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Travel news that’ll pinch your pocketbook
Spirit airlines begins charging for carry-on luggage
Spirit announced recently that it will become the first airline to charge for carry-on luggage. You read that right…a charge for carry-on luggage. The airline is set to charge up to $45 for individuals who bring carry-on luggage that needs to be stored in overhead bins. A reduced fee of $30 could be paid in advance by those who already know they will be bringing luggage that is too large to be stored under the seat.
But with the announcement comes spin. The company has said that it reduced fares across the board, meaning that most passengers who pay a carry-on fee will not see an increase in their total flight price. The company also stated that this move will help the airline empty the plane faster, which would make passengers happier, right?
I don’t know if I buy that. It seems like the itemization of costs will only create a sense of being “nickel and dimed.” The company already charges for checked bags, and those fees are cheaper than the newly announced carry-on fee. I wonder if the company is really trying to increase revenue by encouraging individuals to save money by checking a bag over passengers bringing bags on the plane. What do you think? Will this influence your decision to fly Spirit?
Ryan Air contemplates charge for in-flight restrooms
Be sure to have some change handy next time you fly. Ryan Air, a popular budget airline in Europe, is considering charging passengers to use the restroom.
The company is pondering a small charge (currently equivalent to US $1-$2) for using the bathroom on flights that last less than one hour. Passengers would insert money into a coin-operated bathroom door to gain access. Although the company has announced the consideration, no decision has yet been made.
I could see how this concept might be more accepted in Europe than the US, since many public restrooms are not free. But, do you think this would “fly” in the United States?
Travel trends: Cuba for vacation?
Considering Cuba as a top travel destination…is it jumping the gun or capitalizing on perfect timing?
I read an article written by the Associated Press discussing how travel agents from the United States and Cuba were meeting in order to prepare “for what they hope will be the day that Americans can freely vacation on Cuba’s sunny beaches.” It is estimated that the number of Americans could create a 50% increase in visitors to Cuba if and when restrictions are removed. (It would change from 2.4 million tourists now to 3.7 tourists post-travel ban.)
President Obama has shown interest in loosening travel restrictions to Cuba, but considering everything on his plate currently, are these travel agents a little too quick in planning for a new travel destination option?
Also, Cuba is currently a hot destination spot for Europeans and travelers from other parts of the world. To me, the marketing material is easy…potential visas, paperwork and rules are going to be the key sticking points. What kind of preparations are taking place now within the travel industry?
Travel warnings for Mexico
In mid-February, the US Department of State extended a travel alert to certain parts of Mexico. This was due to increased violence within specific states of the country. Originally, a travel warning was issued on August 20, 2009; this is an extension of that first warning.
The alert asks US citizens “to delay travel to parts of Michoacan, Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua” and it advises citizens traveling in those areas “to exercise extreme caution.”
The US Department of State made this decision in response to escalated violence connected with drug cartels and an increased number of deaths in those areas.
On my most recent trip to Mexico, I witnessed road blocks close to the Belize border. They seemed designed to stop the transportation of drugs within the country. Although the cars were thoroughly searched, are road blocks enough to stop fighting within the country? Is a more proactive approach needed to stop Mexico from being used as a transportation route for drugs coming to the US? Will the travel alert be enough to protect or dissuade American citizens traveling in Mexico?
These are the questions I ask, as it seems like a warning isn’t enough to stop the drug trafficking situation, nor stop individuals from visiting our southern neighbor.
Norwegian Cruise Line débuts Epic ship for solo (and group) travel
It’s time to hit the open seas, solo. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic—with space dedicated specifically for solo travelers—had its first successful sea trail on February 14, 2010 (a day, ironically, dedicated to those in loving pairs…)
Norwegian Epic is considered the company’s largest and most innovative ship to date, and it continues to create excitement within the world of cruising. The new ship houses 128 “ultra modern studios” that will be targeted towards solo travelers and will include a special common area for those traveling by themselves. The rooms are expected to be priced at $799 for a 7-day cruise, a price point lower than what a single traveler would have to pay while staying in a double occupancy room.
Considering millions of adults travel by themselves each year (some estimates say 35 million), it is surprising the cruise industry hasn’t reacted sooner to this potential revenue source.
Do you think this will prove successful for the company? If Norwegian succeeds in attracting more single travelers, how quickly can the competition react in creating accommodations for those individuals interested in sailing the open seas without a travel companion?