Joan Rivers has problems at airport in Costa Rica

I'm not sure you have heard this story or not, but in the travel world it's always amazing to me when things like this happen.
We have been telling our passengers for MONTHS now that their name needs to match exactly as it appears on their government issued photo ID, or they run the risk of being denied boarding. This rule is starting to be strictly enforced, as of August 2009.
So, in an attempt to heed to these warnings, we have been extremely careful in how we type the passengers name. I always tell people, when speaking over the phone, to grab their drivers license, and read it to me exactly. So if it's a middle initial, then we run the ticket with a middle initial. If their full middle name is spelled out, then we spell it out completely on their ticket.

In the case of Joan Rivers, the person that issues her ticket, apparently issued her ticket in the name of Joseph Rivers???? Not even close. So, we're thinking that the counter agent probably recognized her, and the security member probably recognized her as well, but when she got down to the gate, she was stopped. And what an ordeal it was.
Here is a You Tube link to the interview on the Larry King Live show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvDgCT7JlDQ

So from your friends here at Travel Leaders Suntime Travel, please make sure you are flying as the same name as your government issued photo ID, or risk being denied boarding.
Thanks!

Harry Potter in Florida!!!

I'm not sure if you all knew about this newest 'island' in Universal's Islands of Adventure, but it's coming soon, and I'm VERY excited about it!!!

It's the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!

http://www.universalorlandoresort.com/harrypotter/

Check out this site, it gives you some early conceptual rendering pictures of rides, giftshops, Hogwarts, etc. What fun!!

I can't wait!!!

Discounted Walt Disney World tickets exclusively for Travel Leaders Suntime Travel friends and family

Are you traveling between March 8 and March 20, 2010?
We have exclusive "Suntime friends and family" discounted Walt Disney Park Hopper tickets just for you!!

Adult tickets age 10+
3 day
4 day
5 day
and 6 day park tickets

We have these tickets with the basic, with the park hopper, and with the water park fun and more. You choose which ticket is best for you and your family.

Here are some sample prices:
Check this out-

The cost at the Disney gate for a 4 day premium park hopper pass (including water parks and Disney Quest admission) is $339.75.
The discounted pass cost for this same 4 day premium park hopper pass that I can get you is $250.00.

The cost at the Disney gate for a 3 day premium park hopper pass (including water parks and Disney Quest admission) is $ 332.30.
The discounted pass cost for this same 3 day premium park hopper pass that I can get you is $238.56.

We have a limited supply of these exclusive tickets, so please contact me today to purchase yours!!!!!

Terms and conditions: As always there are rules. Terms and conditions do apply, please contact us for more details. Limited number of tickets available. Prices subject to change, and availability is limited.

This is a valid offer, we are a travel agency that has been in business since 1984. When we see a good deal, we want to offer it to all of our clients, and hopefully obtain new clients. Please contact us today to get your discounted tickets

If you have not yet booked your flights and hotel arrangements, please let us help you with this as well. We also sell travel insurance, even if you did not book your trip with us! Let us help you protect your travel investment!!!!

In addition to this amazing deal for Disney tickets, we also have exclusively discounted flights for March 13-20, 2010. Flights originate from Minneapolis and are nonstop!!!! Pricing from $349 per person!! That's a heck of a deal right now, with the flights filling up!!!

CONTACT ME TODAY!!!

Hobbit Travel Closed!

As some of you may have heard, Hobbit Travel has closed their doors. Temporarily? Maybe, maybe not, but for now there are likely a lot of stranded travelers with reservations paid and no airline confirmations.

Are you one of these passengers? Do you need to be rebooked on another airline?
Please contact us, we can help you make a new reservation. Our agency and our agents are professional and willing to help you out!!!

We've been in business a long time, and realize the importance of good service and VALUE for you....our client..... It's not ALWAYS about the lowest price. Sometimes the lowest price isn't the best value. We take the time to understand your needs and wants for your dream vacation, and will assist you in any way we can to make your dreams come true.

So take the time to meet our agents, and book with confidence with Travel Leaders Suntime Travel. Contact us: melissa@suntimetravel.com

Here is the latest article I read in the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/79947677.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUss

Flight to the North Pole

Well, Sun Country has done it again. Our hometown airline continues to impress!!!!

SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES ANNOUNCES ANNUAL“FLIGHT TO THE NORTH POLE”
Airline Partners with Greater Twin Cities United Way & Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities

http://www.suncountry.com/hometools/releases/FlightNorthPoleService.shtml

St. Paul, MN—December 15, 2009
Sun Country Airlines will welcome 80 children, ages 5-12, to the Humphrey terminal on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, where they will board a Sun Country Boeing 737, and take a “Flight to the North Pole.”

Sun Country, the Hometown Airline, has partnered with United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters to give 80 kids a unique holiday experience. The children will board the “Flight to the North Pole” where employees of Sun Country including Pilots, Flight Attendants and agents will greet with holiday cheer. The plane will be decorated for this special event.

While the plane taxis for approximately 30 minutes on the ground, children will enjoy a detailed description of their “flight” to the North Pole. On-board activities will include singing holiday carols, writing letters to Santa, keeping watch for Santa and his reindeer and touring the cockpit. Also, a meal will be provided by Sky Food Catering. Following the “flight” the children will be greeted by Santa who will give them gifts donated by Sun Country employees.

"United Way continues to value and appreciate the wonderful partnership of Sun Country Airlines. This is a great example of how our local companies are stepping up to the plate this year to support our community. It is especially important during the holiday season and these economic times to provide some extra holiday cheer,” says Andy Goldman-Gray, senior vice president of Strategic Marketing, United Way.

"We are thankful to Sun Country for this unique opportunity to expand our young people’s horizons with an unforgettable ‘flight’ to the North Pole,” said Kimberlee Sinclair, Vice President of External Affairs for BBBS. “Generous supporters, such as Sun Country, and our volunteers are the sources of genuine magic in the lives of our children.”

Sun Country’s “Flight to the North Pole” will depart at 5:45p.m. from gate H3 at the Humphrey Airport and return by 6:30p.m. The Metropolitan Airport Commission has donated the funding to cover all airport fees.

"This annual event is very special to us at Sun Country,” said Wendy Blackshaw, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “We are delighted to partner with United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters because of the impact and active roles they play in this community.”

Please click HERE for the full article.

Disney World and Disney Wonder December 2009

My family and I took a trip to Disney.
We had a fabulous time!!!
We started the trip at Fort Wilderness Campground Resort, then moved on to the Disney Wonder for their 3 night Disney cruise to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay, then we came back to Disney and stayed at Disney's Boardwalk Inn Resort.

Here is some info on my trip:

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

THE ROOM: At the Fort Wilderness Campground, we stayed in a cabin. These cabins are very roomy and large in comparison to a regular hotel room. When you walk in, you're in the kitchen, there is a full fridge, sink, microwave, stove, oven, all the kitchen utensils and cupboards full of dishes and pans. To the right is the table with bench seating, along with a few chairs (perfectly decorated to the up north woodsy theme) and onto the living room where there was a couch, and another couple chairs that match the kitchen table chairs. Up in the wall, is a pull down murphy bed, full size. Which we used a lot for snuggling in to watch movies and such at night.

Down the hall to the left from when you first walk in, is the bathroom, and the bedroom. In the bedroom there was another full size bed, along with bunk beds, that the kids LOVED! The closet was small but enough room, and we had plenty of nooks and crannies to store all of our luggage, and we had a LOT!

GOLF CART: We rented a golf cart, as it's almost necessary, unless you want to spend a lot of time walking and walking and walking. I do enjoy walking, so I did walk around a bit, but having the golf cart to ride around in was extra nice. The cost was $54 plus tax per night stay. That's a pretty expensive golf cart! UGH! But, I had figured this into our trip cost, so was prepared.

FOOD: We ate at Trail's End Buffet restaurant twice. It too was a bit on the spendy side, but the food was great. The salad bar was sufficient, and the meats to choose from was the highlight, the ribs and fried chicken, and carved roast beef were great. We did not do take out, but the menu was small, and we did not do Hoop-Dee-Doo or the Backyard BBQ, it just didn't work out this time. But thumbs up to the food.

ENTERTAINMENT: We did do the sing-a-long around the campfire with Chip-n-Dale twice while we were there, and I have to admit, it was not exactly what I was expecting. I was expecting these huge fire pits to roast marshmallows, and a stadium type setting so you wouldn't dream of seeing the characters, but to my surprise, it was so much better!!! There were 2 fire pits, rather small, but perfect for my small children, I didn't feel that they would be 'burned', and you could purchase the marshmallows right there, and the sticks came with it, I think it was around $4 or something close to that, so we didn't think that was too bad. They roasted the marshmallows, and then we took a seat while the guitar/banjo playing guide sang songs into the night. Chip and Dale did make an appearance, and they were up on the little stage, and then in an orderly fashion, they made their way around to see and take pictures with each and every individual that was there. Amazing!! So we each got a snippet of time with the characters. Very fun! We didn't stay to see the movies under the stars, it just got too late.

...
...

Disney Cruise onboard the Disney Wonder
3 night Bahamian Cruise

GETTING THERE: We used Happy Limo, and they were great. We paid approx $150 for our family of 4, including one car seat to get us from our hotel to the pier (nonstop) in a Town Car. The driver was exceptional (thanks Maurice!) and professional, he helped us load all of our MANY suitcases and stroller into the car, and we sang songs all the way there. (well, the kids sang songs, and Maurice laughed along with us) It was comfortable, and great.

THE SHIP: We had a category 6 stateroom with balcony, deck 6, stateroom number 6032. We were in a great location to the elevators and stairs, just right around the corner, and down 2 flights of stairs from the Walt Disney Theatre. Perfect! The bathroom is a split bath, so there are literally 2 bathrooms, one has the toilet and sink, and the other has the shower and sink. The kids had bunk beds, and we had a queen sized bed (2 twins pushed together). The cabin felt roomy, probably because of the balcony and the floor to ceiling windows.

FOOD: We had Cesar as our waiter, and James as our assistant waiter. They were great! The recommendations they had for meals was right on, and James provided us all with great entertainment while we waited for our food. The food was great, as expected. I wouldn't say that it was too much better or worse than any other cruise line that I've been on. But it was good.

SHORE EXCURSION: We did a shore excursion from Shore Trips, and we have always highly recommended Shore Trips, and this excursion was no exception!!! Booking this was simple and easy. Upon arrival in Nassau, our voucher stated for us to walk over to the boat to take us to the island for the adventure, but to our surprise, there was a nice rep waiting for us as soon as we got off the ship! What a nice surprise, we were not expecting a guide. The instructions were clear, so we figured that we could figure it out. After following the crowd down to the boat, we were on our way to the island for our stingray adventure. My kids (age 4 and 2) did not have too much interest in the stingrays, but the beach was WONDERFUL! We had plenty of time to enjoy all parts of this little island. There wasn't much there, but the weather was perfect, and we all enjoyed this day very much!

...
Blackbeard's Stingray Adventure in Nassau, Bahamas

...
Castaway Cay, Disney's Private Island

DISEMBARKATION: I have to admit, this was THE most orderly, most professional, and best disembarkation process that I have experienced. We had an assigned breakfast time, and got off the ship without any lines, crowds of people smashing luggage into each other, and happy and stress free. Everyone is happy here! Once we were through customs, which took a snap, we went to the bus, and they took a quick look at our key to the world card, and onto the bus, and on our way right away. The entire process was fabulous!


...
...

Disney's Boardwalk Inn

THE ROOM: The room was very large. I have stayed at Value and Moderate properties with Disney before, but this nice deluxe property had very big rooms. The beds were super comfy, and you practically melted right into your sleep for the night! There was a little patio out of our room, which was nice to see the courtyard outside of our room. Flat screen TV was a nice little perk. The vanity area had 2 sinks and lots of room to stand.

Holiday Travel

Here is a great little article with some helpful travel tips for traveling around the holidays!
I've even been quoted in this one! Yay!
Check out these suggestions:
http://www.travelleaders.com/travelleaders/AboutUs/269625?ssSourceNodeId=5050

Before Leaving Home
The watch words from Travel Leaders experts are simple: "Be Prepared."

•Protecting the Home Front
•Keep Copies of Important Items
•Confirm Departures
•Checking-In Online
•Travel Fully Charged
•Dress Comfortably

Airport Arrival
While Travel Leaders experts agree on many of the strategies outlined, one piece of advice was voiced more than any other: "Get to the airport early."
•Increase Minimum Advance Time -- "No matter what the guidelines tell you, make sure you're at the airport well in advance," advises Melissa Gutting (Travel Leaders, River Falls, WI). "The normal recommended time is 90 minutes for domestic travel and 2 hours for international travel. When traveling around the holidays, plan on 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international. It's not worth it to add the stress of running late into the mix of all the other added stress building at the airports
•Airport Check-In

Airport Security
Over the past year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented its new Secure Flight Rule, which theoretically should not impact the airport security screening process. However, Travel Leaders experts have practical advice for further speeding up the process.
•Know TSA's Rules Before You Go
•Match Your ID with Reservation
•Know Your Carry-On Restrictions
•Minimize Security Procedures

Beyond Security
•Remain Alert
•Food
•Staying Healthy
•Keeping Kids Happy – "If you're traveling with children, bring snacks, bring games – anything to help keep them entertained so they don't feel the stress of holiday travel," explains Gutting, who adds, "Happy kids bring happy parents."Patel also suggests, "Hand-held games, books, coloring books and crayons are good ideas and easy to carry. Be sure you have extra batteries for electronics. Don't forget about you. Bring along that book or magazine you've been meaning to read, load up your iPod with holiday tunes or some of your favorite songs."
•Boarding Your Flight – "Expect to 'gate check' carry-on bags on the jet way," cautions Gray, who adds, "The airlines do not charge these bags as a checked luggage.""Are you flexible on your travel times or dates?" asks Gutting. "If so, tell the airlines that. Most of the flights around the holidays are flying in a sold-out situation, or perhaps an oversold situation where they will be looking for people to give up their seats. When you arrive at the counter for check-in, you can put yourself on this list, and be eligible for any vouchers or bumps or first class upgrades that become available, just for being flexible." But beware – always be sure to ask when the next flight they can confirm you for departs.
•Once On Board

Patience Is a Virtue
"Expect the unexpected," urges Anderson. Janowski is quick to add, "If a situation arises where you need airport personnel assistance, be pleasant."

"One of the first things I advise my clients to do when travelling during the holiday season is to remember the reason that they are running this 'Gauntlet of Holiday Travel' – to spend time with family and friends to create new memories," reminds Lederle."Remember, no matter how hard you try, there are going to be things you cannot control, like the weather, traffic and long lines," cautions Patel. "Recognize this now and remember that patience is truly a 'virtue.' Remember, patience is the key."

"Be flexible and be prepared," advises Elaine C. Goad, CTC, ACC (Travel Leaders, Tyler, TX)."Flights can be full and people can be cranky. Just don't join in the cranky crowd – it is the holidays. Be happy!"

"Keep your sense of humor and when all else fails, remember to give thanks for even having the opportunity to travel and visit family and friends," offers Lederle. "There are many who are not as fortunate."

Head to Barbados!

Have you been to Barbados yet?
Eat it
Drink it
Shop for it
Cook it yourself

Thank you to the LA Times, for this very fun article on one of my favorite destinations in the Caribbean....
CLICK HERE to read the full article

Barbados does make the belly happy!!!!

Wi-Fi in the Sky, more airlines have joined forces!

I think this is great news!!!
Here was my previous post:
http://melissasuntimetravel.blogspot.com/2009/07/wi-fi-in-sky.html

Here is the latest article I just read, thank you to Budget Travel .com, this is an informative article to say the least!!!

If you're wondering which airlines, which routes, how to get Wi-Fi in the sky, here is the link to this article for you!!!: http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/10/03/AR2009100303214.html#

Here are the highlighted points:
1. Gogo is the go-to network
2. Costs are the same no matter the carrier
3. Monthlong Wi-Fi passes are only valid with one airline
4. The connection is good
5. Hotspots don't extend beyond U.S. borders
6. You can sign up in advance
7. No phone calls; no porn
8. Just because the airline has Wi-Fi doesn't mean your flight will
9. Airline seats aren't made for laptops
10. International access is on the horizon

AIRLINE WI-FI GUIDE
- Airtran Airways 100 percent of planes flying domestic routes have the Gogo service.
- Alaska Airlines All planes flying routes within the U.S. will be outfitted with Row 44.
- American Airlines Has Gogo service on 15 of its 767-200s (primarily used on cross-country flights) and later this fall will have it on 150 MD-80s (the airline's workhorse, used on all kinds of routes).
- Delta Air Lines The entire domestic fleet is expected to be outfitted with Gogo by the end of this year.
- Southwest Airlines Will begin installing Row 44 on all of its planes in early 2010.
- United Airlines Has signed on with Gogo to outfit 13 of its planes—those flying transcontinental routes—beginning late this year (i.e., right about now).
- US Airways Plans to start installing the Gogo network on 50 A321 planes in early 2010.
- Virgin America Gogo service is up and running on all planes flying routes within the U.S.

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Northwest World Perks to Delta Sky Miles

OK, so you've received a hundred different promos from the Delta American Express, but did you receive your NEW Delta Sky Miles number?

You should have, or will be shortly, they started sending all the new numbers out in October!!!

If you had a Northwest World Perks number, and did NOTHING with it. You didn't bite on any of their little promos they offered, you just sat on your number. (I did too actually....) Then you were automatically issued a new number with Delta Sky Miles and you need to do nothing more.

Well, other than let your travel agent know, as we keep records of all of this stuff for you....

Were you one of those that already had a Delta Sky Miles number, and are now wondering what to do??? Let's say you have a NW number and a Delta number...... Then the merge happened.....

YOU DO NEED TO MERGE THESE ACCOUNTS!
This will not automatically happen for you!
Yes!!!
You must merge your accounts.....
Here is the website: delta.com/mergeaccounts

Confusing as usual!!!
But the basics are: If you have 2 Delta Sky Miles numbers now, you need to merge them, they will not automatically merge.

- H1N1 INFLUENZA, JOB LOSS, HURRICANES -
PROTECT YOUR TRAVEL INVESTMENT

Travelers need to take the proper steps to cover vacation travel plans during uncertain economic challenges, the upcoming flu season, and our current hurricane season.

Emergencies can happen before or during your trip.

Don't forget to pack your travel insurance!

What if you lose your job due to involuntary termination or layoff?

What if you become too sick to take your trip, or need medical assistance while on your trip?

What if there's an emergency back home and you have to cut your trip short?

What if your luggage doesn't show up when you do?

What if you lose your wallet or identification?

Severe weather anywhere in the world- from thunderstorms and downpours to full-blown hurricanes, can frequently impact vacations at this time of year. Weather-related flight delays can lead to missed air connections and cruise departures. The best way to cover your vacation investment against the impact of severe weather is through a travel insurance plan that includes comprehensive trip cancellation, interruption and travel delay coverage, as well as 24-hour assistance and emergency travel services including emergency cash transfers, replacement of lost travel documents, coverage for emergency medical needs, and email and phone messaging to family and friends.

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your upcoming trip.

We can provide you a quote in just a matter of minutes.

Contact your Travel Expert at Travel Leaders/Suntime Travel today!

*25* Happy Anniversary Suntime Travel *25*

1984 - Travel Leaders/Suntime Travel - 2009
We would like to say
"THANK YOU"

to our valued clients and travel partners who followed

Travel Leaders/Suntime Travel's successful path over the past 25 years!!

We've come a long way from a little one person travel agency with one desk and one phone in Prescott, Wisconsin in 1984. Over the years we've expanded to additional office locations, servicing the areas of Prescott, River Falls, Hastings, Red Wing, Rochester, and beyond. Our dedicated staff is committed to meeting the needs of our customers.
THANKS FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE 25 YEARS, 1984-2009!

Luggage/Baggage Fees go up again!

No big surprise I guess, but it's still funny to me the nickel-dime, nickel-dime action going on at the airlines!!!
Did you know......
Now with USAirways, they charge the SAME service fee to call in for a ticket as we at Travel Leaders Suntime Travel do.....that is insane! Do you think when you call USAir, they give you the same service that a travel agent would?
Same service fee, WAY different service.....

Also, the luggage and baggage fees are on the rise.....big shocker.....
The first bag is now $20 and the second bag is now $30 IF you prepay online
But at the airport it's up to $25 for the first and $35 for the second. (non-prepaid)

I'm assuming that the other airlines will follow suit, as they all do beat to the same drummer in most cases.....

Have you been on http://www.suntimetravel.com/ yet?
We have a fabulous guide that can assist you in planning for your luggage fees, and so much more! Click on Traveler's Tools, and click on Airline Luggage Guidelines and Policies, then click on your specific airline. How helpful!!!!!!!!!

As with all of these nickel-dime fees that the airlines are charging, who are they helping, and who are they hurting? Ultimately, it's always the traveling public that is hurting......always.

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day!!!

This just announced from Disney!!! For 2010 travel!!!!

You all know that I'm a true Disney fan, and I just want to share my enthusiasm every time they put out a new promotion......
Disney wants to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities. So they're celebrating their good works by giving each of them a one-day admission to a Theme Park at Disneyland@ Resort or the Walt Disney World@ Resort, free* (must pre-register, and restrictions apply)

The 'What will you celebrate' campaign will be coming to an end at the end of 2009.

Contact me to help you book your next Disney vacation!!!!!!

Family Reunion in Serbia

http://www.riverfallsjournal.com/event/article/id/92909/

I'm not sure if this link will work, but I had the pleasure of assisting Vera with a visit to her family back in Serbia that she had not seen in decades!!! Some of which she had never met!!!

In the photo above, she had T-shirts made up for her family members, that say "Someone in River Falls, Wisconsin Loves Me."

I was truly moved by her story. Thank you Vera for sharing this with us here at Travel Leaders Suntime Travel.

More iPhone Apps

http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/top-iphone-apps-for-kids/

I found this great little website, for us Travel Savvy Moms out there!!!!

The list at the Apple iPhone Apps Store can be overwhelming. Here are the 10 applications this author's children like best. Many are free, and all work in airplane mode.

Totally fun!!!!

YouTube Family Travel to Disney

Thank you to Travel Leaders on TWITTER, for posting my video!!! How fun!

Now you can see me........yes me!!
I'm online...... Minnie Mouse ears and all!!!

Check it out:
Insider tips for family vacations to Disney - watch video from our expert!

CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/j4HGV

Twitter with Travel Leaders!

For those fellow tweet friends out there, check out the Travel Leaders Twitter page!!
http://twitter.com/TravelLeaders

Currently, you can see my fellow co-worker Jody talking about destination weddings, and the owner of Suntime Travel Debbie talking about eating ants with her family!!
WILD!!

http://bit.ly/DZHeV for Debbie

http://bit.ly/j4HGV for Jody (and others)...scroll down to Jody Meyer...

Thank you to Travel Leaders for posting these great videos, it's great to get first hand info from agents who have seen and done quite a bit in this business!!!!!

World Perks will now be Sky Miles

For those of us lucky enough to be in the midst of this 'integration' (is what they're calling it), updates are much needed, as there is some very confusing and conflicting information out there!!!

Here is the latest info, that will hopefully clarify how our World Perks accounts will become Sky Miles accounts...... This came from an email from Northwest Airlines.

"In October, the WorldPerks program will officially merge into the SkyMiles program. At this time, you will receive a new SkyMiles account number which will be sent to you via e-mail and in a new SkyMiles Program welcome kit that you will receive in the mail. Your existing WorldPerks status and account information will be transferred into your new SkyMiles account, including your redeemable, Elite qualifying and lifetime mileage balances. This mileage deposit into your new SkyMiles account will be considered activity, which extends your 24-month mileage expiration date. Moving forward, as long as you have any qualifying earning or redemption activity in the account at least once every 24 months, your miles will never expire."

So as you can see.........

Please refer back to my previous blog posting:
http://melissasuntimetravel.blogspot.com/2009/04/prevent-your-frequent-flyer-miles-from.html

YES, your frequent flyer miles will expire.
The answer to that question is YES!!!!!!!
So make sure you're proactive and are preventing this from happening! Buy a flower or a magazine or something to keep those accounts active. That's the last thing you'd want is for all of those precious miles to expire right out from under your nose!!

Now the posing question...... when does the ticker start for this '2 year' expiration? Does it begin when you get your Sky Miles account, or does it date back to when you were a World Perks Member........stay tuned, hopefully we can find the answer together.

Clear as mud.....

As always!

Airlines want you to pay for the privilege of purchasing a ticket

DON'T WE DO THAT ALREADY?

I read a lot of articles in the travel industry, and rarely do the airline 'rules' make any sense in the real world. How is it logical that once you've paid for an airline ticket, you cannot do a name change. In the real world, if you buy a shirt but your friend wears it, the retailer doesn't charge you a fee for this change...... Airlines are goofy. Really goofy!

Here is an article posted by Charlie Leocha with consumertraveler.com, and once again it really makes sense!!!!

http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/airlines-want-you-to-pay-for-the-privilege-of-buying-tickets-dont-we-do-this-already/

Andrew Zimmern visits Travel Leaders

Andrew Zimmern visits Travel Leaders for a Special Edition of Bizarre Foods



Even though this is not OUR agency, I thought you'd like to see what Andrew is up to, and how much he LOVES Travel Leaders!!!!!

Stay tuned for more Bizarre Foods blog posts!!
We love Andrew Zimmern!!!!!!!!

Andrew-- Take me with you on a Bizarre Food hunt!!!!!!!!!!


What's the most Bizarre Food YOU have eaten in your travels?????
Comment for me, would love to hear from ANYONE on this subject!!

Survey

Do you have time to take a quick survey?

YES????

THANK YOU!!!!! (click link below)

We invite you to take our Travel Leaders' Travel Trends Survey!
A survey is being conducted to gauge trends and travel interests among Travel Leaders' clients throughout the United States. This is an anonymous survey and all answers will be combined, across the country, to reveal the top responses.
Among the questions included:
· If you could win a trip anywhere in the U.S., which would you choose?
· What is your dream international destination?
· If you won $5,000, how much would you use toward (travel, shopping, paying bills, investments, savings)?

It should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
Thank you for your participation.

Begin Travel Trends Survey >

THANK YOU!

Travel Agents ARE making a comeback!!

Check out this CNN article!!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/08/12/travel.agent.comeback/index.html

Are you aware that WE.....yes, us...your friendly travel agents, can most times MATCH what you're seeing online?

Trust us..... Trust me......... it's worth it.

Like we've always said -- Without a travel agent, you're on your own!

Oberammergau & Munich 2010 including the Passion Play

Experience the legendary Passion Play in Oberammergau and take a scenic drive from Munich through the stunning landscapes of the Bavarian Alps.

From $1525 per person (minimum 2 people)
Begin and end Munich, Germany
5 day/4 night Package

Select Dates: June 15, July 4, August 1, and September 3, 2010

Deposit of $100 per person due at the time of booking
Balance de Jan 15, 2010

Please call for more details!!!
And as always, prices are subject to change
LIMITED AVAILABILITY, so please CALL or email right away!!!!

If you don't know anything about Oberammergau, please click this website, it has some great details:
http://www.oberammergau-passion.com/cms/front_content.php?idcat=56&changelang=2&lang=2

Disney World Packages for 2010

Of course I have to talk Disney..........today's a great day!!
The 2010 packages are open now for booking! YAY!
It is very typical for the first of August for Disney to raise their prices for the entrance ticket, and this past weekend was no exception. Apparently there are people on blogs and such that are pretty upset about this. Why, I ask?
Disney has been typically raising their prices the first of August for years, why would a recession/depression or whatever you'd like to 'categorize' what we're in economically right now.... Disney is one of the few companies that is actually MAKING money in this economic crisis. Isn't that a good thing?

Well, I'm a Disney lover, and a HUGE fan, and I say --if it's not broke, don't FIX it....
Tee-hee-hee, enough of my soap box!!

This little blog entry is to let everyone out there know that the 2010 packages can now be booked, and I'd LOVE to help you plan your trip to Disney for 2010!!!
How about combining it with a Disney Cruise, or perhaps a beach vacation over to Tampa / St. Pete?

Anything you can dream, I can help make it come true!!!

Call me, or email me!!!