Pack lightly, or prepare to pay for second bag

Prepare to start packing lightly or pay an extra charge to check a second bag.

US Airways said last week that it will join United Airlines in beginning to charge some passengers $25 each way ($50 round-trip) to check a second piece of luggage, effective May 5.

Like United's policy, US Airways' charge excludes members of the carrier's frequent-flier program and those of its Star Alliance partners, first-class passengers and a few others.

The new policy will apply to all flights in the U.S. and between the U.S. and Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, the carrier said in a statement.

United's new fees apply to trips within the U.S. and or those that include Canada, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Customers whose itineraries include other international flights will still be able to check the second bag for free.

Airlines have been seeking ways to boost revenue as fuel prices climb to record highs and growing low-cost competition holds down fares.

Exchange rates

Dollar drops to new low against the euro

The dollar sank to a new low against the euro last week after the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank hinted at further interest rate cuts, saying that the U.S. would encounter more sluggish economic activity in the coming weeks and months.

Lower interest rates can jump-start a nation's economy, but they hurt the value of its currency as traders transfer funds to countries where they can earn higher returns.

The euro surged to a record $1.51 before falling back slightly to $1.50.

Along with the rise in the British pound, which is nearing $2 again, the surging euro will not be kind to American travelers who will have to pay more for hotel rooms in Rome, entrance fees at the Louvre and chocolates in Belgium.

Air travel

Protecting your laptop while traveling

If you're taking your laptop on an airplane, there are some steps you should take to keep your computer safe.

Here are tips from Luke M. Ford, founder of My Computer Works, a provider of help desk and computer support services for businesses and consumers.

• Use a well-padded case to carry your laptop in. Never check it as baggage.

• Make sure security applications and software updates are current — anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware.

• Limit confidential information transmission, such as any credit purchases and reservations or anything with a Social Security number. Unfamiliar networks are always potentially dangerous.

• Set up a remote Web mail account to enable e-mail access from any browser, such as Gmail, Yahoo! Mail or MSN Hotmail.

• Bring an Ethernet (Cat5) cable with you on your trip, in case there is no wireless connection available.

• Don't send your laptop through the airport X-ray conveyor belt until it's your turn to walk through the metal detector. That way you'll be able to pick it up promptly when it comes out the other end and prevent anyone else from walking away with it.

Business travel

Companies cut back as economy cools

As the economy cools, companies are starting to shrink their travel budgets — a move likely to put further strain on struggling airlines.

Hotels, car-rental agencies and restaurants, which along with airlines employ roughly 4 percent of U.S. workers, will also feel the pinch.

So far, travel bookings are holding up. But corporate travel managers are taking a more active role in keeping on-the-road spending in check.

Rules that require employees to book the lowest fare, stay in preapproved hotels or double-up in cars and rooms are being enforced more strictly. Executives are pushing alternatives to face-to-face meetings, including phone and Web-conferencing.

Faced with rising fuel costs, airlines increased business and first-class fares by 12.4 percent during the first half of February compared with last year, according to Sabre Travel Networks. Economy fares climbed 6.2 percent.

Cruising

Spring cruise to focus on Washington wines

Food and wine lovers can tickle their palates on board the MS Oosterdam during the April 26-30 "Spring Wines of Washington Cruise."

Led by Tom Hedges and other Washington state winemakers and food experts, the San Diego-to-Vancouver voyage features wine tastings, discussions and winemaker lunches and dinners.

Fares start at $399 plus $75 tax and a $20 fuel surcharge. The cruise is offered by Holland America and the Washington Inland AAA. Call 800-562-2582 for more details.

Compiled by Times staff and news services