Travelers must provide personal data to airlines

The Secure Flight program, designed to keep terrorists off planes, requires fliers traveling Nov. 1 and after to provide their date of birth, gender and full name as it appears on a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. Read more

Grand Opening Travel Place Park Potomac

We had a wonderful time last Saturday at our island-themed celebration of our grand opening for Travel Place’s new location in Potomac, MD. What a party it was with a tiki bar, and steel band playing some beautiful, island-inspired music. Thank you to those of you who stopped in to say hello, and to our newest neighbors in Park Potomac.

Please visit us at 12525 Park Potomac Avenue in Potomac, MD, or call us at (240) 387-4160. Travel Place is Travel-On’s vacation travel division with locations in Potomac and Bethesda. For more information www.travelplaceinc.com

Is the Southwest/AirTran merger the beginning of the end for low-cost airlines?

By now you've probably read all about Southwest Airlines' acquisition of rival AirTran. Perhaps you've heard this consolidation of two large low-cost carriers (LCCs) will eliminate one brand (AirTran) and result in higher airfares. Read more

BA, Iberia and American Airlines launch tie-up

American Airlines, British Airways and Spain's Iberia unveiled new routes and promised passengers better prices and flight flexibility as they launched an $8 billion transatlantic joint business on Wednesday. Read more

American Airlines gets OK for L.A.-Shanghai flights

American Airlines said Thursday it won U.S. government approval for flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai and plans to start service April 5. American said the Los Angeles-Shanghai route was the largest market for U.S.-China travel not already served by a U.S. airline. Read more

New airline seat: Skyride for budget travelers

Airline industry insiders try out the Italian company Aviointeriors S.P.A, new "Skyride" standing seat which aims to allow airlines to cram more passengers onto budget flights, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach on September 16, 2010. The new "Saddle" style seat will give passengers 23 inches of legroom, instead of the industry average of 30 inches. Read more

Report shows air travelers want more self-service

International airline passengers want self-service extended from online booking and kiosk check-in to security and passport control and boarding their flights. The report, based on surveys taken at seven major airports on five continents, said most travelers also want more automation for handing in baggage and paying excess fees, reporting missing luggage and switching flights. Read more

Earn free AirTran flights, upgrades by staying at Holiday Inn or other IHG chains

Do you often stay at Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza hotels and fly Air Tran - or you might if found the right deal? Then check this out: Tomorrow, InterContinental Hotels Group will announce that it's adding AirTran as a partner for its Priority Club Rewards loyalty program, a senior IHG exec tells Hotel Check-In. Read more

Hotel rates rise as more people travel

Last year was dreadful for the industry as people stayed at home. While hotel operators have been optimistic that customers would trickle back this year, they expected room rates to lag. But rates are rising as demand for rooms has grown. The number of rooms sold in the U.S. rose 8.3% in August vs. a 7.4% year-to-date average, says Smith Travel Research. Read more

France to consider opening royal chateaux as luxury hotels

A new report commissioned by President Nicolas Sarkozy recommends turning some of the country's chateaux into luxury hotels, the Associated Press reports. Read more

How to book an InterContinental luxury hotel for just 5,000 loyalty points

Did you know you can book a luxury InterContinental hotel for just 5,000 Priority Club Rewards loyalty points - a fraction of the usual 10,000 to 40,000 points? Read more

Marriott targets weekend travelers, Country Inns chain targets midweek travelers

Marriott recently launched two promos that might interest you if you're planning weekend stays this fall or winter - and are able to commit to booking them in the next couple of weeks. It's the latest example of the limited-time-offer arrangements that hotels are increasingly rolling out. Read more

Is high-speed rail on track in the U.S.?

Taken any fast rides on the rails lately? In Japan, the Shinkansen bullet trains can cruise at 186 mph. In Germany, the ICE can reach similar speeds. In China, it's 220 mph. High-speed rail lines are in use throughout France, Spain, Italy, Taiwan, South Korea and other countries around the world. Read more