Consumer Traveler Newsletter – November 2, 2014

by | Nov 2, 2014

Thank you for reading Consumer Traveler’s weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to our daily email newsletter here. Airline consumers drive the discussions on voice calls on planes, growing government taxation of travel and effects of mergers on airline...
Around the world in 29 cheeses

Around the world in 29 cheeses

by | Nov 2, 2014

I love a foodie’s perspective on travel. I’ve been known to drive extra hours to get to a special restaurant, even when everyone else in the car is complaining of hunger. Where many would stop anywhere to satisfy their hunger, I may too, except when I know...

5 “good” and “bad” effects of airline mergers

by | Oct 30, 2014

Bill McGee, presenting at the DOT Advisory Committee for Consumer Protections (ACACP) meeting, noted the good and bad of airline consolidation. The hearings focused on the use of cell phones for voice calls in the air, the impact of government-imposed taxes and fees...

The irrational Ebola fear factor

by | Oct 29, 2014

Ebola is a scary disease. No question, it is horrible for the people of West Africa. But, this week brought the news that Kenya safari bookings are down as much as 70 percent since the outbreak has started making news. Okay, Kenya, it’s Africa, fair enough....

Why business-traveler friends book Southwest

by | Oct 24, 2014

These friends of mine previously only had Continental and later United (after the merger) to fly between Washington-Reagan Airport and Houston. They saw the cheap-seat flight cost more than double after the merger and, whenever they had to make changes, they were...

Do frequent flier miles trump customer service?

by | Oct 23, 2014

I hate to say it, but I have been scheduling my travels based on frequent flier miles in order to reach an elite membership level before the end of the year. Happily, in my case, the gathering of frequent flier miles and saving money have coincided, but not customer...