FAA Evaluating Onboard Electronics

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Remember when there used to be a smoking section and a non-smoking section on airplanes?  Ok, I don’t really remember it (I have vague recollections from when I was 5 or 6), but the whole “turn off your electronic devices until we’re above 10,000 feet” may end up becoming a similar nostalgic reference. The FAA is meeting today to evaluate and establish a plan for whether or not to ease restrictions on when electronic devices that can be used on planes.  One thing to note is that although the restrictions on electronics may be relaxed, it makes sense that some Continue reading FAA Evaluating Onboard Electronics→

Low Fares to Milan Through May 2014

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During the winter, there are frequently $500-$600 flights (or sometimes even less) to Europe, but once March hits, prices tend to ramp back up for peak travel in the summer.  From time to time, we’ll see good deals to Europe through the spring and early summer, which is the case with this one: Newark, NJ (EWR) to Milan, Italy: $580 roundtrip through May.  You can do a flexible date search on http://matrix.itasoftware.com (ITA is a very powerful and convenient search tool for searching multiple airlines, cities, and flexible dates, although you can’t actually book through their site…once you find a Continue reading Low Fares to Milan Through May 2014→

Weekend Deals to United Hubs

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Most weeks, United publishes last-minute weekend deals for travel to/from their hub cities: Washington Dulles (IAD) Newark (EWR) Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Houston (IAH) Denver (DEN) San Francisco (SFO) Los Angeles (LAX) Especially for last-minute travel, these can be fantastic deals, usually starting at $161 roundtrip including tax.  If you have a family emergency or a just-need-to-getaway-emergency, these deals are available almost every week, and are usually published by Monday afternoon for travel on the upcoming weekend. You can find the deals by visiting United’s website, going to the Deals & Offers menu at the top, and choosing United Specials: One Continue reading Weekend Deals to United Hubs→

Yekaterinburg

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Who doesn’t love crazy Russian words?  Not only does the 4th largest city in Russia have a crazy name, there are also cheap flights there right now! Roundtrip from DC or NYC to lots of cities in Russia (Ekaterinburg, Ufa, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Rostov, or Novosibirsk) – only $684 roundtrip.  Flights are on Turkish Airlines in February and March, 2014, and can be found on http://www.skyscanner.com Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there are any flights available this price around the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Airlines offering Double Mile Promotions

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Late in the year, usually in the fall, it’s common for airlines to offer special promotions – and they do this for a number of reason: Peak summer travel has ended, so their planes are usually not as full and they’re trying to entice passengers to book. Frequent travelers who earn elite status with the airlines are likely aiming to re-qualify for elite status again for the following year.  Often times, they’re just a few flights short of reaching the threshold for elite status, so these double mileage promotions are very attractive offers. United, Southwest and Alaska Airlines have all Continue reading Airlines offering Double Mile Promotions→

$20 off Avis Car Rental

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Just a heads up that Groupon currently has a deal for 50% off an Avis Car Rental.  $40 in credit will only cost $20.  The main restriction appears to be that there is a 2-day rental minimum (so you can’t use the credit for a 1 day rental), but otherwise it can be used anywhere in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The vouchers are valid until 12/31/2014, so you have a over a year to use it.  While rates can certainly vary, I do find Avis to frequently have very competitive rental rates.  Grab your Continue reading $20 off Avis Car Rental→

New York to Paris: $585 roundtrip

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XL Airways, a smaller French airline, has announced a sale from New York to Paris for as low as $585 (€425) roundtrip, and it’s even available at the beginning of peak summer travel next year. The best fares are available in November and December, 2013, as well as May, 2014: Sample dates and prices include: Fares are bookable directly on the XL Airways website.

Last Minute Deal: RDU to/from LAX this weekend, only $183 roundtrip

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Great deal on a last minute weekend trip.  Raleigh, NC to/from LAX: $183 roundtrip. Valid for departing on Saturday, October 26 and returning on either Monday, October 28 or Tuesday, October 29. Flights are on American’s new non-stop service, with the following schedule: RDU-LAX: Departs 4:50 pm, Arrives 7:20 pm LAX-RDU: Departs 8:05 am, Arrives 4:00 pm Bookable directly on American’s website.

New York To/From San Francisco – $224 Roundtrip

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A few years ago, cross-country fares were relatively common.  But recently, fares have often been $300+ to get from coast to coast.  American has launched a sale between New York and San Francisco, for $224 roundtrip. Fares are available in early November, and can be booked directly on American’s website.  Act quickly, as this fare must be booked by October 25.

Select Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza Hotels: 50-75% off Reward Nights

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InterContinental Hotels, which is the parent company of Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza Hotels (among several other brands, like Candlewood Suites and Hotel Indigo), have started running 24-hour Flash Sales, where select hotels are 50-75% off when redeeming points for a reward night. For example, hotels that are normally 35,000 points per night will be only 8750 points per night like the Crowne Plaza in Athens Greece.  Check out the full list of participating hotels on the IHG website. The 24-hour sale starts at 10:00 am EST tomorrow Monday, October 21, 2013.  Rooms are limited, so if you see a Continue reading Select Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza Hotels: 50-75% off Reward Nights→