http://www.smartertravel.com/all/?content_type=column&column_type=asked_and_answered&source=rss_askanswer Ed Perkins: AskEd & AnswerEd Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:04:12 -0500 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:04:12 -0500 Airline fine print can sometimes land you in unexpected trouble. Ed Perkins digs into the tiny but extremely important jargon many folks don't read. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/the-fine-print-what-you-don-know-can-hurt-you.html?id=3845943&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:25:25 -0500 A good tour operator is important, and hard to find. Ed Perkins offers tips for sifting through the options and choosing the one that's best for you. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-can-find-the-right-tour-operator.html?id=3810934&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:27 -0500 Are we better off checking our bags or carrying all our stuff on board the plane? Given what's happening with the airlines, this is one of those questions with no simple answer. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/no-easy-solution-to-airline-baggage-woes.html?id=3777230&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:03:28 -0400 Ed Perkins examines the pros and cons of airline reader surveys, and finds that they can be useful if you employ some healthy skepticism. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/best-airlines-by-traveler-test.html?id=3740806&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:47:54 -0400 Ed Perkins examines the useful but imperfect world of airline ratings, and finds that and no one airline can be best for all travelers. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-do-know-which-airlines-is-the-best.html?id=3711682&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:49:50 -0400 Despite all the ink (and more recently, pixels) devoted to the subject, many travelers are still unsure about when, how, who, and how much to tip. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-much-should-tip-when-traveling-abroad.html?id=3686917&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:48:06 -0400 Who wouldn't fly up front if the price was right? Unfortunately, business- and first-class fares are out of reach for many travelers. Ed Perkins looks for deals on premium service. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/where-can-buy-discounted-business-class-tickets.html?id=3667864&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:07:55 -0400 Swine flu is a hot topic these days. With so much confusion as to whether or not it's covered by travel insurance, Ed Perkins investigates and emerges with a definitive answer. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/does-travel-insurance-cover-swine-flu.html?id=3635729&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:46:12 -0400 For a variety of reasons, some travelers are interested in cruising within the U.S. rather than hitting overseas ports. Ed Perkins explains why that's not as easy as it sounds. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/can-cruise-entirely-within-the.html?id=3616321&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:51:22 -0400 Every year, hurricanes disrupt numerous cruises and land resorts, leaving passengers wondering which, if any, travel insurance policies cover hurricanes. Ed Perkins investigates. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/which-travel-insurance-policies-protect-against-hurricanes.html?id=3592405&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:19:38 -0400 Europe's museums, theaters, and concert halls are among the world's best., but visitors face long waiting lines and scarce tickets. Ed Perkins offers some tips for getting in. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/bypass-the-lines-in-europe-get-advance-tickets.html?id=3564755&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0400 The short answer is "Yes." But as is so often the case, the final outcome is hardly a given and may not solve all of the industry's customer service problems. Ed Perkins explains. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/air-passengers-bill-of-rights-good-or-bad.html?id=3536772&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:49:24 -0400 Ed Perkins tackles the tricky task of transferring miles after a program member passes away. And as is so often the case, there is no short or quick or easy way to do it. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/can-inherit-frequent-flyer-miles.html?id=3516655&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:52:46 -0400 Should you use miles for a premium class award or should you buy an economy ticket and upgrade it with fewer miles? Ed Perkins explains. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/premium-flying-award-or-upgrade-with-miles.html?id=3491399&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:51:47 -0400 No travel task comes close to the nearly impossible feat that is finding and booking frequent flyer award seats. Ed Perkins unpacks one of the trickiest aspects of award travel. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-can-manage-and-combine-frequent-flyer-miles.html?id=3466617&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:33:53 -0400 When you have a complaint with an airline, hotel, or cruise line, you should take it up first with that supplier. Unfortunately, your complaint may be completely ignored. What then? http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/make-your-gripe-count.html?id=3426312&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:33:26 -0400 We get lots and lots of "is this a good deal?" and "should I buy now?" questions. In response, Ed Perkins has eight suggestions for gaming the buyers' market. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-to-game-the-buyers-market-in-travel.html?id=3421982&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:27:47 -0400 Even if you have a wireless phone, it might not be the best answer for overseas travel. And if you don't have a wireless phone, you obviously need some other way to keep in touch. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/making-phone-calls-to-and-from-overseas.html?id=3398423&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:42:14 -0400 Budget chains may be scarce, but that doesn't mean you can't find low-priced independent hotels. Ed Perkins searches for savings in Italy, Germany, and the rest of Europe. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/finding-budget-hotels-outside-france-and-the.html?id=3377467&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:44:22 -0400 Ed Perkins explains why it's better to be safe than sorry and book your car rental as early as possible. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/lock-in-that-summer-car-rental.html?id=3342622&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Travelers seem to be a favorite target for taxing authorities, and each time we fly we pay a laundry list of various fees and taxes. Ed Perkins highlights the worst of the worst. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/taxes-and-fees-on-air-travel-how-big-bite.html?id=3322955&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:58:56 -0400 Ed Perkins examines each airline's rules for flying with minors, and finds that not all airlines have the same policy. More importantly, the extra fees airlines charge can vary wildly. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/the-ins-and-outs-of-air-travel-for-minors.html?id=3305083&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:55:12 -0400 A less-than-frequent flyer wants to know if and when United will cancel her miles before she travels. Ed Perkins tackles the tricky question of when miles expire and how to extend them. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/am-going-to-lose-my-miles.html?id=3261234&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:44:04 -0400 With its promise of $9 airfares, JetAmerica is making headlines even before it starts flying. But will the new airline live up to the hype? Ed Perkins says buyer beware. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/jetamerica-buyer-guide-to-the-new-low-cost-airline.html?id=3256194&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:48:24 -0400 Once commonplace but now a rarity, Ed Perkins discusses the current state of open jaw, hidden city, and cheap stand-by flights. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/unusual-airfare-itineraries-and-their-solutions.html?id=3213596&source=rss_askanswer askanswer Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:20:45 -0400