TSA PreCheck News. Up to now, kids age 12 and younger could go through the TSA PreCheck line with their parents. Now, kids up to age 18 can go through the line with their parents. This is great news for families!
TSA PreCheck Scams. There are bogus websites claiming to sign you up for TSA PreCheck. Please be careful! Only sign up with the official site that ends with “.gov.”
Eiffel Tower Reopens! The Eiffel Tower (in Paris, of course) was temporarily closed due to a strike, but it has just reopened. So if you’re headed there, you can still visit the famous structure.
American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Raise Baggage Fees. When you pay online, your first bag with American Airlines will cost $35 for domestic and international flights. It’s now $40 if you pay at the airport. A second bag is $45. On United, the price hikes are the same as American, with a second bag costing $50 if you pay at the airport. With JetBlue, you can avoid the increase if you let them know you’re checking bags at least 24 hours before your flight. After that, the first bag will now cost $45, and the second will be $60.
American Airlines’ Big AAdvantage Miles Change! Starting May 1, 2024, you won’t earn AAdvantage points unless you book your flight directly with American Airlines, their partner carriers, or a “preferred online travel agency.” They’ll disclose in April who these preferred agencies are. I often buy on Expedia and wonder if it will be included. We’ll know soon!
Some Good American Airlines News. While I’m not a fan of American, I AM a fan of Tokyo. American will start flying non-stop to Tokyo from JFK in NYC starting June 28. It will take just over 14-1/2 hours, leaving at 11:25 a.m. and arriving the next day in Tokyo at 2:30 p.m. The return leaves at 4:30 p.m. and arrives at 4:35 p.m. (too bad the flight isn’t actually just 5 minutes). The route will fly on a Boeing 777-200.
How about a luxe flight on Cathay Pacific? The airline will reinstate its 16-hour flights to Hong Kong from JFK with first class cabins. (They were grounded during the pandemic.) There are just six seats in the first class cabin, and they are lie-flat for a good sleep. Zzzzzz…
Hawaii Tourist Tax? Hawaii is considering a bill that would cost tourists an additional $25 when checking into a hotel or short-term rental like an Airbnb. The funds would be earmarked for things like the prevention of wildfires and floods. We’ll let you know if this bill is passed.
Those Boeing MAX Planes. I have some flights coming up on a 737-800, but I double-checked. These are very different from the MAX planes that have been problematic. Phew!
Mexican Beach Vacation Coming Up? Be Careful! Dangerous Portuguese man-o-wars are showing up in Cozumel.
Singapore Fees. In 2026, flights from Singapore will include an additional fee to help pay for sustainable fuel. It will equal 1% per flight until 2030, when they plan to increase it to 3-5%. So it will only amount to a few dollars. No big deal.
Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association and the International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 39 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.
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