smarter traveling, driving and spending
Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, is no more. Its new name is Palisades Tahoe, and it newly incorporates the adjoining ski/snowboard resort, which is no longer known as Alpine Meadows. The name change is the latest in a wave of rebranding of names which insult our Native American tribes, including renaming major sports teams.
Since you might not have traveled in a while, consider this a quick refresher course for how to stretch your travel dollars before, during and after a trip, whether you are going solo or with the entire family.
The deadline to have a Real ID for air travel has been pushed back again, to Spring 2023, to give us all more time to get identification that meet updated security requirements to prevent counterfeiting. You’ll need a compliant ID also to enter any federal facility, including a military base, courthouse or IRS office..
We’re flying less these days, which means there is more chance to travel like a VIP with a free upgrade. Here are five ways to get a free upgrade, to business class or even first class, and enjoy the perks including social distancing, room to stretch out or lie flat, and meals with fine wines.
Read more
Timeshares are big business. With many of us crunched for cash in these troubled times, selling your timeshare seems like a good way to help your budget. Not so fast, and not so easy. Timeshare exit scams also are big business, unfortunately filled with deceptive practices. Unscrupulous timeshare exit companies charge as much as $10,000
Read more
If you want to get away, most of the Caribbean is open again for tourism, and US-based airlines including American, Delta,Jet Blue and United resuming service to several island destinations. Be aware of new travel rules. Most Caribbean destinations are requiring visitors to fill out a pre-arrival Travel Form and show proof of a negative
Read more
Don’t get turned away at the airport, turned down for a visa or bucket list trip, or denied re-imbursement for missed connections or lost or delayed baggage. With the peak holiday travel season on the horizon, now is the time to check your US Passport, Global Entry and TSA Trusted Traveler registrations, and your annual
Read more
The headlines about Americans dying under mysterious circumstances while on vacation in the Dominican Republic is prompting many cancellations of scheduled trips. Tourism is down by more than 70% since the deaths became front page news. Here’s what you need to know if you have reservations for an upcoming getaway to the DR, whether you’ve
Read more
Cuba is a fabulous “bucket list” destination, with those memorable vintage cars, historic architecture, music and dancing everywhere, including in the streets, interesting art and history museums, including the home of Hemingway, and friendly people hungry for contact with Americans. I’ve been to Cuba twice in the last six years, and ready to return to
Read more