Airlines Set to Charge You for Not Checking Bags Online

Checked bag fees are, quite arguably, the devil. There's nothing more irritating in my mind: how can you rationally travel somewhere without taking bags? Exactly. And so, airlines, in my humble opinion, are taking advantage of folks by charging for checked bags.

A few of the airlines have decided to actually increase that too, according to Budget Travel, tacking on $5 fees for folks that don't check their bags before they get to the airport.

That's right. More baggage fees! United and US Airways are the big culprits here, too, because they already charge $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second ... now, if you pay those fees at the airport, they will charge you an additional $5. (Yes, it's very much like rebooking at the terminal -- for whatever reason, they want to charge you and additional $15.)

But are there other airlines instituting similar policies? Of course there are! Delta and Northwest will begin charging an additional $50 for a second checked bag on international flights (which I wouldn't really have a problem with, save the fact that you almost always need two bags when traveling to another frigging country). And Alaska Air will charge $15 for the first checked bag. I have no problem with this, since I don't go to Alaska. Although I'm sure Alaskan travelers may have some beef, since you dont' exactly take day trips up there.

The long and short here is that you're always, always, always smarter to just carry-on two bags when possible (and to pack accordingly, obviously) but the reality is that a lot of people simply can't manage to get all their stuff in that amount of space.

And while it's nice to see the airlines "stimulating the economy" by "trying not to go bankrupt," I'll be honest -- at some point, these baggage fees are going to send enough people far enough over the top where we score a giant boycott and dump all the tea in the ocean. Or something.

FareFinder: Wednesday April 29

Miley Cyrus (aka, Hannah Montana) and Atlantis, Paradise Island are teaming up for the "Miley Cyrus Weekend in Paradise" package, which includes accommodations and tickets to an exclusive Miley Cyrus concert on May 16. Rates start at $499 per person, $209 per child (ages 11 years and under). No word on whether Jaimie Foxx is scheduled to appear.

Princess Cruises' Escape the Economy sale going on now. Offers include 2-for-1 deals on select cruises and free upgrades.

The state of Colorado wants you to visit, so much so that the state's tourism board has launched HOTDEALSCOLORADO.com, providing vacationers easy access to more than 250 great vacation deals from throughout the state.

Your weekly Continental.com last-minute airfare deals include roundtrip airfare from Houston to Acapulco for $159. Combine that with some really great deals on hotels and you've got a cheap vacation all set.

Delta.com's weekly web fares include LA or San Francisco to Kennedy for $99 each way.

Delta Has an Idea to Generate Revenue: More Bag Charges!

Bag charges. They're the worst. But here's some even more annoying news: they're going up!

Yes, that's right. Delta has decided that people traveling a really long way shouldn't be able to pack more than one bag for anything other than highway robbery, as they've raised their "second bag price" on international flights to a whopping $50.

Effective today, for international travel beginning July 1, Delta will charge customers a $50 fee to check a second bag, which the company expects to generate more than $100 million annually.

Well, goodie for Delta, who will make a ton of money. The downside: this is, um, not awesome news for consumers. The airline may have posted huge losses recently, but that's still not an excuse to seek awkwardly aggressive methods of charging consumers in an attempt to recoup some money. They're better off doing something counter intuitive like giving out free peanuts. I'd buy more airplane tickets.

Man in Hurry for Bathroom on Delta Flight Charged With Felony Assault

There's nothing worse than needing to go to the bathroom on an airplane, standing up, and seeing the dreaded drink cart/stewardess combo staring back at you. There's no other recourse than to return to your seat, cross your legs and wait it out. Unless you're Joao Correa of Concord, Ohio.

Joao Correa of Concord, Ohio, says he had a bathroom emergency but his path was blocked by a beverage cart during the March 28 flight from Honduras to Atlanta. He asked if he could use the lavatory in business class, but was told no.

[...]Authorities say the 43-year-old man is accused of pulling and twisting the flight attendant's arm. He was arrested when the plane landed in Atlanta and charged with assault.

Right off the bat, I'll go ahead and say it: I feel bad for this guy. There's nothing more terrifying than having a "natural urge" (read: bowel movement) than on an airplane flight. Typically, there's some turbulence or a long line or just the awkwardness of having to hit someone's head with your rear end as you're semi-sprinting down the isle.

But with that drink cart and an unruly stewardess and the panic that sets in, well, I can kind of see why he freaked out. At the same time though, if Meet the Parents taught us anything, it's that you don't ever get angry with a flight attendant. It just doesn't work out well for anyone.

FareFinder: Tuesday, March 31

Spring is here, which means golf season is, too. Marriott Vacations and the Faldo Golf Institute are offering “Class Is In” packages starting at $955 for 3-Day Golf Schools and $635 for 2-Day Golf Schools, which includes villa accommodations, personalized instruction and three rounds of championship golf in Orlando or Palm Desert, CA.

In honor of its 50-year celebration, the four-star Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is offering 50% off hotel rates through 2009 when you book your stay online in the month of May.

Your weekly, last-minute airfare specials from Continental.com and Delta.com for the week.

Carnival Cruise Lines' summer sales include $50-$120 in onboard credit for select Caribbean cruises.

Last-minute cruise deals on Royal Caribbean International ships include a five-night western Caribbean sailing for as little as $349.

FareFinder: Tuesday, March 24

VacationMyrtleBeach.com offering Grand Strand resort specials starting at $48 a night.

The four-star Post Hotel Weggis in Switzerland offering a two-night Spring Awakening package that includes accommodations, meals, wellness treatments and mountain bike rentals for $780.

Continental.com last-minute airfare specials this week include Newark Liberty to Bermuda for $149 or Montreal for $128 and Houston to Mexico City for $209. All prices are for roundtrip tickets.

Delta.com partnering with Sandals Resorts to offer a four-night all-inclusive vacation to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa for $1,149 per person, including airfare.

The St. Regis Washington, D.C. offering a Weekend Traditions package that includes accommodations, breakfast at the elegant Adour restaurant and complimentary valet parking, starting at $395.

FareFinder: Thursday, March 12

Divi Resorts offering a five-day Girlfriend Getaway Package at its Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten starting at $585, which includes a $100 spa treatment, a $50 gift certificate at the resort’s on-site jewelry store and a $100 boat trip to island-hop over to St. Barthelemy for the day.

MSC Cruises extending its Caribbean Spring Sale aboard the MSC Liricia's March 24 and April 13 eastern Caribbean sailings. Interior cabins start at $60 per person, per day for the 10-day itineraries. Plus, kids sail for free when traveling with two adults.

Last-minute airfare deals on Continental and Delta for this weekend.

With March Madness one week away, tickets are still available for 2009 NCAA Tournament games in Greensboro, NC (first and second rounds) and Indianapolis, IN (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight).

Delta Cuts International Flights by 10%

In a memo written by CEO Richard Anderson and president Edward H. Bastian, Delta announced its plan to cut international flights by 10% beginning in September of this year.

According to the memo...

...capacity this winter will be down 11-13% compared to winter 2008. Its trans-Pacific capacity will be down 12-14%. The cuts are in addition to Delta's December announcement to reduce 2009 capacity by 6-8%.

Delta currently has more than 70,000 employees world wide. Roughly 2,100 employees will be leaving the company voluntarily over the next year, but current projections show the company still may fall short of its fiscal goals.

Despite the cutbacks and meager projections, Delta is still taking a more conventional approach than some. Ryanair recently announced it may begin charging customers to use the bathroom.

FareFinder: Thursday, March 5

Sceptre Tours offering 6-night Ireland getaway at Blarney Golf Resort for as little as $599, including airfare.

Ridiculous Hawaii travel deals from Blue Sky Tours include four nights for two at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa for under $1,200.

Did you miss JetBlue's one-day sale? Here are some alternatives from Continental and Delta.

Speaking of JetBlue, they've just discounted some of their vacation packages with the new "Beachy Keen" promotion.

And while it's not a FareFinder, I pass along this contest: If you're looking for a vacation home on the cheap while helping the non-profit Veterans Retreat, check out this raffle for a 850-sq-ft Miami condo overlooking Star Island.

FareFinder Extra: Summer price wars beginning early

It's no secret that the airline industry is hurting for business. More and more airlines are slashing prices and offering weekly specials and Web fares.

Now, according to the Associated Press, Atlanta-based AirTran Airways is about to jump-start a price war that will give consumers even more of a reason to fly:

In a sign of great uncertainty about demand for air travel this year amid the deep U.S. recession, discount carrier AirTran Airways launched a fare sale to all its destinations Tuesday for flights through the middle of the fall. ... AirTran, a unit of Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran Holdings Inc., said its sale fares, starting as low as $39 one-way, are available for purchase through March 5 for travel through Nov. 4. The biggest discounts are for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

According to the story, American, Continental, United, US Airways and Delta "quickly matched on routes where they compete with AirTran, and JetBlue said it would do the same."

Coupled with deep discounts from hoteliers, cruise lines and other industry services, there might not be a better time to travel.

FareFinder: Thursday, February 19

JetBlue celebrates 400 years of Bermuda with $99 fares from JFK

Spring Training special for Minnesota Twins fans on Captiva Island

Mohegan Sun offers its own stimulus package in the form of $5 blackjack 24/7

Delta.com's weekly web fares as low as $59 each way

Continental.com continues to discount roundtrips from Cleveland, Houston and Newark Liberty

Young and Jewish? Free trips to Israel offered through Taglit-Birthright Israel

Consumer Upgrade News: Continental Trades a Star for its ‘Team

Ramsey Qubein is Travelin' Light's on-the-road correspondent.

When Continental Airlines announced months ago that it was planning on a major switch from the SkyTeam alliance to Star Alliance, a breakup date remained unannounced. Well, the light is at the end of the tunnel. Continental will exit the Delta/Northwest-led alliance on October 24 with plans to join the much larger United-led Star Alliance shortly thereafter.

The importance of this announcement to travelers is larger than it seems. Delta and Northwest frequent fliers looking to redeem miles on Continental’s large international network (and its elite set of partners, which includes Emirates and Virgin Atlantic) should make award reservations before the Oct. 24 deadline. And Continental fliers should redeem their miles on Delta/Northwest’s combined international network (including flights on the legendary Singapore Airlines and newer Kingfisher Airlines) should also arrange their reservations soon.

Domestic fliers should know that reciprocal upgrades between Continental and Northwest will cease at that time as well. However, now that Delta and Northwest elite members can receive complimentary upgrades on each airline’s aircraft, upgrades for Continental fliers are farther and fewer between.

Awards will be honored for travel past the exit date, but new reservations will no longer be allowed. If you’re saving up for the trip of a lifetime, Oct. 24, 2009 should be marked in red on the calendar!

FareFinder: Ushering in 2009

After a holiday hiatus, we're back to offer the best travel deals that come across the PTG desk each day. So, off we go:

Free Meals at Caribbean Resort: Guests who book four nights or more in one of Amanyara's Pavilions or Villas between January 4 and October 31, 2009 (excluding Presidents' Week, February 12-16, and Easter, April 3-17) will enjoy complimentary meals throughout their stay.

"Balcony Bonanza": Princess Cruises is offering couples free upgrades and $1,200 in savings on hundreds of cruises through 2009. Must be booked by the end of February.

More cruise deals: Travel to Europe on Oceania Cruises and you'll be rewarded with a $2,000 price reduction off two-for-one cruise fares, plus free airfare per stateroom on 18 of the company's 2009 European Collection sailings.

Continental.com weekly specials: A FareFinder favorite, the big last minute specials this week include roundtrips from Newark Liberty to Bermuda and Houston to Monterrey, Mexico for under $200. Book by Friday.

Delta.com Web fares: Delta is also offering some good deals online, including one-ways starting at $69 on routes such as LaGuardia to Orlando or Tampa, Salt Lake City to Las Vegas and Washington-Reagan to Reno. Book by Saturday.

FareFinder: Delta makes post-turkey get away easier

Looking for a quick getaway after the stuffing is finished? Delta has some interesting deals, as long as you read the fine print and have a couple of vacation days left in the work bank.

Delta has a Super Off-Peak promo on its Web site, which lets you get some special deals on flights to select cities. The Super Off-Peak days run Nov. 27 and 28, then Dec. 3, 13-17 and Christmas Eve and Day. Phew.

I know, I know: What kind of deals are we talking about here? Well, LaGuardia to Orlando for $89 each way. How about jet-setting from JFK to Vegas for $259 roundtrip between Dec. 13 and Dec. 17?

My peeps in the ATL have some of the best deals (being a hub has its advantages), with one-ways to places like Chicago, Philly, NYC and every other East Coast and Midwest locale under $144.

As always, the fine print gets you, since the airline has these Super Off Peaks for the dates stated. Plus, you have to buy the tickets by this Saturday (Nov. 29). But if you're trying to get away from the cold Northeast or just need to use those remaining vacation days, there are some good deals to be had.

Southwest Buys $7.5 Mil Worth of LaGuardia Landing Spots, Which Is Called 'Making a Statement'

It's no secret at all that the economy is currently "not good". Such circumstances make it tough for businesses to break even -- I feel like driving down the road I see 'Going Out of Business Sale!' signs littering the curbs -- much less prosper.

And the airline business has been hit up a little bit too. But apparently, that's not stopping Southwest Airlines, who announced today that they have purchased $7.5 million worth of landing spots at LaGuardia Airport in New York City from ATA Airlines.

"It is our intent, with the successful conclusion of the transaction, to make plans to initiate service from LaGuardia," said Southwest CEO Gary Kelly. "Even in this volatile environment, we have said we must monitor the competitive landscape and take advantage of prudent market opportunities."

And yes, technically Southwest did purchase ATA (now bankrupt) as a whole. But they seem to have zero interest in actually acquiring anything other than the landing spots, which says something pretty stout about their play in this tough market.

Southwest has clearly been marketing themselves as an airline that doesn't tack on surcharges to customers for baggage check-in, reservations by phone, non-refundable ticket refunds or curbside check-in.

So, yeah, couple their "consumer-first" attitude with this strong financial push to wedge themselves in a major market means that SW understands people are going to keep flying -- there's no better time to travel than now, actually. And by locking themselves into a major spot in one of the world's biggest airports, they appear at least poised to take a run at the "Big Three" of Delta, U.S. Airways and American.