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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
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.
