destinations.

The casting call is tomorrow, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Antwerpen Hyundai, 6631 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville. Each applicant gets two minutes in front of the camera to make their case to producers (If you're lucky, maybe Jeff Probst will see it eventually). Sure, it's a long shot, but it could also be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The only problem with the Survivor mode of travel is that you don't get food or lodging. But, hey, you get what you pay for.

Photo of Survivor: Cook Islands contestants building a shelter courtesy of CBS Television

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't like contests. Because I never win. (Mostly what I want to win is an HGTV Dream Home. I know I wouldn't be able to afford the taxes and I don't care. I still want to win.) Anyways, if you're fine with contests and possibly being deluged by the email that inevitably accompany many of these sweepstakes, here's another one: The Big Welcome from Hyatt is giving away 365 room nights to one lucky traveler and one free night to 10,000 lucky people. The contest is open through May 13 and requires signing up for the free membership to Hyatt Gold Passport. You can enter the contest here.

And if you're not only in love with contests but in love with someone else, the two of you could win a free wedding in the Bahamas. All you have to do is write an essay and get lots of people to vote for you. The contest, the Bahamas Bridal Bailout, is open for entries until April 24. Voting begins April 25. I checked the site today and see a few folks from Maryland have already signed up. Check it out.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Southwest's announcement today about the new Baltimore to LaGuardia flights made me curious about what other airlines are charging for that same route. So I checked out United and USAirways, both of which have nonstop BWI-LGA trips, and their prices were over $200. I was thinking, boy, Southwest is going to eat your lunch, guys. Either that, or airfare along that route is gonna drop like a stone.

So I went to Southwest.com to check out what the total roundtrip cost of their flight would be including tax. I was surprised to find - well, it's what I didn't find, actually. I didn't find the $49 one-way rates. The price was listed at $48 - cool, a buck less - but when I clicked on that fare, I was taken to a new screen which shows a "new price" of $105 each way. $105? Twice the price I was expecting? Not possible. There must be a mistake. But I did it over and over and over again for both July and August and could not get the lower fare to show up.

Now. It is the first day of Southwest's "Hello New York" promotion. It's possible that fares are changing that rapidly due to incredible demand. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. But the $105 each way fare works out to $231 roundtrip, not much better than the other airlines. So what's the point?

UPDATE: So I did finally find a single inbound flight for $49 on July 18, a Saturday. I had been checking weekday flights only since I figured that's when business travelers travel. Go figure. Still, I continue to get a range of prices, which is not that unusual, except when you're launching a big promotion for a brand new route.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Travel
        

Maybe not today - but one day this week when the sun comes out or even next weekend, you can make a break for fun at one of the region's many theme parks offering a sneak peak of their summertime fun. Most parks don't open for daily hours until May, but a few have a short window of opportunity during spring break or on weekends in April. Check out what's new at the parks here.

And while this isn't a new idea, it's still a good one: if you're headed to a crowded theme park, beach or even the mall and want to make sure your kid doesn't get lost - other than having eyes in the back of your head - you can try Spot Me I.D., a fun series of lanyards, bracelets and temporary tattoos.

You write your cell number on the items along with your kid's name and if they happen to wander, at least they're tagged! Of course, this doesn't replace keeping tight grip on the wee ones but it is a small comfort. And it's been given a seal of approval from the blogging moms over at Traveling Mamas.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

The Colonial Williamsburg Summer Saver special is a good bargain for traveling families. For $599 (plus tax), a family of four can get five days and four nights at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites, plus - and this is the really good part - breakfast daily, admission passes to Colonial Williamsburg, a $200 resort credit (say what!) good for use at the spa, the golf course or restaurants, and a 20-25% discount on evening programs and some stores. Parking is free and so are the shuttle buses to/from the historic area.

I haven't had a chance to go do the hard math and I'm not sure I even need to. I know that normally, a 4-night hotel stay, including admission passes, is probably close to $500. So it's the $200 resort credit that really tacks on the savings.

Continue reading "Great summer deal at Colonial Williamsburg" »

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 50 percent off when you rent a car Friday through Monday. The special rate applies to most cars - economy to full-size - and is available weekends until May 20. But here's the catch: the sale is 50% off normal weekday rates. And it's not available at airport locations.

Since weekend rates are typically lower anyways in most places (except NYC), especially at the airport, the savings compared with normal weekend rates is only about 20%. I compared Enterprise rates at a Baltimore location, here's what I found: standard size car was $40.84 per day during the week and $20.42 on a weekend. The weekend rate at BWI Airport was $25. And when I checked CarRentals.com, I didn't find a rate lower than $20.42 for a standard size car, but I did find some rates that were within a few pennies of the Enterprise offer.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Travel
        

This is no April Fool's gag. It's the real deal. Beginning tomorrow, a San Francisco hotel (two of them actually) will offer one guest room for $1 per night for each night in the month of April. The offer is from the Orchard Hotel Group, owners of two "green" boutique hotels on Bush Street - one near Chinatown and the other closer to Union Square.

It's first come, first served at their Web site starting at 10 a.m. PDT and using promotional code FOOL! . With tax, the total price of the one-night package is $1.16. Of course, you only get one room per reservation for one night at that rate with additional nights beginning at $159. Still not bad for San Fran. The LEED-certified hotel uses recycled fabrics, organic bath and cleaning products, recycled toilet paper, in-room recycling etc. So if you're headed to the San Francisco soon, don't be foolish - go for it.

Photo of the rooftop deck at the Orchard Garden Hotel courtesy The Orchard Hotel Group

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 6:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

What happened to Natasha Richardson at a Canadian ski resort was a tragedy. Unavoidable? No one knows, but Quebec, where Mont Tremblant is located, is now thinking about mandatory helmets for skiers and there's been debate about the availability of helicopters for medical transport in Canada. Facing a medical emergency as a traveler is a scary thought. Especially if you're in a foreign country where you don't speak the language. That's why it may be a good idea to purchase travel medical insurance, a relatively inexpensive coverage, to give yourself peace of mind.

I spoke with Jim Grace, president of insuremytrip.com about medical coverage for travelers, including some options that provide for airlifting a vacationer to the hospital of their choice and also policies that will provide additional coverage for adventure travelers who engage in extreme sports. Accidents do happen, so it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Read the interview here.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

First it was, if you shell out bucks for a trip and you lose your job, the airline would give you your money back. Now thanks to new online price-tracking services, customers are getting refunds or vouchers for airline tickets that have dropped in price - after they bought them.

This New York Times story details the various ways travelers can track the price they paid for an airline ticket and then if (more like, when, nowadays) the price drops, you can get a refund or credit toward a future purchase. Travelocity, Orbitz and Priceline are all on board with varying plans to make sure you feel safe booking your trip early rather than waiting till the LastMinute.com. And Yapta.com will track your flight and send you an email or tweet if the price drops low enough to make it worth your while. You can also pay Yapta $15 to have them make the change for you.

Now some airlines, like American, Delta and United, will charge a big fee for re-ticketing, basically eliminating your savings and discouraging travelers from beeing price saavy. Others, like JetBlue and Southwest, apparently want to keep their customers happy. 

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

So here's a real "consuming" interest. When I was in New York City recently, I was planning to meet up with a friend arriving at the Port Authority. While I was waiting, I decided to have a drink at a restaurant - OK, it was Chevys - but give me a break, it was nearby and the margaritas are pretty darn good. Well, the first sip was good. Then I noticed that the caloric content of every item was listed on the menu. Including the margarita. What fresh horror is this?

Well, as of last year, New York became the first city to implement a law forcing chain restaurants to include the calorie count of each food item in the same font, right next to the price. Right where you can't miss it. Don't these people realize I'm enjoying a rare day off work - I need to relax not hyperventilate over the calories in a quesadilla (more than 900). The law only affects about 10% of the city's restaurants, which means the other 90% are safe for vacationers avoiding stress.

Nonetheless, I was obsessed with reading every inch of the menu, quickly realizing that there were very few meals below 1,000 calories. Even some of the salads were more than that. Way more. I hadn't planned on ordering dinner anyway, so I choked down my 450-calorie drink and went to join my friend. We decided to go to a smaller restaurant. A one-of-a-kind place where dinner would be completely calorie-free.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Today, I got word that Megabus.com is increasing service from Baltimore to New York. That's awesome, I thought. The company runs a clean, tight, friendly and cheap (sometimes for just a buck) service from White Marsh to Penn Station. And now they're more than doubling the number of trips departing each day from 14 to 32. Great for cash-strapped travelers, i.e. all of us.

The change happens in April, so I went to the Web site to check it out. I was surprised to see that nearly half of the trips being offered as of April 5 were buses operated by Eastern Travel, which is now partnering with Megabus.com. Oh. Each scheduled trip has an icon of a blue bus = Megabus.com or a red bus = Eastern Travel. Also, the blue bus picks up at White Marsh Park&Ride while the red bus picks up at Cherry Hill Light Rail station in Baltimore. That's new, too.

Last time The Sun did a story on taking the bus to New York, our reporter didn't have the best experience on Eastern Travel. Let's just say it stunk. But that was nearly a year ago, and I'm told that CoachUSA now owns and operates Eastern Travel, which has been "updated and brought to the same level of quality service" as Megabus.com (also a subsidiary of CoachUSA), according to a spokesperson. Hmm. Let's hope so.

Photo courtesy Megabus.com

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Travel
        

Michelle Deal-Zimmerman covers travel for The Baltimore Sun. She'll be posting here about travel steals, deals and more. So welcome her as she cruises on over to our blog.

OK, cruise fans, it’s a year-round showdown here in Baltimore: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean. Today, Royal Caribbean International announced it would offer cruises year-round from Baltimore beginning in June 2010. The cruise line had previously scheduled next year’s sailing season to end in November 2010, but now itineraries will be available through April 2011.

And to top that off, Royal Caribbean is replacing the Grandeur of the Seas ship, which has sailed from Baltimore since 2004, with the Enchantment of the Seas, a bigger ship that underwent an "extreme makeover" back in 2005, a process that added 73 feet to the ship’s length. So technically, it’s not a newer ship (it began sailing in 1997), but it is more recently updated and has more features (pool, splash deck, bungie jumping, specialty restaurants) and more staterooms than the Grandeur. Royal Caribbean will still offer sailings to Bermuda, the Eastern Caribbean and New England/Canada but in fall 2010 will add 9-night cruises to Florida and the Bahamas (similar to what Carnival is offering this year).

So, a royal treat is in store for cruise lovers as Baltimore hosts four cruise lines this year, (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity) offering twice as many cruises as in 2008. And cruises remain a great value for all-inclusive travel, especially from our home port, which allows us Marylanders to simply park and ride. Now, the only thing left to decide is which cruise line will get your business?

Photo of the solarium aboard the Enchantment of the Seas courtesy of RCI

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Southwest Airlines was fined $10.2 million for safety violations by the Federal Aviation Administration last year, but that's not what the company will be ultimately paying for missing inspections.

Officials said last March that 46 planes had gone into the air for nearly 60,000 flights in 2006 and 2007 without safety inspections for potentially dangerous cracks in the fuselage.

Southwest said that the lapse stemmed from overlapping maintenance schedules that overlooked some parts. The company stated then that it completed the inspections less than two weeks later.

The fines were the largest ever levied against an airline. 

Now, about a year later ...

Continue reading "Southwest Airlines safety violations: a Naughty Business update" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airlines, Cheap/Frugal, Naughty businesses/NBotW, Travel
        

Baltimore taxi riders will continue to pay the same mileage rates when they hop in a cab, for a few more weeks, at least.

You may have read the story last week about a taxi mileage rate decrease set to take effect March 1, based on a semi-annual review of gas prices. If you heard a lot of honking at the intersection of Baltimore Street and St. Paul Street on Wednesday, that was a protest by taxi drivers calling attention to their situation.

Well, late on Friday afternoon, a group of taxi drivers incensed about the decline obtained a temporary injunction on taxi mileage rate decreases from a Baltimore Circuit Court judge.

As a result ...

Continue reading "Taxi rates not decreasing, after all " »

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cars, Cheap/Frugal, Gas prices, Travel
        

The Sun's travel section offered several tips to help save on travel costs in the new year.

First off, don't forget to include Greyhound in your quest for cut-price bus service, as you hunt down Megabus deals and others.

Definitely, there's benefits to planning ahead when it comes to bus travel. Greyhound is slashing prices on advance purchases for adult tickets by 20 percent, and there are deals for companion fares as well.  

There's also some great advice about travel resolutions we should make for 2009 ...

Continue reading "Cheap Trick Thursday: cheap travel tips" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

Megabus.com, the express city-to-city bus service that offers fares for as low as $1 on the Internet, is giving away 100,000 free seats starting today.

If you were thinking about taking a winter getaway, but couldn't afford it, if you were planning a trip and wanted to shave some expenses, if you weren't even thinking of going anywhere, do check this out.

The free seats can be booked on their Web site for travel beginning Wed., Jan. 14, through Wed., March 18, 2009.  Customers must enter the promo code greenbus for the opportunity to receive a free seat.

Continue reading "100,000 free seats on Megabus" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Gas prices, Travel
        

Better pack lightly for your holiday travel on Delta Airlines, folks --- and ship the cranberry sauce ahead of time.

Travelers will now pay a bag-check fee for the first as well as any additional luggage they tote with them. 

The new policy is what Northwest Airlines, which Delta bought last week, already has in place. 

In a press release, Delta also announced it would no longer levy fuel surcharges for trips earned with  frequent flyer miles or administrative fees for using skycap services.

Of course, they *will* be charging $15 for the first bag as well as $25 for a second, for travel on or after Dec. 5.

If you've bought a Delta ticket before today (Nov. 5) for travel before Dec. 5, you'll only have to pay ...

Continue reading "Delta charges fees for first checked bag" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Airlines, Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

Just making sure no one ages 18 to 23 --- or anyone who knows people 18- to 23 years old --- misses out on these student travel discounts offered by AirTran and Southwest, from Sunday's travel section.

With AirTran U program, students ages 18 to 22 can fly standby for $69, as long as they abide by the many restrictions. Oddly, you don't actually have to be a student to qualify --- just within the age window.

Southwest's College Rapid Rewards program offers students 18 to 23 a free round-trip ticket for every three round-trips traveled within 24 months.

The article also recommends getting a Student Advantage card for 15 percent off Amtrak and Greyhound tickets, as well as the International Student Identity Card for discounts for the study-abroad bound. The cards cost $20 and $22 to sign up for a year respectively.

Personally ...  

Continue reading "Cheap travel tips for students" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

So, if you're looking for some cheap thrills, you might want to consider options that are close to home. Baltimore.org has lots of great deals and discounts for folks looking to explore their surroundings or just entertain some visitors who have landed on their doorstep, compiled by the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.

And it's not just for attractions like the B&O Railroad Museum or Geppi's Entertainment Museum, or the arts such as the Baltimore Opera Company and Centerstage. There are even dining specials such as one free Jewish hot dog with bologna, with the purchase of any sandwich at Attman's.

Some of the coupons are somewhat less attractive ...

Continue reading "Cheap Trick Thursday: be a tourist in your own town" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

When booking your next hotel stay, forget about inquiring about the quality of the view or stock-ed-ness of the minibar --- ask about the Wii.

Five Marriott hotels offer Nintendo Wii video game systems in some rooms.

It's not a cheap choice. The hotel charges extra for the unlimited Wii-playing options, according to the Wall Street Journal, and you could actually buy a Wii outright for the price of a one-night stay at some of these places.

But if you're trying to entertain the kiddies --- or convince a reluctant spouse that it's a good investment, that a Wii could bring the two of you closer --- it might be worth looking into.

About 20 games will be available for playing as well as the Wii Fit. 

The Wiis are available at:

Continue reading "Vacation with a Wii" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

If you are headed to Walt Disney theme parks in Florida or California next year, you might want to time it to the anniversary of your birth.

The Sun's travel blogger Michelle Deal-Zimmerman points us to this cheap travel tip: you can get a free ticket to Walt Disney World on your birthday. Or Disneyland, if you prefer the Left Coast.

It's all part of a campaign to get more people to celebrate birthdays and weddings at Disney parks, according to this Orlando Sentinel story. 

The offer is worth $75 (the cost of a single day pass) and is valid for anyone over the age of 3 with valid proof of age.

It won't get you a discount on multi-day Disney passes, but you can still get a birthday gift if you choose that option ... 

Continue reading "Free Disney World ticket on your birthday" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Travel
        

If you're traveling abroad, you may already rely on Web sites such as Expedia to find the lowest prices on flights, hotels and rental cars.

But according to Budget Travel magazine, some U.S.-based travel sites have set up overseas counterparts, such as Expedia.fr to directly compete with companies there ... and might offer you a better price.

Airlines' local Web sites are another option. And other travel Web sites only make arrangements with companies to list their offerings in the local market --- for example, if you planned to fly somewhere and take a discount domestic airline.

Also:

Insurance and taxes are sometimes included in the price on foreign rental car websites—a key difference from the U.S. sites. Renting a car in England for a week on alamo.co.uk, for instance, is more than $300 cheaper than renting on alamo.com because the collision damage waiver, theft protection, and taxes are all bundled into the price. On alamo.com, the coverages—considered optional—and taxes are added at the end. Check the insurance policies on the foreign sites carefully, though, as there's no universal rule for what's covered from country to country. 

There's a couple of caveats, though: 

Continue reading "Cheap Trick Thursday: a sneaky travel tip" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Travel