Monster storm heading to Chicago – airlines issue ticket change waivers

by Scott Carmichael on

Winters in Chicago are usually long and cold – but really big snow storms are quite rare.

As is often the case, they only come one every couple of years, which means the city is due for something big. That “big” will come in the form of a monster storm with up to 20 inches of snow, and 45MPH winds – creating everything you need to essentially shut the area down for a couple of days.

Even though O’Hare is very well equipped to deal with snow, 20″ will bring any airport to a standstill. Weather blog “meteorological musings” has some great in-depth analysis of the storm, along with a snow prediction – and it doesn’t look good.

Thankfully, airlines can see these charts too, and have issued fee-free travel waivers. Here are links to airlines with big operations in Chicago, and their waiver/weather update pages:

And if you are planning to travel, don’t forget to check out our guide to surviving air travel during a winter storm.

[Photo: meteorological musings]

Airlines, Cruise Lines stay clear of chaotic Egypt

by Chris Owen on

A number of airlines have canceled flights in and out of Egypt and cruise lines have canceled calls to ports as unrest grows.

Norwegian Cruise Lines and MSC Cruises, both with scheduled stops in in Alexandria, Egypt have canceled those calls, modifying itineraries. Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, Kuwait Airways and Egypt Air have altered flights or suspended service to the region indefinitely.

The situation is grim. Demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and the right to a free election have been seen looting,

After warning against travel to Egypt, evacuation flights are being organized by the US Embassy in Cairo and will leave Monday. India and Turkey are evacuating their citizens today. In a statement, the US Embassy said

“The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Egypt due to ongoing political and social unrest. On January 30, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of dependents and non-emergency employees. Violent demonstrations have occurred in several areas of Cairo, Alexandria and other parts of the country, disrupting road travel between city centers and airports. Disruptions in communications, including internet service, may occur. The Government of Egypt has imposed a curfew from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez until further notice.”

Protests in the last five days against Mubarak’s 30-year rule have caused the Egyptian army to be deployed in an attempt to control demonstrations. With at least 74 killed, two mummies destroyed, burning buildings and ongoing battles between protesters and police will effectively shut down tourism, a major factor in the Egyptian economy.

On CNN this morning, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US is standing by the existing Egyptian government “for now” urging an open discussion that could lead to peace.

Flickr photo by ChrisCruises

Travelers scramble in Cairo

by Chris Owen on

The situation for travelers overwhelming Cairo International Airport was critical as foreign tourists and Egyptians scrambled to find outgoing flights. Most without reservations, between 1,500 and 2,000 travelers were looking for any available flight at the airport’s main departure terminals.

The Associated Press reports that airlines have canceled a number of flights, the United States is cautioning citizens against travel to Egypt, and tourism agencies are giving travelers the option to reschedule.

Egypt does not need to lose the tourism business, estimated at $10 billion a year. Egypt’s military has closed off access to the country’s treasured pyramids in Giza, normally a very busy tourist area.

Tour operators of the Association of French Tour Operators suspended all departures for this weekend to Egypt and travelers already on the ground are being diverted to less volatile areas.

Flickr photo by Unbathed

Delta Airlines kills another pet: kitten dies of cold in cargo hold

by Scott Carmichael on

After a pet death earlier this month, you’d expect Delta Airlines to inspect and improve its protocols for transporting animals.

Sadly, another pet has died after a flight on one of their jets – Snickers the (hairless) kitten was just eleven weeks old when she made the trip from Utah to Connecticut.

Her owner, Heather Lombardi paid just under $290 for the pet ticket, which included a $50 surcharge to have Snickers removed from the hold immediately upon landing.

Unfortunately, someone screwed up, as Snickers was left in the hold for 50 minutes in 10 degree weather. When she was reunited with her owner, she could not move her head or paws, and was rushed to a vet wrapped in a coat. Upon arrival at the vet, she had passed away. Because of the cold, Snickers was bleeding from the mouth and nose, a symptom of hypothermia.

A Delta Airlines spokeswoman had the following to say:

“We are turning our attention now to offering our condolences and discussing how we can provide some kind of restitution to support her during this time”

Sadly this is just another tragic incident that shows the need for better regulation of pet transport. The US Department of Transportation does track animal deaths, but only of pets that die in transit in the cabin. No numbers are recorded for deaths of pets in the cargo hold.

Click here to learn all about “a day in the life of a pet in airline cargo” from our friends at AOL Travel

[Photo: AP/Heather Lombardini]

Free: 250 American Airlines AAdvantage miles for joining Best Western Rewards

by Scott Carmichael on

Looking for a quick and painless way to top off your American Airlines mileage account? Sign up for a Best Western Rewards card (free) and provide them with your AAdvantage number.

You’ll earn an instant 250 miles, and bonus miles each time you stay in a Best Western property between February 6 and April 11, 2011. On your first stay, you’ll get another 500 miles, followed by 750 on your second, and 1000 on each following stay.

Even if you don’t have any Best Western stays planned, the 250 miles may be all it takes to keep an otherwise dormant account alive, or to get your account to the point where you can actually use your miles for something worthwhile.

The promotion page is here – which is where you’ll find more details on the stay-to-earn deal.

Need another 150 miles? Check out this American Airlines Bose promotion!