smart travel tips, vacation rentals news


Airport News: Another Requirement for Airport Security


Oct 13

Posted: under Airport News, Transportation News.
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Airport Security is now adding more requirements to meet. Already, we have to remove belts, shoes, laptops and store a maximum of 3.4 ounces of liquid in a zip-lock bag.

Now, any suspicious looking powder will undergo on-the-spot testing by Airport Security using a new explosive-detection technology. Common powders such as baby powder, baby formula, medication or make up will not be affected by this new Airport Security check.

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Airlines News: A Different Approach to Baggage Fees


Oct 13

Posted: under Airport News, Transportation News.
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United Airlines has introduced Premier Baggage, a new way to approach checked baggage fees. Premier Baggage allows travelers to pay a flat rate annually that will cover two standard-size checked baggage fees at no additional price every time they fly on a United or United Express flight. It covers standard-size checked baggage fees for up to eight companions that are traveling under the same confirmation number as the subscriber. The subscription price is $249 for the year.

Depending on your lifestyle or travel plans for that year, you maybe really benefit from Premier Baggage. You can purchase Premier Baggage as a gift and you can find it at united.com/premierbaggage.

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Travel & Tourism: How to Kill Time at the Airport


Oct 08

Posted: under Airport News, Transportation News.
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If you are one of the many people that are flying responsibly and getting to the airport on time, you might find yourself twiddling your thumbs at the airport for a couple of hours or more. There are many different ways to pass the time at the airport but some are more productive than others. Some airports in the UK are especially equipped to pass the time at the airport.

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If You Are with Children

Many airports come with amenities for children. These can include play areas, games, free coloring and so on. This also helps ensure that kids are tired out and quiet throughout the flight.

Eat

Eat at one of the airport restaurants before your flight instead of waiting for the potential case in which you MIGHT get plane food.

Go to the Spa

More and more airports are opening spas for fliers. While you wait for the time of yet another flight delay to pass, treat yourself to treatments such as massages, facials, manicures, pedicures or waxes.

Get a Yotel

Yotels are Japanese capsule-style hotels that you can reserve hourly for a nap to pass the time at the airport. You can find these yotels at London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol. Each of the rooms is comparable to a first-class cabin and offers ensuite bathrooms, free wi-fi and entertainment systems.

Get an Upgrade

The best place to be to land a seat upgrade is the departure gate. Many times, privileged seats are kept open until the aircraft is ready to board.

If you are planning a trip, you may want to look into reserving vacation rentals rather than hotels. Vacation rentals are a comfortable, spacious and more affordable alternative to hotels.

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Travel & Tourism: CBP Prohibited and Restricted Items


Oct 08

Posted: under Airport News, Transportation News.
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CBP enforces hundreds of laws for 40 other government agencies. These agencies require that unsafe items not be allowed into the United States. CBP officers are at ports of entry and are responsible for protecting America from threats. The CBP is expected to prevent products that would injure community health, public safety, American workers, children, domestic plants and domestic animals from entering the United States.

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If you are planning a trip abroad and you plan to bring something back into the United States upon your return, you may want to contact CBP to make sure none of those items are prohibited or restricted. If you are a foreigner planning a visit and stay in vacation rentals in the United States, the same rules apply. Prohibited items, which are forbidden by law to enter the United States, include unsafe cars, dangerous toys, and illegal substances. Restricted items are items that require a special license or permit. Examples of restricted items include firearms, animal products, some animals and certain fruits and vegetables. Below is a list of some of the restricted and prohibited items.

* Absinthe (Alcohol)
* Alcoholic Beverages
* Automobiles
* Biologicals
* Ceramic Tableware
* Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property
* Defense Articles or Items with Military or Proliferation Applications
* Dog and Cat Fur
* Drug Paraphernalia
* Firearms
* Fish and Wildlife
* Food Products (Prepared)
* Prior Notice for Food Importation
* Fruits and Vegetables
* Game and Hunting Trophies
* Gold
* Haitian Animal Hide Drums
* Meats, Livestock and Poultry
* Medication
* Merchandise from Embargoed Countries
* Pets
* Plants and Seeds
* Soil
* Textiles and Clothing

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Global Entry to Be Offered in More Airports


Oct 05

Posted: under Airport News, Transportation News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Homeland security expanded its global entry program to an additional thirteen airports. The program lets trusted travelers who provide information in advance to pass immigration more rapidly. As of now, Global Entry has enrolled a total 16 000 members. Most importantly, the fact that US international airports are now covered makes it easier for travelers to visit the Unites States.

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The new airports are the following:

The previous airports that offered global entry were:

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Another Way to find Travel Deals


Jun 17

Posted: under Airlines News, Airport News, Destinations and Places, Lodging and Hotel News, Plane News, Transportation News.
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Travel tips, Vacation deals

A lot of travel businesses are offering travel tips and vacation deals nowadays. You will find lodging discounts at places like Escaperental.com and Luxvacationvillas.com or vacation deals offered at Travelzoo.com. Voyij.com is a website that hooks you up with a whole other batch of travel tips, discounts and vacation deals.

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When using Voyij.com, just type in your departure airport to get a list of travel deals that you qualify for and can use immediately or within 3 months. The different vacation deals include hotel, airfare and vacation packages. Click on any search result to get the destination weather forecast, travel tips and Yelp reviews. It does it all for you.

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Airport Wait Times, Travel Tips


Apr 17

Posted: under Airport News, Transportation News.
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Flight wait time is the length of time between flight arrival and the time the last passenger on the flight is screened by CBP officers in the main processing area. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) closely monitors flight wait times of arriving flights at 16 of the busiest international airports.

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Flight arrival patterns and airport wait times vary greatly depending on the time of year, day of the week and time of day. Travel tips say the best way to predict future airport wait times is to reference the airport wait times for the most recent corresponding season. CBP provides public information for the past twelve months that may be used to predict seasonal airport wait times. The data may also be influenced by the airport and arrival terminal. CBP airport wait times do not include time to retrieve baggage or make your way through the airport. Recognize travel tips that recommend you make sure to allow time for these things if you are scheduled for a connecting flight. Contact the airline or airport authority for additional information or travel tips.

Resources:

http://apps.cbp.gov/awt/

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Past Airport Wait Times, Travel Information


Apr 17

Posted: under Airport News, Destinations and Places, Transportation News.
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Below you can find travel information on past airport wait times for the different airports.

The recording of travel information at four of the airports included in the list (Detroit Metropolitan, Ontario International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International and Minneapolis/St. Paul International) began in October, 2006 so past airport wait times travel information is available prior to that date. Seasonal monthly comparisons and date range comparisons of past airport wait times are the best ways to predict wait times.

Miami International Airport

Miami International Airport

Find past aiport wait times here - http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

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Florida Airports, Florida Vacations


Feb 12

Posted: under Airport News, Florida, Transportation News.
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Florida is a top travel destination and, therefore, very well equipped as far as airports are concerned. Below is a list of the International Florida airports. Aside from these listed, there are a variety of other domestic regional Florida airports.

Visitors on Florida vacations travel by Florida’s extensive roads or via airplane. The state of Florida runs about 750 miles in length from north to south. Travel time within the state is relatively short and inexpensive.

Miam International Airport

Miami International Airport

Daytona Beach Intl. Airport (DAB)
Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)
Fort Myers - Southwest Florida Intl (RSW)
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Key West International Airport (EYW)
Melbourne International Airport (MLB)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Ocala International Airport (OCF)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Panama City - Bay County Intl. Airport (PFN)
Sarasota Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ)
St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR)
St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. (PIE)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)

No matter your destination in Florida, travelers on Florida vacations are sure to find a nearby airport. You can also find a variety of Florida vacation rentals near the airports including, Fort Lauderdale vacation rentals, Orlando vacation rentals, Fort Myers vacation rentals and Key West vacation rentals.

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Automatic Flight Changes - Smart Travel Tip


Feb 05

Posted: under Airlines News, Airport News, Transportation News.
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Major airlines are making automatic flight changes like cutting flights, schedules and destinations up to 15%. Automatic flight changes include switching flights from one time to another or from non-stops to two stops. Service to certain airports, even major airports, will be dropped all together.

When flights have been discontinued, airlines will automatically re-book passengers onto new flights. These automatic flight changes may result in different departure times or landing in the next closest airport that they do still service. Unfortunately, after these automatic flight changes are made, not all airlines get the notice of changes to the passenger.

A smart travel tip is to be proactive and call your airline to reconfirm your reservation and make sure no automatic flight changes were made. Unexpected time changes may deduct a vacation day or add an extra night at your vacation rental. Take this smart travel tip and continue to check on your reservation until the time of your departure.

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