TRAVEL - VACATION SPOTS
United Airlines raises roundtrip fares
NEW YORK - As if on cue, airlines are responding to oil's latest surge by pushing ticket prices even higher.
Roundtrip domestic fares began rising $10 to $20 or more late Thursday, as crude futures crossed the once-unthinkable $100-a-barrel mark. Several major carriers increased prices, with each citing higher fuel costs as the reason.
The widespread increases follow nearly two dozen attempted systemwide fare hikes in 2007, or about double the number during the previous year, according to data compiled by FareCompare.com, which tracks airfare changes. More
19 British airports to relax bag rules
LONDON - Passengers traveling through 19 British airports will be allowed to carry two pieces of cabin luggage through security checks starting on Monday, the government said.
The one-cabin bag rule, imposed for security reasons in 2006, is being lifted at Heathrow, Stansted, London City, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham and Aberdeen airports among others, the Department of Transport said.
Airports where the one-bag rule will stay in place include Gatwick, Luton, Leeds, Bradford and Liverpool. Continue
15 predictions for business travel in 2008
Business travelers will remember 2007 as a year of brutal flight delays, crowded airplanes and higher prices. 2008 promises to be even worse.
Several fare hikes and strong travel demand helped the U.S. airline industry turn its first annual profit in seven years according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). But IATA also believes that rising oil prices and a softening U.S. economy amid declining home values and eroding consumer confidence will cause airline profits to plummet again this year. Airlines shelled out $135 billion for fuel in 2007 and IATA's projected $78 per barrel oil price in the coming year will add another $14 billion to airline operating costs. Report
Disaster looms for Kenyan tourism
The Foreign Office's decision to warn against all but essential travel to Kenya could lead to the collapse of tourism in the country, officials there have warned.
This week the Foreign Office upgraded its advice following an escalation in violence that has resulted in more than 340 deaths following the disputed presidential election. Full Story
20 Travel Secrets
As a world traveler who has been to over 50 countries and 6 continents, I am no novice when it comes to being a road warrior. I've learned a lot, sometimes the hard way, through my own travels and interaction with travel industry representatives and people overseas.
As for me, I prefer to get all of the aggravation out of the way first before going on vacation, so when I travel I can enjoy time with my wife and relax. Here are some of my world-class traveling secrets.
1. Always comparatively shop and check prices for hotels, flights and cruises online before purchasing. Continue