Smarter Travel

Flyers covet the window seat for many reasons, and now you can add another to the list: getting to board first on United Airlines. Starting October 26, the carrier will change its boarding process to allow window-seat passengers in economy class to board before passengers in the middle and aisle seats, according to an internal memo obtained by The Washington Post.

If you fly often enough, you have at least one airport on your list of places to avoid at all costs. A good airport can make your trip a breeze by making it easy to get to your connection, offering tasty restaurant options, and giving you a clean and comfortable place to rest before your flight. A bad airport can stress you out with crowds, dirty facilities, and poor dining options.

Accidentally leaving your phone behind is a traveler’s worst nightmare. But what if you purposely left it behind? Would you have a better trip if you weren’t glued to your phone, snapping selfies and choosing where to eat based on Yelp reviews?

Cheaper Amtrak tickets and more time to explore your destination—Amtrak’s Night Owl fares are a win-win. Amtrak recently expanded these ultra-cheap fares (priced as low as $5) to more times and routes, making it even more convenient to travel for less.

As the U.S. government remains unable to agree on a funding bill, a government shutdown will likely begin on October 1 at 12:01 a.m. unless a deal is reached by September 30. The shutdown would last for an unknown amount of time until funding can be passed.

Global Entry is currently the fastest way to return to the United States after a trip abroad. This program, available through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, prescreens travelers and allows them to skip the often lengthy customs lines at airports and other border crossings. The reentry process has gotten even faster for Global Entry members, thanks to the launch of a new mobile app.

If you’ve ever been crammed into an uncomfortable coach seat, been charged extra for a bag, or had a flight delayed for no good reason, you know how much the airline you fly can impact your trip.

Thirsty travelers flying through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will no longer be able to buy water in plastic bottles. Airport officials announced a ban on single-use plastic water bottles effective immediately in a Facebook post stating, “With ample water bottle refill stations across our terminals, we encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles to avoid waste.”

We knew it was coming some time this year, but not exactly when. Now we know.

How much will you be charged for that hotel stay? The answer, of course, should be obvious: You’ll pay the published rate, plus government-imposed taxes and fees. Whatever that total turns out to be is your price.

With no published award-price charts to refer to, members of Delta’s SkyMiles program don’t know when award prices are higher or lower than normal. That’s because there is no baseline to use as a reference point; there is no normal. Or rather, normal is whatever Delta chooses to publish as the price for an award ticket on a particular flight.

Enter the Holland America Line “Choose Your Cruise” sweepstakes by March 31, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a seven-day Holland America Line cruise for two to the winner’s choice of Alaska, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, or Europe, including most onboard meals.

The Starwood Preferred Guest credit card, issued by American Express, has long been the darling of the miles-and-points set. But with the pending merger of Starwood with Marriott, the card’s future is in doubt.

While its success is based principally on attractive pricing and ease of use, Uber’s business model critically depends on a ready supply of available and motivated workers. While there’s no sign that the supply of potential drivers is drying up, yet, the enthusiasm of Uber drivers seems to be eroding.

Today’s announcement that Southwest has a new marketing relationship with a rideshare company was no surprise. As rideshare services have become an ever-larger part of the travel landscape, such tie-ups have proliferated. It won’t be long before every airline and hotel loyalty program has a rideshare company on its roster of points-earning partners.

The news came in a text—a link to an article announcing that “Scotland’s Leopard Man” had died. I blinked. I paused. And then I remembered the hermit who wanted cookies, and how my encounter with him 20 years earlier taught me one of the most important travel lessons I’ve ever learned.

To the list of hotels that offer discounted rates to members of their loyalty programs—Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, InterContinental, Choice—can now be added the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group (Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn, Country Inns & Suites).

Vegas has come a long way, baby. No longer a Mecca for gambling and other less licit activities, the city has become synonymous with family fun, world-class dining, and big-name entertainment.

IHG Rewards this week released its latest list of PointBreaks hotels that are available for booking for just 5,000 points per night.

Washington lawmakers are flyers, too. Frequent flyers in most cases.

Travel Weekly reports that the TSA is already alerting travelers to forthcoming ID requirements set to take effect in 2018.