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United Drops Last-Minute Award Ticket Booking Fee

Few things airlines do in the fee department gall me more than charging $50 or $75 because I request an award ticket less than three weeks before I want to fly.  It costs an airline nothing more to book an award ticket for four days from now than it does for four weeks from now.

Yesterday, United Airlines became the first major airline to eliminate that fee. 

And so it's time to give a thumbs up to United while keeping our other fingers crossed that United's rivals can see their way clear to doing the same.  In a time when airlines(well, 'cept for Southwest) are slapping fees on everything they can, it's nice to see the good guys win.  After all, those award tickets were supposed to be free, not "free except for a $75 booking fee."

Quicky Sofitel Summer Sale: Book By Sunday Night

The luxury hotel chain Sofitel today announced a very brief sale that works this way: Book between now and July 26th for stays Aug. 1 through Sept. 7 at any North American Sofitel property and take save a third off your room stays of two nights or more.  Choose a suite and also get a third off plus a complimentary American breakfast.

Sample rates:

Sofitel San Francisco (in Redwood City): $110/night
Sofitel Washington, DC (downtown at Lafayette Square): $160
Sofitel Philadelphia (at Rittenhouse Square): $141
Sofitel New York (on Fifth Ave.): $213
Sofitel Montreal (at Golden Square Mile): US $136
Sofitel Minneapolis (near the Mall of America): $96
Sofitel Miami (near the Port of Miami): $87
Sofitel Los Angeles (at Beverly Blvd.): $197
Sofitel Chicago Water Tower: $144

The promotional code for these short-lived deals is SUMD.  You may also book rooms by calling 800-SOFITEL.

United AirlinesTakes It In the Chin; Musician Gets Revenge

In the spring of 2008, a musical group called Sons of Maxwell from Nova Scotia was traveling to a gig in Nebraska from O'Hare aboard United Airlines.  When the flight landed, band member Dave Carroll found his guitar had been damaged by luggage handlers.  He spent months trying to convince United to pay him for the $1,200 repair bill, but United argued its contract of carriage doesn't pay for damage to "valuables."  And the airline decreed Carroll's guitar was a "valuable."

In frustration, Carroll and fellow group members--along with actors playing cranky United employees and luggage handlers tossing guitars through the air--put a hilarious song called "United Breaks Guitars" on YouTube.  In the three days it's been posted, the video--below this post--has gone viral, attracting 1.5 million views.  His appearance on national morning television shows today spread word of his frustration and dissatisfaction even further.

It's a PR nightmare for United, who I understand is going to try to make lemonade out of lemons by using the video in the training of baggage handlers. But for the life of me, I can't understand how an airline already in as much trouble as United is--image wise--can play such hardball with a musician who obviously is owed at least some money for the breakage of his guitar.  Score a big fat win for the musicians and a big, black eye for United Airlines.

Where to Go Now? Look for Places Desperate to See You

Remember a few months ago when consumer travel journalists like I am suggested you give Europe a good look this summer because the US dollar had grown in value against the Euro? 

Well, the dollar has been slipping again lately, and it'll cost you at least $1.42 to buy a single Euro these days.

So where should you go?

I'd suggest visiting places that really NEED tourists.  Domestically, that would be Las Vegas.  Overseas, I still like Argentina, even though it's the beginning of winter now.  (However, Argentina's winter is different than my winter in Minnesota: It's 59 degrees in Buenos Aires as I write this post on Sunday evening, with a low of 50.)  But the biggest bargain is the country hardest hit by the international financial meltdown, Iceland.  It's the party capital of Europe and the closest European country to the US.  Icelandair has cheap flights from several US cities.  But get this astounding statistic: The dollar is 70 per cent more powerful against the Icelandic kronur than it was this time last year. 

Upgrade to Intl Biz Class on NW & Delta for One Mile Each Way

Normally, members of Northwest and Delta Air Line's frequent flyer programs can upgrade to business class on international flights by cashing in at least 20,000 miles each way when purchasing a full-fare coach ticket. 

But for a limited time, both airlines will move you to the front of the plane if you buy a full-fare coach ticket abroad and proffer one mile each way.  That's an international upgrade for just two frequent flyer miles, round trip.

Here's the small print: You can take advantage of this offer for travel between now and Sept. 15, but you must book your ticket by July 13, 2009.  Move fast.