With record numbers of flyers this summer and seemingly a record number of delays and cancellations by airlines who overbook flights and cancel them at an unprecedented rate due to overscheduling and workforce shortages, travelers are right to be concerned about whether their next air travel experience will be fraught with trouble.The U.S. Department of Transportation publishes guidance on everything from delays and cancellations to what a traveler should do when they are bumped from a flight.ADVERTISINGAirlines are not required by law to provide compensation to passengers of flights that are delayed or canceled; they are only required to compensate passengers of flights that have been oversold and who are bumped from their flights. In any case, there is some important information the DOT provides about delayed or canceled flights. Trending Now If a traveler is stranded in the airport due to a long delay, they can ask the airline staff if they’ll pay for food or a hotel room through vouchers; not all will provide these perks, but some can.If their flight is canceled, the airline should rebook a traveler on the next flight to the same destination, provided that plane has seats available; sometimes they can even book a passenger on another airline if they don’t have seats available on any of their flights, but they are not required to do so.If there isn’t an available flight or a traveler chooses to cancel their trip, the airline is required to refund a traveler for the unused flights, even for non-refundable tickets. Bag fees and any extras should also be refunded.Airlines are not required to reimburse travelers for any other travel expenses due to cancellations, such as a missed cruise or tour, hotel rooms or other expenses. Some airlines can provide hotel or food vouchers to those who have had their flights canceled, but it depends on the specific airline.If a flight has been oversold, it means that the airline has sold more tickets to passengers than the plane can accommodate. In this case, the airline will almost always take volunteers to reschedule or cancel the flight and receive compensation for their troubles.The rate of compensation a traveler can receive for volunteering to bump their flight depends on the delay they’ll experience. If a volunteer can get on a flight leaving up to one hour later than their originally booked domestic flight, they receive no compensation. If their delay on a domestic flight is 1 to 2 hours delayed, they can receive twice the original one-way fare up to $775; the compensation can grow to 4 times the original fare up to $1,550 if their next flight is 2 hours or more later.For international flights, the delay is more significant. Volunteers receive no compensation for up to one hour in delay, but can receive twice the amount of their one-way fare for a delay ranging from 1 to 4 hours. They can receive 4 times their original fare if they encounter a 4-hour or more delay.There are also a few tricks to help travelers receive the most compensation for their headaches during an oversold flight: when the airline calls for multiple volunteers, a volunteer can request their compensation to be the same amount as the final volunteer’s, which can be higher than the first volunteer due to necessity.Travelers can also request other perks like meal and hotel vouchers, access to airport lounges, or even business class upgrades on their next flight, which the airlines are more than willing to provide when they oversell more than a few seats.Travel delays, cancellations and oversold flights are often out of travelers’ hands, but there are benefits to knowing what they are entitled to in these situations; travelers should read more on the DOT website or read their chosen airline’s policies to keep informed ahead of their travels this summer.For the latest insight on travel around the world, check out this interactive guide. For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

Popular luggage brand Away has an innovative new line for your new adventures.The company has launched F.A.R—For All Routes, a new line of outdoor-focused travel essentials that blends the brand's signature design aesthetic with technical performance and modern design, helping travelers explore the outside world.ADVERTISING Trending Now “Away is consistently working to anticipate the evolving needs of our customers,” said Jen Rubio, CEO and co-founder of Away. “There has been a shift in travel trends toward various types of outdoor travel, which accelerated during the pandemic. Customer demand is stronger than ever, as excitement for travel is higher than ever, and we’ve learned that over half of travelers expect their post-pandemic trips to be different, including a strong desire to reconnect with nature, adventure, and the outside. We developed F.A.R to enable our customers to take more types of trips with Away, and we are thrilled to give our community something we know they want, while also unlocking access to an entirely new audience, resulting in growth opportunities for our business.”Away has created these new bags to cater to every aspect of what being “outdoors” means, from the serious to the casual. On offer are nine all-new silhouettes that support travelers' outdoor pursuits, including the F.A.R Duffle, available in 40L, 55L and 70L size options, the F.A.R Convertible Backpack 45L, the F.A.R Tote 45L, the F.A.R Backpack 26L, the F.A.R Messenger 16L, the F.A.R Organizational Cubes and the F.A.R Pouches.The durable design features carefully sourced materials that can withstand extreme adventures. They are constructed of a lightweight, high-strength recycled polyester structured to hold all of your gear. Away's new luggage is ready for adventure. (photo courtesy Away Travel) Colorways include classics such as black, navy, green and white, as well as eye-catching hues like Atomic Celery, Red Orange and Vivid Blue.The soft-bodied collection is easy to pack and easy to store and includes hidden pockets, compression straps, exterior daisy chains, webbing loops and additional accessories, including the collection’s organizational cubes and pouches.“F.A.R marks a very exciting new chapter for Away. As we are best known for our modern, reductive approach to product design, exemplified in our iconic luggage and bags, we are thrilled to apply this same design philosophy to the very dynamic category of outdoor travel products,” said Cuan Hanly, chief design officer of Away. “Our new line F.A.R highlights the balance of function, style and durability, combining the same intuitive design and thoughtful features our existing customers have come to know and love while new customers, who may not have considered us in this category, will also appreciate the seamless functionality, inspiring colors and versatility present across all Away products.” Adblock test (Why?)

Solo travel might become more popular this year as travelers seek new travel experiences with a reduced budget due to rising costs.A new travelers survey conducted by trivago found that 33 percent are more willing to travel alone than they were before the pandemic. The same data found that relaxation, bleisure travel and exploration were the three most popular types of travel among Americans, all of which are popular among solo travelers.ADVERTISINGTwo travel advisors shared their input on the trend this year and provide expert tips on making the most of a solo travel trip with confidence. Trending Now Amina Dearmon, Owner & Luxury Travel Advisor at Perspectives Travel, an affiliate of SmartFlyer, helps plan a lot of solo trips for her clients but has seen the desire for them wane as groups feel more confident traveling together.Dearmon identifies safety as the biggest concern when a traveler is planning to travel alone and provides some tips on how to grow confidence as a solo traveler while also being prepared.“Safety is often at the top of the list, followed by a concern of having to do everything alone, or not having someone to connect with while they're traveling. I have tips that I share from my personal solo travel experiences including having a person that you check in with daily, making sure that you have the destination's emergency phone numbers saved in your contacts, and always taking the business card of the hotel that you're staying at with you in case your phone dies and you need directions,” said Dearmon.“Then there are resources like STEP registration that I encourage all clients, solo travelers or not, to register for, and medical evacuation services like MedJet and COVAC Global. In addition to those tips and resources, I reassure clients that when we collaborate with a DMC that they will have a 24/7 in-country contact that they can reach out to. For clients who are concerned about feeling lonely, I try to incorporate small group tours or an interactive class like cooking or fitness that will allow them to connect with other travelers,” she continued.Susie Chau, owner of Carpe Diem Traveler, specializes in sabbaticals, which are longer trips that are often taken alone.Unlike Dearmon, she’d seen a rise in interest for solo trips: “I think throughout the pandemic people realized that they don't want to wait to take their dream trips until things line up perfectly for someone else to join them,” said Chau.Popular destinations for solo travelers cited by both advisors include wellness destinations in both the U.S. and abroad, as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Antarctica. Some of these destinations offer advantages to solo travelers: in the Caribbean or Mexico, for example, large resort properties provide safer accommodations and freedom to a solo traveler, who can also take excursions and tours off-property to see the destination. In Europe, easy connectivity between cities and regions combined with walkability and general safety make many destinations in the region great choices for solo travelers.Both advisors also recommend working with a travel advisor if you’re a first-time solo traveler.“Most of my solo clients have goals of unplugging, relaxing, and/or achieving a specific personal goal, like writing a book,” said Chau. “A well-planned trip by an advisor can facilitate achieving those goals by choosing the right environment and taking the planning off their shoulders so they can fully enjoy the trip. Travel advisors are the best matchmakers and can suggest options that the traveler may not have a clue about but would be perfect for what they are looking to do with their time away from home.”Dearmon gives one more piece of advice for the newbie solo traveler: start small if you’re nervous. “Solo travel is an excellent way to do what you want to do at your own pace,” she said. “If you have concerns about traveling solo, start small with a weekend getaway in the U.S."For the latest insight on travel around the world, check out this interactive guide: For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

A new Virtuoso survey highlights what affluent travelers think when it comes to sustainable tourism. Results illustrate that travelers remain conscious about how their travels are impacting the world and the lives of the people in the places that they visit.ADVERTISING Trending Now Virtuoso found that more than 80 percent of respondents said that the pandemic has made them want to travel more responsibly in the future, which echoes identical findings from a survey conducted last year, showing that traveling sustainably continues to be a top priority for luxury travelers.“The pandemic has led to an interesting phenomenon, taking sustainable travel from afterthought to forethought for travelers who are now searching for more meaning in their lives, their actions and ultimately with their spend,” said vice-chair and sustainability strategist Jessica Hall Upchurch. “Travelers want to know that they, and their money, are making a difference. The pandemic disrupted the industry unlike anything before, but it also shifted priorities, resulting in a renewed commitment from travelers to safeguard the planet and each other. This conscious comeback will continue to transform the way we travel, and it reaffirms our belief that travel can be a force for good.”The survey showed that affluent travelers are willing to spend when it comes to sustainable travel. However, while cost isn't necessarily a concern, transparency is. Virtuoso found that 75 percent of travelers are willing to pay more to travel responsibly if they know how the funds are being used. Forty percent of respondents also indicated that they would be encouraged to travel more responsibly if they had guidance from a trusted source, such as a professional travel advisor, who could help them determine where to begin.The survey also showed the top ways travelers support sustainable tourism and the top trips and destinations.Top 5 Ways Travelers Support Sustainable Tourism– Reduce food and plastic waste by bringing their own water bottle, carrying reusable bags, etc.– Support wildlife conservation– Travel during the off-season or to lesser-known destinations– Contribute to causes that benefit the destination and community they’re visiting– Support travel companies with a strong sustainability policyTop 5 Trips/Destinations Travelers Associate with or Prioritize for Sustainable Tourism– Cultural tours (land-based)– River cruising– Heritage sites– African safaris and ocean cruising (tie)– Island destinationsFor the latest insight on travel around the world, check out this interactive guide.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

Travel guidance platform TripAdvisor has released the latest in its Travelers' Choice Award series, recognizing the Best of the Best Things to Do around the world.The awards recognize the top experiences to be had both in the U.S. and internationally in 2022, whether it's enjoying a dolphin adventure in Clearwater, Florida or taking a Beatles tour through Liverpool. TripAdvisor ranked the top 10 overall experiences as well as the top experiences across 11 subcategories, including food, nature and pop culture, among others.ADVERTISING Trending Now Here are some of the notable takeaways from this year's awards.High Demand for Nature and Big City ToursBeach experiences, nature excursions and big city tours are among the most popular things to do in 2022. For example, a sightseeing tour of Oahu, Hawaii's North Shore is the top experience in the U.S. right now, followed by a kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve and the Tampa Bay area on Florida's Gulf Coast.Other top five domestic experiences include a Little Havana food and walking tour in Miami and a pair of unique Las Vegas experiences—an ATV tour of the Mojave Desert and a Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and 7 Magic Mountains small group tour.Arizona, Florida and Hawaii Are HotSimilar to Las Vegas, Arizona, Florida and Hawaii are heating up when it comes to popular travel experiences. Award-winning excursions in 2022 also include a Pearl Harbor city tour in Honolulu and a private discovery flight over Maui as well as the Little Toot Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach, a guided TomCar ATV Tour through Arizona's Sonoran Desert and a private party bike experience for up to 15 people in Old Town Scottsdale.Florida is also home to the leading snorkeling and water sports experience in a Crystal River manatee snorkeling tour as well as the top wine, beer and spirits activity in St. Augustine's Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience.Foodies Have Their Favorites Lewis Barbecue in Charleston, SC (Photo via Lauren Bowman) The Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland is the seventh-most popular thing to do worldwide and the number one overseas foodie experience.Meanwhile, hungry travelers in the U.S. are being drawn to the Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class experience in Charleston, South Carolina.Bucket List Travelers Take To the SkyA Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari & BBQ at Al Khayma Camp in Dubai is the best bucket list experience in 2022, according to TripAdvisor.However, a handful of the most unique things to do require venturing to higher altitudes. A hot air balloon ride over Luxor, Egypt ranks third, followed by a Cappadocia balloon ride and Champagne breakfast in Turkey. What's more, the top eight also feature a ziplining adventure in Rotorua, New Zealand and a tandem skydive in Sao Paulo, Brazil.For the latest insight on travel around the world, check out this interactive guide. For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

The summer travel season is underway following Memorial Day weekend, and is set to explode with colleges complete and secondary schools either done for the year or about to be as we reach the midway point of June.With inflation running rampant, airfares up close to 40 percent from 2019 levels, gas prices setting national records all over the country, and hotel rates higher, travelers are looking for ways to trim back on vacation costs.ADVERTISINGIn fact, those concerns have replaced COVID-19 as summer travelers’ biggest worry. Trending Now Sure, everybody wants to save a buck no matter what. But it appears that no matter what the cost is, tourists who have suffered from a pent-up demand for travel the last two-plus years because of the pandemic seem hell-bent on going back on vacation this summer.So will budget suggestions and cutbacks even matter?According to Allianz Partners USA's 14th annual Vacation Confidence Index, Americans will spend a record-breaking $194 billion on summer travel in 2022. That projection is 26 percent more than was spent last year, 229 percent more than 2020 – the first full summer of COVID-19 – and, more importantly, 91 percent higher than the summer of 2019, the pre-pandemic year the industry uses to compare its comeback with.To be fair, a lot of that increase will have to do with rising inflation and rising costs of almost everything travel-related. But the sheer number of people intent on traveling this year will also contribute to the bottom line.According to a survey by ValuePenguin, nearly three-quarters of Americans report they’ve made summer travel plans this year, a huge increase from 53 percent in 2021. Travelers reported they will take planning to spend more but take fewer trips. Adblock test (Why?)

If you're already concerned about the price tag of your summer vacation, you're probably right to worry. The fact is, airfare prices were up 40% for the year as of March of 2022, and hotel prices are climbing at a similar rate. The way things are going so far this year, it will likely cost significantly more to book any type of summer getaway than it did last year or the year before.  Fortunately, you do have some power when it comes to how much you pay for your summer vacation. You'll just have to be as flexible as possible if you hope to get a good deal, and that means being as flexible with where you go as you are with your travel dates. Saving money on summer travel is also easier if you start your search with budget vacation ideas and destinations that won't break the bank. Some of the best options include camping vacations or anything in the great outdoors, but there are also hotels and resorts that offer affordable nightly rates during the summer travel season. To help you find a trip that fits your budget and travel style, we looked for some of the best affordable vacation ideas for the summer travel season. Whether you are interested in splashing the day away in the Wisconsin Dells, taking a cheap cruise or planning a weekend getaway in Louisville, Kentucky, read on to learn more about our top picks. Adblock test (Why?)

With travel restrictions steadily falling away worldwide and summer virtually upon us, travelers are turning out en masse to take the trips they could only dream of for the past two years. And, there’s one distinct segment that’s due for a serious comeback: honeymooners.Since the pandemic struck, most engaged couples have had to pivot substantially in terms of their wedding plans—sometimes completely redesigning their nuptials, as destination weddings suddenly became out of the question (at least early on) and the size of social gatherings had to be limited. Plenty of people had to switch to small ceremonies closer to home, and even resort to broadcasting their weddings via Zoom. But, it seems the time has now come to make up for all of it.ADVERTISING Trending Now According to new research from Expedia, a staggering 97 percent of couples surveyed reported that their honeymoon plans were disrupted by the pandemic, with nearly all of them having been forced to cancel, postpone or downsize their post-wedding travel plans over the past two years.With a projected 4.7 million weddings occurring between 2022 and 2023, couples collectively have their sights set on bigger and better honeymoon options.Expedia’s survey, in which 1,500 couples were polled, uncovered some current trends:— Trips as Wedding Gifts – 65 percent of paramours said they’re more likely to include a honeymoon fund on their wedding registries, reflecting a broader consumer trend of prioritizing experiences over material possessions.— Mega-Moons – 53 percent of respondents now plan to spend more for their honeymoons than they had originally budgeted, with 59 percent now reporting more interest in a major, bucket-list-type trip.— Duo-Moons – 83 percent of the lovebirds surveyed plan to take more than one honeymoon, or split their travels up by taking a quick trip immediately after the wedding and then an extended one later on.— Redo-Moons – 54 percent of couples who are already married said they weren’t totally satisfied with their pandemic-era honeymoon and desire a “do-over”“Coming out of the pandemic, couples are clearly determined to have an epic honeymoon,” said Christie Hudson, head of U.S. public relations for Expedia. “For many couples, that will include flights, luxurious accommodations and even romantic in-destination activities. A couple honeymooning in an exotic destination. (photo via Expedia) Following a stressful two years and pandemic-era honeymoon disappointments, newlyweds are anticipating getting to enjoy some rest-and-relaxation time. Expedia’s survey found that the most popular itineraries among honeymooners include all-inclusive resort stays (45 percent), romantic activities like sunset cruises or hot-air balloon rides (54 percent), and overall pampering (52 percent).Although, it seems that couples have competing preferences when it comes to choosing a destination type for their honeymoons. Beach and tropical destinations (19 percent), surprisingly, are hardly more sought-after than trips with multiple destinations (18 percent), urban getaways (16 percent) or national park visits (15 percent). Adblock test (Why?)

The travel industry continues to enjoy a renaissance despite economic headwinds.The most recent research from MMGY Travel Intelligence's Portrait of American Travelers Summer Edition found that Americans are determined to travel this summer. Sixty-five percent of U.S. travelers intend to take a leisure trip in the next six months despite obstacles present in today’s travel environment, according to results of the survey.ADVERTISING“Even in the face of inflation and higher gas prices, most Americans are telling us they’re still eager to venture out this summer,” said Chris Davidson, Executive Vice President of MMGY Travel Intelligence. “Though we did observe some erosion in the travel intentions of Americans at the lower end of the income spectrum, spending intentions are up this quarter overall and COVID-19 has finally faded as a material barrier to travel.” Trending Now However, cost is still one of the most significant barriers to travel this summer, eclipsing concerns over COVID-19.The data showed that gas prices will impact travel for nearly eight in 10 active leisure travelers.At this point, however, Americans are not canceling trips but modifying them. Forty-eight percent said that they are traveling close to home, 35 percent said that they are decreasing their spending on entertainment and shopping and 30 percent are making meals rather than eating out.Other key findings from the Portrait of the American Travelers survey showed that the travel industry was continuing to recover.The perception of safety continues to improve domestically and internationally. According to the survey, the perceived safety of domestic travel is up 7 points from one year ago while international travel is up 12 points year over year.Interest and likelihood to take an international trip has increased and is finally returning to pre-pandemic levels.Younger travelers, travelers with children and travelers with incomes of more than $100,000 are the groups most interested in traveling internationally during the next two years, and Europe and the Caribbean are the most popular destinations of interest.For the latest insight on travel around the world, check out this interactive guide.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

Leading location-based insights provider PlaceIQ today released new data, which reveals that Americans are back on the move after two years of diminished travel, and decreased visits to retail and dining locations.However, U.S. consumers’ spending in these categories is down across the board in comparison to this time last year. The data compiled by PlaceIQ suggests that the current inflation situation is to blame for this consumer behavior trend in the U.S., not pandemic-related factors like social distancing or stay-at-home advisories.ADVERTISING Trending Now The data compiled by PlaceIQ, which was provided by Precisely—consisting of anonymized mobile movement data and aggregate purchasing data sourced from millions of credit and debit cards—was sourced from data provider Affinity Solutions.A comparison was made of American consumers' visits to dining, retail and travel-related venues, along with how much they spent at these locations, in April 2021 versus April 2022.Findings from the year-over-year analysis clearly show shifting trends and changes in consumer behavior.Specifically:Travel is back in full swing.— Both visits (four percent) and spending at hotels (13 percent) are up.— High prices aren’t keeping people away from gas stations, with visitation being nearly equal year-over-year, but spending at the pump is up 25 percent.While people are eager to get out of the house, they’re also cutting down on how much they spend at each venue.— Visits to beauty, pet, electronics and clothing stores, as well as grocery, big box, pharmacy and dollar stores were all up (averaging 12 percent); yet, spending was down across the board (averaging four percent).Home projects and remodels, which became a primary hobby for many during the height of the pandemic, are no longer of as much interest.— Visits to home improvement stores were down 12 percent, as well as spending (25 percent).— Simultaneously, visits to furniture and décor retailers were down two percent, as was spending (27 percent) at such locations.“In March 2020, we saw a seismic shift when it came to consumer behavior—people were staying home and completely shifting where they spent money,” said Drew Breunig, VP of Strategy at PlaceIQ. “This created a mad dash for marketers to understand how and where to best target their customers—and even who their customers were in the ‘new normal’. What we’re seeing now is another, albeit slower, transition—not back to the way things were, but to a consumer culture that reflects the challenges of a post-pandemic and inflation-driven world. Marketers need to be quick to understand how to reach their new audience.”“As brands look to navigate these shifting consumer forces, gleaning insights and making confident-business decisions from their data will help them stand out from the crowd,” said Dan Adams, SVP Data Strategy and Operations at Precisely. “Yes, spend is down, but visits are mostly up. People are indeed out there looking for ways to save while creating new experiences. It’s an opportune time for marketers to attract new customers by focusing on product pricing as a way to get people out of the house.” Adblock test (Why?)