Tagged With "airfare rules"
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Re: Norwegian bank is out of cash, on purpose
I'm not surprised that this is happening in Scandinavia, of all places. Many years ago I had friends in Denmark and Erik was an electrician. There wasn't enough work for all the electricians so they rotated the work and he worked for 6 months, then had 6 months off, paid. Sounds good? However, during the 6 months he was off he wasn't allowed to do any electrical work at all, including on his own house. I (and he) found the rule regarding his own house absurd. I see it related to the banking...
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Re: St Stephen's Green, Dublin. (Where Gumbo was #137)
I have to admit that the first clue reminded me, in succession, of a spot in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in Paris, of Prospect Park in Brooklyn and of Frogness Park in Oslo...it was only when the clues got more specific that I could rule them out, and only when the Fusiliers Arch appeared and I could search its text that I could find the answer. That arch, by the way, provoked a lot of controversy when erected in 1907; it memorializes a regiment in England's colonial war against the Dutch Boers...
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Re: Sunlight Chambers, Dublin
Rule number 1 - When visiting a city always keep your head up to see it's history. Lever Brothers built a Model Village near Liverpool to house its workers in the Sunlight Soap Factory.
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Re: "Mind Your Manners!" VisitBritain Warns Hoteliers
Agree with the sentiments. Either a rookie journalist or else an overly politically correct bureaucrat making sure every possible aggrieved individual is covered in this. As I recall the French did something similar last year. I tend to find British people to be very polite as a rule. Present company excluded, of course, GarryRF
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Re: Ryanair Ticketing through agents; codeshares next?
"Will the future take you on an American Airlines flight ...crossing the ocean and Ryanair taking you from there?" I rarely say "never" but, in this case, never. I've tried it and will say unequivocally, never again. I have a personal rule which states, "if the only way to get there is on Ryanair, I won't go there." The airline is a reflection of it's founder, which is to say, trashy.
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Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
I'd love it if they collected the bed tax here. Since they don't, and it's my impression that few here pay it, including it as part of my fee creates an imbalance for me, making it appear as though I'm getting more than I do. I state the breakdown in my listing but hardly anyone actually reads the listings. If they collected it, it would give a fair comparison of the room rate with the taxes added on at the end, as the fees are now. I think, though, despite what seems a good idea from the...
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Re: GPS v. Sicily = WTF
I have mixed feelings about GPS. Sometimes they're a good send. Other times they make for hazardous driving. As a rule, I still prefer old fashioned maps. Call me old fashioned..... As Pheymont said, hope you can share some of those great Sicilian travel experiences with us, Rbciao!
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Re: DOT: "mistake fares," won't fly, for now
This is really a blow to those of us who like to find bargain airfares. There were some abuses, but in general the post purchase rule been a good one for consumers and airlines. It's very hard to know a great sale from a mistaken fare. I hope the rule will be enforced in some way in the future.
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Re: Is Visa everywhere you want to be?
Very good advice, Rob...and also check with the card-issuer what fees it charges for overseas use...some of them not only charge foreign-exchange fees, but also hefty ATM fees! One idea that may make sense for many travelers: Charles Schwab has a "high-yield investment" checking account that seems almost like a dream. No fees, no minimum balance, no foreign exchange fees, no ATM fees, and if anyone charges you an ATM fee, they refund it. It's linked to an investment account, but you don't...
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Re: How do occupy your time while flying?
I've never been able to do anything useful on planes. I can't even seem to concentrate enough to read, except maybe a magazine. If it's nighttime, I put on the headphones with some classical music, get out my own little pillow, put on my silk eye mask and sleep as much as I can. If the timing isn't conducive to sleeping, I'll just watch movies. But I don't mind any of it and, while it seems to be a general rule these days to abhor airports & flying, I never have. I'm going somewhere!
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Re: Airfares have remained flat for 20+ years
Another factor to keep in mind when considering why flying seems more expensive: while the base airfares are flat when you factor in inflation, earnings are not. Over the past 40 years, depending on measure, real wages (what you get when you factor in inflation) have actually eroded a bit, and at points a lot. Add to which the fact that "wages" as used in those figures includes benefits such as health care, which doesn't translate into spendable income. And add to which many other things...
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Re: Airfares have remained flat for 20+ years
I'm with 90% on that survey. Domestic Airline prices did rise steadily from 2009 to 2014 (even adjusting for inflation) according to the DOT. I do think we've had a price break this year because of the steep drop in oil prices. I'm not surprised most customers feel like they are paying more because of what they are getting now. Planes are packed, there's less seat space and a whole array of fees. http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/airfares/national/chart
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Re: A Month in Chiapas
I think I'd have to say, probably not. Neither was perfect and we're always looking for some sort of perfection, aren't we? I am certainly, not a member of the "it's only a place to sleep" club. It's my home for the time I'm there & even on a paltry budget, I'm fussy. I liked the 1st place, in part because I had it to myself nearly the entire 2 weeks. But the bed wasn't great. The 2nd place (located on booking.com, my other favorite site) was very comfortable but the noise would rule it...
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Re: Delta likes its 'basic economy,' will expand it
I like choice, so this is overall good news for consumers. On a somewhat unrelated topic, we've covered Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier on our pages. It seems the company is very near agreement with Delta to sell it 125 of its new C series jets. It would be a big boost to Bombardier and might allow Delta extra basic economy seats and new routes on which to sell them. More on that story at this link .
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Re: Delta likes its 'basic economy,' will expand it
I'm excited to fly in a C-Series and will go out of my way to buy a ticket when they start appearing! I also like the trend of one way tickets being less because that opens up lot's a route opportunities
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Re: New Orleans Winter Walking
It's a beautiful hike, Whitney! I dislike the heat and humidity of New Orleans' summer, but this time of year sounds inviting and it's obviously charming! And while it's cold, winter is also beautiful. Here's a photo from my favorite place to hike, a 1 minute walk from my home, Fish Creek Provincial Park. We hike here along the Bow River in all four seasons, including winter. Snow slows you a little but it's not that deep as a rule. If it gets icy, you use microspikes.
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Re: Jan. 29: Hillside Living, Santiago de Cuba
Yes, Rob, that bottom image is scary because you just know a strong wind will knock those homes down. Poor people using what they can find to create a shelter and home. Part of the triumph of a half century of Castro rule.
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Re: Check Your Statement! A Big Hotel Credit Card Breach...
It's been a long path. For a long time, observers thought it was because they were committed to contactless (RFID) technology as the next step...but that hasn't advances as fast as some predicted, and it has big security issues, too. Now that MC and Visa have set down a "you must comply or you will be responsible for fraudulent charges" rule for next year, we're seeing motion. BUT...so far most issuers have been sticking to chip-and-signature, not and-PIN, which guts the whole process.
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Re: Gallery: Hapuna Beach Prince Resort, Hawaii
Some resorts have a rule that the tree line is the maximum building height. Blends in with the local landscape much better. Looks like this hotel was built to fit the local landscape. With the gardens it looks wonderful.
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Re: The Sunshine Skyway Bridge – The Creepy and the Miraculous
When crossing the Royal Gorge Bridge, just one rule: Don't look down!!!!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Mar. 16, 2014: Jardin Borda, Cuernavaca
Not surprising in a way... One of our gleanings on our recent trip to Andalucia is that for the first two centuries of Spanish rule in the Americas, most of the Spanish immigrants came from the south, where Seville had a monopoly on trade with the "New World." That certainly accounts for a number of aspects of Latin American Spanish (s rather than Castilian th, etc.) and probably for the persistence of architectural attitudes and details that survived the fall of Moorish power for a long...
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Re: What can't you live without on a plane flight?
Haven't had a problem with it. These are the kind of bags you buy at airport newstands at extraordinary prices, or in supermarkets for a lot less. It's possible that someone may have a rule, but since no one has ever asked or warned (except the U.S.)....
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Re: "Transparent Airfares" or "License to Lie?"
Yet another entrant for the who-do-they-think-they're-kidding contest.
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Re: Ryanair cuts fees??!
To improve its brand and profits Ryanair is now selling package vacations. With it's previous rule of just "carry on" baggage it wasn't much use. To take a checked bag cost more than the Flight Ticket. So its competitors were singing their own praises over Ryanair. So its catch up time for Michael O'Leary the CEO of Irish Company Ryanair ! Its only for off-season flights. Many Summer flights are often fully booked in advance.
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Re: Airfare bill would roll back consumer protection
With the continuing unbundling of fares, it's important that people get some idea of what their flight will actually cost. I don't understand the airlines opposition to it. Most of them use the same tactics and it's unlikely someone won't fly because their true fare is revealed (though a few might not). People need clarity to make well-informed choices.
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Re: Airfare bill would roll back consumer protection
It was a task to compare fares before the law, so I hope it doesn't revert back. Gotta love the name of the new bill. I guess it's opposite day again.
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Joseph Manigault House
On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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Tupelo, Mississippi. Birthplace of the King of Rock 'n Roll
This is the first post in a short series on visiting Elvis Presley related sites. I've been a huge Elvis fan all my life and my love for the man's wonderful music has not abated in the 35+ years since he died. My brother (Ottoman) and I...
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Airbus A380. No new customers in 2014
Apparently the massive two level Airbus A380, capable of passenger loads in excess of 600 passengers, failed to generate a single new customer in 2014, according to this story by Bloomberg Businessweek. The only buyer so far this year was a...
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A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
I remember being in Wales several times and looking across the sea to the west, thinking that I needed to get to Ireland. Well I finally made it, completing this journey with my brother on our annual "getaway trip"! It was a trip we really...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 25, 2015. St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is celebrating its 450 th birthday in 2015 and everyone’s invited! It was in 1565 that Pedro Menendez of Aviles proclaimed the land for Spain. The first Catholic mass was held at what is now the Mission de Nombre de Dios by...
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Good News For Musicians Traveling by Airplane
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule to implement section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The rule requires that each U.S. airline allow passengers to carry into the cabin and stow a small musical instrument,...
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A Home for Caribbean Artists: The Puerto Rico Museum of Art, San Juan
Sometimes, at home or traveling, you miss an obvious place to visit, just because it’s nearby and you can fit it in “any time.” On our last day in Puerto Rico, we finally got to visit the museum around the corner and a few blocks...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 10, 2015: Arizona – The sunshine, the red rock desert and the survival of the fittest
Recently I attended a medical course in Scottsdale, Arizona. Using one afternoon, a few late afternoons plus evenings, I got chance to explore the area around Phoenix and Scottsdale. The clear...
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A Day in Caguas
Caguas is a late-comer by some standards; San Juan, 30 miles away, was already 250 years old when Caguas was settled by Spain—and yet it proudly calls itself “La Ciudad Criolla” and “El Corazon de Borinquen,” the Creole...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 12, 2015: King Kamehameha Statue, Kapaau, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
King Kamehameha I (1758 - 1819) conquered the Hawaiian Islands and united them to formally establish the Kingdom of Hawai ʻ i in 1810, thus founding the Kamehameha Dynasty. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha...
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Visiting Sicily: An introductory overview
Travel guru Rick Steves likes to say (and I'm paraphrasing) that Italy either gets better or worse as you head south from Rome, depending on what you like. If you like a quieter people, trains running almost on time, etc. head...
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Capella Palatina, Palermo, Sicily (Where Gumbo Was, #102)
I've visited dozens of wonderful churches in my life, some vaste and grand like St. Paul's in Rome or Westminister Abbey in London, others smaller and with a more intimate feel. As a rule, I'm partially to smaller chapels and...
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"Transparent Airfare Act" seems dead for now
The so-called Transparent Airfare Act that would have allowed airlines to quote low fares and hide the taxes and fees until the end of booking, appears to have died a well-deserved death. Last year, it was passed by the House of Representatives...
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Ryanair cuts free baggage even more
Ryanair reduces onboard baggage allowance except for passengers who pay for priority boarding.
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Food Tours of Sicily: Catania
PHeymont goes on another food tour, this one in Catania, Sicily, exploring the regional differences among Sicilian cities.
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Syracuse's Greek Temple Cathedral, Sicily
Gumbo was visiting a most unusual cathedral. Built as a Greek temple about 500 BC, it was already over a thousand years old when it became a church.
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An Afternoon in Ortigia: Syracuse's Island Heart
Ortygia is where Syracuse started, when it was one of the most important Greek cities in the world. And it's still a living center of the city's life.
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Food Tours in Sicily: Palermo
Palermo and Catania are only hours apart—who knew they could be such food rivals?
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June 14, 2017: The Panoramic Views from Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout
Samantha takes us to a viewpoint high above Oahu, by a road that highlights the beauty of Hawaii's natural landscape.
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The Bikaner Mail
Bob Cranwell shares the story of a most memorable train journey -- an experience uniquely Indian.
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Bait-and-switch airfare legislation is back
A House committee gives new life to letting airlines hide the taxes (and the total price) until late in the ticket-selling process.
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TSA books possible new delays
TSA tries requiring books and food be pulled out of bags at scanning. It's supposed to speed things up, but travelers say it doesn't.
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House panel votes big changes for FAA
The House Transportation Committee is working on the FAA appropriation bill, and is proposing a slew of new rules to go with it.