Delta Airlines Increases 2nd Bag Fees

Delta Air Lines is raising the fee for checking a second and third bag on domestic flights for all tickets purchased on or after August 5. The airline said it is raising the charge to offset to high fuel prices.

The charge for checking a second bag will increase from $25 to $50, and the fee for checking a third bag will increase from $80 to $125. First Class, BusinessElite and Medallion passengers will not be affected and will be able to check up to three bags for no charge. Customers on international flights still do not have to pay a charge for any checked luggage.

Delta accepts up to 10 checked bags on Delta mainline flights and four checked bags on Delta Connection carriers.

Hawaiian Joins the Charge for 1st Bag Club

Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will begin charging $15 for a first checked bag on flights between the US mainland and Hawaii. The carrier also adjusted its frequent flier program by increasing the mileage needed to redeem award tickets.

The $15 baggage feel will be added on tickets purchased after Aug. 1, 2008 for travel commencing on or after Oct. 1, 2008.

The airline will not charge for the first piece of checked luggage on inter-island flights, though it does currently charge $17 for a second bag on inter-island flights, and $25 on mainland flights.
The new minimum mileage requirements for reward travel redemption will be 15,000 (up from 10,000) for travel starting Sept. 1, 2008. The minimum for trans-Pacific flights will increase from 35,000 to 40,000 miles.

According to Hawaiian it last changed its minimum mileage requirements 14 years ago.

Midwest Airlines Cuts Number of Flights

First Midwest Airlines reduced its staff, now it is cutting its scheduled number of flights, the Associated Press reports. Fuel costs are, once again, the primary factor as the Milwaukee-based airline plans to eliminate flights to leisure destinations while it holds on to departures to business destinations.

The series of changes will reduce the airline's service to levels that existed before recession and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.General flights to San Diego, as well as Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers in Florida, will be removed, leaving Tampa as the only Florida city with year-round service from Midwest. Midwest Connect service to Baltimore; Hartford, CT; Louisville, KY.; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; and St. Louis will be cut as well. Meanwhile, nonstop flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle will also be changed, as the flights will now stop in Kansas City first.

All departures to Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., will remain unaffected.
Midwest Airlines said it will try hard to rebook passengers who bought tickets for flights that are canceled, and will refund passengers whose flights cannot be rebooked.

Jet Blue Adds Portand, OR to Long Beach

JetBlue Airways announced Wednesday that it will launch service between Portland, OR, and Long Beach, CA, beginning October 9. The airline will add a second flight between the two destinations on November 2.

The new flight route will debut the airline's first Embraer 190 aircraft in Portland, a fuel-efficient, 100-seat jet that includes such amenities as 36 TV channels and more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio.

Alaska Airlines Offers Daily Service to Hawaii

Alaska Airlines today inaugurates daily, year-round service between Seattle and Kahului on the island of Maui. In addition, the airline will begin thrice-weekly service between Anchorage and Maui starting on Oct. 31, through April 25, 2009 and year-round service between Seattle and Kona, on the Big Island, beginning Nov. 17.

The flights from Seattle depart daily at 8:20 a.m. PT and arrive at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii time. Return flights depart at 1:05 p.m. Hawaii time and arrive in Seattle at 9:45 p.m. PT.

The new flights are operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 141 economy-class passengers and 16 first-class passengers. All flights to Hawaii offer Hawaiian-themed beverage and meal service. Customers in the main cabin are offered complimentary Mauna Loa macadamia nuts and a complimentary Mai Tai or POG juice, as well as meals for purchase for $5. First-class passengers enjoy complimentary meal service.

VIRGIN AMERICA AND JET BLUE AVAIL AT PLEASANT HOLIDAYS

Pleasant Holidays has added JetBlue flights and Virgin America flight options to its vacation package product line. Pleasant Holidays customers can now book Virgin America's nonstop flights from San Francisco to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego; as well as New York City to Las Vegas, Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Pleasant Holidays customers can take JetBlue nonstop flight options to Las Vegas, Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

VEGAS SHOW UPDATE

Whether you are a little bit country or a little bit rock and roll, there is a Las Vegas headliner that’s perfect for you.

Case in point: Starting September 9, 1970s icons Donny and Marie are coming back with an all new variety show at the Flamingo.

The 90-minute show will feature their biggest hits, as well as multimedia effects and a dance team. It’s the first time in nearly 30 years that this duo is pairing up for an extended run in Las Vegas, and the early buzz on the show is highly positive.

Another show getting strong pre-opening buzz is CRISS ANGEL Believe. The new Cirque du Soleil show opens for previews on September 1 at Luxor Las Vegas and takes a decidedly gothic approach to its look and feel. What we like about the Cirque approach is that every new show features a distinct new look and feel.

With LOVE at Mirage, they took on the the Beatles. Now, they are taking on magic and illusion with the star of A&E's Mindfreak.

Famed Las Vegas headliner Danny Gans is also bolting Mirage for the soon-to-debut Encore. It’s expected that he will take up residence there in early 2009. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Gans, who has been performing at Mirage since 2000 when then owner Steve Wynn built him a theater there.

Now, Wynn has lured him to his newest casino resort, Encore, which is expected to open later this year. More information on the show and ticket availability is forthcoming.

Though it’s been playing for several months already, Bette Midler is performing at Caesars Palace in The Showgirl Must Go On. The show is locked in for at least 200 shows over two years and ends with her blockbuster hit "Wind Beneath My Wings."

Call agent for details

DELTA VACATIONS INSTANT AIR CREDIT BAHAMAS

To celebrate Travel Impressions new management of Delta Vacations, the tour operator is offering a $200 Instant Air Credit deal on all air-inclusive bookings of four nights or longer to Nassau/Paradise Island, the Bahamas. Reservations must be made between now and August 3 for travel between August 13 and December 17.

AA ADDS MORE FLIGHTS TO ST MAARTEN

With the anticipated suspension of a host of Caribbean flights by American Airlines come September, news of additional flights to any Caribbean destination is celebrated these days. And this is why it didn’t take St. Maarten’s Commissioner of Tourism Roy Marlin long to publicly praise American Airlines on their announcement to add a second Miami-St. Maarten flight beginning in November.

The new American Airlines flight is scheduled to leave Miami International Airport at 5:15 p.m. arriving in St. Maarten at 9:10 p.m. The aircraft will depart the next morning at 9:10 a.m., arriving in Miami at 11:30 a.m.

In addition, the commissioner praised American for its decision to add a second New York-St. Maarten flight for the 2008-2009 tourism season. That flight, originating from JFK International Airport, will commence December 18 and is scheduled to run two times per week. It will increase to five times per week on January 6, 2009 for the remainder of the peak tourism season.

“On behalf of The Island Territory of St. Maarten, I am extremely grateful to American Airlines for their decision to increase capacity to our destination,” said Marlin in a written release. “Their judgment only confirms the fact that, in light of all the cutbacks taking place in the airline industry today, St. Maarten has an extremely viable and thriving tourism product.”

GO! AIRLINES TO CHARGE FOR 1ST BAG

Mesa Air Group Inc., parent company of go! airlines announced that it will begin charging $10 for the first checked bag on Hawaii interisland trips.

The bag fee will start on Aug. 10, 2008. The fee will not be charged to passengers who bought tickets before July 10.
The carrier also said it is reducing fees for second checked bags, from $25 to $17 because of the new fee.

Carnival Seaside Theatre to be added to more ships

Five Carnival ships currently house the line's popular Seaside Theatre—jumbo LED screens that play movies and other video. Carnival is now introducing the concept to five more ships over the next year.

The first Seaside Theatre debuted in 2005 on Carnival Liberty and on all new builds thereafter, including Carnival Splendor, which just debuted last week in Europe. Carnival Dream, debuting in 2009, will be built with a Seaside Theatre; Carnival Destiny and Carnival Triumph will be refitted with theatres during scheduled drydocks later this year; and Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory are set to receive screens next year.

Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival's executive vice president of marketing and guest experience, called the Seaside Theatre concept a great outdoor diversion. The 270-square-foot screens use the same technology as the jumbo screens in New York's Times Square and at stadiums across the country.

Crystal Cruises Offers Low Business Class Air Fares

Crystal Cruises is offering low Business-Class air from select U.S. gateways for all summer 2009 Baltic, British Isles and Mediterranean cruises.

The rates are available on cruises beginning June 18 through the end of August 2009. Upgraded service starts at only $799 one way, $1598 round trip, to the Baltic and British Isles, and $899 one way, $1798 round trip, to the ­Mediterranean - up to 75% lower than unrestricted published business class fares.

In the summer of 2009, Crystal Symphony will make five seven- and 11-day cruises to the Baltic, including overnights in St. Petersburg, Russia, and one 11-day cruise around the British Isles. From June through August, Crystal Serenity will make five seven- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona, Rome, Venice and Athens

Delta Offers Dockside Check-In for Barcelona Cruisers!!!

Delta Offers Dockside Check-In for Barcelona Passengers
Mon Jul 14 2008, by TravelTrade Staff

Delta Air Lines will offer a new dockside check-in service at the Port of Barcelona, Spain, for cruise passengers flying to the US with Delta.
Customers arriving at the port's cruise Terminal B on Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line ships will be able to check-in for their Delta flights, check baggage and obtain their boarding passes at six dockside check-in areas. The service will be available to customers traveling on Delta's two daily nonstops from Barcelona (DL95 to New York JFK and DL115 to Atlanta).
Delta plans to offer the service on a permanent basis, eventually rolling it out to all cruise ships.

Northwest Follows with 1st Bag Charge

Northwest Adds Bag/Ticket Fees, Cuts 2,500 Jobs
July 10, 2008
By: George Dooley
TravelAgentCentral

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has advised members that Northwest Airlines will charge for the first checked bag. The move is effective for domestic tickets booked on or after July 10 for travel on or after August 28. Northwest will charge $15 each way ($30 roundtrip) for the first checked bag. The second bag fee is $25 each way. The fee for three or more bags is $100 per bag each way.

Northwest's new fee applies to customers traveling within the U.S and to/from Canada. Full-fare coach passengers and frequent flier elites are exempt from the policy. Northwest's first bag fee matches the fees charged by American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways, ASTA noted.

Northwest also upped charges for nonrefundable ticket changes. Effective July 9, the fee for domestic non-refundable ticket changes will increase from $100 to $150. International ticket change fees will increase by an additional $50 to $150 per ticket, depending on class of service and other restrictions.

Effective for tickets issued on or after September 15, Northwest will charge $25 for domestic, $50 for transatlantic and $100 for transpacific WorldPerks Award tickets issued in North America.

ASTA advised agents to disclose to customers at the time of booking that fees may apply when checking bags. In addition, agents should include a disclosure notice on customer itineraries and invoices. To see a summary of airline checked bag fees, as well as a sample disclosure notice, read ASTA's Airline Checked Baggage Policy Chart.

In other NWA news, the airline announced that it will cut 2,500 jobs from its workforces, a decrease of about 8.3 percent. The cuts, according to airline spokesmen, are in response to soaring oil costs and will include front-line and management workers.

Vacations Up To 40 Percent Off!!!!

All destinations: Save up to 40%
Smiles for days, memories for yearsInvest in long-lasting memories by saving up to 40%* when you book a vacation by July 31, 2008. It’s not too late to plan an end-of-summer escape or an early fall getaway. Travel to Las Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico and more!
Included in the package price:• Roundtrip flight• Hotel accommodations• Fuel surcharges• And more!
A sampling of savings to some of our popular destinations:Save 40% to Puerto Vallarta, MexicoSave 35% to Aruba, the CaribbeanSave 25% to Vancouver, British ColumbiaSave 20% to O'ahu, HawaiiSave 20% to London, EnglandSave 15% to San Diego, CaliforniaSave 15% to Whistler, British ColumbiaSave 10% to Las Vegas, Nevada

Destination(s):
All

Departure City(s):
All

Valid Through:
United Vacations



Travel Dates:
Now - Dec 31, 2008
Book By:
Jul 31, 2008

Contact:
Baughman Travel
702-267-9660
agent@baughmantravel.com

Enter to win a 250.00 travel gift certificate

Enter for your chance to win a 250.00 travel gift certificate from Joystar, Inc.
entries will be taken until July 31, 2008
drawing will be held August 2, 2008

just email agent@baughmantravel.com and I will email you the entry form.
visit www.baughmantravel.com to see the advertisement.
visit www.baughmantravel.joystar.com to take a look at my personal joystar booking site
that has exclusive specials and a 24/7 booking site where you can book on your own or
send a quote or information directly to myself.

Express Jet will be no more

ExpressJet Airlines suspends branded commercial operations

Press ReleaseExpressJet Announces Fleet Allocation PlansExpressJet Airlines suspends branded commercial operationsHOUSTON, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- ExpressJet Airlines announced today that it will suspend flying under several lines of its at-risk flying operations in September 2008. ExpressJet mutually agreed to terminate its agreements with Delta Air Lines effective September 1, 2008 and will cease its branded (XE) commercial passenger flight operations on September 2, 2008.

The 39 aircraft currently used in these operations will be among those returned to the lessor no later than June 2009.ExpressJet Airlines will continue flying a fleet of 205 aircraft as Continental Express to more than 150 destinations, as well as continue to serve charter customers with a fleet of 30 aircraft through ExpressJet Corporate Aviation."On behalf of everyone at ExpressJet Airlines, I would like to express our gratitude to the communities that provided such a warm welcome and were always supportive of our branded service," said Jim Ream, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"If we had any other choice, we would not take this difficult action. However, rising fuel prices has made the operation impossible to sustain."Tickets on ExpressJet Airlines for travel prior to September 2 will not be affected. In fact, ExpressJet will continue selling tickets for any customers desiring travel prior to September 2. Tickets are available for purchase online at http://www.expressjet.com, by calling 888.958.XJET (9538), and through most travelers' preferred providers, including travel agents and online distributors.Customers holding tickets for a flight after September 1, 2008 should contact ExpressJet Reservations at 888-958-XJET (9538) to request a refund. Effective immediately, ExpressJet will stop selling tickets for travel beyond September 2, 2008. For more information, contact ExpressJet Reservations at 888-958-XJET (9538).

About ExpressJetExpressJet Holdings (NYSE: XJT) operates several divisions designed to leverage the management experience, efficiencies and economies of scale present in its subsidiaries, including ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and ExpressJet Services, LLC. ExpressJet Airlines serves numerous destinations in North America and the Caribbean through its partnership with Continental Airlines, Inc. and corporate aviation division. ExpressJet Services is the North American partner to three major European original equipment manufacturers and provides composite, sheet metal, interior and thrust reverser repairs throughout five facilities in the United States.

For more information, visit http://www.expressjet.com.SOURCE ExpressJet Airlines 07/08/2008 CONTACT: Kristy Nicholas, Corporate Communications of ExpressJet, +1-832-353-3333, toll free, 1-877-958-NEWS, express.press@expressjet.com 0376 07/08/2008 20:38 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com

Letter From Disney

Important Changes to Downtown Disney Area

The Walt Disney World Resort Walt Disney World® Resort wants to share some important news about Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island. All the nightclubs on Pleasure Island will close after Sept. 27, 2008.

So beginning Sept. 28, 2008, the Water Park Fun & More Option will no longer include admission to the Pleasure Island nightclubs.A new choice is available for your Clients. Now, your Clients may choose to use a visit to play a round of golf at Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course, a relaxed, nine-hole walking course.

Of course, your Clients can still choose to use a visit for admission to Disney Water Parks, DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park or Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex.Please notify your Clients of these important changes.

This news is part of a bold new vision for the Downtown Disney area, including extraordinary new shopping, dining, numerous enhancements and a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island.Over the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for your Clients to enjoy.

The Downtown Disney area will even get its own iconic attraction — a giant, tethered balloon that will take your Clients 300 feet into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort.Other new experiences include:

In fall 2008, your Clients will enter a world of prehistoric creatures at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure. The dinosaur-themed eatery will serve up pizzas, pastas, seafood and more amid life-size dinosaurs, geysers, waterfalls and a fossil dig site.

Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will add to the growing collection of merchandise your Clients can personalize.

E-brands Restaurants will premier its newest concept in spring 2009. The casual eatery will feature authentic Central and South American cuisine and live music along the waterfront.

All Inclusive RIU Resorts

7 EXCITING DESTINATIONS FOR A PERFECT SUMMER VACATION!!!



CABO SAN LUCAS Riu Santa Fe Hotel All Inclusive
USD $89 KIDS FREE
Offer valid from 13 june to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008 TRANSFERS INCLUDED.



CABO SAN LUCAS Riu Palace Los Cabos Hotel All Inclusive
USD $150
Offer valid from 1 july to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008 TRANSFERS INCLUDED.



PUERTO VALLARTA Riu Vallarta Hotel All Inclusive
USD $95
Offer valid from 1 july to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008 TRANSFERS INCLUDED.



RIVIERA MAYA Riu Palace Mexico Hotel All Inclusive
USD $159
Offer valid from 27 june to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008 TRANSFERS INCLUDED.

RIVIERA MAYA Riu Palace Riviera Maya Hotel All Inclusive
USD $165
Offer valid from 27 june to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008 TRANSFERS INCLUDED.

PUNTA CANA Riu Bambu Hotel All Inclusive
USD $99 KIDS FREE
Offer valid from 1 july to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008 TRANSFERS INCLUDED.

PUNTA CANA Riu Palace Macao Hotel All Inclusive
USD $115
Offer valid from 1 july to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008 TRANSFERS INCLUDED.

JAMAICA Riu Montego Bay Hotel All Inclusive
USD $99
Offer valid from 29 august to 2 october, 2008
Reservations must be made by 31 august, 2008

BAHAMAS Riu Paradise Island Hotel All Inclusive
USD $190
Offer valid from 1 to 31 july, 2008
Reservations must be made by 21 august, 2008



ARUBA Riu Palace Aruba Hotel All Inclusive
USD $239
Offer valid from 1 july to 21 august, 2008
Reservations must be made between 1 july and 21 august, 2008
TRANSFERS INCLUDED.

All Inclusive the RIU way features: Unlimited meals, snacks and beverages, specialty restaurants, unlimited nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages, unlimited use of in room minibar and liquor dispenser, various water and land sports, daily activities, live nightly entertainment and outstanding service

Prices per person, per night, based on double occupancy, taxes and gratuities included. Airfare not included. All rates and availability are subject to change without notice. Offer valid exclusively for US residents. Kids offer valid under 12 and accompanied by two adults. Airport-Hotel-Airport transfers included apply only from-to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Aruba and Cancun Airports.

Princess Reduced Deposits and Shipboard Credit

PRINCESS CRUISES


Fall 2008/Spring 2009Caribbean & Mexico

• Receive up to $100 shipboard credit on select sailings • Reduced deposit $100 per person
Credit per Stateroom:
Mexico/Caribbean
Inside
$25
Outside
$25
Balcony
$50
Mini-Suite
$75
Suite
$100


BOOKING WINDOW:
6/16/08 - 7/16/08