Thoughts

A USA Today Travel article published recently with the headline “Americans ready for vacation, despite high gas prices” claims that “More than six of 10 Americans say it’s important they get away from home this year.” The article also says that most are willing to find a way to go on vacation despite the rising gas prices.

You would think that with increasing costs all around the board from airfare to gas prices to hotel prices most people would prefer to stay home or in other words opt out of a vacation for a staycation. However, Anne Banas, executive editor of the website SmarterTravel, was quoted in the article saying, “I think the ‘staycation’ is dead. People are sick of it.” During the recession we saw many people choose a staycation. People were saving their money or conserving any way possible during the hard times. However, now even the fluctuating fees and rising prices in the travel industry do not play a huge factor in deciding to stay or go. People are going. After skipping vacation last year or the year before people want to get away regardless of the prices.

Because people are traveling despite prices, it does not mean that people are just spending and spending without a care. Travelers are not only going but they are willing to hunt for bargains. Brian Hoyt, spokesman for the online travel company Orbitz, is quoted saying, “Consumers are saying, ‘I’m still going to go, but I’m going to do it smartly… You’re seeing the consumer be very savvy this summer season but again refusing to give up their right to travel.”

Sean Oakley, Marketing Manager at Travel Advantage Network or TAN (A Sundance Vacations vendor) said, “The volume of booking for TAN(Sundance Vacations) clients has stayed consistent, despite rising gas prices. This is a good illustration of one of the biggest benefits of our program: inflation protection. Our clients don’t have to worry about any rising cost in their TAN vacations, which makes it easier for them to travel in the face of rising gas prices.”

In fact, Sundance Vacations and TAN are helping customers travel even more in 2011. Together we created a Value Season deal, which cuts the cost of Peak Season fees in half for select months in various locations. This cuts back on the amount of time a location was normally considered in Peak Season.  So instead of travling for $30 a night during peak, customers now have the option to travel for $15 a month during the new Value season.

Along with Value Season deals, we also split up locations to accommodate more value season dates. Candy Bednar, VP of Business Development, explains, “Another exciting change to the destination list is that Hawaii has been designated by two separate areas just like our Florida destinations. This separation of Maui, Hawaii and Molokai, Hawaii gave way to add a three month value season to Molokai for September, October, and November. I think this is a great opportunity to get our clients on that Hawaiian vacation that they have been dreaming about! It’s already got me thinking about a fall getaway to paradise for a few days!”

With people traveling and relentlessly hunting for the best deals Sundance Vacations is here to accommodate that need and many others at our wide variety of locations and properties at a fraction of normal travel prices.

In a February post, we discussed the waiting game for traveler protection against long flight delays but now just a few months later, and as promised, the waiting game is over. Today, the Department of Transportation is issuing new traveler protections that will be taking effect in late August that will require airlines to reimburse fees if they do not hold up their end of the deal. Travelers can now expect to be reimbursed those annoying luggage fees if luggage is lost and they should also expect to be paid double if they are bumped off flights.

Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, is quoted in a USAToday.com article saying, “It’s just common sense that if an airline loses your bag or you get bumped from a flight because it was oversold, you should be reimbursed. The additional passenger protections we’re announcing today will help make sure air travelers are treated with the respect they deserve.”

Well it is about time Ray!

These regulations come after years of stranded travelers and lost luggage.

The rules also protect travelers from the following:

• Airlines will be required to hold flight reservations for 24 hours at the quoted fare price if reservations were made at least a week before takeoff.
• Airlines  must now notify passengers of flight delays longer than 30 minutes.
• Airlines must refund the luggage fees if they are misplaced.
• Travelers bumped from flights and are delayed 2 hours or less are entitled to twice the price of the ticket(up to $800).
• Travelers bumped from flights longer than 2 hours can can get up to $1,300.

The airline industry had some gripes with the new protections but overall they were accepting. With the protections targeting some of the biggest issues in the airline industry, hopefully we can see more travelers flying and airports increasing in popularity with travelers while traveling (for the airlines sake anyone).

By Tina Dowd

More Fees, More Carry On’s from the New York Times chronicles the problem airlines have created with the addition of the checked bag fee.  Check this out.

The price of checking a suitcase on an airplane — $15 to $40 a bag — has added up to more than $6 billion in revenue for airlines in the United States in the last four years, according to Transportation Department statistics. The fees have also led to an increased number of bags being carried onto airplanes.

Now, the rising number of carry-on bags — the Transportation Security Administration estimated that there were 59 million more carry-ons in 2010 than the year before — has touched off a debate about just how much it costs to screen all the added bags, who should pick up the bill and whether airport security is being stretched too thin.

[Homeland Security Secretary Janet] Napolitano estimated that adding more security staff would cost a quarter of a billion dollars a year, though she did not say whether the airlines should be asked to help pay for it. Mr. Soule said later that it would be inappropriate to comment since bag fees were not regulated by the T.S.A.

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed an increase to $4, from $2.50, in the passenger security fee, beginning in 2012. An increase in the fee, which passengers pay each time they board a plane, would raise $600 million a year, the department estimated.

Sundance Vacations is following the subject and urges traveler’s to consider this; there’s no such thing as a free bag.  Eventually, Homeland Security will raise the passenger security fee or congress will raise taxes to pay the quarter of a billion dollars that is needed to hire additional screeners.  In the meantime those extra 59 million carry-ons are a security risk.  So, check your bag just add the price of the bag into your ticket cost when you are comparison shopping.

Or consider this idea….Should airlines add a “carry-on” bag fee?

The topic of an online commentary that centers on a topic that has gained the attention of a Facebook page called “Airlines should have kid-free flights” created by a man by the name of Ian Burford has our founder, Tina Dowd, hot under the collar. After reading the article, which was posted here on USA Today Travel, Tina had this to say:

As an owner of a travel company I travel a LOT which means that my children travel a LOT.  I was appalled at Buford’s suggestion of segregation.  Buford obviously doesn’t understand the term “public transportation.”  If he doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by “the public” whether they be a crying baby or an overweight passenger I have one suggestion for him……fly private.  Net jets or any  other fractional jet ownership company will gladly take his money and he can enjoy leg room and complete solitude.  I wrote about this segregation issue in a previous blog post about segregated security lines for “expert” travelers as opposed to “family and casual travelers”.  When we travel as a family we ALWAYS select the expert traveler lane because we ARE expert, family travelers.  If we allow Buford or any other intolerant traveler to demand segregation, who’s next?

Do you travel with children? Do you like your flights kid-free? Should the airlines create segregated cabins for families?

By Tina Dowd, founder of Sundance Vacations

Continental used to be our favorite airline but now that Continental is merging with United it’s time to re-evaluate the airlines.

Over the past week I’ve had the opportunity to fly on three different domestic airlines; USAirways, the merging United/Continental conglomerate and Delta.  The hands down winner was Delta.

The Delta check-in agent was friendly and personable.  Delta also wins my loyalty for having the least restrictive luggage policy. First-class flyers are permitted 3 bags up to 70 lbs each!  John’s garment bag stuffed with enough clothes for 2 conventions, a weekend in Vegas and a business trip to the mid-west is impossible to get under the restrictive 50lb limit for USAirways and United.

Prior to the merger with United, Continental also allowed 70lbs for first class passengers.  It is a critical time for the United/Continental conglomerate to convince Continental loyalists to remain loyal to the new airline.  I don’t think they are doing a great job.  For example, because our flight was a co-chaired Continental/United flight we expected the 70lb Continental allowance, after all our ticket has a Continental flight number printed on it. But, it’s important to note that the newly merging airline is following United’s more restrictive luggage limit policy; so much for their onboard message from their President about how much we’re going to “love” the changes they are making as they continue their process of merging the two airlines.

I think Delta can easily pick up confused Continental travelers and the always frustrated USAirways passengers with ease.  In addition to friendly gate agents and policies Delta’s frequent flyer program, Sky Miles, is also the most user friendly.

Please share your airline reviews and help other Sundance Vacations travelers make wise choices when choosing to travel by air.

Lehigh Valley Airport: Our favorite regional airport!!!

USA Today Travel recently published an article on the not-so-big airports that the majority of travelers use in order to get to a destination. Often times these regional airports are the starting and ending points for many travelers. For instance, right here in the North Eastern Pennsylvania region, where Sundance Vacations Headquarters is located, we are about 15 minutes from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, located in Avoca, PA; and just an hour away from the much favorite, Lehigh Valley Airport.

According to the article, airports located in in Appleton, Wisconsin; Erie, Pennsylvania.; Richmond, Virginia.; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Santa Barbara, California; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Fresno, California all make the best regional airport list.

While larger airports have much more destinations and things to do, Sean Broderick, spokesman for the American Association of Airport Executives, is quoted in the article saying, “regional airports can be your best friend.” Unlike much larger airports, like LAX; the regional airports are often times less crowded and more personable. The article quotes Deanne Sullivan, who works at a consulting firm in California and agrees with Broderick, with saying, “If you fly out of a smaller airport, the gate agents know you; the ticket-counter staff knows you. You just get a little bit more personal service. They’re not as rushed.”

One of our favorite regional airports in Eastern Pennsylvania has got to be the Lehigh Valley Airport. In fact, Tina Dowd, co-founder of Sundance Vacations, said, “while traveling two weeks ago we were completely impressed with the Lehigh Valley Airport.  We frequent A LOT of airports.   Lehigh Valley is large enough to have frequent flights to Florida but small enough to make check in a breeze.” However, the element that sets Lehigh Valley apart from the rest is the level of customer service and interaction the employees have with the travelers. Tina added that, “…the thing that puts it in first place among all airports is the over the top friendly TSA agents.  They greet approaching guests with a smile.  They joke with our 7 year old by asking to see her driver’s license.  One agent was stationed at the front of the scanner line and actually helped travelers to put their things in bins.” While the customer service level is by far the best, the airport also offer things to help out travelers that other airports do not. According to Tina they also offer COMPLIMENTARY plastic zip lock bags for those pesky 3 oz or less containers of liquids and gels! Tina’s daughter, Madison, actually took a picture of the zip lock bag station.

According to the article, 160 million travelers traveled through regional airports. That means that 1 in 4 travelers use these not-so-big airports. The article goes on to state some of the perks that put some of the regional airports over the top,  including nearby parking, personable customer service, smaller crowds, shorter weight times and some even offer the same perks as big airports.

Next time when you need to book a flight, consider using or checking out if a regional airport offers flights to and from your destination. You may avoid a lot of the hassle associated with bigger airports and who knows you may make a friend or two with the staff!!!

The US Travel Association released the Traveler Sentiment Index yesterday.  The Index measures consumers’ expectations to engage in travel. The Index soared to the highest level in 4 years.  An estimated 138 million adults expect to take at least 1 trip between now and July.  The report also revealed that positive increases were also observed in the “interest in travel”, “time for travel” and “money available for travel” categories.

“This is consistent with Sundance Vacation’s experiences throughout this recession,” explains Founder and President John Dowd.  “Our sales results remained robust as many Americans still value a family vacation.  Saving money is important to this group and Sundance Vacations is well positioned to serve this segment.”

The US Travel report continues with a segment on discretionary spending.   When asked about their future discretionary spending plans, US adults indicate their intentions to spend more in the coming year in only three categories with leisure travel topping the list at 20%.

There are also 40 million US adults who remain undecided about taking a leisure trip during the next six months.  “This is an incredible opportunity for us,” reports Shane Lewis the Assistant Vice President of Sales at Sundance Vacations. “We’re ready to educate this block of potential travelers about our destinations and the many benefits of traveling with Sundance Vacations.”

Unfortunately, the price of an airline ticket is already on the rise this year.  Carriers have increased their fares four times already this year compared with only three increases for all of 2010.  “Last summer we saw a distinct trend for “drive to” destinations but with gas prices also on the rise we remain hopeful that we can fill our “fly to” destinations as well,” says Dowd.

The Arizona Republic reported this morning that American Airlines(AA) is raising base fares $10 roundtrip on US flights. In fact, according to Republic, Farecompare.com reports that this is the seventh time the airline has raised fares since the start of 2011. Unbelievable considering it is only the beginning of March. This also includes Hawaii, which now show a fare increase of $21.

The rising fare alert, which was issued by Farecompare.com, attributes the rising fees to the price of gas. Currently the price of oil is just over $100/barrel. As quoted by the Republic the CEO of Farecompare.com, Rick Seaney said, “If history repeats itself we should see weekly hike attempts of at least $10 roundtrip through the end of April as we did in 2008 where oil closed at $115 per barrel that month.” In 2008, we also saw the same type of fare increase at this time of the year.

According to The Associated Press, while AA confirmed the increase, no other airline has increased their base fares. It will be interesting to see if the other big airlines will follow suit. Although, according to the article, it is likely.

Will the rising fares cause you to change your travel/flight plans for the coming months?

According to Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary, carry on bags are costing taxpayers millions of dollars. Exactly how much? $260 million annually! Reason is because travels are doing everything they can to avoid luggage fees so they are carrying their bags with them. When travelers do this it creates more work and more items to inspect at the security checkpoints in airports.

At a recent Senate hearing Napolitano recommended an increase in security fees to compensate for the costs that carry on bags have added. However, Congress hasn’t approved raising security fees since 2002 or the year they were instated. With the increasing cost to taxpayers, do you think Congress will finally approve an increase in security fees to travelers?

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41893640/ns/travel-news/

Back in June we saw hope when the U.S. Department of Transportation released an early version of rules and regulations that will be put in place to protect stranded passengers. Topics discussed included a bunch of issues from how airline companies repay people that were sold tickets on oversold flights to how luggage fees are displayed on carrier websites. Now it is February, and according to an article in The Baltimore Sun, we are being told that April is when we can actually see a final version released or so they claim. Officials are still in talks over fines and penalties for passengers that are made to idle for 180 minutes or more on domestic flights in small/medium airport hubs. Come April more issues will magically pop up. Cynical? Maybe but lets wait until its actually released. Whatever the talks may be it seems passengers are left stranded once again…

Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/ct-biz-0214-tarmac-delays-20110214,0,686308.story?track=rss-topicgallery