Discount space travel site launched

by Chris Owen on

A new website devoted to discount space travel was launched this week and has member-only benefits for joining.

“Space.Travel was created to fill a void in the burgeoning space tourism industry. With passenger space travel becoming a routine activity, outer space needed a destination website just like any other travel location. A one-stop website for all of your space trip planning,” says Kenneth Schweitzer, Founder of Space.Travel.

In addition to discounts on space-related travel, membership ($99 a year) includes access to a Space Trip Reviews section that invites members to describe and post travel reviews of their experiences. These experiences might include visiting a space center or museum, attending a space camp or launch event, experiencing weightlessness in an aircraft, or even visiting outer space itself.

“When people think about space tourism they initially imagine trips into outer space. However, millions of people a year attend a space-themed attraction or museum. Space.Travel provides a place to share all of these amazing experiences,” adds Schweitzer.The website also offers daily space tourism news and a travel directory. The Space.Travel Directory includes listings of space travel agents, space insurance providers, and space tour operators.

Flickr photo by Marxchivist


Obese passenger forces neighbor on US Airways flight to stand for 7 hours

by Chris Owen on

Arthur Berkowitz, a passenger on US Airways Flight 901 from Anchorage to Philadelphia, had no other choice but to stand up during his seven hour flight. It seems the next seat over was occupied by a passenger so overweight that it was impossible for Berkowitz to stay in his seat. Now, Berkowitz is speaking out about the ordeal.

“I didn’t fly from Alaska to Philadelphia on Flight 901,” Berkowitz told consumer advocate Chris Elliott, “I stood.”

The neighboring 400-pound man’s body spilled over into Berkowitz’s personal space so much that he was forced to stand for most of the 7 hour flight, and he couldn’t use his seat belt during takeoff and landing.

“His size required both armrests to be raised up and allowed for his body to cover half of my seat.” said Berkowitz.

US Airways apologized for the incident and said in a statement “Our intention is to offer the best travel experience possible. The details you have provided indicate that we have failed to meet our intentions.” US Air offered Berkowitz a $200 voucher in compensation.

In a poll on Elliott’s consumer watchdog site, 96% (over 17,000 votes) thought that US Airways did not offer Berkowitz enough compensation. We agree.


[Image credit: AP]

“iPads in every stateroom,” says one cruise line

by Chris Owen on

In a bold move, Royal Caribbean International announced today the addition of “iPads in every stateroom” on board onboard Splendour of the Seas, undergoing dry dock refurbishment right now.

“Based on consumer research, we added the iPads to greatly enhance guest communication, interactivity and to continue to offer industry leading technology that helps enhance the guest experience,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International.

Embracing technology and staying current is nothing new for Royal Caribbean International. Not long ago, sister-line Celebrity Cruises introduced a new iPhone app that represented a natural evolution of their programming, welcoming a new generation of cruise passenger. A Celebrity iLounge is a popular gathering place. As an Authorized Apple Reseller, some ships have a retail area where guests can try out and buy various Apple products and accessories plus an “enrichment center” that offers classes on the iLife suite of programs and other general topics.

On Splendour of the Seas, iPad’s will empower guests with an additional medium by which to receive and use information on their cruise vacation. Guests will be able to access the daily Cruise Compass shipboard newsletter of events and activities, personal daily itineraries and shore excursions, monitor their onboard account, order room service, view restaurant menus, access the Internet and watch movies. The iPads will be available beginning mid-February 2012 on Splendour of the Seas before being extended to all Vision-class ships when each undergoes revitalization in the following two years.

The iPads will offer guests the opportunity to access all of that information not only from their staterooms, but through the ship-wide WIFI system wherever they go onboard.

In addition to the iPads, upgraded Splendour of the Seas will also have new stateroom amenities such as flat screen televisions, new bathrooms, and completely remodeled interiors, including luxurious new linens and furniture, as well as an additional 124 balconies. The ship also will be outfitted with the digital wayfinding technology that can be found on the line’s acclaimed Oasis-class ships.

Upon completion of the refurbishments, Splendour of the Seas will sail a trans-Atlantic voyage on November 25 from Lisbon, Portugal to her seasonal home port of Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil. From there, she will offer a variety of South American itineraries that take advantage of the summer season in Brazil.

Flickr photo by Chirantan Patnaik

Free private jet service a nice perk for Zappos employees

by Chris Owen on

A recent report from Launch says Zappos boss Tony Hsieh is offering his employees free private jet service courtesy of JetSuite.

A memo leaked from Zappos details Hsieh’s stake and seat on the board of JetSuite, a company he invested in with lower than average operating costs on the new Phenom 100 planes. While most private jet services charge about $5000 an hour, JetSuite guarantees a lower rate of $4000 an hour. Noted in the leaked memo:

“Just like we have markdowns at Zappos and 6pm for unsold inventory, JetSuite occasionally has empty planes flying around so it can reposition its planes, so JetSuite offers the empty planes at a big discount (called SuiteDeals) every day on its Facebook page”.

JetSuite’s last minute daily flight deals on the company Facebook page give pretty much anybody the chance to fly private starting at only $499 each way.

That’s $499 each way for the whole 4-passenger jet.

Not good enough for Zappos employees says Hsieh:

But for Zappos employees, we’ve negotiated a special employee benefit… Instead of the discounted price of $499, Zappos employees get to fly FOR FREE.

Yes, that is not a typo (and nobody has hacked my email :) — All the SuiteDeal offers are available to Zappos employees for free. You get to fly on an entire jet (and bring up to 3 of your friends, since the plane seats 4 people) for free!

So if you’re interested, please read the attachment carefully for step-by-step instructions on how to sign up!

-Tony :)
[Benefits are hot]”

We have to agree.

Flickr photo by Josh Beasley

Gift cards can stretch travel funds

by Chris Owen on

Gift cards often come with bonus offers and special deals that bump up the value and make a whole lot of sense for travelers. It’s like cutting expenses by 10% or more when we cash in on some great offers being made for the holidays.

Best Western Hotels has an offer where buying a $100 Best Western Travel Card online gets a $10 bonus gift card free. With this offer, we can get a $10 Best Western Travel Card or choose from a variety of restaurant cards. This one is especially good for international travelers as it can be loaded and reloaded with the currency of the country they will be traveling to.

“Whether gifting a Best Western travel card to friends and family or gifting one to yourself for travel in the new year, this limited-time promotion offers the perfect opportunity to rack-up cash at popular retailers,” said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “With this special holiday deal, it’s more rewarding than ever before to give the gift of travel – and get $10 back in your pocket.”

Another offer that can stretch travel funds is Mastercard’s $20 gift card offer. On this one, Mastercard will send us a $20 gift card with any $200 spent online using a Mastercard. To be eligible to receive the MasterCard gift card, enroll a MasterCard card here. They need a card number to qualify online spending, and an email address to alert buyers when they have earned their gift card.

Looking to make a difference in a really easy way? We can take care of that when we fly with an offer from American Airlines. This one earns travelers a donation of $5 for every $50 travel card purchased to either Susan G. Komen for the Cure® or the USO.

10% might not seem like much but these things can really add up.

Reloadable gift cards often carry bonus offers to encourage their use. Using them on the road eliminates some of the need for cash and often translates to bonus value as well.

Starbucks reloadable gift cards are a good example. Once registered, the holders online account can also be accessed by iPhone or Android app and bonus offers are given as usage increases. Subway Restaurants has a similar program, giving a free sub with every time users add $25 back on the card.

These and many other cards make great gifts for travelers that are easy, safe and fun to use.

Photo: Chris Owen