News You Can Use – July 18, 2018

Last Updated on January 31, 2024

5 Tips to Save Money Booking Your Next Hotel Room

Why did you end up paying $100 more per night for that hotel stay in Belgium than your friend, who was a guest at the same property just a few days earlier? It’s not uncommon, according to Mike Heflin, the senior vice president of the hotels division at Travel Leaders Group, a network of 50,000 travel agents.

“Hotel prices and the perks you get can vary wildly depending on how you book,” he said. There are, however, ways to hone in on a deal and save some money. Here are some of Mr. Heflin’s best tips to do just that.  The New York Times

At These Hotels and Spas, Cancer Is No Obstacle to Quality Care

Cancer often can mean no more trips to the spa or five-star meals. That’s all changing, thanks to these resorts and the nonprofits that trained them.

It was a big deal for Melanie Kennedy, a former accountant from Bangor, Northern Ireland, to indulge in a massage at the spa at Culloden Estate and Spa, in Belfast, earlier this year. Ms. Kennedy has stage four incurable breast cancer, and getting spa treatments have been a challenge ever since she was diagnosed almost six years ago at the age of 35. The lymph nodes she had removed in her arm meant that an overly aggressive massage…  The New York Times

21 Carry-On Essentials

Regardless of whether you’re packing a tote bag, backpack, or wheeled bag, it’s what’s inside that counts, so we put together a list of absolute must-packs and some personal recommendations for the best in each category.

When packing your carry-on, you’ll first want to focus on creating a seamless airport experience and things like a travel wallet and an easily accessible toiletry pouch will help you stay organized and breeze through security. Then, make sure your in-flight experience is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. This is where items like headphones, snacks, and a travel pillow will come in.  Travel + Leisure

Airline Seat Standards Are Coming

If you’ve asked yourself, “How much smaller can these airline seats get?,” there’s good news for you: Not much. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill working its way through Congress requires the agency to set minimum seat width and pitch standards within a year.

Separately, the Department of Transportation Inspector General has begun an audit to determine whether evacuations in today’s more cramped airline cabins can still meet the 90-second standard for deplaning passengers in an emergency. And, despite the government’s recent reluctance to regulate this issue, it seems we’re on course for the government to set a seat standard of some kind.  USA Today

Fly Farther, for Cheaper. For Now.

Summer is perennially peak season in air travel and this summer appears to be an especially good time to fly as airline competition, the increased deployment of fuel-efficient planes, and expanding route maps offer travelers more choices and often bargain fares.

The number of fliers is expected to rise 3.7 percent this summer over last, with a record 246.1 million passengers traveling domestically on United States airlines between June 1 and Aug. 31, according to Airlines for America, the industry trade organization representing most of the major American airlines. Added capacity has helped keep prices down, even as demand is rising.  The New York Times