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News Stories by Doug Stallings
When Does It Pay to Buy Travel Insurance?
I have seen travel insurance described as everything from a Ponzi scheme to an essential travel tool. It seems that people who don't like travel insurance are often those who find out that their insurance doesn't cover them for the problem that they face. Conversely, those that swear by the policies are often the ones who have been reimbursed by their insurer. My mother's friend is in the latter camp. She fractured her hip during a bad fall on the last night of her Alaska cruise, and several weeks and 1 operation later she had to be taken back home in a wheelchair. Her travel insurance covered everything all the costs that Medicare didn't, including her first-class plane ticket.... I'm squarely behind the idea of travel insurance. Not everyone agrees... (More)
How to Rent a Car Cheaply
I rented a lot of cars this summer, so this topic has been on my mind for the past few months, and I'd like to share a few of the things I've learned as well as some time-worn tips that should be helpful if you want to your costs down....
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5 Simple Shortcuts for a Quick Trip Through Airport Security
I'm usually the first person to complain that airport security is onerous and burdensome. However, it's very rare these days that you have to spend more than 15 or 20 minutes in a security line. Frankly, I have to give the much-hated TSA some credit on that front. The lines do move faster now and are generally better staffed. Most of the delays occur when passengers try to take things through security that are prohibited: box cutters, knives, loaded or unloaded firearms, fake bombs (no, they aren't funny).... Don't get me wrong. I still think security is too nit-picky and is as much concerned with the theater of safety rather than actual safety. For example, nothing rankles me more than having to take off my shoes to get onto a plane, especially...
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New Caribbean Air Route from West Coast
It's fairly difficult to get to the Caribbean from the west coast on the same day. For those itching to go to Jamaica, there was good news today from USAirways, which is launching a new nonstop route from Phoenix to Montego Bay. The new flight (which is seasonal, operating only from mid-December through mid-April) leaves Phoenix Friday through Monday at 10 AM and arrives in Jamaica at 4:53 PM. The flight from MoBay leaves Thursday through Sunday at 12:25 PM and arrives in Phoenix at 4:09 PM. It might still be possible to connect to a short hop on Air Jamaica if you were going to a different island. This is one of the very few flights to the Caribbean from the west coast (and the only nonstop to Jamaica since Air Jamaica canceled their LAX-MoBay... (More)
What to Do When You Lose Your Passport, Money, and Credit Cards While Traveling
It always helps to know where to turn in the event that your trip goes bad, especially when you're abroad and may not know anyone where you are traveling. Luckily, there are some simple things you can remember that can help you turn a travel disaster into something much less terrible....
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Frequent Flyer Miles vs. Cash: When Should You Use One or the Other?
Deciding when to use frequent flyer miles is no easy task. And sometimes, cash is just better anyway. Here, Editor Doug Stallings gives his tips for finding the best value when you're deciding how to book your ticket.... (More)
Shocking News About Peter Deilmann Cruises
Because of financial difficulties, Peter Deilmann Cruises is getting out of the river cruise business by the end of October. I'm really shocked because they have always run one of the best sets of river-cruise itineraries. And they actually own all their ships. They do operate other kinds of cruises, which are apparently not affected. If I hear anything more substantial, I'll re-post here.... (More)
10 Easy Tips for Becoming a Carry-on Traveler
Doug Stallings, the No-Nonsense Traveler, shares some easy tips and tricks for going 100% carry-on for your next flight. Bag recommendations and other resources are included....
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A Short Guide to Caribbean Summer Weather
Summer is fast approaching, and for many people, it's already started. For hurricane-watchers, the season officially starts on June 1 and continues a full six months, until November 30. (More)
10 Simple Ways to Survive a Summer Trip To Europe
The No-Nonsense Traveler provides his tips and tricks for saving money, avoiding the heat, and staying sane on your next European summer vacation.... (More)
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