Enrout is giving away $500 dollars to one family for the holidays! You pick the destination and off you go!
Click on the image below to find out how to enter the contest. Deadline to enter is 12/16/2011.
Enrout is THE website to go if you are looking for affordable lodging from vacation rentals, hotels, or bed and breakfasts anywhere in the world. If you want to live like a local while vacationing, this is the place to look for your lodging.
The travel deals and news feature is brought to us thanks to Mike at InFlightOut. He is always on the look out for great deals and sharing them with us. Follow him on Twitter @inflightout.
In this post, you will find travel deals for Boston, New York, and Fort Lauderdale. Learn about free Wifi at 47 airports for the holidays, the United/Continental free upgrades, Air Berlin new flight from SFO, United Channel 9.
DEALS
Catch a flight on JetBlue from San Francisco or Oakland nonstop to Boston or JFK for just $79/each way + tax. Comes to $179 roundtrip w/taxes and fees. Valid for travel December 2-December 16th and January 6-January 28th. United is matching the fare from Oakland, but a mandatory connection in Denver causes the fees to increase $20, for an "all in" price of $200.
Click hereand search by the "flex dates" function.
Virgin America begins service to sunny Fort Lauderdale is just a few days. To celebrate, they are offering $99 introductory one-way fares($198 round-trip) from the West Coast. Purchase by November 30th, for travel November 18 to December 16, and January 6 to February 10, 2010. 3-day advance purchase required.
Just in time for the busy travel season, Google is offering complimentary WiFi at 47 participating airportsand on all Virgin America flights. Simply bring along a WiFi enabled device and stay connected to friends and family - for free, through January 15, 2010.
Local airports participating: San Jose, Monterey, Sacramento.
NEWS
United, Continental Offer Free Upgrades to Most Loyal Customers
In a relationship that seems to be getting rather close, Continental and United Airlines jointly announceda wonderful reciprocal benefit for elite-level flyers: Complimentary Domestic upgrades. This means United Mileage Plus elite members can enjoy free rides up front on Continental (and United), and Continental One Pass elite members can taste United's first and business class product as well. The complimentary upgrade policy goes into effect next Summer.
Clearing order for complimentary upgrades (as space is available):
Traveling on United: United Global Service, 1K, and Premier Exec clear first, followed by Continental Platinum and Gold Elite.
Traveling on Continental: Continental Platinum Elite, followed by United Global Service and 1K, then Continental Gold and Silver members.
Continental just joined the Star Alliance program a few weeks ago but their relationship with United dates back to June 2008. Recently, for example, United announced Red Carpet Club members can now access the network of Continental President's Club lounges worldwide.
Beginning next May, Air Berlinplans to operate flights between Dusseldorf and San Francisco. The twice-weekly seasonal service begins May 12 and runs through September 29, 2010, and will utilize a long-range Airbus 330 aircraft.
By Mike Grasso
Among the variety of audio selections available on United Airlines’ aircraft is Channel 9, which is dedicated to air traffic control communications. This programming, unique to United, allows passengers to monitor the airwaves and listen in on discussions ranging from upcoming weather and pilot reports of turbulence. Although most of the communication between air traffic control and pilots is fairly routine such as orders to adjust altitude, occasionally some rather exciting conversations take place.
In one instance, I listened in on a JetBlue flight requesting a reroute due to a depleting fuel supply from unanticipated inclement weather. Conditions continued to deteriorate until the pilot demanded to immediately land the aircraft in a nearby city. In another example, our pilot was within 50 feet of landing on the runway at SFO when he decided to immediately abort landing and quickly ascend back up. The reason as heard on Channel 9: Onboard computer was warning of a spacing issue as another plane was landing on a parallel runway. Definitely some exciting activity and exchanges of words on Channel 9, although most of the time it is pretty tame.
Channel 9 is available on most mainline United Airlines (not United Express) aircraft, and is subject to pilot discretion whether to substitute alternate programming.
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The travel tips, deals, and news weekly feature is brought to us thanks to Mike at InFlightOut. He is always on the look out for great deals and sharing them with us. Follow him on Twitter @inflightout.
In this post, you will find travel deals for Seattle and Las Vegas as well way to save on flights if you have an AMEX. Learn about registering with your embassy before you leave for a trip abroad. Read about the very interesting subject of sleeping in airports.
TRAVEL DEALS
Virgin America just dropped fares from San Francisco to Seattle and Las Vegas to $78 roundtrip + taxes, which comes to $99 "all in." Valid for purchase now, travel between September 16 (today!) and November 18, 2009. Peak travel days (Friday and Sunday) seem to be about $10 more each way. These are some great fares for these markets. Click here to book travel.
Use your American Express card to purchase your next JetBlue flight and save 15% off the fare.
Book by September 20th for travel now through December 16, 2009. Travel valid from select markets, including Oakland. Click here for more details on the offer.
TRAVEL TIPS
In light of the unfortunate events in Mumbai and Bangkok fairly recently, it is a good idea to let the State Department know your international travel plans. U.S Embassies located throughout the world can aid you in the event of civil unrest, terrorism or natural disaster. Additionally, U.S Embassies and Consulates can assist if you are a victim of a crime, become ill, or are involved in a car accident.
Registering your trip is voluntary and free.
Click here to read additional information from the U.S State Department and to register.
By Mike Grasso
For most travelers, the idea of spending any unnecessary time in an airport makes them cringe. So the thought of sleeping in an airport would probably beyond the possibilities of imagination. That's what I said too, until I discovered a website appropriately titled, "The guide to sleeping in airports." and gave it a shot. On this site, travelers passing through a particular airport can read the stories of past travelers - super troopers if you will, who've scouted out the best spots to cuddle up for a few hours nappie.
Reviews often describe the atmosphere of the airport in the overnight hours, when few, if any, flights are operating. Key themes in the reviews often relate to the frequency of announcements in airport P.A system (think- "this is a security advisory, keep luggage with you at all times) as well as comfort and versatility of sleeping areas (i.e., post-security, away from rift raft coming in off the street, whether armrests move up so you can lay down on a set of seats). My personal experience of sleeping in airports has been pleasant, and never have I had airport personnel question me (yes, even post 9-11), or my sleeping arrangement. Of course if someone did come by, I'd kindly ask them for a pillow. =)
The novelty of sleeping in an airport probably isn't sufficient for most people to try this out. So, why do it in the first place you ask? Experienced airport nappers often cite a long connection - such as 4 or 6 hours, as the principal reason. The hassle of locating a nearby hotel, transportation, and the struggle of waking up early then re-clear security seemed a bit much, when one could simply take a nap next to the boarding gate.
Not all airports are created alike, and there are several to avoid at all costs. Few U.S., airports make the top 10 world list, yielding instead to newer, and spacious airports within Asia and Curious where San Francisco fits on the list? How about checking the ratings of your hometown airport? See all the reviews at sleepinginairports.com.
