Ease of Travel

5 Great Deals from Vacation Outlet

jim — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 14:18:43 +0000

Punta Cana, Domincan Republic: Iberostar Dominicana - 5 nights All-Inclusive Hotel & Airfare from $899
Las Vegas: Luxor Hotel & Casino - 3 Nights Hotel & Airfare from $445
Orlando: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista Resort - 3 Nights Hotel & Airfare from $379
Orlando: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista Resort - 3 Nights Hotel & Airfare from $379
Jamaica: Riu Negril - 5 Nights All-Inclusive Hotel & Airfare from $789

Relaxed Liquids Ban on Airliners Announced

jim — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 21:42:38 +0000

The TSA announced today that the ban on liquids will be relaxed Tuesday, Sept. 26th, 2006, and that the following will be allowed:

Most liquids and gels that are purchased in secure areas of airports.
Toiletries and products like lip gloss and lotion will be permitted into secure areas if they are less than 3-ounces and can fit inside a clear, 1 quart sized plastic bag.

via CNN.

Frugal Travel Tip: Pack Your Own Lunch

jim — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 16:26:41 +0000

Lunch at a major theme park, or any tourist destination worth going to, can run close to $10 per day per person so a great frugal travel tip is to pack your own lunch. This is often easier when you’re still within the United States because you’ll be familiar with the stores, the selection, and the prices - packing your own lunch will save you significant amounts of money that you can use to splurge on other things.

Packing your own lunch also gives you the freedom to eat when you want and not waste time waiting in line or sitting at a table. Sometimes you want to enjoy the sights and the aromas of an authentic local meal but that may not be so important during the middle of the day when you’re absorbing the experience full tilt. Let dinner be where you spend a little extra money and let lunch be just a larger mid-day snack on the cheap.

250 Free Airline Miles from Delta - 1 Question Survey

jim — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:00:21 +0000

Get 250 airline miles absolutely free from Delta Airlines for answering a single question survey.

1000 Free Bonus Airlines Miles with an Avis Car Rental

jim — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:39:18 +0000

Avis is running a promotion until the end of the year where you can get 1,000 airline miles with the following programs with a qualifying rental:

NYC Transit Strike Has Started

jim — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 23:24:06 +0000

The walkout at the two Queens bus lines came as the Transport Workers Union continued to threaten a large-scale strike beginning after midnight Tuesday that could affect as many as 7 million subway and bus commuters.

Uh oh… it’s starting.

Le Meridien Hotels - Get 3rd Night Free

jim — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 04:39:53 +0000

Mastercard is running a promotion where you get the third night free after you purchase the first two nights at a Le Meridien hotel, details are available at the Mastercard website. Book your reservation at the Le Meridien website or call up 1-800-543-4300 and request promo code MASTERCARD.

Expires Dec. 31st, 2005.

TSA To Relax Sharp Object Restrictions

jim — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 23:44:37 +0000

CNN reports that on Friday the Transportation Security Administration will announce that they are easing the restrictions on sharp objects aboard planes, choosing instead to focus more on explosives instead.

The change in rules, expected to go into effect December 20, will allow for some scissors less than 4 inches long and some tools less than 7 inches long.

While I think it’s a good move, I don’t understand how taking the focus off sharp objects necessarily improves the ability of TSA screeners to locate and identify explosives, especially when most of that is done with complicated sniffer devices.

Mileage Runs Revisited

jim — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:37:41 +0000

I’ve written about the merits of mileage runs in the past but with an article in USAToday by David Grossman, I think we should revisit the idea since it seems as though they’re coming back into popularity. I won’t rehash the article, it’s sort of entertaining to read, but if you want to hear about the merits of these runs - I invite you to read my previous article.

Most Passenger Luggage Not Checked

jim — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:33:50 +0000

It’s amazing that over four years after 9/11 that the Transportation Security Administration still hasn’t gotten its act together enough to check even the majority of all passenger luggage for explosives. In an article in USAToday:

All cargo should be inspected before going on passenger planes, [Rep. Edward] Markey said.

The TSA objects to the idea, saying it would cost the government $3.6 billion over 10 years and could delay cargo shipments.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…