Bait and switch?

I've expressed some of my airline conspiracy theories in the past, including the ol' "bait and switch." How often have you found a low fare, visited another website to compare, and come back to the first site only to find the fare has gone up? I've even had this happen without leaving the site I'm searching. On Orbitz, for example, it's common to search a route, select a fare that I like, only to get a "Sorry, that fare is no longer available" message.

It seems I'm not alone in my conspiracy theorizing. Frommers.com featured an article today about this phenomenon, which the airline industry is explaining away by saying the lower fares are "cached" to enable faster searching. So even though they show up in search results, they might not actually be available. The recommendation: if you see a fare you like, buy it right away, instead of price-comparing elsewhere.

Hmmm... that recommendation seems to lean a bit heavily in favor of the airlines, no? Or maybe I'm just making up another conspiracy theory.
 

Friday travel photo

Yet another Friday travel photo, because I have been so lax in updating this travel blog. I'll try to revive it in 2010... in the meantime, Happy Holidays!


Looking back on Monument Valley in Utah
 

Friday travel photo

Sunflowers in Kansas, the Sunflower State
 

Cross-country in pictures

The following photos are not the best in terms of quality, but they demonstrate our 3,085-mile route across these United States of America from New York to California. I wish we'd had a more relaxed pace by which to explore the sights along the way, but two cats onboard and a new job awaiting did not allow for much lingering.
























 

Is the grass always greener?

Earlier this year, I waxed whimsical (as I often do) about my hometown of San Diego, describing it as "where I'd rather be." Now that's exactly where I will be in a couple of weeks. I've accepted a writing job with The Active Network, so Cassie and I are heading for greener pastures out west.

I left San Diego four years ago, as excited by the adventure of living somewhere new as I am about returning whence I came. It didn't take much time living on the East Coast to start second-guessing my decision to move, however, so I can't help but wonder what the future holds. Is the grass always greener on the other side of the country? Or only the grass you've never walked on?

Virginia and New York seemed bright and shiny and different, and they were all that and more. But always my heart turned back to the West Coast. Is it weakness on my part, to want what I don't have? A failure to be satisfied with the present? I don't know. It's possible that we San Diego natives are simply too spoiled to be happy living elsewhere. New York City is an amazing place, and it has been exciting living here; but—no disrespect toward those who love this city—I can't deal with the urban lifestyle. Once a beach bum, always a beach bum, I guess.

And I'm not returning home alone. I'm dragging my Hoosier wife with me, and she enjoys the four seasons as much as I enjoy year-round sunshine. So the coming months will be nothing, if not interesting.

Relocation chores will likely prevent new blog postings in the near future, but perhaps the muse will strike me during our cross-country travels.


 

Friday travel photo

Offshore Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas
 

Weekend escapes abroad

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is poised to cross the 10,000 mark as I write this, but times are still hard for many Americans. Those who are able to take time off for a weekend escape are not likely to go farther than their car can reasonably take them for a few days of travel. But tough economic times also mean travel operators are slashing prices. So a weekend escape abroad—if you're willing to take a long flight for a short stay—is not as crazy an idea as it sounds. Below I've included a few deals that I've seen recently.

Cancun: 3 Nights All-Inclusive Oceanfront & Air, $415
Enjoy roundtrip air and three all-inclusive nights (including alcohol) in a junior oceanview suite. This package also includes resort taxes & gratuities, roundtrip airport transfers and 10% spa discount. Kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free. Does not include additional taxes of approximately $100 p.p. [More info]

Iceland: 2 Nights & Air, Tour, $489
IcelandAir has really been pushing this weekend escape: Take an afternoon departure from NYC, Boston or Seattle; arrive the next morning in Reykjavik; spend two nights with breakfast in a four-star hotel (morning check-in permitted on arrival); take a full-day tour of scenic sights on the second day; and fly back home on Day 3. Not included: airport transfers (approx. $42 p.p. roundtrip) and taxes (approx. $100 p.p.). [More info]

Italy: 3 Nights & Air, $499
A long weekend in Rome or Florence? Certo! This package includes air fare from NYC (nonstop to Rome) and three nights in a selection of 3-star hotels (including breakfast). Specific departure dates are specified, but some of those dates include a Miami departure for the same price. You can also upgrade your hotel and select discounted tours. Not included: Taxes of $120 p.p. [More info & instructions]




Disclaimer: As always when I post deals like these, it is for informational purposes only. I don't receive any kind of commission or other payment.