TravelSkills Picks
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Buy or redeem seats on United's final 747 flights
This bird’s about to go extinct (Image: United)<p><b>United is running its final 747 flight between San Francisco and Honolulu on Tuesday, November 7</b> to …
AirlinesPopular: Cell phone searches + LA hotel scene + Polaris update + Air France + TWA hotel
In Los Angeles checking out the new hotel scene this week. Rooftop of the spectacular new Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills<p>This week Chris was in LA to …
AirlinesShow U.S. Customs the contents of your phone...or else!
The ACLU is challenging CBP’s right to search travelers’ phones without a warrant. (Image: Customs & Border Protection)<p>Last spring, the American …
SurveillanceRitz in Atlanta, Marriott in Chicago, Hilton in NYC + Los Angeles, Austin
A luxurious suite overlooking Phipps Plaza at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta. (Image: Ritz-Carlton)<p>In recent hotel news, a classic Atlanta …
HotelsPolaris business class seat now on 15 United jets
United’s Polaris business class seat on a Boeing 767-300 (Image: United)<p><b>By now nearly every United frequent flier has heard about its new Polaris</b> …
AirlinesAward travel prices: United’s are up, Delta’s down
Domestic award travel costs on Delta have dropped almost 20 percent since 2013. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)<p>A new analysis of award travel costs among …
AirlinesUnited adds 4 new nonstops to Europe
United will fly from San Francisco to Zurich next summer. (Image: Zurich Tourism)<p>You wanted to book award travel to Europe this summer but couldn’t …
AirlinesAre Basic Economy fares a bust?
Are Basic Economy fares doing what they were designed for? (Photo: Chris McGinnis)<p>Now that the big U.S. airlines are rapidly rolling out a bare-bones …
AirlinesPopular: 747 final flights + Fall hotel bonuses + New routes + New cards + Planespotting
Delta’s grand old 747 flew in to rescue Floridians from Irma’s wrath this week. Photo from Delta Museum’s 747 Experience at ATL. (Chris McGinnis)<p><b>Did</b> …
AirlinesA new way to Australia on United
Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia– you can now get there from Houston on United. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)<p><b>United will launch new nonstops between</b> …
AirlinesCatching up after time off: What happened in August
I spent the last week of my summer break on assignment in Mexico City. Photo taken a Contramar where I had my best meal<p>I’m baaaack! Tanned and …
AirlinesHurry up & wait at airport immigration lines this summer
International passengers arriving at SFO can now use faster Mobile Passport kiosks at customs (Photo: SFO)<p><b>We are in the midst of an international</b> …
AirportsRoutes: Hawaiian, Alaska, Delta, United, Southwest
Hawaiian will start deploying new single-aisle Airbus A321neos later this year. (Image: Airbus)<p>In domestic route news, Hawaiian Airlines will add new …
AirlinesPopular: United 747 + Delta boarding + TSA screening + Bootleg booze + Cheaper fares
United-s 747s disappearing soon. Have you taken a final ride? (Photo: Chris McGinnis)<b>TravelSkills’ 10 most popular posts over the last week</b> …
AirlinesDelta tests speedier boarding tactics
A gate agent uses a handheld device to assist a passenger. (Image: Delta)Delta Air Lines is using three gates at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson to try …
AirlinesTainted alcohol and travel: What you need to know
Tainted alcohol is not just present in Mexico. It is a global problem- traveler beware (Image: Pixabay)<b>>In this post: Bootleg or tainted booze not</b> …
AlcoholRoutes: United, Norwegian, Thomas Cook, Alitalia, BA, Level, Air France, Scoot
United will fly a 787 between Denver and London next summer. (Image: United)In international route developments, <b>Denver is getting new transatlantic</b> …
AirlinesNYC: 4 ways to snag cheap Broadway tickets
Looking for cheap Broadway seats in NYC? (Image: Pixabay)<b>Whether you are in New York City for a business trip or a long weekend, seeing a live</b> …
Airlines6 sexy new hotels in LA, NYC, Seattle, Honolulu, Charlotte
A room at the new Dream Hollywood. (Image: Dream Hotels)In new hotels news, Dream Hotels comes to Hollywood; a legendary hotelier opens a new hotel …
HotelsAct fast to fly on a domestic United 747
A United 747-400. (Image: United)Every now and then an anomalous domestic flight of a 747 creeps into the schedules – sometimes with little …
AirlinesTravelSkills: Staying safe while abroad [Infographic]
Relaxed, fun-loving selfie takers should remain wary of cell phone snatchers on summer trips (Photo: Whitey Blustein)<b>Travelers are a popular targets</b> …
TravelAirport news: LAX, LaGuardia, JFK, Salt Lake, Boston +
LAX’s Terminal 1.5 will link T1 and T2. (Image: Los Angeles World Airports)In recent airport developments, Los Angeles officials gave a green light …
AirlinesPopular: Cheaper fares + Hilton penalty + Airline fees + JD Power surprise + Global Entry
All Hilton brands move to 48-hour cancellation policy, including the slick new Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (Image: Waldorf Astoria</b> …
Airlines“Free” airport parking, cheap rentals back at SFO, LAX
TravelCar will rent your car to another traveler while you’re away. (Image: TravelCar)Remember FlightCar? It was a San Francisco-based start-up that …
Air TravelCheaper one-way or roundtrip? The old rules are changing
Should you buy a roundtrip ticket or two one-ways?. (Image: Chris McGinnis)For a long time, it has been part of air travel orthodoxy that it’s always …
Air TravelAirlines: Are watery welcomes drying up?
Wait. What? A wet salute in California? (Photo: SJC)<b>Instead of rolling out a red carpet to welcome a new or special flight, airports frequently greet</b> …
AirlinesWhich airlines earn most from fees, frequent flyer programs?
Airlines haul in billions from checked bag fees – but make more from loyalty programs (Image: Jim Glab)Everyone knows that almost all airlines have …
AirlinesRoutes: Delta to China, Mexico deals, Cathay upgrades, Saudi, WOW, United
Delta will use a 777-200LR for its new Atlanta-Shanghai flights. (Image: Delta)In international route developments, Delta announces a major new …
AirlinesHilton joins Marriott in restrictive 48-hour cancellation rule
New cancellation policy coming to all Hilton brands later this month (Image: Hampton Inns)Starting July 31, you’ll have to <b>cancel your Hilton hotel</b> …
Hospitality