Frequent-flier plans: a happy 25th?
Frequent-flier plans: a happy 25th? — Many frequent fliers have become disenchanted with their programs of late. They complain that they often cannot get free tickets or upgrades to their desired destinations. Airlines say there are plenty of free tickets available. Are airline frequent-flier programs still a good deal on their 25th anniversary? (The Chicago Tribune)
High gas prices will last years, Bush aides say — Gasoline prices will remain high for years to come and will be largely unaffected by a new White House plan to bring them down, Bush administration officials said Sunday. (The Los Angeles Times)
Attack on St. Martin worries gay groups — An attack on two gay tourists this month on St. Martin has caused some concern among gay rights groups and a potential public relations problem for the island. But it hasn’t stopped gay travelers from vacationing there. (The New York Times)
Egyptian resort fears slump in tourism — The suicide attacks last week on international peacekeepers in the northern Sinai added to the uncertainty gripping this resort town after a triple bombing here Monday killed more than 20 people. (AP)
Surcharges fueling higher costs for air travel — Qantas says that effective May 5 it will levy an extra $98, each way, on international flights to compensate for rapidly rising fuel prices. And it’s not the only airline moving quickly to pass on rising fuel costs to long-haul customers. (USA Today)
Let a podcast be your idiosyncratic guide — Podcasts are audio recordings posted online that you can download to iPods and other MP3 players for free. Among the travel-themed are offerings by Fodors.com, RickSteves.com, and BudgetTravelOnline.com. Even Virgin Atlantic Airlines (www.virginatlantic.loudish.com) produces podcasts, including one on New York with Tony Soprano-like narration. (The New York Times)
Did someone flub a fact? TripAdvisor lets you fix it — The hotel review website TripAdvisor.com this month added “wiki” functionality to its site with a new feature called TripAdvisor Inside. Wiki will make it possible for visitors to TripAdvisor to contribute original content to an online guidebook. Anyone with more current or additional information can then edit and update it. (The Los Angeles Times)
Boeing in talks to buy parts supplier Aviall — Boeing Co. is in “advanced” discussions to buy aviation parts supplier Aviall Inc. for an estimated $1.7 billion, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Monday. (Reuters)
Sustainable tourism study breaks little new ground — A four-year, $1.2 million state project that was intended to answer the question of how much tourism activity Hawaii can comfortably sustain falls short of providing any specific answers. (Pacific Business News)
Beset by woes, fighting for a future, Amtrak turns 35 — Last year, President Bush proposed no federal aid for Amtrak, its highly touted high-speed train was sidelined for months with brake problems, and its president was fired. Still, the passenger railroad celebrates its 35th birthday today. (AP)
Hells Angel arrested trying to board flight with loaded gun — A man believed to be a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club is accused of trying to board a plane in British Columbia with a loaded gun. (AP)
That ‘ugly American’ image is getting a makeover guide — A business group is attempting to beautify the time-worn image of the ugly American by promoting an attitude adjustment among business executives traveling abroad. (USA Today)
In some cases, flying can be cheaper than driving — Travelers may want to do one last thing before they pack up the car for the annual road trip this summer — check airfares. With gas prices topping $3 per gallon, airline executives say they’ve seen a recent boost in fliers who otherwise would have driven, particularly on shorter routes with competition from discount airlines. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
New York fliers may get choice a bit farther out — Worried about a looming traffic jam in the skies over New York City, aviation officials have begun studying ways that other airports — some more than 60 miles from Midtown Manhattan — could help relieve the congestion. (The New York Times)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.