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1. One of my favorite monthly travel magazines is Travel
and Leisure. This month's edition (available on any newsstand)
features the results of the magazine's annual "best of":
http://www.travelexpert.com/travel-leisure/best
Of particular interest is the feature "Worlds best Hotels
For $250 or Less":
http://www.travelexpert.com/travel-leisure/best/hotels
There are some fabulous "best in the world" properties at
affordable prices that can help make your dreams come true.
Two I strongly recommend for romantic vacations are The Ritz
Carlton Bali and JW Marriott in Bangkok. Even from the west
coast, flying time is considerable (especially to Bali), but
once you get there, you will never want to return (don't say
I didn't warn you!). Great airfares available to both
destinations, and I suggest you use you frequent flyer miles
for trips like these to get upgraded.
2. Southwest recently started a massive airfare sale for
travel starting September 5 continuing through early December.
The driving forces for this sale are increased capacity by
low cost and major airlines, and the traditional drop-off in
travel demand between Labor Day and the Xmas holidays. With
sky-high fuel prices, the sale fares place even more
pressure on the major airlines that are battling to survive,
but also on the low cost airlines whose profit margins have
been eroded as of late. The clear winner--YOU. And remember
that the major airlines usually match the low fare carriers
on the same or similar routes. Finally--there is one web
site that displays both major airlines and low cost carriers
fares--americanexpress.com.
3. A quick update on United Airlines (see UAwatch.com for more
details). United (UA) received a $1 million loan to help the
airline towards its exit from bankruptcy. UA has suspended
any payments into any pension plans, on the premise that the
lenders have requested no further payments towards any
pension plans. One of United's unions, the Machinists, has
sued United in an attempt to force payments into the pension
plans, specifically naming the company's top three officers
in the suit. United has been plagued by antagonistic labor
relations for many years, and this may be the start of yet
another round. Bottom line--I suggest you start using your
United frequent flyer miles. I'll keep you posted...
Until next time -- Bon Voyage!
Theo
Dr. Theo Brandt-Sarif
9108 Hillboro Drive
Los Angeles, CA, 90034-1125
United States |
