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A short write-up of around-the-world ticket options in the New York Times today, while generally good, left out some important options.

- Branch out. The article advises checking with the 3 big airline alliance websites (Star Alliance, OneWorld, and SkyTeam) to see flight options. That’s great, but don’t limit yourself to the alliances alone. Some airlines have side agreements outside their alliance that may be appealing, such as the Emirates/United round-the-world ticket.

- Talk to a travel agent. While many airlines can sell you the ticket, it’s often easier to deal with an agent for this kind of thing. Not every airline customer service rep knows the minutiae of round-the-world ticketing. I’d even suggest you talk to more than one travel agent, to compare pricing, routing, and heck, personality.

- Start in Sri Lanka. If you’re going around the world twice or more, consider buying the second (and third, etc.) ticket someplace like Colombo, Sri Lanka. I’m not kidding. You can buy a business class RTW ticket there for about the same price as a coach RTW ticket in the US or most of Europe, on the same airlines. The article mentions this, but it’s really worth driving home.

tags: travel | RTW | round the world tickets

In case you haven’t made TSA.gov your homepage, or if you haven’t been obsessively checking CNN for travel restriction updates — and I really hope you haven’t been doing either — here are some updates/clarifications.

- Baby food is okay again.
- Up to four ounces on nonprescription medications are okay for carry-on.
- For the ladies: Lipstick is no longer on the list, and are now allowed in carry-ons, as long as it’s solid.
- Stick deodorant is explicitly okay in carry-ons.
- Aerosols are now prohibited. You’re not supposed to pack them in checked luggage either, so they’re just out.
- All passengers will be required to remove their shoes for screening. Some stations insisted in the shoe carnival, others didn’t, but now it’s policy. Untie them before you get to the front of the line.
- No carry-on yogurt. Or go-gurt. Or kefir. (Can I get a ruling on cottage cheese, please?)
- Lighters are still prohibited. The proposed reversal of the ban never went into effect, and it looks unlikely to be lifted soon.
- And remember, if flying in the US, you ARE allowed to have carry-on luggage, laptop computers, iPods, etc. Expect your carry-ons to be spot-checked at the gate. If flying to/from the UK, you are NOT allowed to have any such items in the cabin.

The complete list of rules for the United States is here. I’d consider printing the list out before traveling if you have any “borderline” items.

(image: miskan)
tags: travel | airport security

A few nights ago, Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com, helped me bust the myth that Wednesday at midnight was the ideal time to buy plane tickets. Which led the Consumerist to throw down the gauntlet, demanding to know when the best time for ticket purchases actually IS.

Rick Seaney took their challenge. His answer, published in the Consumerist’s hallowed electronic halls, includes a detailed primer on the technical side of how airlines actually post their fares for others to see. Definitely worth reading.

Rick’s conclusion, though, is once again without a magic bullet. Shorter version: Get a feel for the historical price range for your desired itinerary and buy whenever it’s cheap. Use fare alerts to keep on top of price drops. Pull the trigger when the price is in the comfort zone. Don’t expect great deals more than 5 months before your flight date, or within two weeks of travel.

Rick astutely compares the price of airline tickets to the stock market. Like stocks, airfares run in a range, and they occasionally break to the downside — or the upside. If you’re really out to get the lowest airfare, you may need to take a stock trader’s perspective. (If anyone has figured out how to both buy low AND sell high in the air ticket market, let me know… Maybe the compulsive gamblers rational market economists at Tradesports.com, who seem to find a market/wager for any kind of world event, can figure out a way to make side bets on airfare…)

Added advice from me, for the truly hardcore: Even if you’ve bought the ticket, don’t stop tracking the fare. If your airline offers repricing or re-faring, stay on top of the fare trend and request a refund voucher if the price drops again. See my earlier post “The black art of repricing tickets.”

(image)
tags: travel | low fares

Life imitates marketing. This ad played on CNN last night, right in between segments on airport security. A lemon-lime refresher to accompany an irony sandwich. Click to watch.Someday, children will look back on this ad with awe and ask, “Was there really a time when you could take liquids into airports?”

The ad is about six months old. I’m not saying that PepsiCo was in cahoots with the suspected terrorists apprehended in London yesterday, but it sure makes you wonder…

tags: travel | airport security | Pepsico | Sierra Mist

…and yes, I’m happy to see you, TSA inspector.

At Dulles International Airport near Washington on Thursday morning, one traveler reported that screeners were also making passengers remove all food items from their carry-on luggage for inspection, and one passenger was told to peel her banana.

I got nothin’. You?

(hat tip to Chief Produce Correspondent Dr. Vino)
(image)
tags: travel | airport security | bananas

The foiled terrorist plot may have made air travel more inconvenient on the surface, thanks to the new restrictions at airport security checks, but hey, it’s not all bad. After all, there are people on CNN hawking peace of mind (”It’s probably the safest day to fly!”). There you go! Let’s look on the bright side of the 2006 War on JuicyJuice:

- No liquids means less drinking. Less drinking means… Shorter bathroom lines! Fewer stag parties, or at least tamer ones. (Hmm… Maybe it’s time to short Ryanair stock?) And less unwanted groping by drunken passengers.

- No carry-on gel or cream (or presumably salve, ointment, linament, putty, mousse, pommade, paste, goo, jelly, jam, preserves, or spackle) means you and your fellow passengers have the rare opportunity to renegotiate the norms of public behavior. You can’t expect someone to not scratch an itch for 10 hours, if they don’t have their salve, do you? Look forward to seeing your fellow humans getting back in touch with their eczema-ridden humanity, scratching themselves in public.

- No roll-on or gel deodorants just means you’ll get to smell that humanity the way the Maker intended. And remember, you’re not just getting a whiff of your neighbor in seat 37E. That’s the smell of the war on terror. It’s the smell of freedom.

If you’re in the UK, you’ve got even more restrictions. But not to worry, those are great too. No carry-on bags means no risk of back strain when you lift your cargo overhead. And that’s not all:

- Make new friends! Forget your iPod, laptop, cellphone, or PSP. With no such distractions to occupy you, mingle! Maybe you’ll even find that special someone. Look for memberships at inflight dating service Airtroductions.com to skyrocket! (This is real.) Talk about putting the “plus” back into Economy Plus…

- No books = more time to peruse the SkyMall Magazine. Why read for the sake of reading, when you can read for the sake of shopping? And haven’t you always needed items like the Inflatable Private Island (click to buy!), the Hydrofoil Water Scooter (buy! buy!), or a set of phony security cameras for your home? (buy, dammit, buy!!)

- No laptop or paper means no working. If you’re traveling for business, that’s time on the clock. Time that you’re not doing anything but stickin’ it to the Man. Ka-ching.

I’m sure the benefits don’t stop there. But it’s a start. (Comments are open, as always.)

It’s a new chapter in air travel. It’s not just transportation. No, air travel now means being inside an aluminum tube with dozens and dozens of thirsty, smelly, itchy, sober, non-productive shopaholics looking for love.

Can’t wait for my next flight.

(image: wiart)
tags: travel

BREAKING:
British authorities are reporting that they foiled a plot to blow up several planes traveling between the UK and the US. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded with new restrictions on all travel within and to the United States. The policy statement is quoted at length, with the bottom line highlighted:

…the United States Government has raised the nation’s threat level to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States. This adjustment reflects the Critical, or highest, alert level that has been implemented in the United Kingdom. To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, we will also raise the threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States. Consistent with these higher threat levels, the Transportation Security Administration is coordinating with federal partners, airport authorities and commercial airlines on expanding the intensity of existing security requirements. Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane. This determination will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. These changes will take effect at 4:00 AM local time across the country. Travelers should also anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints.

NO LIQUIDS?!!? Better hope you don’t get stuck on board a plane with no air conditioning. Early reports indicate that suspects were hiding explosives in beverage containers, electronics, etc. (The ban on liquids is indefinite, though I assume you can still buy drinks at the airport past security.)

It’s even worse at UK airports. NO CARRY-ON LUGGAGE. And no hand-carrying of books, iPods, or anything non-essential in the cabin. The following Department for Transport rules apply effective immediately if your flight originates OR if you change planes in the UK:

All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.
Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:
* pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
* travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
* prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
* spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
* contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
* for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
* female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
* tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
* keys (but no electrical key fobs)
All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.

Delays in the UK are already huge — 4 hours or more.

This is nuts. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Flight cancellations from London are plentiful, check with your airline. Roundup of intra-European cancellations is here. Flights between the US and UK: American Airlines cancelled most flights to and from London today. United, Virgin, and British Airways didn’t follow suit, but flights are delayed.

UPDATE 2: Now Canada is also following the no-liquids policy, but applying it to domestic flights, not just those headed to the U.S.

Whatever happened to proving your water isn’t a bomb by taking a sip from the bottle, like you had to do after 9/11? The terrorists have won. Completely and utterly won.

UPDATE 3: Another clarification for U.S. flights: According to AP, drinks purchased in the airport terminal aren’t allowed onboard the plane, either. Airlines had better boost their beverage carts. Hydration is serious business.

Still not clear to me: If you can put liquids in your checked luggage. If anyone knows, or has any travel stories from today, drop me a line using the contact link in the upper-right side of the page.

UPDATE 4: Putting liquids in checked luggage is okay. The restriction is limited to carry-on luggage. Why the ban on liquids? See here for info on liquid explosives such as TATP.

(image: Suzanne Plunkett/Bloomberg News)
tags: travel | airport security

Yesterday, the site Seeking Alpha posted this tip for getting the best price for airfares:

What’s the absolute best time to purchase a ticket directly from the airlines? Turns out it’s Wednesday from midnight to 1a.m. in the time zone of the airline’s “home base.”[…] Why? That’s when the computer systems of most airlines get rid of the reserved but unbooked lower fare reservations.

Several blogs — at least 36 of them as of this writing — picked up on this tip. The problem is it’s completely wrong. It’s pure, unadulterated bunk, a long-running myth of the airline industry.

I consulted with the good folks at FareCompare.com, who reaffirmed my view. The Wednesday midnight rule is a myth. Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com sets the record straight:

- Held reservations don’t all expire Wednesdays.

“Held inventory is released every day at midnight so Wednesday is nothing special. Agencies who use Sabre, Worldspan, Galileo and/or Amadeus [the major GDS’s — the global computer networks used for booking tickets] can hold DOMESTIC inventory (sold status SS) without ticketing up to 24 hours during the day, and the carriers at their choosing come in the evening at Midnight and release un-ticketed inventory. The hold for international inventory is normally longer than 24 hours but is at the discretion of the airlines. Some airline websites have a hold feature, but it acts the same way as an agency: the inventory is lost at midnight if not ticketed, and the itinerary is repriced at the current inventory for that flight at time of purchase. For the most part all airline sites use the same policy.”

- Most fares that are put on hold aren’t that cheap to begin with.

“It’s not the low fare inventory that opens up at midnight. Low fare inventory is almost always ticketed immediately. Un-ticketed inventory is normally high priced business inventory held by a corporate agency for business travelers who are on the fence about going, or by government workers who have a special ‘hold until travel’ feature for negotiated routes.”

- Midnight isn’t necessarily the best time for new fares, anyway.

“New fares (lower or higher) are distributed at 10:00am, 12:30pm, and 8pm EST and loaded about 2-6 hours later in the GDS and airline sites. Seat inventory is controlled by automated revenue management systems, which continuously monitor current sales and consult historical models to decide on whether to release the lowest price seat inventory. The 8pm domestic ATPCO [Airline Tariff Publishing Company – the clearinghouse (owned by the airlines) for raw air fare/rule distribution] fare feed (5pm weekends) is loaded into the GDS and airline sites between 12:15am and 1:30am, which has the changed fares. But there is no correlation to getting a good deal, just because some inventory might be freed up at midnight. It is just as likely to free up at 2pm when the yield management system decides sales are soft in a particular inventory price bucket for a particular flight.”

- SHOCKER: Some agencies will try to get a better price than the fare they sold you. You just may not find out.

“Large volume non-online agencies do have a practice of ticketing later at night and trying to re-price all un-ticketed items to see if any fares or inventory have changed on a particular flight (sometimes they pocket the difference, sometimes the customer gets the benefit).”

- This is not news.

“There is nothing special about this process. It has been this way for years.”

There you have it. Myth busted. It’s Wednesday night as I type, and though midnight is approaching, I’m not banking on any airfare deals tonight. Neither should you.

Big thanks to Rick Seaney for the insights.

UPDATE: SmarterTravel.com took on the same question today, and they suggest that Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (especially Tuesday) are more likely to have lower fares. I don’t buy it. The explanation is purely anecdotal; I’ll go with the boys at FareCompare who track airfares obsessively, who say the low fares can come on any day.

Related:
- Flexible-date search alternatives for international destinations
- Where to find cheap last-minute or emergency tickets

American Airlines reduced their online booking bonus from 1000 to 500 miles for all but the most expensive tickets back in December 2005. Delta Airlines followed suit in July 2006.

Now Alaska Airlines goes a step further and simply eliminates the online booking bonus, effective September 6, for all tickets EXCEPT those purchased with the Alaska Airlines credit card. (via Gary Leff)

I suppose airlines are increasingly confident that their websites are the primary point of sale, and that customers will continue to book their tickets that way. The sites have thusfar been incentivizing customers with the one-two punch of no additional booking fees (a la Expedia, Orbitz, etc.) and bonus miles. Will customers flee if the miles disappear? Alaska’s move is a bold one. We’ll see how it pans out.

tags: travel | frequent flyer miles

Reader David S. writes:

Have you heard of the site airfarewatchdog.com? They list some very good fares. However I sometimes have a difficult time finding the fares that they list. What do you think about the site?

Indeed, I’m certainly familiar with George Hobica’s Airfarewatchdog. He and his team scour the internet for low fares and post regular updates, both listing the best fares in America, and the best fares for individual departure cities. It’s a great overview. His site has pointed to some good stuff, and I’ve linked to him before — like the $750 round trip business class fare on Maxjet back in March. He offers e-mail subscriptions, too, though the mailings are sometimes erratic.

Meaning no disrespect against Airfarewatchdog, but I find FareCompare’s alerts to be faster and more consistent. E-mails go out as soon as lowered fares hit the databases. If that’s too much information, you can get a good snapshot of fares from your city with the site’s Destination Deal Maps (effectively the same as Travelocity’s recently downgraded Dream Maps — except it functions both domestically and internationally.)

To see the Deal Maps, go to FareCompare.com and enter your departure city in the middle of the page.

To join the fare alert list, go to FareCompare.com, click on the Deal Maps or run a search for city pair, and then click on the “FareCompare AirFare Email Early Warning System” box in the upper left corner.

The downside of FareCompare is that it doesn’t cover Southwest or JetBlue, since those airlines don’t participate in the big global fare networks (GDS’s). So a human touch is necessary to test those fares.

It’s a case of machine vs. man. FareCompare’s automated system offers faster response than the more human search of Airfarewatchdog. But the ‘dog includes airlines that the machines can’t.

tags: travel | Airfarewatchdog | FareCompare

Upgraded: Beds. LEVITATING beds.
Don’t expect the magnetic-levitating bed, inspired by the monolith in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” at your local Econolodge. Or Westin, for that matter. And apparently, the bed is problematic for those with multiple piercings. Yow!

Upgraded: Charter airlines
European charter airlines like Thomsonfly and First Choice, famous for their tight seat pitch, are changing their ways. They’re taking out rows and putting in a premium economy section. It’ll cost you, of course, but it’s an option.

Upgraded: Hotel bars. Downgraded: Your wallet.
Better music, snacks, decor, etc. But if by upgrade, you mean $20 cocktails and $300 pots of tea, count me out. $300. For tea. A pot of it. $300.

Upgraded: Worldwide supply of military theme parks
Previous count: zero. Soon: one. The Pentagon is officially sanctioning a military theme park in Fairfax County, Virginia. The park will feature rides where you “can command the latest M-1 tank, feel the rush of a paratrooper freefall, fly a Cobra Gunship or defend your B-17 as a waist gunner.” Grab a drink at the “1st Division Lounge” — which will probably not feature $300 pots of tea.
Update August 9: Downgrade it again. The Army says no-go to the military theme park.

Downgraded: The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon, now with all the class of Niagara Falls! I know that it’s architecturally cool, and that it will likely be a really neat feeling to walk out onto a cantilevered glass bridge that arcs over the canyon, but putting a glass-and-steel structure on a natural wonder like that is tacky, tacky, tacky. (More info here.)

tags: travel

Southwest has set up a poll on their website, soliciting customer feedback on whether assigned seating is a good thing or not. RapidRewards members (only!) can participate in the poll by clicking here. If you’re not already a member of their program, your opinion is clearly valued less — but you’re invited to write to them via snail mail.

Go hit the polls. (It’s also Election Day in several states… go vote, too, if you live in one of them.)

Related:
- Opening day jitters? Southwest’s assigned seating gets mixed reviews
- A modest proposal for Southwest
- Confirmed: Southwest Airlines to test assigned seating; Northwest abandons boarding by rows
- Getting the best seats on Southwest just got harder

(via WaPo; image)