Originally published Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Travel briefs
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If you're booking airfare online, did you ever wonder if it matters what day of the week or what time of day you book? ...
If you're booking airfare online, did you ever wonder if it matters what day of the week or what time of day you book?
The co-founder of Lessno.com, a Web site that offers international flights, says it does matter.
"Our experience with airlines has shown us that they update available seats around 12 a.m. Eastern time (9 p.m. Pacific) every day," said Assen Vassilev, who is also the company's CEO. He added that weekend specials are usually released Thursday night. So, Vassilev said, late Thursday night is a good time to check for the best deals.
Marine system cuts back on Bellingham ferries
The financially struggling Alaska Marine Highway System will cut ferry service from Bellingham through Alaska's Inside Passage by half — down to one trip per week.
Deputy Transportation Commissioner Dennis Hardy said the department is trying to contain costs while maintaining an aging fleet of 11 ships. Those unable to book passage from Bellingham during peak summer months can still opt for a ferry from Prince Rupert, British Columbia, but that's 514 miles north of Bellingham. That viability was challenged by several committee members, who say Bellingham's facilities are in better condition.
The changes have delayed publication of summer ferry schedules. Hardy said the new schedule would be published on the ferry system's Web site, www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs, by Jan. 31. The Web site, however, says the schedules won't be published until mid-February. Alaska lawmakers have criticized the delayed schedule and lack of details.
Airlines
Delta, Northwest: Which would prevail in merger?
In terms of passenger traffic in and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Northwest Airlines ranks sixth among the top 12 airlines serving the airport. Delta ranks seventh. Here's how a possible merger between the two could affect customers:
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Frequent-flier program. Whose would prevail? Northwest's WorldPerks program has a good reputation for availability of award travel and for automatic upgrades of elite members compared with Delta's SkyMiles program. Unlike WorldPerks miles, SkyMiles expire after two years if you don't use them.
Airline Web site. Northwest's clean, fast site, www.nwa.com, is consistently ranked among the two best airline Web sites. Delta's site, www.delta.com, was in the cellar of an August 2007 ranking by industry analyst Forrester Research.
Business customers. Whose elite status program would be retained? Northwest's Elite program and Delta's Medallion program are similar but not exactly the same. For instance, Northwest fliers can achieve elite status by miles or by flying 30 so-called segments (flights) in a year, while Delta uses only mile totals to grant elite status. Platinum Elite members on Northwest get 125 percent bonus mileage when they fly while Delta's Platinum Medallion members get 100 percent.
Security
New rules for carrying lithium batteries
To help reduce the risk of fires, air travelers are no longer able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage.
Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cellphones and laptops. If packed in plastic bags, batteries may be in carry-on baggage. The limit is two batteries per passenger, and affects shipments of non-rechargeable lithium batteries. For more information, see www.tsa.gov.
New York
Now's the time to find bargains in the Big Apple
Forget the dog days of August.
Now is New York City's slow period, when hotel rates are as low as they're going to get. And tourism officials have launched a campaign to entice visitors.
At www.nycvisit.com, click on "NYC Open: Book 2008" and find more than 250 offers, such as discounts of up to 20 percent off the lowest rate published by certain hotels, or two-for-one admissions to museums or reduced-price theater tickets.
Passport changes
Government prepares for new passport cards
No final word yet on when U.S. citizens will need a passport or an as-yet-to-be-created alternative for land and sea border crossings involving Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. But the State Department is preparing now.
Officials will begin accepting applications for a "passport card" Feb. 1. The card will be cheaper and smaller than a passport and good only in the circumstances noted above. The card, which lasts 10 years for adults and five for children, will cost $45 for adults and $35 for children under 16.
The most controversial aspect of the passport card: It will contain a "vicinity read" radio frequency identification chip that can be read from a greater distance than the chips being put in passports.
Compiled by Seattle Times staff and news services.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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