http://www.smartertravel.com/all/?content_type=column&column_type=asked_and_answered&source=rss Ed Perkins: AskEd & AnswerEd Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:04:25 -0400 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:04:25 -0400 With the worldwide obsession over airfares, and a secondary fixation on hotel deals, it may come as a surprise that railroads offer great discounts and promotions. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/you-can-find-deals-for-rail-tickets-too.html?id=8208042&source=rss askanswer Sun, 26 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 From Wi-Fi to smartphones to credit card chips to payment methods, technology already touches our travel experiences. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-technology-changes-the-way-we-travel.html?id=8138445&source=rss askanswer Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:45:07 -0400 Ed's short answer is, "Yes, but only in a small number of cases. And there are some risks." http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/can-hidden-city-fares-cut-the-cost-of-flying.html?id=8053348&source=rss askanswer Sun, 12 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Results show low-cost airlines generally did better than the large legacy carriers. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/study-tests-availability-of-frequent-flyer-reward-seats.html?id=7961337&source=rss askanswer Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Ed shows you how to make and receive some calls free and most others for a mere fraction of those typically hefty roaming charges. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/phone-home-cheaply-with-smart-technology.html?id=7921563&source=rss askanswer Sun, 29 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Buying any-reason cancelation and primary medical insurance, and buying it early in the game, could help avoid hassles if you need to make a claim. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/make-sure-you-get-the-right-travel-insurance.html?id=7795432&source=rss askanswer Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 The good opportunities may be dwindling, but don't give up. Ed will tell you what factors to consider when sizing up the great deals that are still out there. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/is-shopping-overseas-good-deal-or-waste-of-money.html?id=7762694&source=rss askanswer Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 A reader asks about putting together a surprise getaway for her husband's 70th birthday and Ed offers up several savings options, as well as a few splurge ideas. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/planning-that-special-trip-to-las-vegas.html?id=7733391&source=rss askanswer Wed, 11 May 2011 09:14:00 -0400 Viewed individually, the new rules are almost all improvements. But they fail to address some of the worst airline abuses that continue to plague travelers. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-useful-are-the-dot-new-passenger-protections.html?id=7601744&source=rss askanswer Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Look for companion tickets, no-fee foreign transactions, and airport lounge access for the best customers. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/citi-american-express-pile-on-perks-for-premium-cardholders.html?id=7516109&source=rss askanswer Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Two big names are first out of the gate in the wait for the alternative to the swipe-and-sign credit cards. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/when-will-we-ever-get-chip-and-pin-credit-cards.html?id=7433282&source=rss askanswer Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:07:40 -0400 Handling fees, currency conversion rates, and paperwork make getting your money back a hassle. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/watch-out-for-the-incredible-shrinking-vat-refund.html?id=7361833&source=rss askanswer Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 New payment services give consumers more choices beyond the familiar "plastic" money offerings. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/worried-about-card-fees-check-alternative-payment-options.html?id=7265602&source=rss askanswer Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Right now, there's no easy answer for folks planning trips to the 2012 Games in London. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/olympics-attendees-face-buy-now-or-wait-for-bargain-dilemma.html?id=7197390&source=rss askanswer Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Watch for more gimmicks as airlines get creative in developing new sources of fee revenue. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/get-used-to-the-idea-of-more-airline-fees.html?id=7130434&source=rss askanswer Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Ed Perkins explains the difference behind the discounts: Consolidator, OK. Coupon broker, not so much. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/are-big-discounts-on-business-class-seats-legit.html?id=7053388&source=rss askanswer Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Ed Perkins takes a look at the plans and prospects for some interesting new startups. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/new-airlines-vying-for-their-place-in-the-sky.html?id=6996935&source=rss askanswer Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Banks have added important benefits to some of their cards. But there's no news yet on the chip-and-pin front. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/what-the-latest-on-travel-credit-cards.html?id=6932318&source=rss askanswer Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Ed Perkins answers a worried traveler's question about charges added to 'free' frequent flyer tickets. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/what-up-with-fuel-surcharges-on-award-flights.html?id=6853841&source=rss askanswer Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 If you're reconsidering your booked trip, read this. Ed Perkins explains your insurance options. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/does-travel-insurance-help-in-egypt.html?id=6788200&source=rss askanswer Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:23:12 -0500 Passengers are getting bigger while airline seats are getting smaller. Ed Perkins sizes up the situation. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/the-big-seat-squeeze-debate-continues.html?id=6757185&source=rss askanswer Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 U.S. travelers noticed airlines apparently took better care of delayed and stranded passengers on European flights recently. Ed Perkins investigates. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/do-european-passengers-have-more-rights-than-travelers.html?id=6702052&source=rss askanswer Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Ed Perkins says airline rules about seat encroachment are often vague and poorly enforced. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/dealing-with-the-big-seat-squeeze.html?id=6639077&source=rss askanswer Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Ed Perkins explains all you can claim is what's in each airline's contract of carriage. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/passenger-rights-depend-more-on-circumstances-than-on-legislation.html?id=6588029&source=rss askanswer Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Internal squabbles in the airline industry don't generally bode well for consumers. Ed Perkins breaks it down for you. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/do-consumers-lose-when-airlines-and-otas-fight.html?id=6560851&source=rss askanswer Sun, 09 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500