Renting a car can enhance the flexibility of any trip, be it business or leisure. But sometimes renting a car can be more complicated than the map you are trying to follow. To make your next driving vacation a straight shot, ASTA has provided some car rental tips and car rental advice on its consumer Web site, TravelSense.org.

"From stopping the mail to remembering to turn on their Out of Office response, today's traveler has hundreds of things to remember and plan before taking off. Working with a professional travel consultant to help arrange the many details of your next trip is a no-brainer," said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. "Travel consultants are there for their clients before, during and after the trip."

When it comes to renting a car, remember the following tips:

• Leverage your contacts. Work with your ASTA travel consultant to help find the right car rental firm for you. A travel consultant can save you the time and effort of finding the best rate and car. Also, a travel agent may be aware of promotional rates and special programs that may not be advertised to the general public.
• Read the fine print. Additional charges may be added to the rental price, including gasoline, car rental taxes and drop-off charges, an extra fee usually charged if a car is returned to a different city or location than where it was picked up. Be sure to advise your travel professional when making your reservation if you wish to drop off the car at a different location.
• License and registration, please. All car rental companies require a valid driver's license. Some car rental companies check the driver's history and will deny a car to a customer with a poor driving record. In some foreign countries, an international driver's license may be required. Usually, car rental companies require renters to be at least 18 years old, but some firms now require a minimum age of 25 years. Similarly, senior citizens over a certain age may not be allowed to rent cars in some cities. Verify the age restrictions with your travel consultant when making your reservation.
• Make sure you're covered. Check your own car insurance policy. You may already be covered for some of the things which the car rental companies will ask you about such as collision insurance and theft.
• Cash or credit? If you do not have a credit card, most car rental locations will accept their own pre-paid vouchers issued by an appointed travel consultant. Many car rental companies require a major credit card to guarantee payment even if there is a prepaid voucher or direct billing. If you are paying with a credit card, be aware of your credit card limit; many car rental companies require immediate credit approval before renting the car which can substantially reduce your remaining balance of credit.
• Get it in writing. Your travel consultant will provide you with a voucher or confirmation before your departure. This document should have a confirmation number, the car rental company name, type of car requested, flight information and date. Confirmations help the car rental firms locate customers who have not picked up their reserved car because of flight delays. Usually, a car rental firm will hold a reserved car for several hours before cancelling. If you are considering two different flights, be sure to advise the car rental firm.
• Drivers without borders. If you are renting a car abroad, reserve it through your ASTA travel consultant. Be sure to ask your travel consultant whether you need an International Driver's Permit. Also, ask about insurance coverage in each country; U.S. insurance may not be valid in all countries.

It pays to make plans. Today, most states require car seats for children under four years old. Advance notice is usually required to reserve a car seat and a small fee may be charged for the rental of these seats, so either plan to take your own or work with your travel consultant to make arrangements at your destination. Additionally, many car rental firms have cars or vans that are accessible for customers with physical disabilities. Be sure to let your travel consultant know of your needs in advance to ensure that an accessible vehicle is available.

Find a professional travel consultant who can help make your vacation an unforgettable experience at TravelSense.org's 'Find a Travel Agent' search directory, or request a free trip quote online.

Great Lakes Aviation will stop its daily flights between Merced and Ontario International Airport starting April 7, according to a story in the Merced Sun-Star.

Instead the airline will fly from Merced to Las Vegas. The newspaper quoted a Merced city official saying the Ontario route didn't garner much interest from travelers.
The airline, which has recieved funds from the federal government to subsidize flights that send residents of a less traveled, more remote locale to a heavily trafficked one, has several other flights linking Ontario to not only Merced, but to Visalia, Kingman, Ariz., Farmington, N.M. and Prescott, Ariz. Oddly the airline has a couple connecting flights from Denver but no departures to the large Colorado city.

-- Kimberly Pierceall
kpierceall@PE.com

During March, residents of California can receive two-for-one general admission to the Queen Mary and select tours and attractions as well as 10 percent savings on eligible merchandise at five of the ship's gift shops, spa purchases and its four main dining destinations.

The Queen Mary made 1,001 transatlantic crossings before locating permanently in the Port of Long Beach. Today, her guests can experience the bygone era of transatlantic steamship travel as well as enjoy one of the world's largest authentic Art Deco collections, a variety of onboard dining choices, unique shopping and tours from the historic to the paranormal. With 314 staterooms, including eight suites, guests are also welcome to stay overnight and enjoy more of the ship as well as Long Beach's neighboring attractions.

"It's an excellent time to revisit the Queen Mary," said Uwe Roggenthien, general manager. "Our restaurants, many staterooms and several meeting salons have been recently renovated. There are new shopping opportunities to check out as well as our popular Ghosts & Legends Show and more."

General admission is $24.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors and military and $12.95 for children age five to 11 and includes the Ghosts & Legends Show and a Self-Guided Shipwalk Tour covering the ship's 12 decks. State residents must present their California drivers license to receive a free admission for every full-price admission purchased. California residents can also receive a second tour of equal or lesser value when they purchase any of the following additional tours: Behind-the-Scenes, Haunted Encounters or World War II. The restaurant and retail discounts can only be redeemed at participating outlets on the day of the ticket purchase and by presenting the ticket at each location.

Participating retail outlets include Stacks, Queen Mary Couture, Queen Mary Store, Portside Necessities and Scottish Heritage Store; participating restaurants include Sir Winston's, Chelsea, Promenade Café and Bakery, Hollywood Deli and California Shakes; and the Queen Mary Spa is also included.

For more information, call the Queen Mary at (562) 435-3511 or visit www.queenmary.com.

Planning to fly over the big pond with your furry friend in tow this summer? Better be sure he's microchipped to avoid delays or worse -- having to leave him behind.

European laws are about to require that all cats and dogs traveling to Europe, or within its boundaries, are equipped with a microchip. After July 2011, even if your animal is tattooed and you have the paperwork to match, your pet will not be allowed on the plane without a microchip. This will be Europe's new standard for identifying all pets traveling by air.

A microchip is about the size of a long grain of rice, which can be easily and quickly implanted into all kinds of pets -- including reptiles and birds. The chip carries a unique identifying number that is linked to the pet's name, people's name and contact information. AVID, which is among the largest sellers of microchips in the world, claims their technology helps to reunite as many as 1,400 lost pets each day.

According to a 2007 USDA report on pet microchipping, about one quarter of European pets have been chipped compared with only 5 percent in the United States.

Read more:

Courtesy CBC News:

Calgary-based WestJet airlines says it has no immediate plans to stop passengers from bringing small pets on board, despite warnings by doctors about allergies.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal has recommended that airlines make passengers put their pets in air cargo, saying that is the only way to protect people who have severe allergies to animals.

WestJet spokesman Robert Palmer said the airline is trying to balance the interests of allergy sufferers with those who want to bring their animals with them.

"We continue to work with the allergy sufferers that we've engaged for the last eight to 10 months now," said Palmer. "We're getting good information from them, they're getting good information from us. We're working together to see if we can't come up with some sort of compromise."

Air Canada reversed its ban on small pets, including cats, dogs and birds, in the airplane cabin in July 2009.

In an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) released Tuesday, three top doctors chastised airlines for putting the preferences of pet owners above the well-being of passengers.

The editorial was timed to put pressure on the Canadian Transportation Agency, which is about to rule on whether people with allergies should be considered disabled under the Canadian Transportation Act and appropriately accommodated while travelling.

The agency is currently reviewing four complaints from passengers who suffered serious allergic reactions while flying within the past year. Last spring, a Regina passenger flying with WestJet required medical attention after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a dog on board.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/02/17/calgary-west-jet-planes-pets.html#ixzz0fpzbWNZB

Courtesy of Reuters:

American Airlines on Tuesday said it would resume service to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Friday, its first flight to the nation since a devastating earthquake last month.

Additionally, AMR's American Eagle will begin new service into Haiti from Puerto Rico starting March 12.

U.S. carriers suspended operations in Haiti following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12.

Delta Air Lines, the world's largest airline, canceled its flight from New York's John F Kennedy International Airport to Port-au-Prince.

A Delta spokesman said on Tuesday in an email that the carrier was working with Haitian authorities to reinstate commercial service as quickly as possible, and hoped to be able to announce a date shortly.

Courtesy Sacred Rocks Reserve:

RV campers looking this summer for an economical escape from the desert's heat don't have to travel far. Sacred Rocks Reserve and RV Park, located at 3,900 feet in the mountains, less than 60 miles east of San Diego, near Boulevard, California, is a 163-acre wilderness reserve with RV and tent camping and some surprising amenities. Around two hours drive from Yuma, AZ and Palm Springs, CA and only half a day's drive from Phoenix, AZ, Sacred Rocks' average temperature by day is only ten degrees higher than downtown San Diego and the summer nights there in the mountains are often cool enough to require a blanket for sleeping. Located at the head of the Pacific Crest Trail, the park itself offers an outdoor pool and spa and miles of pristine hiking trails dotted with gigantic rocks and ancient oaks. Nearby options for exploration and entertainment also abound, and many visitors use the park as a cost effective base camp from which to explore Southern California's beaches, mountains and high desert attractions.

First Dog Barking LLC , announced the launch of FirstDogBarking.com - a premier web destination created to showcase great places, products and services in pet-friendly travel. By providing original articles and insights, First Dog Barking introduces visitors to pet-friendly locations, hotels, restaurants, events, and activities, while providing recommendations on products and services that enhance an active and healthy pet-centric lifestyle. By constantly researching and writing about new destinations and topics, First Dog Barking will be the 'go-to' site on the web for smart and entertaining pet travel information and ideas. In addition, First Dog Barking expects to advance the growing trend of pet-friendly facilities and venues enabling more people to enjoy the travel experience with their pet companions.

According to Catherine Sweeney, Co-founder of First Dog Barking: "First Dog Barking is a fresh voice in a cluttered online pet world. By getting the word out with innovative features and perspectives about the best in pet-friendly travel, FDB enhances the on-the-go lifestyle of people and their pets."

Martie Bond, Co-founder of First Dog Barking, added: "A movement has begun among travel providers, hotels and other businesses to meet a pent-up demand for providing pet-friendly services. We believe First Dog Barking can be a catalyst in motivating service providers to join this trend."

FDB's talented group of writers across the globe:

• Present unique insights into established pet-friendly locations as well as those off the beaten path


• Identify must-have resources on pet health, nutrition, innovative products and travel essentials


• Report on culture, events and activities of interest to FDB's pet-loving audience

In short, First Dog Barking delivers the information that matters most to travelers that love the companionship of their pets, whether on the road or close to home.
"We are proud to be associated with First Dog Barking, a company that shares our commitment to pets, owners, and their travel adventures," said Canine Covers Director of Marketing, Rick Messmore. Canine Covers produces premium products for vehicle interior protection that are easy to use and provide comfort for the traveling pet.

"First Dog Barking is focused on informing their readers about the best in pet travel and we are excited to be associated with their launch," said CANIDAE Pet Foods Director of Marketing, Jim Mantych. CANIDAE Pet Foods is committed to providing its valued customers, and their pets, the highest standard of excellence for product quality, palatability, and customer satisfaction.

American Airlines has added another revenue generator to its arsenal. Now instead of an ample supply of free-to-use blankets and paper-like pillows (or for the traveler that errs on the side of hypochondria -- a petri dish of human germs), the airline will begin charging passengers $8 for a blanket-pillow set that they can take with them once their flight lands.

According to other media reports, the set includes a $10 coupon to Bed Bath and Beyond as well.

Other airlines that now charge for pillows and blankets include:
US Airways $7 "Power-Nap Sack" includes a blanket, neck pillow, eye shades and ear plugs.
JetBlue's $7 pillow/blanket combo.
-- Kimberly Pierceall
kpierceall@PE.com

You've reached your destination and you're excited about your trip. You step up to the rental car booth and one of the options is to have the rental car agency fill the tank for you upon return and at a rate they say is reduced from the going price on the street. Not being familiar with gas prices you might jump at the chance but before signing on the dotted line be aware that you will be charged for a full tank of gas regardless of where the gas gauge is. Not only that in most cities the per gallon price is not cheaper than what is offered at local stations.

In one case a traveler was charged for 15 gallons of gas to fill up the tank of a Ford Focus despite the fact that the specs state the capacity of the tank to be 13 gallons.

It may be a hassle to get gas just before returning your car but it may save you money in the long run.

It's getting easier for cruise lines to fill their ships with not as much discounting, according to a recent survey by Susquehanna Financial Group.

For the first time since the summer of 2009, a SIG Cruise Survey indicated that travel agents recorded a year-over-year increase in booking volumes. Namely, bookings rose by 1.1% in December compared with December 2008. And, while bookings aren't exactly "robust," said Robert LaFleur, Susquehanna analyst, they are better then the negative comparisons the industry saw during the height of the economic downturn.

The increase in booking volumes was paired with a 1.5% drop in pricing--the lowest price decline seen in the survey since prices turned definitely negative in September 2008.

"Less bad is the new good," LaFleur said, adding that this was the seventh consecutive survey in which the rate of price decline has moderated and indicates the industry is on the cusp of a turnaround in pricing.

This is good news for the industry that amid the downturn had to slash prices in order to attract skittish consumers who generally have preferred booking shorter, less expensive cruises and waited until closer to the sailing date to book trips.

In some more good news for cruise lines, the survey found the forward booking window expanded to 5.7 months in December from 5.3 months in the firms last survey.

"Some consumers are feeling more comfortable with their financial situations and are more concerned about getting the cruise they want and the cabin they want and may be less concerned about price," LaFleur said.

The survey echoes last weeks' report by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) that said it continued to see improvements in the booking environment. The second-largest cruise-ship operator by market share behind Carnival Corp. (CCL), then forecast net yields, or revenue per available passenger cruise days, to rise by 3% to 6% in 2010.

The Susquehanna surveys travel agents across the U.S. and includes questions about overall demand trends, specific itineraries and lines, the firm said.

Courtesy Wall Street Journal Online

Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas returned to Haiti's undamaged north coast Friday, bringing both passengers and relief supplies.

The cruise line's decision to continue regular cruise stops at its private resort at Labadee, Haiti, came after careful consideration of how Haitian residents and cruise passengers would be affected, company officials said.

``It was not a tough decision once we established that Labadee was not affected by the earthquake,'' Adam M. Goldstein, president and chief executive of the Royal Caribbean International unit, said. ``We can take advantage of the opportunity to provide Haiti with supplies and to provide economic activity.''

Miami-based Royal Caribbean, which has been operating on the island almost 30 years, recently spent $55 million to upgrade its Labadee beach resort with a pier, a zipline and rollercoaster. The company employs 230 Haitians at Labadee and generates jobs for another 300 at a straw market, where locals sell crafts and offer hair-braiding to cruise passengers visiting the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Labadee, which has white sand and aquamarine waters, is about 85 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, where most damage occurred.

Read more