Airlines | ecoXplorer

Help Stop Add-on Airline, Hotel Fees

Mad as hell about all those add-on airline fees? Baggage fees, change your ticket reservation fees, extra legroom fees, even fees for getting a blanket or pillow on board. The airlines earned more than $2 billion just during April, May and June of 2010 on these fees, and nearly half of that — more [...]

Aussie Restaurant Puts Menus on iPads

The restaurant Global Mundo Tapas in Sydney, Australia really has to worry about guests stealing the menu as a souvenir, now that they’ve put the menus on iPads. In this restaurant, app means mobile device as well as yummy appetizer. The iPad menu gives a description of the dish, even a photo, and the wine selection is computerized as well. Users — diners — can click their own order, which goes directly to the kitchen. The MenuPad even can recommend dishes depending on the weather. No waiting for a waiter, except to deliver the food and refill the water glass. I wonder how they’ll keep the iPads from disappearing.

View video on next page…………….

Travel Bargains of the Week: Airfare and Getting to the Airport

The end of July is packed with travel bargains. In addition to airfare bargains, there are some discount deals to get you between the airport and home or downtown. Grab these great green travel deals before they disappear.

Delta Airlines has launched a global sale on both domestic and international flights. You have [...]

Travel Advisory: US Passport Fees Going Up

US Passport fees increase substantially on July 13, 2010

If you have been planning to get a U.S. Passport, or renew one, act fast. U.S. Passport fees increase dramatically on July 13, 2010. The cost of a new passport jumps from $100 to $135. Renewing your existing passport will rocket from $75 to $110, a 47 percent increase. Charges for a minor to age 16 increase from $85 to $105. Even the cost of a Passport Card, for land crossings into Canada and Mexico is going up from $45 to $55. These represent the third increase in the last five years.

And the feds are adding an entirely new passport fee, too. If you are a frequent traveler who needs to add additional pages to an existing passport, that will cost $82 after July 13, 2010. Right now it is free.

So, if you think you’ll need a passport in the next few years, if your existing passport is expiring in the new couple of years, or if you think you’ll run out of pages soon, the apply, renew or expand now, before the price goes up on July 13,2010. You can apply at many US Postal Service branches, by mail, or in person at a passport office.

Airline Travel Deals to Save Your Green

There are discounts galore from airlines and hotels. Act fast, since these travel bargains don’t last forever.

AirTran Airways has a getaway sale valid for travel on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. You have to book your flights by July 8, 2010, but you can travel through November 16, 2010. Sample fares are $114 [...]

American Airlines Adds Yet More Ticket Fees

As I’ve said before, airlines are working overtime to come up with new ways to increase ticket prices without actually raising the cost of the actual airline ticket. Here’s the latest scheme to increase the cost of your travel experience, from American Airlines –

Pay extra and you can board first, with Group One. [...]

Travel to the Gulf Coast Now Despite the Oil Spill

Despite the BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in US history, most beaches along the Gulf of Mexico remain open and ready for visitors. One of the best ways you can help resort communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida is to travel there and spend your money in the local, family-owned restaurants, [...]

Follow the Footsteps of Robin Hood in Nottingham, Sherwood Forest

Robin Hood, the new Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Ridley Scott action film, is sure to be a blockbuster, and also sure to increase interest to visit Britain.

You can follow the footstps of Nottingham’s famous outlaw on a special website from Visit Britain, the country’s official tourism agency, where you’ll find itineraries, behind-the-scenes movie location information, travel ideas and discount tickets for the London Eye and London Eye River Cruise.

Contest for a free trip to Nottingham – You could also win a trip to England in this contest sponsored by Visit Britain, American Airlines and Holiday Inn. The prize includes round-trip air-fare, four nights hotel, on American Airlines, four-nights for two at a Holiday Inn, a Medieval banquet with the real Sheriff of Nottingham, an archery lesson, and a visit to Sherwood Forest and to Nottingham Castle.

See the movie trailer and more discount deals and suggestions on the next page…….