AWA Travel Guy - Terry Keeling's Blog

Now that Fuel Prices have Dropped will Air Fares Follow?

In recent weeks we have seen a dramatic drop in fuel prices. You and I have noticed it mostly at the gas pumps where near $4.00 per gallon prices have dropped to substantially below $200. Now that fuel prices have dropped will we see a similar drop in air prices?

Travel Myths Busted

Is there any subject for which there are no myths floating around? The travel industry is no exception. Here are the top 10 myths. Read on and I will explain why they are Myths.

1. The lowest air fares are only available on the Internet.
2. If you use your cell phone, the plane will crash.
3. Cruise ships are all-inclusive.
4. If you rent a car with a credit card, you don’t need additional insurance.
5. Taking the train in Europe is cheaper than flying.
6. Re-circulated cabin air on planes will make you sick.
7. Your hotel card key can be used to steal your identity.
8. X-ray machines at airport security checkpoints can erase your computer’s hard drive.
9. My Hertz (or Avis) corporate discount gives me the best car rental rates.
10. Rule 240 is a secret airline code that will get you what you want.

Read on….

Traveling with Your Pet

I was listening to the radio this morning about the dangers of leaving your pet in the car this time of year and it reminded me of traveling anywhere with your pet.

According to recent Travel Industry Association study 14 percent - or 29 million Americans - travel with their pets.

AWA Travel releases new invoice/itinerary format

Service is our most important product and it always thrills me when we add features that improve our service to you. So, I'm really exicted to announce the release of a new invoice/itinerary with many features to benefit you.

A lesson even for a travel planner

I tout the advantages of working with a travel planner, such as myself, all the time – less time, less cost, service, support, etc.. And. I’ve been a traveler all my life. So, what happens when the travel planner finds himself stuck at the airport?

Tough week for the airline industry

Airlines ground planes. What shoe will drop next?

In the last week four airlines have shut down or announced shut down of passenger operations, and two have announced cut backs in their operations. Starting Monday, a shoe fell every day. Then news hit about skipped maintenance on planes, which grounded flights. No doubt the problems will continue. What shoe will drop next?

Terry Keeling Earns CTA Designation

Terry W. Keeling, CTA, MCC, of AWA Travel in Minneapolis recently earned the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation from The Travel Institute.

From Chips to Movies - Airlines go á la Carte

Carry some extra cash as you prepare to go to the airport. More airlines are starting to charge for services that used to be free. United is just the latest to join this growing trend in the industry....

Cruise Safety During Hurricane Season

Every year I have people ask me about the safety of cruising during the hurricane season. Many of us are all too familiar with tornadoes, and equate the suddenness of a tornado with a hurricane. The idea of a hurricane and a cruise ship can be frightening. However, hurricanes are significantly different than tornados and the likelihood that a cruise ship will be caught by surprise by a hurricane is extremely unlikely. Here's why....

Passports - You need one and why you should care

Passport rules are continuing to change and are working toward a time when everyone will need a passport to exit and return to the United States.

A lack of understanding about passports is creating confusion and people are being denied travel – with no refunds!

Passport rules are continuing to change and are working toward a time when everyone will need a passport to exit and return to the United States.

A lack of understanding about passports is creating confusion and people are being denied travel – with no refunds!