http://www.smartertravel.com/all/?content_type=column&column_type=perkins_on_travel&source=rss Ed Perkins: Ed Perkins on Travel Thu, 23 May 2013 20:06:56 -0400 Thu, 23 May 2013 20:06:56 -0400 Travel expert Ed Perkins dispels common myths and misconceptions about consolidator fares, and provides guidelines for buying such tickets. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/the-truth-about-consolidator-fares.html?id=9581452&source=rss ed Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:15:14 -0500 These days, when so many wireless phones have cameras, documenting a potential problem is easy. Yes, that phone can sometimes save you real money: When in doubt, take a picture. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/put-the-phone-camera-to-use-avoid-headaches.html?id=9505164&source=rss ed Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:34:33 -0400 Ed Perkins on a new website, and a few new tools, that make "blind buying" a piece of cake. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/priceline-made-easy-new-tool-helps-secure-best-price.html?id=9370355&source=rss ed Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:28:41 -0400 Big changes are in the offing at the TSA. But will a new initiative fix the problems ... or just add to them? Ed Perkins takes a serious look at the future of airport security. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/consumer-alert-ed-perkins-dissects-the-tsa-new-airport-security-program.html?id=9267456&source=rss ed Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:45:44 -0400 Our longtime consumer advocate has mostly positive things to say, but with one big caveat. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/flash-sales-and-coupons.html?id=9157572&source=rss ed Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:11:34 -0400 United's MileagePlus and Continental's OnePass will officially merge soon, but the "program tweaks" that come with it portend even greater frustration ahead for ordinary travelers. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/united-continental-frequent-flyer-tweaks-not-much-there-for-ordinary-flyers.html?id=9086509&source=rss ed Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:19:13 -0400 It's no surprise that the powerhouse company that processes over one billion online search requests per day, and has in its possession the recently acquired airfare search system, is delving deeper into the air world. Ed Perkins breaks down Google's new Flight Search? http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/google-new-airfare-search-system.html?id=9015430&source=rss ed Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:13:57 -0400 Airlines are tweaking their schedules far more often than ever before. Inconvenient? Sure. But there's also a significant upside to all this upheaval, writes Ed Perkins. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/ed-perkins-schedule-change-curse-or-blessing.html?id=8963295&source=rss ed Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:00:19 -0400 Never accept a claim of a discount or percent-off at face value, writes Ed Perkins, because no one is actually policing those claims. Find out what you should be doing to make sure those discounts deliver real savings. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/beware-phony-discount-claims.html?id=8878358&source=rss ed Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:25:50 -0400 You can't plan for Hurricane Irene any more, but the hurricane season is just beginning and you can plan for the next one. Ed Perkins tells you how to "stay in charge" of your cancelation rights the next time a storm threatens to disrupt your plans. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/what-are-your-rights-if-hurricane-threatens-your-trip.html?id=8793851&source=rss ed Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:43:23 -0400 The DOT's new consumer rules are "far from adequate," writes expert columnist Ed Perkins. But another less-heralded protection is likely to have a much bigger impact. Find out why. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/new-consumer-rights-go-into-effect.html?id=8747857&source=rss ed Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:21:51 -0400 Flash sales are the current big thing in travel deals. You have a very short time to buy the deal, but it's usually good over several weeks to months. And some of the deals are really good, though with some caveats. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/shop-the-flash-sites-mdash-but-carefully.html?id=8690884&source=rss ed Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:59:22 -0400 If you haven't been paying attention to the latest changes happening in the world of travel search, you're missing some giant leaps forward. Travel expert Ed Perkins weighs in on significant advancements being made by several major search sites. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/rail-and-premium-economy-rates-now-available-from-online-travel-agencies.html?id=8629418&source=rss ed Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:58:44 -0400 With no end in sight, Ed Perkins updates his listing up to more than a dozen flash sale sites. As long as the suppliers are willing to offer cut-rate prices, keep seeking the deals. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/flash-sale-websites-going-strong.html?id=8564118&source=rss ed Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:25:56 -0400 American and United have announced new credit cards that earn mileage in the sponsoring line's frequent flyer program. Ed Perkins reviews them both. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/two-new-airline-credit-cards-with-major-perks.html?id=8484805&source=rss ed Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:29:48 -0400 Consumer travel expert Ed Perkins weighs in on the elusive "best price guarantee" and lays out your options for snagging a (partial) refund. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/buy-ticket-price-drops-can-you-recoup.html?id=8481797&source=rss ed Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:39:38 -0400 All tickets are not created equal. Ed Perkins shows you how to deal with air travel problems you never imagined you could have. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/more-airline-tricks-and-how-to-avoid-them.html?id=8371992&source=rss ed Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 If you're sitting on a batch of American Express Membership Rewards points, two key deadlines are approaching. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/should-you-transfer-or-keep-american-express-points.html?id=8305837&source=rss ed Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Discounts from advertised rates are usually around 30 percent, but occasionally go much higher. The purchase window is usually no longer than a week and sometimes even shorter. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/private-sale-websites-are-growing-fast.html?id=8236711&source=rss ed Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:21:58 -0400 Expert Ed Perkins says that as long as airlines can dream up new fees, they'll add new fees. And they'll probably try to figure out new ways to merchandise the old fees, too. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/new-perk-new-fee.html?id=8176961&source=rss ed Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 You've snagged a great deal for your trip, now your challenge is to tame the day-to-day costs of living, sightseeing, and entertainment wherever you're heading. Ed Perkins offers suggestions on how to cut costs once you've arrived. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/taming-high-destination-costs.html?id=8098427&source=rss ed Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Expedia clearly wants to strengthen its position as a primary "go-to" source for all things travel, and Groupon's coupons add another option for consumers. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/expedia-ties-up-with-groupon-are-more-good-deals-coming.html?id=8025847&source=rss ed Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Smartphones have quickly established an extremely important place in the overall scheme of travel. Ed Perkins shows you how to use your device more productively. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/are-mobile-devices-now-travel-essentials.html?id=7958688&source=rss ed Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 If you're heading for Europe this summer (which many of you will do, despite high airfares) you should know that you have quite a few rights, including some that are better than those you enjoy here at home. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/travelers-rights-in-europe.html?id=7893903&source=rss ed Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 As long as the traveling public buys by price over other factors, Ed Perkins says, you'll get the smallest seats and highest fees airlines think they can give you. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/consumers-to-airlines-we-hate-airline-fees-tight-seats.html?id=7816103&source=rss ed Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400