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TRAVEL
NEWS & INFORMATION
(Last updated: 11/20/2008 11:01 AM
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Transportation
Runways open at Chicago, Seattle, Washington airports
Three of the nation's busiest airports will
open new runways today, creating the largest one-day increase in aviation
capacity in more than a decade...
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Spread the word,
USAir’s bringing back Preferred bonus miles
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500 mile segment
minimums return, too
We're reinstating
Preferred bonus miles beginning today, November 20, 2008. Preferred
members will earn the following bonuses:
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Chairman's
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100%
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Platinum
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75%
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Gold
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50%
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Silver
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25%
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We're also awarding retroactive* Preferred bonus miles for flights taken
between August 6 and November 19, 2008.
Preferred
members will once again earn a 500 mile segment minimum. We'll award
retroactive segment minimums for all Preferred members flights from May 1
through November 19, 2008.
All Dividend
Miles members traveling on US Airways Shuttle flights will earn a minimum
of 500 miles per segment. Retroactive segment minimums will be awarded
for any Shuttle flight flown between May 1 and November 19, 2008.
Travel better with these changes, as well as existing Preferred benefits
like the best upgrade window in the industry, free first and second
checked bags, access to Choice Seat assignments and more. It pays to be
Preferred.
Thanks for your continued support.
*Retroactive
miles will be reflected on Dividend Miles member's December e-Statements.
Members who log in to the Dividend Miles online profile will be able to
see the adjustments beginning December 1, 2008.
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Amex To Cut 10% Of Workforce,
CWT To Move Some Transaction Support To India
American Express today said it plans to cut $1.8 billion in costs next year
through a combination of cutting operating expenses, curbing investment
spending and slashing headcount by 7,000 jobs or about 10 percent of
worldwide employees. Meanwhile, competitor Carlson Wagonlit Travel unveiled
some staffing changes of its own this week involving movement of some
transaction services to India.
Short North Travel is based
here, in the Good Old U.S. of A.!
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Disney Cruise Line
Sets Expanded Europe Program for 2010
Published on: October 7, 2008
Disney Cruise Line (DCL) said it will reposition one
of its ships, Disney Magic, to Europe for a five-month season of Northern
European and Mediterranean cruises in 2010. For the first time, DCL will
offer a 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise, where guests can
experience fjords, city centers and Viking lore in such Scandinavian ports
as Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm. The ship will also sail to Warnemunde,
Germany, gateway to Berlin, and to St. Petersburg, Russia. Disney Magic
will overnight in St. Petersburg, allowing guests time to experience the
city known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” or use the second day to
book a shore excursion to Moscow.
“The Northern European Capitals itinerary provides our
guests with an amazing collection of destinations to explore,” said Disney
Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. “We’re excited to bring the rich
history, culture and folklore these ports offer to life for our guests in a
family-friendly way only Disney Cruise Line can deliver.”
Departing out of Dover, England, Disney Magic will
sail a total of four 12-night cruises to the Northern European capitals in June
and July 2010. Rates for the 12-night Northern European Capitals itinerary
start at $3,649 per person for a category 11 stateroom. Book-ending the
summer season in Northern Europe, Disney Magic will once again return to
the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises, but with three new ports
of call not offered when DCL last sailed the Mediterranean. In addition to
popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit
Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Corsica, the
island that was the birthplace of Napoleon.
Departing out of Barcelona, Spain, the Disney Magic
will sail four 10-night and four 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean in
April, May, August and September. Rates for the 10- and 11-night
Mediterranean cruises start at $2,529 per person for a category 11
stateroom. DCL will also offer four repositioning cruises including two
14-night transatlantic voyages, a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to
Dover, England, and an eight-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona. Ask
Deb for more details and promotional collateral for you to get a group
going now or a family vacation on Disney Magic’s new sailings at
614-228-1868 or E-Mail.
While Disney Magic cruises Europe in 2010, Disney
Wonder will shift to four- and five-night cruises sailing to Nassau, Key
West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The shift is designed to
accommodate guests looking for slightly longer cruises with DCL while
children are enjoying their summer break. Rates for the special five-night
voyages to Key West or two stops at Castaway Cay start at $899 per person,
while the four-night voyage begins at $849 per person for a category 11
stateroom. Guests will be able to book all DCL itineraries for the 2010
season beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 14. For more information, call
614-228-1868 or E-Mail.
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by ModernAgent.com
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California Sues YTB For
Engaging in Pyramid Scheme
A day before 20,000 members of YTB (YourTravelBiz.com) were about to
convene for the company’s annual meeting in St. Louis, California
Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced a lawsuit against the
company. The lawsuit, which seeks $25 million in fines and restitution,
charges YTB with operating a “gigantic pyramid scheme” that recruited
tens of thousands of members with deceptive claims that members could
earn huge sums of money through its online travel agencies.
“YourTravelBiz.com operates a gigantic pyramid scheme that is immensely
profitable to a few individuals on top and a complete rip-off for most
everyone else,” Brown said. “Today’s lawsuit seeks to shut down the
company’s unlawful operation before more people are exploited by the
scam.” The attorney general’s office issued a statement that said
YourTravelBiz.com and its affiliates operate an illegal pyramid scheme
that only benefits members if and when they find enough new members to
join the scam. Once enrolled, the attorney general’s office said, members
who join the pyramid scheme earn compensation for each new person they
enlist, regardless of whether they sell any travel. The company lures new
members by offering huge income opportunities through online travel
agencies yet the typical person actually makes nothing selling travel.
The attorney general’s office said that, according to company records,
there were over 200,000 YTB members in 2007 that typically paid more than
$1,000 per year -- $449.95 to set up an “online travel agency” with a
monthly fee of $49.95. In 2007, only 38 percent of the company’s members
made any travel commissions, according the attorney general’s office. For
the minority of members who made any travel commission in 2007, the
median income was $39 -- less than one month’s cost to keep the YTB
website. There are at least 139,000 of the company’s travel websites, all
virtually identical, on the Internet.
YourTravelBiz.com’s extensive marketing materials include videos of
people driving Porsches and other luxury cars, holding $10,000 checks,
and claiming to be raking in millions of dollars in profits. The company
advertises through its website, www.ytb.com and at conventions, workshops
and nationwide sales meetings, many of which have been held in California locations such as Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego.
The California attorney general’s office charged YTB, its affiliates, and
the company’s founders, J. Lloyd Tomer, J. Scott Tomer, J. Kim Sorensen
and Andrew Cauthen, with operating an “endless chain scheme,” an unlawful
pyramid in which a person pays money for the chance to receive money by
recruiting new members to join the pyramid. The attorney general also
charged the company with unfair business practices and false advertising
practices, including deceptive claims that members can earn millions of
dollars with the company, operating without filing legally mandated
documents with the attorney general and the Department of Corporations,
and selling an illegal travel discount program
Under California’s unfair business practices statue, the company is
liable for $2,500 per violation of law. Attorney General Brown is suing
YourTravelBiz.com to get a court order that bars the company from making
false or misleading statements and assesses a civil penalty of at least
$15 million and at least $10 million in restitution for Californians who
were allegedly ripped off by the company. For more information on YTB,
visit www.yourtravelbiz.com. The California attorney general said
consumers who believe they have been affected by the alleged pyramid
scheme should send a written complaint with copies of any supporting
documentation to: Office of the Attorney General, Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, Calif. 94244-2550; or through an online
complaint form at http://ag.ca.gov/contact/complaint_form.php?cmplt=CL.
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NWA Warns Customers of Phony E-Mail
Bogus e-mail contains virus
Northwest Airlines today warned e-mail users that an e-mail
containing phony ticket confirmation and enrollment information is being sent
using the Company’s name. The e-mails are suspected of containing a virus
that infects the user’s computer when they open attachments.
The e-mails thank the recipient for using the new service “Buy
flight ticket Online” on the airline’s website. It states an account has
been set up and gives the e-mail user an account number and password. It
also tells them how much their credit card has been charged. An
attachment is supposed to be the invoice and ticket but instead contains
a virus that infects the user’s computer once it is opened.
The e-mail also contains spelling and grammatical errors.
Northwest Airlines’ vice president of e-commerce, Al Lenza says,
“Customers should be aware that these e-mails are not coming from the
airline. NWA itineraries are specific and contain information that
customer will recognize. If the format does not look familiar to you, and
you have not recently purchased a ticket, do not open the attachment.
Delete the email right away.”
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Destinations
OMG! I was there the 1st
year!: Switzerland's Bern Sets 25th
Anniversary Celebration
Published on: July 30, 2008 -- advertisement --
The Old Town of Bern
in 1983 was accorded listing as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 25th
anniversary celebration will take place on Sept. 13. It's just one of
several events taking place in the Swiss capital. From July 30 to Aug. 10,
English tournament knights will demonstrate the artistry and skills
associated in a 'pas d'armes' on Bern Switzerland's Helvetiaplatz.
Before the tournament starts, visitors will be able to follow tournament
preparations in the Museum Park. Bern also will host the
5th Buskers Festival from Aug. 7 to 9. The festival will feature artists
from all around the world including 33 groups performing on 30 stages,
presenting more than 250 shows. The inaugural Victoria Cup will feature NHL
challenger New York Rangers taking on European champion Metallurg
Magnitogorsk on Oct. 1. Call
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Lufthansa Cancels 70 Flights on Second Day
of Strike
Published on: July 30, 2008 1:57 p.m.
Lufthansa said it had
cancelled 70 flights on Tuesday, the second day of an open-ended strike by
maintenance workers for higher wages. Service was cancelled to domestic and
European destinations, but represented just 3 percent of all scheduled
flights by the carrier. Long-haul flights were operating normally. About
5,000 maintenance, freight and catering staff stopped work on Monday but
few flights were disrupted on the first day. The union wants a 9.8 percent
pay hike over a year for around 50,000 workers, while Lufthansa has offered
6.7 percent over 21 months. Lufthansa said customers should check on their
flight status prior to their trip. The airline is offering a dedicated
customer hotline for information regarding bookings affected by the strike:
0800–8506070 (toll free from the German landline and mobile). Customers
calling from outside Germany are kindly requested
to contact their local Lufthansa Service Center.
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Italy: Feeding pigeons in Venice banned
As of 5/6/2008, it is illegal to
feed the pigeons in St. Mark's Square in Venice. The effort to
banish the birds is part of a greater campaign to spruce up the city.
Stewards now patrol historic sites and can issue fines — starting at 50
euros or US$78 — to tourists caught feeding the birds.
China: Strict new rules to limit smoking in
Beijing
The Beijing government banned
smoking in public places. The ban covers hotels and restaurants, which will
have to offer nonsmoking areas, as well as fitness centers, offices,
meeting rooms, elevators and public restrooms. Originally the government
had wanted to make bars and restaurants entirely smoke-free but backed off
when business owners objected.
Australia: Federal police warn
of con man at Sydney Airport
A serial con man is operating at Sydney's airport, police
warned last week. Authorities say this person has been approaching people
at the airport, flashing what look like official papers and offering to
sell them unclaimed goods at discount prices. Some victims who fell for the
ruse have lost large sums of money. Police say the prime suspect is Barry
John Faulkner, who has done some jail time in the past and once was
featured on the TV show Australia's Most Wanted. Reportedly he has
variously represented himself as a pilot, a doctor and a member of the '60s
music group The Monkees.
Europe: EU publishes new
blacklist for airlines
The EU has published a new version of its blacklist for
airlines that are not allowed in European airspace because of concerns
about their safety standards. The list, published to warn air travelers to
avoid suspect carriers when flying outside Europe, includes all
airlines from Indonesia, the Democratic
Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. Carriers that are
based in Gabon have been added to
the list, although Gabon Airlines and Afrijet will be able to continue
existing service to and from Europe. The list also bans
some carriers based in the Ukraine and the Kyrgyz Republic.
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Princess plans to add adult-only
decks to entire fleet
Princess plans to add quiet, adult-only deck areas to its entire fleet of
ships, expanding the popular Sanctuary spots that debuted on the Crown
Princess in 2006... USA Today
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Another first place
finish for US Airways
The Department of Transportation
recently released its January Air Travel Consumer Report. For the second
month in a row US Airways finished first in on-time performance among major
airlines
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Bangladesh, India: Kolkata-Dhaka
train services set to resume after 43 years
Passenger train service between India and Bangladesh is set to resume April 14 after a break in
service lasting 43 years. A train reportedly will run between Kolkata and Dhaka on weekends. The train from Dhaka will run every Saturday, while the train from
Kolkata will run every Sunday. The train service was stopped during the
India-Pakistan war in 1965.
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Canceling a no-show
flight to retain value
To retain value for future use,
tickets must be canceled before midnight on the day of departure. If the
passenger has already no-showed for the flight, but cancels (with the
agency) prior to midnight, you must call Reservations to
document the PNR in order to retain value.
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Amtrak To Deploy Airport-Like
Security
Passengers on Amtrak will now face security similar to that encountered at
airports, the rail line announced this week. Amtrak's new Mobile Security
Team will begin randomly searching passengers' bags and deploy armed Amtrak
police, armed counter-terrorism special agents and bomb-sniffing dogs on
trains and platforms. The screening and patrols will vary times and
stations, and Amtrak officials said it would not affect train schedules.
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Women Prefer Travel Over Flowers, Jewelry
for Valentines
Published on: February 13, 2008
Guys wanting to wow
their wife or girlfriend with a last-minute gift for Valentine's Day may
want to pack their bags, according to survey results released by the Travel
Industry Association (TIA). The survey shows that a stay at a hotel or bed
and breakfast is even more popular for a Valentine's Day gift than flowers
or jewelry. Research firm Synovate surveyed more than 1,000 women across
the country to find out what they would prefer to receive as a Valentine's
Day gift, assuming all options cost about the same. A romantic getaway
topped the list, with four in 10 (36 percent) women reporting that they
would most prefer an overnight stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast. Dinner
at a restaurant ranked second, preferred by one-third (32 percent) of
women. Jewelry was preferred as a gift by only two in ten (21 percent)
women. Flowers (8 percent) and Lingerie (2 percent) ranked at the bottom of
the list. Women aged 25-34 years old are the most likely to prefer the gift
of travel for Valentine's Day (49 percent), followed by women aged 35-44
years old (39 percent). Married women (40 percent) and, not surprisingly,
women with children (42 percent) are also much more likely to prefer a
romantic getaway. For more information, visit tia.org.
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United To Charge Domestic
Passengers For Additional Bags
United Airlines said it would charge customers $25 to check a second bag if
they are flying on a nonrefundable domestic ticket and do not have Mileage
Plus or Star Alliance status. The new policy impacts bookings for travel
beginning May 5, 2008.
US Airways Adopts Second Bag Fee
US Airways this week joined United Airlines in charging passengers $25 to
check a second bag each way. US Airways said the new fee is
effective for tickets booked on or after Feb. 26 for travel beginning May 5, 2008.
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 Sophisticated
restaurant Palo is the perfect spot for a grown-up getaway.
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Adults Afloat
It's no secret that
a Disney cruise can be the perfect getaway for a family traveling with
kids - activities, tropical islands, and Disney Characters are just a few
of the elements on a cruise that almost guarantee a good trip with the
little ones. But you don't need to be, or have, a child to enjoy a Disney
cruise - we've discovered some tips that can help you create a cruise
experience that the grown-ups will adore. Whether you're traveling on a
romantic getaway, joining friends for a floating reunion, or just looking
for something to do while the kids enjoy some of the "just for
them" onboard activities - a Disney Cruise Line® vacation can be
anything but kid stuff.
WINING AND DINING
Looking for an intimate, adults-only dinner opportunity? Both the Disney
Magic® and the Disney Wonder® have just the spot - the elegant
gastronomical hideaway Palo. This fine haven of Northern Italian cuisine
is just for grown-ups, so that romantic dinner will happen in a suitable
atmosphere...
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China: Report lists possible risks
during Olympics
A report issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences warns of 10
areas of security risks that could disrupt the Beijing Olympic Games in
August. In particular, the group, whose reports are regarded as a sort of
blue book of Chinese society, warned of "narrow-minded
nationalists" who could disrupt Olympic events. Other areas of concern
cited in the report include air pollution, traffic jams, food safety,
disease outbreaks and a breakdown in information links.
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 Although it wasn't
always easy, "Snow White," like its heroine, has lived happily
ever after.
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Snow White Turns 70
In 1937, movies
cost a dime and the country was in the depths of the Great Depression.
Radio was an exciting new phenomenon, while TV was hardly a gleam on the horizon.
And a young princess was about to sing her way into the hearts of America.
Looking back now, 70 years later, it's easy to forget what an astonishing
achievement Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
really is. The first animated feature in movie history, it is also one of
the most beautifully achieved -- and the most beloved. With "Snow
White" having just celebrated its 70th anniversary in December, we
thought it was time to take a look back at some lesser-known aspects of this
landmark film.
"Snow White" launched Disney as THE house of animation, and
began a legendary string of animated classics. However, it came
perilously close to not being made at all! Feature-length animation was a
huge gamble for the Studio -- would anyone really want to watch a mere
cartoon for more than a few minutes? Walt was convinced...
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Ireland, U.K.: Aer Lingus service to Heathrow
switches from Shannon to Belfast
After almost 60 years of service,
Aer Lingus flights between Ireland's Shannon Airport and London's Heathrow Airport came to an end on Sunday. Based
on a decision made last August, Aer Lingus transferred its Heathrow slots
to Belfast International, where it now offers three flights to London per day. The Heathrow flights
mark the fourth of nine new routes at Belfast International since the
airline decided to set up its new U.K. hub there; service to Amsterdam,
Barcelona and Geneva began in December, and flights to Budapest, Malaga,
Rome, Faro and Nice are scheduled to begin before the spring.
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The Wait Is
Finally Over!
TravelSafe Introduces
NEW Family Plan!
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TravelSafe
Introduces NEW Family Plan,
"TravelSafe Elements"
Our agents talked...and we listened!
TravelSafe is proud to present another industry first...
A Non Age-Rated Family Plan that
covers family members
age 18 and under at NO ADDITIONAL
COST!
Our new TravelSafe Elements Family Plan
includes the broad coverage you've come to expect from the industry's
travel insurance leader. Our industry-first Cancel For ANY Reason cash
benefit is also available on this plan.
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Deb
Roberts...Thanks to you, Viking River Cruises has won
again!
Travel agents across America have cast their
votes for the best of the best in the travel industry, and the results
are in: Viking River Cruises was named the Number One River Cruise Line
for the second year running.
"This is the industry insiders' award," said Arnie Weissmann,
Travel Weekly's Vice President and Editor in Chief. "Travel
Weekly's readership understands what it takes to 'wow' a traveler.
Not only are the travel professionals who vote avid travelers
themselves, but they also hear firsthand the unvarnished truth—the
compliments and complaints—from thousands of American consumers. To be
voted a winner in any category is confirmation that you've won the
hearts of American travel agents and their customers."
"We are extremely pleased and honored to once again receive this
outstanding recognition from the industry," said Torstein Hagen,
Chairman, CEO and founder of Viking River Cruises. "We strongly
support our travel industry partners, and work hard to ensure that our
quality standards not only meet but exceed the expectations of both
travel agents and their clients. We appreciate the support of our
travel partners and guests."
In addition to being honored by Travel Weekly readers, Viking
River Cruises has received similar recognition from travel industry
professionals this past year when they were named "Best Overall
Cruise Line for River Cruising" by Travel Age West, as well
as being named the #1 River Cruise Line by Recommend, a key
monthly trade publication. The company was also honored with a Condé
Nast Traveler's "Reader's Choice" Top Ten listing for
Small Ship Cruise Lines, and CruiseReport.com named Viking
"Best River Cruise Line" as well.
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THE BEST BENEFIT IN
THE TRAVEL INSURANCE INDUSTRY JUST GOT BETTER!
Two years after
becoming the first travel insurance provider to market a "Cancel For
Any Reason" cash benefit option, TravelSafe Insurance is p | |
