Gushing Crude Halts Some Travel
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is causing some travelers to alter their plans, say researchers and hotels.
A survey conducted by the Knowland Group May 3 and 4 of 50 hotel properties along the Gulf Coast found that 35% of respondents say the oil spill has prompted potential guests to cancel their reservations. Many of the hotels surveyed said they are concerned that more cancellations and deferred arrivals are in the offing in coming weeks. The Knowland Group is a data-collection company that tracks activity at thousands of hotels world-wide. Of the hotels surveyed, 42% said the spill has hurt their ability to book future events. Sixty-two percent said they are accommodating travelers by not holding groups to a contract clause that prevents them from canceling reservations.
The Holiday Inn Express in Long Beach, Miss., initially had eight cancellations for Memorial Day weekend because of the oil spill but says the vacancies have since been filled.
As oil reached parts of the Louisiana shore last week, federal and state authorities began closing areas to the public. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service closed the Breton National Wildlife Refuge. Among the places barred were the Chandeleur Islands, a chain of barrier islands in the extreme east of the state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration closed about 5% of Gulf of Mexico waters to fishers. Projections for the oil's trajectory for Thursday show the spill is expected to continue edging closer to the shore.
Some resorts on Florida's Gulf Coast not yet touched by the crude say travelers are still flowing in. The Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort near Destin, Fla., between Panama City and Pensacola, reported fewer cancellations than it expected and has received inquiries from travelers whose trips were set back or put in question by the oil spill. To reassure future guests about their reservations, the hotel is streaming live footage from a webcam with a view of the beach and is allowing leisure travelers to cancel reservations up to 24 hours before travel.
How to Avoid Checked-Bag Fees
Some frequent travelers now have one more way to save on baggage fees—their credit-card loyalty programs.
Starting June 1, American Express Delta SkyMiles credit-card holders will enjoy a waiver on first checked-bag fees for themselves and for as many as eight travelers on their reservations.
With Delta's first checked-bag fee starting at $25, each way, the fee waivers could add up to a round-trip saving of $100 for a couple and $200 for a family of four. Card holders will receive a first checked-bag-fee waiver upon check-in. The waivers will be given to card members with a Gold, Platinum or Reserve Delta SkyMiles credit card. Oversized- and overweight-baggage charges still apply.
The fee waiver comes at a time when most airlines charge for checked bags and after Spirit Airlines announced it would become the first airline to charge for carry-on luggage in overhead bins.
Starting Aug. 1, travelers carrying bags that do not fit under the seat in front of them will have to pay as much as $45 per carry-on bag at the gate. The fee is reduced to $30 for those who pay online, on the phone or at check-in and it is further reduced to $20 online for members of Spirit's $9 Fare Club, which levies an annual membership fee of $39.95.
Daily Discounts
Through a new website, DailyGetaways.com, nearly 50 American destinations and travel brands are offering discounts of as much as 50%. The offer is called Discover America Daily Getaways and is a promotion of the U.S. Travel Association sponsored by American Express. It runs through June 4.
Major credit-card holders can choose from among travel packages involving hotels, airlines, rental cars, attractions, theme parks and other businesses.
American Express card holders may participate in a daily members-only auction from now through June 4 in which they can bid on travel packages arranged by two dozen cities. The auctions begin each day at 10 a.m. and end at 10 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
One deal open to all card holders that becomes available Thursday costs $2,500 and includes two nights at a Best Western hotel in Charlotte, N.C. and a half day at Michael Waltrip Racing's Raceworld in Cornelius, N.C. The motor-racing attraction includes a private tour for two, lunch with driver Michael Waltrip, autographed merchandise and the chance to observe the pit crew practice.
Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. JetBlue now flies there.
Briefs
• The California Travel and Tourism Commission has collaborated with Southwest Airlines in an online marketing promotion called California—The Game. At visitcalifornia.com/game, Southwest will give away a pair of round-trip airline tickets each week through June 21. The promotion features two grand prizes for which entries will be accepted through June 27: a Southern California Ultimate Family Getaway and a Northern California Wine, Dine and Culture Getaway. Consumers earn more entries by playing a virtual board game, with the objective of traveling around California.
• JetBlue Airways has added service to Punta Cana, its fourth city in the Dominican Republic. Daily nonstop flights are available between Punta Cana International Airport and New York's JFK. Weekly flights are available from Boston's Logan International Airport. Many resorts in the Dominican Republic are offering reduced rates for bookings made through May 20. Visit jetblue.com/vacations.
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