Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Credit Card Fees - Overseas

Monday, July 26th, 2010 by designtravel1

Capital One is the only Visa and Master Card issuer that waves foreign transaction fees, even eating the 1% fee it is charged by the payment networks.  Other cards charge up to 3% for foreign transactions.  There is no annual fee.

Doc Rog

Peanuts on Planes – Friend or foe?

Monday, June 21st, 2010 by designtravel1

PeanutsA section of the Department of Transportation has been looking into whether or not to ban peanuts on airplanes due to passengers and their allergies.  Many peanut allergy sufferers actually have a life or death problem if there are even particles in the air around them.  Does this mean that DOT needs to create and enforce a ban on peanuts on planes?  Will this lead to others demanding that another food source, such as wheat or gluten should also be banned?  What are your thoughts?  Can this be handled any other way?  Tell us what you think.

Fun Ships

Monday, June 7th, 2010 by designtravel1

Having not experienced a Carnival ship in a number of years, there was a little concern that the reputation of experience on board that had prevailed years ago might still exist.

That impression was totally unfounded and the opportunity to enjoy a cruise on the Glory was  most enjoyable.  Carnival boasts that they operate “fun “ ships and they really do live up to that image.  In fact, if you can’t find something fun to do just about every hour, you had better check your pulse.  Kudos to Carnival and their ability to provide entertainment throughout a cruising experience.

 

Airlines - pay more to bump or don’t over-book?

Friday, June 4th, 2010 by designtravel1

Currently when an airline bumps a passenger involuntarily they are compensated from $400 to $800.  USA Today talks about a proposal to up this to up to $1,300.  Should the airlines be forced to pay more?  The airlines currently use sophisticated computer programs to predict how many so-shows there will be for each flight which they use to determine how many seats to over-book.  They also now have the majority of their seats paid on a non-refundable basis.  Should they still be allowed to over-book flights?  Tell us your opinion.

Gulf oil spill – what does it all mean?

Thursday, May 20th, 2010 by designtravel1

oil-spill-gulfThe Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in a well blowout on April 20, killing 11 crew members.  BP is still trying to stop this gusher over a mile down in the Gulf of Mexico.   The NY Daily News reports that BP believes that it has its first success in the clean-up.  However, how far will the oil spread?  How much of the environment will be permanently damaged or destroyed?  How high will food prices go?  How will your vacation survive if it’s to the affected coastlines, Florida or Key West?  Only time will tell. 

Las Vegas Restaurant Gem!

Friday, April 23rd, 2010 by designtravel1

I just came back from Las Vegas.  I found a hidden gem!  It’s a restaurant in the Imperial Palace.  It’s called Hash House a Go Go.  What a great place to eat!  You’ve got to try it.  They advertise it as ‘Twisted Farm Food”.  Yum!

Nancy

Increase in Comfort!

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 by designtravel1

I am really impressed with the steps (noted in Travel Pulse on April 6, 2010) that Celebrity and Oceania are taking to increase comfort and luxury for passenger clients.  Both certainly know to spoil travelers with their attention to comfort and convenience. 

Click on each cruise supplier name to view their individual articles.

R. Nosal, MD. PhD.

If only we had a Crystal Ball!

Friday, February 26th, 2010 by designtravel1

crystalball

If only we had a crystal ball, we could pre-determine our own future.  We could either continue down the road we’re traveling, or if our future dictates change, then we could begin to channel ourselves in a different direction.  Unfortunately, we are left to our own devices and move along not knowing what the future holds.

Most likely the things we enjoy most are either related to family unities, spending habits, self-fulfilling ambitions or perhaps travel experiences.  

Travel experiences actually encompass all of the above in one form or another.  They can bring out the adventurer in us that we may not have even known we possess.

They can take us to exciting places that challenge our luck and take us to the edge of sensibility.

Travel can provide the excitement or sublimeness we feel when we see a sunset as we’ve never it before.

Family unities come in different forms.  There’s generational fun that perhaps Walt Disney can produce.  After all, he’s all about the family.  But there’s also the fun that comes from being with your friends and enjoying a simple weekend of spa treatments, shopping and sharing in genuine camaraderie.

Since we don’t have that crystal ball mentality, why are we not opening our minds to seek the most enjoyable, self-fulling experience possible ….without spending a great amount of money or jeopardizing what equity we have?  Perhaps we have to create our own image in a crystal ball.  What would your image appear to be, happy? Fulfilled? Positive?   Or perhaps yours would be waiting to see what will happen in the future, without the use of a crystal ball!    

‘Too Fat to Fly’ - who has the rights?

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 by designtravel1

“If a customer cannot comfortably lower the armrest and infringes on a portion of another seat, a customer seated adjacent would be very uncomfortable…

Should a customer who knows that they need (and does) purchase a second seat because of their size be allowed to transfer only one seat onto a standby flight?  If so, what about the rights of the person in the seat next to them to be allowed the space that they purchased? 

1,000+ suitcases stolen from Phoenix Airport!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 by designtravel

You arrive at your vacation destination or even back home to find that your luggage doesn’t!  Who will help you find it?  Who will pay for your necessities while it’s delayed or pay to replace it if it’s stolen?  Even more serious, what if this presented a medical emergency – your insulin was inside your bag!  Who do you call to help get your emergency prescription filled?  Most travel insurance companies can offer coverage to protect you in these cases.

 

If you don’t think this could ever happen to you, read more about the couple who are suspected in an alleged scam involving at least 1000 stolen suitcases from the Phoenix airport!   How many of these people do you think actually had travel insurance?  Do you think that this could happen to you?