Travel is more fun with kids

Travel deals and news

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

SFO/OAK-Boston or New York-JFK $79/each way on JetBlue

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.

SFO-Fort Lauderdale $99 Each Way

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.

Free Airport and Airplane WiFi for the Holidays

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.

 

Air Berlin to Launch Seasonal Service to San Francisco

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.

Listening in on United's Channel 9

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.

 

Related Posts:

Contemporary Jewish Museum free on Sunday Nov 8 for SF Public Library Cardholders

This Sunday, November 8th from 11 am to­ 5 pm, San Francisco Public Library cardholders of all ages can enjoy a free entrance at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.

Enjoy their current exhibitions ‘There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak, As It Is Written:Project 304,805’ and ‘Jews on Vinyl’.

For families, librarians will be on hand to share stories and there will be special miniature book making activities from 1-3 pm.

Before going with your little ones, read my review on the Sendak Exhibition.

Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission Street (between Third and Fourth streets)
San Francisco, CA
Tel: 415.655.7800.

Related posts

Maurice Sendak exhibition at the SF Jewish Museum
Tips for a drama-free visit to any museum with your children
San Francisco: free days at the San Francisco museums in November

Travel deals and tips

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

San Francisco to Seattle or Vegas for $99 RT "All In"

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.

15% Off JetBlue Flights When Purchasing With AMEX

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

inFLIGHTout Travel Tip: Register Your Trip

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.

Recommendations for Sleeping in an Airport

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.

7 tips to save money during a vacation or staycation

Tip 1

Most of the museums have a free monthly entrance day or sponsored entrance days (Target Day for example). By planning and visiting their websites, you can take advantage of these opportunities. Bank of America card holders get free entrance at 70 museums across the nation the first Sunday of the month. Check the list to see if some are nearby.

Tip 2

Parks are wonderful places to discover with children. If you visit them on the week-ends, you will most likely see street performers and will be able to enjoy nice performances for free. (although I would always encourage people to tip).

Tip 3

Churches (although you have to pay to visit St Paul and Westminster Abbey in London) are full of treasures that one can enjoy for free.

Tip 4

Pick a destination known for their free museums entrances: Washington DC or London. Most of the London museums are free and what a pleasure to be able to take our children to the Natural History Museum twice in a week without thinking of the price.

Tip 5

Do a home swap: here is a big saving. And if you are lucky, people may even agree to let you borrow their car too, helping you save on car rentals (www.homeexchange.com or www.1sthomeexchange.com).

Tip 6

Use your credit card rewards points: my husband flew twice to France without spending a dime. And because I pay my credit card balance at the end of every month, that card does not cost me anything.

Tip 7

My last piece of advice for the travelers would be to register to newsletter or blogs specialized in traveling. For the San Francisco Bay Area, you have my blog www.travelismorefunwithkids.com , www.friscokids.net or www.inflightout.com that track good deals or free opportunities. By doing this, travelers will always know where to go without spending much or anything at all. For example, in December, I wrote about what to do in the Bay Area for free. People could entertain their families for the holidays almost every day without spending a dime.

Education is the key and registering to newsletters from blogs or websites that do the work for you is the best way to save on your trips or staycations.

 

Travel Tips

Travel deals

The travel deals weekly feature is a new feature and will be brought to us thanks to Mike at InFlightOut (www.inflightout.com). He is always on the look out for great deals and sharing them with us. Just look out at the deals he is sharing this week. You will love the $20 hotel deals in Las Vegas! His website is also a great source of information regarding airlines in general.

DEALS

San Francisco to Lima $428 RT "All In"

A great fare down to Peru! Just $428 roundtrip including taxes between San Francisco and Lima, Peru. Fare is available through 2009 on several airlines, including Continental and American. Check availability on Travelocity searching with the flexible dates option

San Francisco to Honolulu $252 RT "All In"

Valid for travel through April 7, 2009 - Hawaiian Airlines will get you to Honolulu for just $252 roundtrip, taxes included. United Airlines also dropped fares today to just $261 roundtrip, taxes included - all the way to the islands. Blackout dates apply. Travelocity searching with the flexible dates option.

3-Star Hotels in Vegas for $20/night + Bonus

Likely a sign of the troubling Vegas economy, 3-star hotel rooms are available throughout the strip from just $20 a night. Last night, we found Hooters on the South strip for $20, The Sahara and Stratosphere on the North strip for $22, and if you really feel like "splurging," throw down $25 a night for the kid-friendly for Circus Circus. Plenty of great deals are available at the higher end properties as well. Rates above are based on mid-week availability between late February and March 2009.

Air France $75 Off Coupon - Fly to Paris for $573 "All In"

HOT! Air France has issued a $75 coupon code valid for flights departing in March. Apply the discount code to any tempo (economy class) fare to save. For example, fly San Francisco to Paris (CDG) for $573 round-trip - taxes included.
Hint: The rules state you must depart in March. If you are concerned about the cool Spring weather in Paris, considering departing at the end of March, and returning in early April.
Air France offers non-stop flights between San Francisco and Paris on an Airbus-340. To receive the discount, apply coupon code MARCH442 on the passenger details page.

Allegiant Air Ends San Francisco Flights

Today Allegiant Air will discontinue its twice-weekly flight between San Francisco and Bellingham, Washington. The airline is moving operations across the Bay to Oakland International where it will resume operations Monday, February 2nd.

Bellingham is located along Interstate 5 about 30 minutes south of the Canadian border, and is an alternative to Seattle airport located to the South.

Discounted airfare as low as $28 each way up (example: March 6-March 9) up to Bellingham is available for a limited time. Visit www.allegiantair.com for more information.

NEWS

American Airlines Switching to Cashless Cabins

On Tuesday American Airlines announced that beginning this summer it will begin to transition to cashless cabins onboard flights within the United States and to and from Canada. On those flights, American will only accept major credit cards or debit cards for onboard purchases such as headsets, meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages.

In a press statement, the airline said the change will allow it to streamline the in-flight sales process. Flight attendants will use hand-held electronic devices that will scan credit cards.

Southwest Begins Testing Onboard Wi-Fi

Oakland flight to feature the new service
Southwest Airlines says it is going ahead with plans to install internet on its planes. The carrier says up to four aircraft will be configured for wireless internet by March 2009, including one plane already testing the Wi-Fi technology. That plane, according to Today in the Sky, will be operating to and from the Oakland airport on Wednesday, giving passengers an opportunity to try out the service at no cost. According to Southwest, the service is being offered on a trial basis for now, as they have yet to receive final FCC approval.