Sea-Tac Airport to get fast-track passport clearance for some travelers

Passengers arriving from international destinations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport soon will be able to enroll in a federal "trusted traveler" program that will allow them to bypass the often-slow passport-processing lines at the airport.

Sea-Tac is one of 13 more airports that will get the Global Entry system starting later this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

Travelers, who must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, must be preapproved through an interview and fingerprinted. They then can use a special kiosk in the passport-inspection area.

Global Entry kiosks currently operate at seven U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago's O'Hare. Besides Seattle, it will expand starting Aug. 24 to San Francisco, Honolulu and Boston, among others. Get information at www.globalentry.gov.

Columbia Gorge Hotel to reopen

Oregon's historic Columbia Gorge Hotel is expected to reopen next month.

The hotel near Hood River closed in January after its owners declared bankruptcy; ShoreBank Pacific took it over and has arranged for a management company to run the hotel while it continues to seek a buyer. The hotel management team said it will consider honoring gift certificates that were issued before the abrupt closure.

Free nights at Virgin Island hotels

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is giving a free fourth hotel night, plus hundreds of dollars in coupons, through its Sizzlin' Sampler promotion. Almost 30 hotels/inns are participating in St. John, St. Croix and St. Thomas; visitors also get a $50 dining coupon, a $50 attractions coupon and a booklet of discounts for island businesses. The deal is valid only on stays of four nights or longer. Book by Oct. 15; travel by Oct. 31. Info and booking agents: www.visitusvi.com/package_and_promotions.

Washington state deals

Washington State tourism office has recently launched a "Packages and Deals" page on www.experiencewa.com. It includes hotel packages and travel deals from around the state.

Airlines fined for ignoring consumer rules

Continental Airlines, US Airways and Hawaiian Airlines have been fined by the U.S. Transportation Department for violating consumer regulations.

US Airways and Hawaiian didn't tell consumers when flights they sold were being operated under a code-sharing agreement with other carriers, the Transportation Department said. Code-sharing allows airlines to sell tickets for one another's flights.

Continental advertised fares on its Web site that didn't reflect the entire cost of the ticket, the agency said.

Continental was fined $75,000; US Airways, $70,000; and Hawaiian $50,000.

Sacramento celebrates Gold Rush

More than 200 tons of dirt will be dumped on the streets of Sacramento to prepare for the annual Gold Rush Days, Sept. 4-7. Costumed re-enactors will stage mock gunfights and musicians will play period instruments as the city remembers the 1850s.

Info: www.discovergold.org/familyfun. The city also hosts the California State Fair, Aug. 21-Sept. 7, with horse races, exhibits, carnival attractions and concerts.

Seattle Times staff and news services