| WTA Travel Talk |
| Mar. 15, 2012 |
Hedging your frequent flyer miles
Reuters
The business of frequent flyer miles is a big game; an often complex puzzle that is intended not so much to reward loyalty as to encourage it. Being blindly loyal to one program in the process of building your bank of points or miles can mean ending up with more expensive flights and less convenient connections. That's why some experts — very frequent flyers, bargain hunters and industry analysts — have developed hedging strategies.More
WTA RV Finance and Refinance Program
WTA
With WTA's competitive financing program, you can take advantage of our partnership with one of the most respected RV finance companies in the nation. You'll experience truly helpful service, with fast turnaround times, from professionals who understand how to get you into an RV loan that won't break your budget.
Through the WTA RV Finance and Refinance Program, you’ll receive:
Bon voyage to muscle aches and pains: Trips for pain-free travel
WTA
According to a national survey, almost half of all frequent travelers assume that discomfort and pain are an unavoidable part of their travel experience. That's not surprising since 1 out of 3 travelers report having stiff or sore muscles almost every time they travel. But there's good news. We've polled more than 1,000 frequent travelers to compile their tried and tested tips on how they keep muscle aches and pains from getting in the way of where they need to go. Learn more.More
Top 10 beach destinations in the US
TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor recently released the 2012 Traveler's Choice Awards, "as awarded by millions of real travelers," including the top beach destinations in the United States. Beaches from California, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina and Virginia rank in the top 10. But which beach was selected the winner?More
Look now for summer travel deals
Courier-Post
Hoping to get a good deal on summer travel? Start planning now. The official start to spring is fast approaching and airfares for summer are rising fast. Many fare-watchers think summer prices will be significantly higher than last year. How much ticket prices go up will depend largely on the price of fuel, often an airline's biggest expense. The average fare was 9 percent higher in January than a year earlier, according to the trade group Airlines for America. So what's a would-be traveler to do?More
Spring is in the air, but deals are on the slopes
ABC News
Don't trade your ski gear for resort wear just yet. There are still a few weeks of ski season left and the deals are abundant. Warmer-than-usual weather in much of the country means many travelers have beaches, not snow, on the brain. And that translates into plenty of availability and wide-open trails for spring vacations.More
Tips for preparing your child to board a plane during busy travel season
KYW-TV
A New England family was removed from a plane before take-off because their scared 2-year-old took an exceptionally long time to sit in her seat and be belted in. The incident did not happen on US Airways, but their spokesperson, former flight attendant and commercial pilot Todd Lehmacher, says it's important for kids to be prepared. A local airline has tips for parents to better prepare their child as the busy spring travel season approaches.More
8 foreign fast-food chains you need to know
Budget Travel
Dining at white-table restaurants abroad is certainly a treat of travel — if you can afford it. But if you really want a glimpse into local culture, there's no better way than sampling the fare residents grab on the go. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the meals are as tasty as they are cheap. Budget Travel makes its picks for the best foreign fast-food venues overseas.More
Tips for improving your train travel
Gadling
The railroad is the oldest, commercial mass transport of the modern age, predating the car and the airplane by at least 100 years. From smartphone apps that help you plan and book your travel, to a new crop of high-speed trains, train services across the globe have upgraded to appeal to frustrated air travelers and entice would-be drivers from their cars. Gadling takes a look at all the ways traveling by train is smarter in 2012.More
Spring travel: Deals to weave wellness into your next trip
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Just in time for making a fresh start this spring, hundreds of spas, yoga studios, gyms and other wellness businesses will come together from March 19 to March 25 for Wellness Week 2012, a nationwide event dedicated to helping people take charge of their health. For consumers seeking a weekend getaway to refresh, many of the world's top destination spas will also be offering special Wellness Week offers.More
Watch out for travel gotchas
Chicago Tribune
You get to your departure airport — even worse, you arrive at your destination — only to find you've forgotten to do or get something you critically need. Gotcha! In the worst case, your destination doesn't even let you out of the airport. Obviously, the time to worry about the gotchas is before you start your trip, not during it. Here are some key gotchas to check before you leave.More
Senator: Grade buses on safety
Times Union
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., announced a plan to crack down on poorly performing bus carrier companies who primarily specialize in low-cost transit. Schumer's bill would require bus companies to display a viewable letter grade safety rating, which would allow consumers to make educated decisions on which company they travel with.More