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Bannister Travel Blog
What's Happening in the travel industry right now?
WOW!!! The economy is finally coming back up and people are beginning to book travel again.
The airlines are still charging outrageous prices on fares, they still charge for checked luggage unless you are traveling first class, and if you want something to eat, you still have to pay for it except on international flights. From Memphis, the best deals can be found with AirTran where you can upgrade to first class for up to $79. It is worth every penny, and I upgrade whenever possible. Outside of Memphis, try Southwest where everyone has the same chance at good seats.
Where cruises are concerned, there are some really great rates out there. If you are traveling out of New Orleans, Mobile, or Galveston and can drive to those ports, you will save a fortune in airfare. Carnival, RCCL, and NCL are all sailing out of these ports.
Don't forget to check out travel insurance. Here is my take on it. Do you drive your car or own your home with insurance? Do you have health insurance? If you are traveling outside the United State and you are if you go on any cruise, check with your health insurance carrier and get a copy of the page that says you are covered outside the continental USA. I'm willing to bet you aren't. If you aren't, then you need travel insurance. If you pay a little more and purchase the cancel for any reason, then you are going to get back 75% of what you paid for your trip and it doesn't matter why. Contact me at 662-288-9052, and I will send you the forms. You just cannot take the chance of not having coverage if you are on a trip and you aren't covered.
Don't forget that the best way to travel is to contact your professional travel consultant before you make your plans so that you can be aware of all of the changes that are coming your way. Our agents are constantly in training to keep up with the industry trends, so call us today.
Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel
Is Travel Slowing Down?
12/30/20085:19:20 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Is The Economy Slowing Down Travel?
The biggest question in the travel industry right now is whether travel is slowing down or if our clients are still traveling.
I can tell you that Bannister Travel's clients are still traveling. Just because money is tight doesn't mean we have to stop traveling. If you are used to flying somewhere on vacation, try going on a cruise out of a port that you can drive from. Not purchasing airfare can save you a lot of money and with the money you save, you can upgrade to a balcony from an interior stateroom and have money left over.
In our area, we have Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, LA, and Gaveston, TX which are all within driving distance from the Mid-South area.
Our clients are taking 4, 5 and 7 day cruises out of these ports. We have 2 large group that is going out of New Orleans in January and another that is going out in February. Going in a group will help keep your costs down as well.
If you don't like cruising, you can drive to Nashville, St. Louis, Atlanta, Birmingham, Panama City, Branson, Gatlinburg, and any number of other places where you can have a great vacation and save that airfare money for something else.
Is the economy down? You bet it is. Does that have to change your vacation plans? Maybe a little, but at Bannister Travel, we are finding ways for our clients to have a great vacation with family and/or friends while staying within a budget that the clients set.
Call one of our agents today and let them help you plan a vacation. You can find them listed under "About Us" on our website.
Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel, 662-288-9052
Travel Insurance
9/24/20083:59:20 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Do you need Travel Insurance? Check with your health care providor and see if you are covered for medical expenses incurred outside the continental United States. If they say yes, have them fax you a copy of that page of your policy so that you have it in writting.
If not, contact me so that I can send you the information that you need to have to make a good decision about what you need.
Do you have pre-existing conditions that need to be covered? Do you know that you can be covered for as little as $50 and msot people don't pay over $150 no matter what kind of insurance they get.
It is always better to be sure, so check with your providor before you travel anywhere. If you go to the Grand Canyon and climb rocks, or if you go skiing in Colorado Springs, you may not be covered because it is consdiered a sports injury and many insurance policies don't cover that.
Just be sure. Please.
American Airlies raises price of second checked bag
9/16/200810:10:25 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
American Airlines is now charging $50 for the second checked bag. Be sure to check and see what the bag charges are for each airline before you decide to book with that particular airline. You have the right to choose to fly on those airlines which do not charge you.
Think about what would happen if we didn't fly those airlines who charge us for the first bag.
American Airlines to Charge for 1st checked bag.
5/22/200811:35:16 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
It was reported yesterday that American Airlines is going to start charging for the 1st bag checked at the airport. This is going to force everyone to take as much carry on luggage as possible to keep from checking any luggage.
This doesn't make much sense as we are now going to carry on two bags instead of the one that we might have carried on in the past. What are we going to do with this extra luggage? Where are we going to put it? There certainly isn't any room for additional luggage in the overhead compartments, and the space under the seat in front of you isn't large enough to hold much. It won't even hold my laptop case.
When I travel on a teaching assignment, I have to carry paperwork, laptop, gadgets, camera, camcorder, etc., so my laptop case is too large to fit. Therefore, it is considered my carry on bag. Now, I will have to leave the purse at home, carry a small purse that will fit into one of my bags, and carry the laptop case, and a small piece of luggage with me.
I will not fly American as I have to have something to put my clothes in. I am leaving on NW airlines on the 23rd, and I have the 1 bag allowed, all of my teaching materials in a laptop bag, and a small bag that contains medicines, a change of clothes, medicines, jewelry, etc, as well as what is going to serve as a purse while I am away. I am going on a teaching gig onboard a 7 day roundtrip cruise to Alaska. What is the temp. you might ask. Who knows? I have short sleeves, long sleeves, a jacket, and 2 formal outfits as well as teaching clothes, gad about clothes, and shoes, makeup, curling iron, hair spray, and the list just goes on. How did I get it all in one bag and a small carry on? I have no idea, but I do know that it is done.
American Airlines can keep their seats. It is difficult enough to pack for a 7 day trip. Bless your heart if you want to go on that wonderful 14 day Mediterranian Cruise that Royal Caribbean offers.
By the way. You might be interested to know that it is cheaper for your bag to be overweight than it is to pay for an extra bag on those airlines that allow you to check just one bag.
Hit the Waves with Larry and Patricia Bannister of Bannister Travel
5/19/20089:21:02 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Go to Sea With Bannister Travel
Bannister Travel Takes to the Waves
Larry and Patricia Bannister are taking a group to the Caribbean on a 5 day cruise on the Carnival Fantasy out of New Orleans on February 2, 2009. The Carnival Fantasy is being dry docked for refirbishments in August, so they are going to be some of the first to sail on her when she is put back into service.
The cold air will be here in February, and it will be nice to get away to somewhere warm at that time of year.
The prices are fantastic, and they just cannot be beat. See below:
Oceanview Stateroom - $432 ppdo
Oceanview staterooms are all that is left. The interior and the balcony staterooms are already taken.
$100 is due now with $150 being due in September and final payment being in November.
If you are interested, contact Patricia at 662-288-9052 or one of the agents listed under "About Us" on the home page of the website, and go with Larry and Patricia Bannister for great fun in the sun.
Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel
Memphis International Airport Information
5/14/20081:41:03 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
The fall of 2008 is bringing big changes to Memphis International Airport, and the biggest change is going to be in their long term parking. For several months this fall, there will be no long term parking at the airport as they tear down the existing structure and replace it with a newer, larger structure.
They will still have the side lots open if you just have to park at the airport.
I have a suggestion for you though. There is a parking area called Park It Here that is near the airport with around the clock shuttle service, oil changes, car washes, laundry services, meeting facilities, and internet accessibility for airport checkin all available to be done while you are away on your trip. Just imagine coming home to clean clothes, a clean car with it's oil changed, where you can sit down when you get back and have a cup of coffee and relax.
If you contact me, I will mail you a coupon to use so that you can park for less at Park It Here. They have some of the nicest and most service oriented personell that you will find anywhere. Why not call me today at 662-288-9052, get your coupon, and give them a try. You really have nothing to lose.
Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel
Information About New Orleans and Carnival Cruise Lines
5/14/20081:33:41 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
We have just learned that Carnival Cruise Lines is going to pull the Fantasy which is based out of New Orleans.
In August of this year, Carnival is going to put the Fantasy into dry dock for major renovations. In October, they will return the Fantasy to New Orleans where she will resume the 4 and 5 day schedule that she is running at this time. You need to book right away if you want to be the first to sail onboard the newly renovated Fantasy out of New Orleans going to Cozumel, MX and Playa del Carmen.
Although the Fantasy will not be in New Orleans for 3 months, you will still be able to take advantage of the Holiday which is sailing out of Mobile, AL with 4 and 5 day itineraries.
