Baggage Fees and Airfire increases

First, you might have heard about American charging for even one piece of luggage. $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second bag, $100 for bags 3-5, and $200 for 6 or more. By the way, that's per way. So double that for a round-trip. (Source: NYT)

Yes, they have to find some way to make money (not that they will). But I see nothing but disaster in two ways. 1: People won't check bags and will take bags on the plane which means even longer security lines and jammed overhead compartments; 2: People will flee American Airlines (the fact that they are cutting the number of flights might make that decision even easier.

If I were in my old job running PR, I would tell the airline look seriously into announcing the fact that we are not charging for 1st or 2nd bags as a counter promotion. That would be smart. However, there is a reason why airlines are going bankrupt. The people in charge are idiots.

Like the Idiot of the Day: United Airlines.

So in the Dallas Morning News, United responded to this baggage charge with bits of news of their own.

United Airlines overnight has raised fares by as much as $60 for round-trip tickets, Bestfares.com CEO Tom Parsons said Friday. If this airfare hike is matched by the other major carriers, it would be the 12th successful increase out of 17 attempts since December 20, 2007. Travelers flying over 1,500 air miles one-way between markets without a low-cost carrier have seen their airfares jump by $340 roundtrip in the past five months

So who will be affected?

Bestfares.com said that United hiked fares $20 round trip for flights up to 400 miles, $40 for 401-750 miles and $60 for flights over 750 miles. "Many of these airfare increases only affect cities not served by a low-cost airline such as Southwest, Virgin America, JetBlue, Spirit or Frontier," Bestfares.com said.

Translation: We are going to punish people who aren't served by a low-cost airline. But don't worry. They will find a way to make it for all routes by the end of year (my prediction).

But the second bit of news from the DMN article.

The Associated Press quoted United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski as saying United was "seriously considering" charging passengers on domestic trips for their first piece of checked luggage.

Translation: If people accept American doing this, we will do it by August 1.

MSNBC has some predictions about flight cost in the near future.

• This luggage fee is a step too far. AA will eventually have to back off of the fee.
• Problems with controlling carry-on luggage will increase exponentially.
• Delays at TSA checkpoints will increase as more passengers bring more baggage through the inspection points.
• Delays at the boarding gates dealing with luggage arguments will further delay AA flights to less than a 50 percent on-time rating.
• Other airlines will adopt a wait-and-see approach to this dramatic fee increase, forcing AA to rethink their fee structure.
• The Transportation Department will force airlines to disclose these fees in their advertisements. This will allow other airlines to simply raise airfares without raising the total advertised cost of the trip. AA will eventually (perhaps before June 15) roll this fee into their airfares.

The Time in Vegas

I saw this on Billboard.com while looking for American Idol information.

After reuniting for the first time in 15 years for the 50th Grammy awards in February, R&B/funk group the Time has announced additional concert performances at the Flamingo Las Vegas, beginning June 24 and wrapping Aug. 2.

All original members of the Time -- Morris Day, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Monte Moir and Jesse Johnson -- are slated for 15 shows at the Flamingo. Tickets are currently available via Harrahs.com, with prices ranging between $65 and $125.

During the band's Grammy performance, Jimmy Jam introduced his fellow bandmates and group opened with "Jungle Love," switching over mid-song to a slightly down-tempo, pyrotechnic laden version of "Umbrella" by Rihanna, who then continued with "Don't Stop the Music."

Now, I missed the Grammy thing but will look for it on YouTube. But I love The Time. They are so much fun. I don't know how good they are now. But in the 80s, they were awesome. Sorry, the fan boy in me is coming out. Tickets are a bit pricey and I would be breaking my personal rule, "No shows unless it's Prince", but this is a worthy exception.

To rent or not to rent? That is the question

The subject of rental cars can spark a nice debate among people who go to Vegas regularly. Almost as a debate about hotels. I probably should and will devote a few blog entries on getting around in Las Vegas because there are a lot of options. But for now, let's talk about some advantages to renting or not renting.

Why rent?

• Super easy: There are car rentals at McCarran International Airport when you land. A number of hotels have rental locations in hotels.

• Cheap: Some of the lowest rates in the country. Probably because they do so much volume.

• Can move from hotel to hotel, Vegas strip or off-strip. Can go see attractions outside of Las Vegas (I.e. Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam).

Why not rent?

• Traffic: Especially on the strip in the late afternoon or evening and on weekends. You are thinking, “I have to drive in traffic every day, why do I have to do it on my vacation.”

• Alcohol: People gamble, casinos give free alcohol while you gamble, you do the math. Also, if you are going to do drink and drive, the penalties for getting caught are steep and not worth it.

• Alternative transportation is easy: Cabs are plentiful and you can find them everywhere. The monorail can take you up and down the trip. There is a bus that runs 24 hours a day up and down the strip. Additionally, walking is free.

What I think: Everyone has an opinion about works best for them and their circumstances. Going in a five-person group might require you to rent a car. Going alone or with two people might cause you not to rent. I think you should try one trip renting and one trip renting maybe one or two days. Find out what works best for you.

Of course, Orbitz is a great place to get a good price on a car rental or find out what rental agencies are housed inside what hotels.

Memorial Day pool time

(note: This was written for Orbitz Travel Blog and may be posted there in the near future in some form. I look forward to writing more for them.)

Memorial Day is considered the first day of summer and that is very true when it comes to the Las Vegas pool scene. Beginning on Memorial Day, hotel pools in Vegas become the place to go during the day. Whether your body is toned or not, everyone goes and loves the pool to beat the Vegas heat.

One general tip: If you have a group and you want to sit together, hit the pool early if you want to get a lounge chair. This applies even more if you are in town on the weekend or a holiday. If you go late, you will be lucky to get one. Either go as a group or assign one or two people to go early and reserve chairs.

Best all-around: MGM Grand Pool Complex. At six acres, it has four pools, three whirlpools, waterfalls, lazy river, bar, . According to their website, at least three will be open every day at 8 a.m. during the summer and the “Backlot River”, opens at 9 a.m. Negatives: Crowds. The MGM is the biggest hotel in Vegas and a LOT of people will venture to the pool area.

Best family pool: Flamingo. Truthfully, I love this pool. It has four pools, two jacuzzis, and water slides with a kiddy pool over 15 acres. It's designed to be a tropical paradise. Very picturesque. This is the pool where you will find me the most. You might also spot a wedding or two at the pool if you go early in the morning or at sunset. Negatives: According to the Flamingo website, a hotel room key is required for entry before 1 p.m. So it could become crowded with locals and people staying elsewhere in Vegas.

Best pool party: Hard Rock Hotel, Rehab Sundays. This is where the beautiful people hang out all day Sunday. The party takes over the pool at the off-strip Hard Rock. The line to get in Rehab can be long, but it is the best party in Vegas on Sundays. There are other hotels who are adopting the “pool as a nightclub” strategy: Tao Beach at Venetian, Ditch Fridays at Palms, Bare at Mirage are examples. Tip: Check to see what is happening at the pool in your hotel. Including cost and times. For example, Rehab is free for individuals staying at the Hard Rock.

My suggestions are just that. There are a lot of good pool options all over Vegas. If the hotel pool is important to you, check it out online before booking your stay.

One final tip: Hotel pools are not public pools. If you are not staying in that hotel, you might have to pay an admission fee to get in. So if there is a pool you want to go to, call the hotel and ask for the pool and check on the admission fee.

Memorial Day special

I might take advantage of this myself:

Memorial Day Weekend Sale! Get a FREE Night this Memorial Day Weekend when you travel between 5/22 and 5/27!

Also

Summer Sale! Save up to 30% off Las Vegas

Best Burgers in Vegas

Before I became a vegetarian, I loved a good burger. Burger Bar in Mandalay Bay have the best. The Kobe burger would tempt me back to the "Dark Side". When I go to Vegas, I usually make this place my first stop before I checked into my hotel.

It is usually busy, but the slowest time (and the best time) to go is right when it opens mid-morning. It's empty, so you get great service and you eat pretty quick. Around 11:30, the lunch rush begins. I am usually paying my check and gone by then.

It's in Mandalay Place and can be difficult to find. So make sure you look for it or you could be looking for a while.

In other burger news (courtesy of the Red Rock Casino):

LBS, a classic American burger joint, will open at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa this fall. Created and owned by Las Vegas restaurateur Billy Richardson, the focus of LBS is to deliver the best hamburgers anywhere in Las Vegas using only fresh ingredients and all-natural, hormone-free Hereford beef and turkey. The 101-seat restaurant and bar will be located adjacent to the casino floor in the space previously occupied by Tides, which closed on April 27. In keeping with the classic American theme, the LBS bar will offer more than 40 different microbrew blends of beer and a classic cocktail list.

Hopefully someone can tell me about good places where I can get a veggie burger (one that is good).

Help your boss plan a Las Vegas work trip

From the LA Times Blog. Some great tips, too much to list here because fair use. But there are three or four I want to mention.

Hotel:
The article mentions some of the priciest on the strip:

The Palazzo, Wynn Las Vegas, Augustus Towers rooms at Caesars Palace, and THEHotel

All very, very nice. Can't go wrong with any of them. But some places cringe at the thought of expensing a stay in a casino. (I work for a company that would never expense a stay in a casino.) So here is a tip: Stay at the Four Seasons. It's on the top five floors of Mandalay Bay. It might be a bit more pricey, but can be easier to get through the office manager.

Dining:
Breakfast: Can' t go wrong with the buffet at Paris. But if you are staying in the above hotels, anyplace there is good.

Dinner (from the blog):

Steakhouses are an old standby: try Charlie Palmer’s at Four Seasons, the Palm at Caesars Forum Shops, SW at Wynn, N9NE Steakhouse at Palms or Delmonico at the Venetian. With so many new restaurants and celebrity chefs making the headlines, where to go depends on the age and hipness of the people you are wining and dining.

Golf (also from the blog):

Shadow Creek: A highly respected golf course built by Tom Fazio and exclusive to guests of MGM Mirage properties, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, the Mirage, Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus and Railroad Pass.

Reflection Bay: Out in Henderson at Lake Las Vegas, this was the first public resort golf course in Nevada designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Cascata: Designed by Rees Jones, Sports Illustrated called this luxurious resort in Boulder City “golf’s hidden treasure.” Read these articles for more information, “Las Vegas: Golf for high rollers” and “Las Vegas: Great golf at several price levels.”

Make sure you ask the concierge about tee times and courses that the hotel have some pull and can squeeze you in on short notice.