I vividly remember the birth of SeatGuru and how their tools really made travel better. A whole bunch of websites come and go and mostly they are not missed. But SeatGuru was different. It was one of those rare tools that quietly, fundamentally shifted power back to the consumer. Its passing isn’t just a tech […]
RIP SeatGuru: The Unsung Hero That Saved Us from 35,000 Feet of Misery Read More »
Hotel fees have officially jumped the shark. Even after federal rules forced hotels to show fees upfront, Marriott has found a brand-new way to squeeze guests—this time at a Kansas City Airport Fairfield. Meet the latest invention: the Destination Marketing Fee. Yes, you’re now being charged so the hotel can advertise… to you. Thanks to
Have Marriott’s Fees Gone Too Far? The new “Marketing Fee” Read More »
For many Delta Air Lines loyalists, upgrade certificates were once the crown jewel of Medallion status—a reliable, premium perk that brought tangible value to loyalty. I chose for my choice benefit the upgrade certificates. But in recent years, these highly coveted certificates have increasingly become a source of frustration rather than reward. Between limited availability,
The Truth About Delta Upgrade Certificates: Why They’re Almost Impossible to Use Read More »
I saw an article on how airlines choose their snacks and I had a whole bunch of thoughts. I never thought that they did it on a whim but I expected some harder data to decide. My favorite snacks are the traditional pretzels and the cookies. Unfortunately, salted pretzels are nowhere to be found. I
Why Do Airlines Decide What Snacks to Serve and How Can We Get More Pretzels? Read More »
I recently rented an Avis Electric Vehicle (EV). Their return procedures were more complicated than I thought. The car was charged to 94%. The rental agencies said that I needed to return it at the same level (plus or minus 5%). If the car was below the return level (89%) then I would be charged
Hidden Costs of Avis EV Rentals: What You Need to Know About Charging Fees Read More »
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s announcement of the new civility campaign, The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You, is a response to a real and troubling problem: the surge in unruly passenger behavior. Citing a 400% increase in in-flight outbursts since 2019, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is clearly trying to address a
Can a Civility Campaign Fix Air Travel? (Spoiler: Not Really) Read More »
One of the major concerns that travelers have is the airline they are flying will lose their bags in transit. With this loss or even sustained delay, it creates a major headache for the traveler, whether they are on a business or leisure trip. My luggage was delayed a few times during my travels. Most
Airline Baggage Claims: Your Guide to Compensation Limits & Rights Read More »
The 2025 Thanksgiving holiday travel period is set to shatter records, according to the latest forecast from AAA. A staggering 81.8 million people are projected to journey at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday, November 25, and Monday, December 1. This figure represents an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to the previous year,
Thanksgiving Travel 2025: Prepare for Crowds as 82 Million Americans Hit the Road Read More »
I found this article on Travel and Leisure about the top stolen items from hotels. My guess would have been the shampoo and soap but those are not in the list. Based on reports and industry insights, here are the top 5 items most frequently “liberated” from hotel rooms: 1. Towels (Especially Bath & Hand
Surprising Items Guests Steal from Hotels Read More »
The good news: the government shutdown has ended. The bad news for travelers? The chaos at airports won’t disappear overnight. While the headlines might celebrate the return of funding, the intricate, highly interdependent system of air travel will likely experience a significant “aftershock,” taking a full week, if not longer, to truly normalize. Why the
Air Travel Will Be Questionable For Another Week Even Though The Government Is Now Open Read More »
