Home Delivery

Travel Advisories

Article tools

E-mail

Share
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Facebook
- Fark
- Google
- Newsvine
- Reddit
- Yahoo

BUMPED FLIERS' MONEY

When airlines deny you a seat you've reserved because they've oversold the flight, they typically offer you a voucher for the inconvenience. But there are two things you need to know: Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, you are entitled to insist on money instead, and as of May 19, airlines must pay you up to twice as much as the DOT previously required. If you are involuntarily bumped from a domestic flight and the substitute flight offered is scheduled to arrive one to two hours later than your original flight, you soon will be entitled to a refund of your one-way fare, up to $400. If the new flight is scheduled to make you more than two hours late, payment jumps to as much as $800. For international flights, the airlines are given more time: You can claim up to $400 if the substitute flight is scheduled to arrive within one to four hours of the original time. If it's more than four hours, you get $800. (5/11/08)

DIAL-AN-INTERPRETER.

Visiting China, but your Mandarin is, frankly, flawed? No problem. Just dial up an interpreter. Boston-based Fone-In Inc. offers over-the-phone interpretation services with live operators. You speak with them in English, then hand over the phone and they explain your needs to Chinese-speaking locals. Fone-In isn't limited to just English and Chinese. The company offers access to interpreters in more than 80 languages and charges $57.99 for a one-year membership plus $2.23 a minute; 877-988-3556, fone-in.com. You also must pay your regular phone charges on top of these fees. (5/4/08)

TRAM BACK IN SERVICE. The tram that was out of service for eight months in the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is working again. A snapped cable shut down the tram in the south leg of the Arch on July 21, leaving only one route to the top of the 630-foot tall monument on the banks of the Mississippi River. Trams from each leg of the Arch carry visitors back and forth. The north leg of the tram was not affected. (4/18/08)

SPIRIT RETURNS TO LONG ISLAND. Beginning May 1, Spirit Airlines returns to MacArthur Airport in Islip with two daily flights to Ft. Lauderdale. Details at spiritair.com. (4/18/08)

KENYA TRAVEL. The U.S. State Department says threats of violence have "dramatically receded" in Kenya following a political power-sharing deal. However, the agency advises travelers to be on alert for spontaneous protests if the arrangement does not hold. Info: travel.state.gov. (4/11/08)

SPEEDY AIRPORT SECURITY. Travelers who pay $128 to enroll in Verified Identity Pass' Clear program can speed through security lanes at JFK (terminals 1, 4A, 4B and 7) and LaGuardia (B gates), as well as 14 other airports. Details: flyclear.com. (4/11/08)

TORONTO FLIGHTS. Porter Airlines began service between Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Newark Liberty International Airport on March 31, with seven daily flights. Fares begin at $95 each way and can be purchased online at flyporter.com. (4/4/08)

CHAMPION AIR QUITS. Champion Air, a charter operator based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, announced it will cease flight operations on May 31, citing the rise in fuel prices and the overall economic slowdown. According to its Web site, Champion's fleet of Boeing 727s transported professional and collegiate athletic teams, tour groups, the Department of Defense and corporate clients. The company said the airline will fulfill all outstanding service commitments. (4/4/08)