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Six Simple Tricks for Winter Packing
by Kate Sitarz, SmarterTravel.com Staff
For many travelers, winter means finding a way to pack bulky clothes, puffy jackets, and all the necessary cold-weather accessories into a bag. Instead of stomping on your luggage, follow these basic tips for hassle-free packing.
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New From AmEx: Frequent Flyer Fees
by Tim Winship
Pay your credit card bill late and American Express will withhold your points in the programs of Delta, JetBlue, Hilton, and Starwood. Miles can be reinstated for a $29 fee.
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$314 R/T Sale Fares to Canada From United*
United's latest sale features travel to cities in Canada like Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax, and others. However, carriers like US Airways, Delta, and Northwest, among others, offer significant savings over United's prices.
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$230 R/T Mexico Fares on Alaska*
Fly to Cancun, Los Cabos, and others with Alaska from several West Coast cities starting at $230 R/T. Also look to carriers like Continental, US Airways, American, and Northwest, among others. These competitors match or beat Alaska's fares.
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$116 R/T American Sale Matches Southwest, United, and Others*
Why does American's latest sale look so familiar? Because it's nearly identical to competing promotions from Southwest, United, and Frontier. Add it all up and you've got a major fare war. And that's a huge win for bargain hunters.
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Holiday Surcharges Increase, Expand Deep Into 2010
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
When a handful of airlines imposed their holiday surcharges last month, people reacted mostly with shock and horror. Now those airlines have taken the surcharges to a whole new level.
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$98 R/T Domestic Sale Fares on Midwest*
Midwest Airlines is linking mid-western cities including Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Omaha, with destinations like Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco. AirTran, American, Frontier, and United, and other airlines, bring some competition.
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$248 R/T Thanksgiving Day Sale From United*
Just like Southwest, United has posted its own last-minute Thanksgiving holiday sale, and these prices are competitive. Also look into JetBlue for fair fares. Destinations include Los Angeles, Rock Springs, and Washington, D.C.
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Full Flights Will Cost Flyers (Not Just Money)
by Tim Winship
If the new airline reality is full flights throughout the year, flyers should expect more congestion and frustration. And higher ticket prices.
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$49 O/W Southwest Ski Sale*
Southwest's latest sale features ski destinations Denver, Reno/Tahoe, and Salt Lake City. Unfortunately for Southwest, AirTran, Delta, and US Airways, among others avalanche on its offer with, oftentimes, lower prices.
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The Top Five Frequent Flyer Deals for November 2009
by Tim Winship
This month, we feature frequent traveler promotions from American, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Spirit, United, and six hotel chains.
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Frontier Upgrades Mean Downgrades for Some
by Tim Winship
Frontier's new Stretch seats provide more legroom for some, less for others. Is that why the product launch has been more stealthy than splashy?
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Low-Cost Carriers: Total Domination, or Bust!
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Darn those low-cost carriers, they've gone and grabbed a full thirty percent of the market from the big boys. How did they do it, and is there any stopping them?
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Passengers Unwilling to Pay for Wi-Fi
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Airlines are scrambling to provide in-flight wireless access, presumably because travelers are clamoring for the service. But is anyone really using it?
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$118 R/T United Matches Southwest Sale*
United attempts to match Southwest's latest offer with sale fares to many domestic destinations this winter. The two airlines come head-to-head in the low-fare war, and Spirit also joins the competition.
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United Pilot Arrested on Suspicion of Drinking
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
A United pilot was arrested in London on suspicion of drinking. He was just about to depart for Chicago with 124 passengers onboard.
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$108 R/T Thanksgiving Fares on Midwest*
You've got another chance to book a Thanksgiving flight. Midwest is offering fares from $108 round-trip and several carriers, including AirTran, Frontier, Northwest, and Continental, are matching or beating the sale fares.
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'Fashion Police' Deny Man First-Class Due to Track Suit
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
United denied a first-class upgrade to a passenger because his track suit was deemed too casual. UPDATED Nov 9: United has an explanation!
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American and United Launch Miles-for-Shopping Deals
by Tim Winship
Among the mileage mall promotions for holiday shopping are offers from American and United. Which offers the best bang, and the most miles, for your buck?
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Grim Outlook for Free Flights This Fall
by Tim Winship
Flights were full in October, leaving little room for award travelers. If that's a portent of things to come, a window of opportunity for mileage redeemers will have slammed shut.
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Can Someone Accompany Me to the Gate?
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
A reader says that after falling asleep due to anti-anxiety medicine and missing her flight, an airline employee told her she could have brought a non-ticketed friend to the gate. Really?
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Lesson Not Learned: United Loses Musician's Bag
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
United managed to lose musician Dave Carroll's bags. Yes, that Dave Carroll, of "United Breaks Guitars" fame.
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The Top Five Award Destinations for November
by Tim Winship
This month's best bets for award travel include Reno, Salt Lake City, Canada, Mexico, and Nassau.
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Five Bright Spots for Travelers in 2009
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Sure, there were enough new fees and delayed planes to fill a book this year. But the squeeze brought on by the recession yielded some traveler-friendly trends, too.
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United's Baggage Subscription Could Save You Money
by Ed Perkins
While you may scoff at United's $249 yearly baggage subscription, seniors, families, and frequent flyers should take a closer look. Ed Perkins explains how this fee can work for you.
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In Continental Partner Switch, Delta Is Out, United Is In
by Tim Winship
Continental's move from SkyTeam to the Star Alliance reshuffles the deck for frequent flyers. Among the new benefits: OnePass miles on United and US Airways, and more awards.
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Why Is Southwest Travelers' Favorite Airline?
by Ed Perkins
We love certain airlines and avoid others at all costs. Ed Perkins investigates one survey's results to explain why Southwest wins top honors and why US Airways has some work to do.
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United Discounts Europe, Middle East Awards by 20 Percent
by Tim Winship
For the seventh time this year, United is cutting award prices. But as in the past, Mileage Plus members will have to act fast to take advantage of the discounts.
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Best Airlines by Traveler Test
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Ed Perkins examines the pros and cons of airline reader surveys, and finds that they can be useful if you employ some healthy skepticism.
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How to Save on Airfare Even After You've Booked
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Booking doesn't necessarily mean you're done shopping. There are a handful of little-known tricks that give you a chance to save money even after you've purchased a ticket.
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New International Routes Translate Into Big Savings
Many airlines are launching new international service in 2009 to capitalize on new markets. Flying on introductory routes is a great way to save on overseas travel.
