photo credit: AchimH

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If the sky is high, why the price of flying should be low? Have answers? Please submit it to any major airline’s headquarter.

 
The summer is in its full swing, fuel cost is rising, and the rules of the game are changing once again.

 
I already wrote  about many ways the airline industry is finding to dump our spirit of flying and change our habits of traveling. At first we had to adapt to certain seasonal changes in tickets’ pricing, then – 7, 14 and 21 days buying ahead, then – weekend stay, then – paying for food, then – 2nd bag for a fee, overweight bags, and finally: paying for our fuel, soft drinks and excess weight.

 
You may pay anywhere from $15 to $35 for booking a flight thru the airline’s agent, pay for using your free miles, pay for the fuel for the overseas flights, pay a bigger fee for a missed flight’s ticket change, etc.

 
Actually, you are getting something new: an intertainment. You may be able to use an Internet soon. Of course, you’ll pay for it.
You also will be able to buy more leg room.

 
I am surprised, that airlines don’t sell gift cards, yet. Imagine, 2 sets of grandparents buying “airline gift cards” 3 years in a row, so their grandchild-student can visit them after the graduation.
I am sure enough people will choose this option instead of a sweater or a pair of shoes, and airlines, just like many retail stores, may hold and use the money for whatever…

 
Of course, many cards will be lost or never redeemed, because three $100 certificates can’t buy much. People also have tendency to move, change plans, clean drawers, forget things and, besides, there will be a sliding scale fee for using those cards.

 
If you are interested in reading details on coming and anticipated changes in flying, read this article in San Francisco Chronicle.

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My husband and I, together with another couple cruised the Baltic Sea on a Princess Cruises ship. Since it was not our first cruise, the expectations were equal to the experience received: a huge, beautiful, comfortable ship, a lot of food, room and restaurant service, great conversations and time shared with friends, entertainment and excursions ashore.

 
Since the excursions were really basic and short, hence the descriptions…
We flew from San Francisco to Copenhagen. There we embarked on the Crown Princess Ship and sailed from Copenhagen to Stockholm, then – to Helsinki, St.Petersburg, Tallinn, Gdynia, Oslo and back to Copenhagen.
St Petersburg (Russia) is a big, insanely beautiful and crowded city, full of history, which is present in each building, palace and canal. Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo are nice, with wide streets, full of history and stately buildings, Tallinn is green, clean and inviting and Gdansk, Poland is an excursion to the centuries past with specks of a modern time: absolutely charming, chamber-like city, which envelopes you with a “Stay longer” whisper.

 
We enjoyed our brief stay (while moving) in that part of Europe.

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As many of you may know, as of May 5th 2008 (and more today), many domestic airlines started charging you for the 2nd checked in bag: that is one person flying coach is allowed only 1(one) bag. To check in a 2nd bag, you’ll have to pay $25. If you check in 3 bags, you will pay up to a $100 for each additional bag. Sixth bag? It may cost you $200. The rules vary for each airline.

 
Also, watch the weight of your bags (it will be monitored) and be careful with your carry-ons: while each airline has its own rules, the tendency of staffing your carry-on, because you are not allowed 2 free bags, will be watched.Business class, first class, frequent, Elite, Gold, etc. fliers are still allowed 2 free checked in bags per person.

 
Be prepared to pay increased penalty for changing itineraries (from $100 to $150 on domestic routes), and a Saturday-night stay may be required again for some fares. Window and aisle seats may cost more on some airlines, as well, as fees for accompanying minors.

 
For details about new airlines baggage policies, please, read newsletter by Expedia.  I would suggest, that you bookmark it, too.

 
Click here for more info on fees changing.

 
About weight regulations read: usatoday. (Scroll down for weight rules).

 
And here is a less expensive news: As of Monday May 12, 2008, US Postage Stamp costs 42cents. However, if you have “Forever” series stamps, which you bought earlier for 41 cent a piece, you may still use it. From now on, the “Forever” stamp costs 42 and should carry you over this postage increase. USPS says, “it’s good forever”.Source: USPS.

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Once you enter all your trip details, the site will go thru other travel sites, such as www.expedia.com, www.orbitz.com, www.kayak.cometc., compare the rates and give you the best possible scenario to consider. The site also has resources to help you find better rates and discounts on hotels, car rentals and cruise packages.

 
If you wish to preview the place you are going to visit try http://www.chokti.com/. This site is a video and audio tours collection submitted by travelers. You may just find out more about your destination there. If you have something to contribute you may do so, too.

 
As always, a good site to visit is Wikitravel.org, which is a worldwide travel guide. Find articles on many destinations and add your own, once you ready.
A Wikitravel have more than 18,000 pages written by travelers.

 
For more information on booking trips and checking your flight status check the “Travel” category on my site.

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Some people think – it’s a mystical place, which Alexandre Dumas invented for the beautiful and scary story of The Count of Monte Cristo. Some – know, that the island exists in the Tuscany region of Italy. The island is one of the few places left in the Tuscan archipelago, where some rare sea and wild life creatures are living without a fear to meet a man.

 
First time in many years visitors will be able to see this famous, yet virtually unexplored place. Only 3,000 people a year will be allowed to walk on the island. 1,000 of them – taking a full tour, and the remaining 2,000 will only visit a small natural history museum and the way, which leads to it. Nobody will be allowed to spend the night on the island.

 
I wonder how the officials are going to keep away a throng of people, wishing to see this place. Will they start a “waiting list for the reservation to tour”? How many years will that take?

 
For a full story see the article in Guardian.

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If you decide to fly United Airlines and not a frequent flier, you should know:

 
“United Airlines will be charging some of its customers a new fee for checking more than one piece of baggage.

 
United fliers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets, and who are not elite members of the airline’s frequent flier program, will be charged $25 for a second checked bag beginning May 5, the company said Monday. In addition to the fee for a second bag, the cost to check a third and a fourth bag will be $100 per bag for all customers.

 
Mileage Plus program at United or do not have at least Silver status at Star Alliance…Premier status, the lowest elite tier, requires flying 25,000 miles annually on United, and Mileage Plus members who reach that level automatically have Silver Star Alliance status…

 
The $25 fee for the second bag will be assessed each time the luggage is checked.”

 
Since many, but not all passengers check in 2 pieces of luggage, United feel, that it’s only fair to charge those with an additional bag extra fee. “…extra bags contribute extra weight, and the heavier the airplane, the more fuel is required”.

 
“The fee to check a second bag applies only to tickets purchased on or after Monday. Customers may pay the fee with a credit card at an airport kiosk or at the check-in counter. Customers were informed of the fee beginning Monday on United’s Web site, www.united.com , and on e-tickets sent to passengers.”

 
“American’s passengers are entitled to two free checked bags of 50 pounds or less each per passenger.

 
Delta Air Lines spokesman Anthony Black said the carrier has made no changes to its checked baggage policies or fees. Passengers also are entitled to check two bags of 50 pounds or less.

 
Virgin America, the startup airline based in Burlingame, permits passengers in the main cabin to check one bag free of change that can weigh up to 70 pounds. There is a fee of $10 for a second bag weighing up to 50 pounds. And there is a fee of $50 each for bags three through 10 weighing up to 50 pounds. There are fees for overweight bags, too. First-class passengers can check two bags for free.”

 
Now, that you know the new rules, don’t forget to find out where and when they apply.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle

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Shenzhen is a city in China. It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Read more about it here: Shenzhen Info

 
Below are two links for your traveling pleasure. Click, watch, enjoy.

  
Shenzhen. Part I
Shenzhen Part II

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“To make sure you spend more time celebrating and less time waiting at the airport, we’re introducing a new flight status feature that we hope will make your travels easier.

 
For the latest information on a flight’s status, simply search for an airline and flight number, and the first result will tell you whether your flight is on time or delayed as well as the estimated departure and arrival times.”
The Source: Googleblog.blogspot.com
 
 
Enjoy your holiday travels.

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All you can eat and a lot of leisure time or walking and sightseeing? How do you choose a destination? Follow the masses to Hawaii, asking your travel agent or your friends, or making a mental list of places you’d like to visit some day, based on the info you’re hearing and then follow your own recommendations?

 
My Google Reader presented me with a post on Macau today. I liked it so much, that I decided to share it with you. It’s a short, but powerful presentation. It may even change your travel itinerary…
See for yourself here: Macau

 
And some more info:
“As the first and last European colony in China, Macau has more visible colonial history than Hong Kong. Walking through the old city you could convince yourself you were in Europe – if the streets were devoid of people, that is. The Portuguese population continues to maintain a small presence, but most of the population is native Chinese. ”
If you are interested, read: Wikitravel.org on Macau

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