Travel Tips:
You can have a better seat on United, but you'll have to pay for it
Passport "do-overs" are no longer allowed
The U.S. Department of State has announced that, due to security concerns, it will no longer amend valid passports for name changes or printing errors. Affected travelers must now reapply for a new passport using Form DS-5504, available at the agency's website: travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Beware of currency conversion fees in Europe
Some European establishments now offer a "service" called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) which translates hotel and restaurant bills on the spot from the local currency into U.S. (or Canadian) dollars. It is generally undisclosed and adds a 4 to 5 percent transaction fee on to your credit card bill. If you are presented with a bill in dollars, ask to pay in local currency instead. Note: your Visa or MasterCard issuer might tack on a local-to-U.S. conversion fee as well, so determine what that charge will be before you leave for Europe. Most fee add-ons are less than the DCC.
Fill 'er up or (maybe) pay extra
Car-rental companies have not paid a lot of attention to renters who drive the car only a short distance and don't fill the tank before returning it. At all Budget locations, however, they'll charge you an automatic fee of $9.50 if you drive 75 miles or less and can't prove you filled the tank just before returning the rental. Avis will get you too, at five airport locations: Oakland; Baltimore-Washington; Minneapolis-St.Paul; Raleigh -Durham NC; and Houston Hobby.
Rental car rates are picking up speed
The rental car industry is going through some big changes. The longtime friendly relationship between rental car companies and the auto industry is cooling off and the big discounts on fleet purchases are dwindling. As a result, rental rates are escalating. One-day rentals are up about 20% at major airports; Avis, Dollar, Hertz, National and some others have raised prices 5% to 15% or more on rentals overall. Business travelers are advised to look into alternate transportation whenever possible. For information on transportation options anywhere in the US: www.apta.com/links/state_local.
Stow the hand-held phone if you're driving in Chicago
Chicago is the nation's largest city to prohibit motorists from using cell phones without a hands-free device. If you're caught, you'll face a $50 fine. If the violation happens "at the time of a traffic accident," the fine will quadruple, to $200.
You can have a better seat on United, but you'll have to pay for it
United airlines passengers who pay annual fees of $299 and up can get priority access to the airline's Economy Plus seating, which includes expanded legroom and quicker exits upon landing. The seats, which can include one companion, are subject to availability.
Budget and Avis change minimum age for rentals
Following the lead of most major car rental companies, Budget and Avis have lowered to 21 the minimum age for renting a car They'll tack on an average $25-a-day fee for the privilege (in New York state, where the minimum rental age is 18 by law, they'll ask for a whopping $110 a day).
Check in for your Delta ATL flight at Avis lot
You can now check in for your Delta flight from the Atlanta (ATL) Avis car rental lot. New kiosks, located at the Avis shuttle bus stop, incorporate Delta's online check-in option in a touch screen format. The kiosk issues a boarding pass so if you're not checking luggage, you'll be able to head straight to the gate.
The US State Department has opened a Business Visa Center to assist American companies that are inviting foreign business travelers to the US. Contact the Center by e-mail at BusinessVisa@state.gov or by phone at 202-663-3198.
Cancel your car and it could cost you
Alamo Rent A Car has announced it will begin charging for some cancellations. The basic fee is $10. Cancel within 24 hours of a reservation pick-up date, or no-show, and the company says it will charge a $25 fee on your credit card.
"Transportation Bible" covers 456 airports
Salk International's Airport Transit Guide is a pocket-sized book crammed with information about the transportation services available at 456 domestic and international airports, from Aberdeen to Zurich. Check out information from the 2003 edition at www.airporttransitguide.com or order the latest version on the site from www.Magellans.com or directly from the publisher.
One-stop shopping for travel-size products
There's a website where you can order from among several hundred travel and individual size products. Check out www.minimus.biz for travel-size tooth paste, shaving cream, mouthwash and much more.
House calls are coming to a hotel near you
After Charlotte NC businessman Andy Jacobson got sick on a business trip to Las Vegas, he decided to launch a new company called InRoom MD, offering 24-hour-a-day "house calls" at hotels. The fee-based service is currently available in Las Vegas and Charlotte, with Boston, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Orlando, New Orleans, New York City, Phoenix/Scottsdale, San Francisco and Washington DC to be added soon. Look for more information at www.inroommd.com.
As the number of air travelers escalates, so too does the potential for encountering health problems, especially in foreign countries. It's important to keep up to date on health concerns and there are websites that help you do just that:
