Tips for getting the best deal when you rent a car

Travelers have been able to score decent deals on hotel rooms and airfares over the last year. But car rental prices have increased dramatically despite the weak economy.

`Elderhostel' is now `Exploritas' -- and greatly changed

When Elderhostel was created nearly 35 years ago, its name was a correct description of its function: It was for the elderly and made heavy use of hostels. People over the age of 60 (a minimum age later reduced to 55) traveled outside their home cities to undergo classroom instruction in the liberal arts, and to stay in either hostels or academic residences where the usual student occupants were on vacation.

Winter vacation homes: Tips for renters and owners

Winter is a traditionally slow season for vacation home rentals. But if you're a would-be renter, you can score terrific bargains on offseason rentals and enjoy a different type of getaway, sipping hot chocolate in front of a cozy fireplace instead of running around to see the sights.

With airlines shrinking, your flight could be cut

Airlines are cutting money-losing flights during the current travel slump, and that can cause headaches for passengers who bought tickets on those trips.

China OKs plans for Disney park

China, finally, is ready to build a house for Mickey Mouse.

Beijing has approved plans to build a Disney theme park in Shanghai, a major milestone in the more than decade-long effort by Walt Disney Co. to expand its reach into China dramatically.

Travel Troubleshooter: Tips for avoiding a customer service nightmare

Ask Bonnie Friedman about her worst customer service experience, and she won't hesitate to tell you about the time she checked in for her flight from Venice to Frankfurt.

Park Service sets vision for Gateway Arch grounds

The shimmering Gateway Arch on the banks of the Mississippi River is St. Louis' calling card. But the iconic monument set off from the rest of the city is, well, set off from the rest of the city.

New Disney ship: Virtual portholes, water coaster

Disney's new cruise ship will include a 765-foot-long water coaster ride and virtual portholes with a live view of the ocean for windowless staterooms.

Travel book goes mobile with scannable QR code

Many travelers still rely on comprehensive printed guidebooks for tourism information. But travelers are also increasingly using mobile technology to plan a trip or find their way around.

Frommer: Get travel advice from a local expert

In the course of some 35 years, obtaining short-term apartment stays in Europe for tens of thousands of Americans, the company known as Untours (888-868-6871; www.untours.com) has amassed a list of trusted, English-speaking, European associates who serve as troubleshooters for Untours' clients. You travel to an Alpine town, or to a major city, and Untours puts you in touch with its local representative, who has the job of rescuing you from all sorts of troublesome situations.

Airfares and related fees might rise next year

Prices may be coming down at the gas pump, but they're going up at the ticket counter. Look for higher airfares in 2010, some forecasters say, and maybe another round of fee hikes.

You may have to go the extra mile to save on car rental

While it has been a great year for airfare sales, when it comes to renting cars, rates are rising. Rental companies have reduced fleets, and travelers are paying more than they did last year for the same cars. Prices really take off during peak travel periods, so you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when you book that rental car.

American Airlines increases round-trip fares $10

American Airlines raised fares on round-trip flights by $10 and was followed by United Airlines and US Airways, according to FareCompare.com.

The boost is the fifth this year and the second in two weeks, Rick Seaney, chief executive officer of the Dallas-based provider of ticket-price information, said in a report. There were 15 fare increases in 2008, he said.

Commentary: Times are bad, but why take it out on the server?

Tipping in a recession is a dilemma. Do you stick with the 18 to 20 percent formula or retreat to 15 percent? Do you skip an appetizer, a glass of wine or a dessert to lower your dining bill and thus your tip?

If you see a holiday airfare bargain, grab it now

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Two major players, Southwest and AirTran, have launched sales. Other airlines including American are matching the fares in competing markets. The AirTran sale goes through the end of January, and this is the first sale we've seen from Southwest that extends into February.

HOTELS

Hotels get creative to cope with hard times

With occupancy rates hitting record lows, hoteliers are increasingly relying on special packages to attract customers.

Low-cost airlines all a-Twitter with customers

A Seattle woman tweets from an airport that JetBlue's birthday present to her was forgetting to put her wheelchair on her flight. Seven minutes later, an airline official tweets back that the crew will work quickly to make things right.

United Airlines offer: Pay $249 a year to avoid checked-bag fees

Is there no end to airlines' creativity in extracting money from us for services that once were free?

Apparently not, judging from the latest option that United Airlines announced this week: Pay a $249 yearly subscription fee and you (plus up to eight people traveling with you on the same reservation) get to check up to two bags per person, per flight for free all year.

Holiday travel getting more expensive -- and more difficult to book

As if holiday travel could get any worse, FareCompare.com's chief executive, Rick Seaney, recently uncovered two new snags.

The first is a $10 ``holiday surcharge'' tacked on to fares for travel the Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) and the two days after New Year's (Jan. 2 and 3). While airfare pricing can seem erratic, and $10 won't have much of an effect on the average traveler, seat cutbacks might.