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John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
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Virgin America offers new menu for summer
travel
Help, my honeymoon flight's been
canceled!
But how much will that plane ticket really cost?
Are you a stranded flier? Not all airlines will help
Google will give freebies -- and ads -- to Orlando airport
travelers
American Airlines to let passengers pay for boarding perks
'Clear' program that eased security lines to resume at OIA
Comparing airlines' Airbus A380s
New bumping rules -- less than what they seem
Websites to help you manage frequent flier miles
Tips for traveling with pets this summer
Photos: Southwest Airlines' themed planes through the years
Spirit Airlines says ‘No’ to pay toilets
Oops, wrong city: Don't let geographic illiteracy destroy your next
vacation
Disney’s Magical Express Nears Milestone - 10 millionth guest
to receive special reception
Priceline adds Fly Now-Drive Later promotion
Airfares on the way up, in this week’s Priceline Index
Mixing air carriers can be a bad trip
Free companion air ticket? Really? Beth, our travel agent, writes: "This morning I opened my email and the very first one I read was from one of my favorite stores telling me that if I buy $100 worth of merchandise on from their website within the next five days I’ll get a certificate for 'free companion air' to any of dozens of major cities in the continental US. I rolled my eyes and felt a wave of disappointment that this store would stoop to this level to attract customers. Sadly, though, plenty of people will fall for it and will anxiously await that certificate so that they can get rolling on the vacation of their dreams. Trust me on this one, though, folks: this is a perfect example of, 'If it sounds too good to be true…' Here’s how this particular deal works. You locate your city of departure on a chart that lists seven zones. Then you locate the zone for the city you want to go to. Next, you refer to a second chart to see how much that first ticket will cost you. I chose several city pairs for a bogus one week vacation in August and looked up the prices on Southwest and one or two other carriers for my chosen dates. I also made note of the taxes and fees on each fare because, with the companion certificate, you still have to pay those even on the 'free' fare (plus up to $9.95 per ticket processing fee). Then I compared what it would cost me to just buy two tickets outright compared to using the 'free companion' certificate. Not surprisingly, I found that while there were a couple cases where the companion deal MIGHT be slightly better, it was usually the same or even higher than buying directly with the airlines - sometimes MUCH higher. More importantly, in each market that I looked at, there were nonstop flights available with many great arrival and departure times. If buying direct, I could get those great times and schedules even at the lowest fares. However, I read numerous articles on the subject of 'free companion fares' and they were all in agreement that you nearly always get lousy times with one or more connections each way. In fact, the consensus is that 70% of the time - or more - there’s no availability at all with the free companion fares for the date/city combo you’re after. That seems to be particularly true where travel in and out of Florida is concerned. The certificate deal also has black-out dates and readily admits that the cost you end up paying may not only be higher than what’s on the chart, but also higher than internet fares (which they don’t have access to). Bottom line: don’t buy something you didn’t want anyway just to get the free companion certificate. Chances are, that certificate isn’t going to work for you at all, and if it does work then it may cost you more to use it than it would have cost to book better flights online. If nothing else, first read a list of sample terms and conditions. Pay particular attention to items 6 through 12. If you decide to move ahead anyway, tread cautiously - and may you be one of the minority that gets a truly awesome deal!"
Roland writes about the article posted in issue #515 about Allegiant Air moving two of its flights from Orlando-Sanford International Airport to OIA: "Hey John, I live in Maryville TN and we use Knoxville TYS airport. When Allegiant Air announced in 2006 that they were moving into TYS we immediately booked a Disney trip for the week of our sons 2007 spring break. We were a bit hesitant when we saw that Allegiant flies to Sanford SFB instead of MCO which would mean we'd need to rent a car. The drive from SFB to Disney takes about an hour no matter which way we go so we have to take that into account. Allegiant Air has great partner rates with Alamo so our air and car price was a lot cheaper than any other flight direct to MCO and using Magical Express. Their flight goes direct from TYS to SFB and takes about an hour and 20 minutes. So for Allegiant Air to go directly to MCO will be FANTASTIC since I won't have to drive or bother with getting a rental. However, since we've been getting rentals we have become used to having ready transportation and not having to wait on the buses in the heat. Last year AirTran came back to Knoxville and since they go to MCO I suspect that has helped to encourage Allegiant Air to start going to MCO, at least for our routes. It has also helped to keep Allegiant Air prices down and has caused other airlines to keep their prices a bit lower. Only Allegiant Air and AirTran have direct flights to Orlando from Knoxville so I doubt we'll ever see a good deal from the big boys. Now if we could just get Southwest into TYS..." Thanks for the feedback, Roland. You're right. Sanford is not far from Disney. That's where we get off the auotrain. Having a car sure gives you more freedom. We'll keep our eye on Southwest!
New airport, new flights open travel between Orlando and Panhandle
- fares from Orlando as low as $49 one way
Airline wants to charge for carry-ons? No problem. - packing tips
eliminate carry-on luggage
Updated message from Spirit Airlines CEO about the carry-on crisis
Traveling with pets (but first, a Chihuahua-on-a-plane story)
iPad users may breeze through security
Spirit Airlines to charge for some carry-on bags
Southwest dropping some Orlando flights
Too sick to fly? When to put yourself on the 'No Fly' list
Senior Travel: Lowest airfare? You may have to connect
Continental ending free meal ticket on most U.S. flights
International travelers will get hassle relief at OIA
Continental Airlines embraces legroom fee - Airline will let coach customers
buy more legroom, matching United, JetBlue
Orlando International Airport ranks No. 1 for low airfares
American Airlines to charge $50 for coach standby
Magical Express sets bar high for high-speed rail - More importantly:
"Allegiant Air, a small low-cost carrier, moved two of its flights from
Orlando-Sanford International Airport to OIA just last week - and plans to
move 10 flights by March - in large part so that it can participate in Magical
Express." Disney adds JetBlue: "Beginning on Feb. 3, 2010, you can add flights on JetBlue AirwaysTM when booking AAA VacationsTM packages to the Walt Disney WorldTM and DisneylandTM Resorts." (Source: Disney Email Blast, 02/02/10)
Delta hiking fees for checked bags
American Airlines hikes charge for checked bags by $5 for tickets bought
after Feb. 1
The good and bad of 2009
Senior Travel: Avoiding airport parking hassles
If you're nice, maybe you'll get a seat next to Santa
Allegiant Air moving some flights to Orlando International Airport
Enterprise leads the fleet in car rental satisfaction
Passengers vote for their favorite airline
US Airways bookings must now comply with the Federal program, Secure Flight.
See TSA's website:
Getting on a plane without ID
Midwest to add non-stop from Orlando to Omaha in early 2010
Little-known airline fees that tug at your wallet
Southwest Airlines offers $10 upgrade each way to board the plane
sooner
Airlines becoming a fee-for-all
Some airlines raise fees for checked bags again
Airport security seizes Disney World toys
10 secrets airlines don't want you to know
Some airline-industry analysts predict that the cost of flying eventually
could depend on your weight.
Clear pass shuts down at OIA, other airports
Southwest airlines joins Disney's Magical Express shuttle-and-luggage
service on a trial basis - scroll down
Woman dies in crash at Disney World
Some car renters find $1-a-day bargains
Transatlantic flights for $13 (each way, plus taxes) are coming
soon
Airlines launch fare sale for holiday season
Save money on airfare by buying your tickets when the airlines lower
their rates throughout the day to fill their planes. During the week check
early in the morning and then every five hours. Check weekend flights early
Saturday morning and at 5 PM.
Twelve Ways to Tame High Holiday Airfares
"UAL Corp.'s United Airlines is doubling the fee it now charges for
passengers who check a second bag on domestic flights as major carriers look
for ways to recoup some of the soaring costs hitting the airline industry."
They raised the fee to $50!
"To save on flights, you'd better stop around."
Around-the-world tickets and fares: "Where to buy your tickets, how
they work and what they cost."
"How to Avoid New Airline Surcharges - A look at the ever-increasing
list of flying surcharges - and ways to avoid them.
A recent visitor to Walt Disney World complained that her SUV had been
taken for a joyride. Fortunately, she complained and Disney sent her
park tickets and a gift card. Moral of the story? It pays to complain!
"Here's a look at how different airlines deal with the 'customer of size.'"
"Free Wi-Fi aside, [Orlando International] airport officials say the
giant facility has been a leader in trying new technologies because it has
more room and is more willing to take risks than airports in bigger cities
such as Washington, D.C., or New York." |
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Alamo Rent A Car, Disney's official rental car company, now has an office in Downtown Disney.
Alison writes: "If time permits we would like to go to SeaWorld, how is the best way to get there since we don't have a car? All advice will be greatly appreciated. And I love all the info so far. Thanks." Limo services provide affordable transportation to Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and other Florida attractions. (See our online book for recommendations.) You can take a Mears shuttle from WDW to SeaWorld. Call 800/759-5219 or 407/423-5566. You can take a taxi. Taxis cost $1.50 per mile. SeaWorld is about 15 miles from WDW. You can rent a car at any Disney resort. See Guest Services for details. The Downtown Disney Resort Hotels also have rental car agencies on property. These Downtown Disney hotel agencies are less expensive than Disney's official rental car company, Alamo. You could take a WDW bus to downtown Disney and then walk to one of these nearby hotels.
SeatGuru.com has great info about airplane seating and in-flight services. It provides details on:
Shampoo on a plane "Question: So now I can't even take shampoo in my carry-on bag when traveling by air? I travel light and don't need to check my bag. Do I really have to make time to buy shampoo at each destination? Answer: You have three options: Start checking your luggage, complete with as many bottles of shampoo as you like. Use the shampoo supplied in your hotel room. Or purchase single-application sachets of shampoo, conditioner and styling products such as those made by Beauty-id. Boxes of 20 sachets of each product are available online at beautyideas.com for $18.50 per box." Regarding cosmetics, use products that last longer. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/18/06)
Amtrak stations in Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore are Wi-Fi enabled for wireless access to the Internet.
Overbooked? You Have Rights! Airlines "If you're denied boarding on an oversold flight, U.S. carriers, by law, must refund your ticket or let you use it for another flight and they may owe you up to $400." For details, click here. Rental Cars You should receive an upgrade at the quoted price or "insist that the agent obtain a comparable vehicle from a competitor or ask whether one will be available soon. Or get the company to pay for a taxi to your hotel and deliver your car later." Hotels "If you show up with confirmed reservations and there's no room at the inn, the solution is straightforward: Expect the hotel to find you a comparable room at another hotel, pay for transportation there and pick up the tab for the night... If you're inconvenienced... Ask for a manager. Suggest a room upgrade, a discount, free meals or other compensation." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/10/06)
Services like BAGS will tag your luggage and have them cleared by security. However, fees can run as high as $20 per person. WDW uses BAGS and Disneyland California is thinking about using the service there. (Source: latimes.com, 07/30/06) For learn more about BAGS, call 407/447-5547 or visit their website.
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "I recently saw a note in an Affordable Disney newsletter from a reader who commented that Pop Century resort didn't share buses with other resorts, while a friend of hers that stayed at "another moderate resort" said their bus DID pick up elsewhere. I feel that this needs a little clarification. First, Pop Century isn't a moderate resort; it's in the "value resort" category - and don't let the $116 per night price tag mentioned scare you off... The value resorts start off as low as $79 a night at certain times of the year. It's true that while Pop Century buses usually don't service any other resort, the buses servicing the All Star resorts often stop at two or even all three in that group. Usually, though, that's only outside park opening and closing times when each resort is less likely to have need of a full bus. I should also mention that Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter, while treated as separate resorts in some ways, are treated as one big resort in others. In addition to being able to use the pools at both sides, guests will often find that park buses stop first at French Quarter and then make the 4-stop loop at Riverside. (This is but one of the reasons that I prefer French Quarter personally.) If you ARE staying at Riverside, though, consider heading to the stop in front of the main building - or even walking over to French Quarter - during peak morning hours to increase your chances of getting a seat." Note from John: I've never really been bothered by the buses stopping at French Quarter on our way to Riverside. Patience comes with age, I guess. :) However, like Beth recommends, we always catch the bus at the South depot near the gift shop at the main building.
SET LOVE FREE! Beth, our travel agent, writes: "If you live in the state of Texas, you probably know all about the Wright Amendment. It was passed some 26 years ago to eliminate competition for the then-new DFW airport. DFW is now the third largest airport in the world, and it no longer needs protection from competition. In fact, quite the opposite. If the Wright Amendment didn't so severely limit the routes flown from nearby Love Field, home of Southwest Airlines, we'd surely see a nice drop in price for flights to and through DFW as well as many more flight choices. A recent study indicated that the Wright Amendment costs consumers nationwide over $4 billion a year! That means that we ALL pay for it, not just Texans. If you want to join the fight to have the Wright Amendment repealed, click here to learn more and email your legislators."
Allan writes about rental cars: "We are due to depart for Disney from the United Kingdom on 8 October 2005, returning on 22 October 2005 with our two boys aged 4 & 8. We are flying into Sanford Airport and staying at the Marriot World Centre Resort at Lake Buena Vista. Tens of thousands of fastidiously saved Airmiles over the last 15 years have provided us with this (hopefully) fantastic holiday. Sad, I know... Over the two week period, we are looking at going to 9 attractions (Magic Kingdom, MGM studios, Universal Studios, Epcot, Kennedy Space Centre (maybe), Seaworld, Discovery Cove, The Animal Kingdom and a Disney Water Park. We have already booked the Discovery Cove tickets (which included a free SeaWorld Ticket). No other tickets have yet been booked. We are also on a very limited budget. Would it be possible to ask your advice on: 1. Do we need a car to get to the various attractions, or is it easy to use the public transport? I ask this because I drive about 1,000 miles per week and ideally wanted a holiday where I didn't have to drive. But if the public transport is too restrictive bearing in mind we will have 4 & 8 year olds with us, then perhaps a car is the only option. Can you advise? >> I would rent a car or use a limo service. See the book for recommendations. 2. If we don't hire a car, is there a sensible way to get public transport from where we land at Sanford Airport to lake Buena Vista where the Marriot hotel is? >> You will have to rent a car to get to LBV from Sanford - it's 45 minutes by car. 3. What are the most cost effective Disney/Universal tickets to purchase for a family of four? We don't anticipate returning for many years, so we don't need the 'no expiration' option. We don't believe we will need to switch between parks on the same day, unless you would advise otherwise? >> You don't need a hopper. You'll be there plenty of time to see one park each day. The base ticket is fine. Buy your tickets from [our ticket agent]. 4. On your web-site, you have suggested planned 1-day tours of each of the Disney parks. Do you have a similar tour guide for Universal? >> No customized tour for Universal. For helpful tips, click here. 5. As we leave the United Kingdom at the end of next week, we will need to purchase the tickets quickly so we get them in time. Would you still recommend these are purchased from [your agent] or do you sell them directly? Buy them from our agent. He can even drop them off at your hotel for you before you get there. Thank you for your help. Keep well." >> Have a safe and fun vacation! Send me a trip report when you get back.
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "This bears repeating from time to time because it's a big money- saver... When you purchase non-refundable plane tickets, don't stop watching the fares. If the fare drops for your exact flights on those exact days, contact the airline or the place where you bought the ticket and ask for a voucher for the difference toward future travel. There are a few other factors involved so it doesn't always work, but it often does. The last time I bought a plane ticket over $80 of it was paid for with vouchers from previous flight cost reductions! Remember that the fare reduction must be available on the exact flights that you already ticketed, though. That's the key. Sign up for Travelocity's fare watch service (or any other) so that you're notified when fares drop on your route."
Brian writes: "We're going to Disney world and looking into renting a car for 2 nights from one of the onsite Alamo rental places. We're staying at Pop Century, so would you suggest renting from the Car Care Center Alamo or the one in the Dolphin? Also, which would be easiest to get to, and how would you go about getting there?" Your hotel's front desk can arrange for a shuttle to take you to the Car Car Center. Give them one day's notice. Beth, our travel agent, writes: "I love using the Dolphin location because no matter where you are, there's probably a bus to MGM Studios approaching your location and you don't have to remember to request it in advance. You can jump on that bus, then (instead of taking a left through the gates of MGM) take a short stroll around the lake to the Dolphin. Car rentals are usually cheapest done in 24 hours increments, so if you pick the car up in the morning to go to SeaWorld or Universal, plan on dropping it off at the Dolphin 24 or 48 hours later. You won't have to rush to get it back at night, AND you can walk back over and start with MGM Studios that morning. It's also not a big deal to return the car to the airport, giving you an extra hour or so to play compared to using Magical Express. While it costs more to rent a car at the airport because of various taxes and fees, you can usually return the car to the airport for the same price it would have been to return it to the Dolphin or the Car Care Center. And yes, I keep a stack of discount coupons for Alamo right next to my desk!"
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