Bogus e-mail contains virus

Northwest Airlines today warned e-mail users that an e-mail containing phony ticket confirmation and enrollment information is being sent using the Company’s name. The e-mails are suspected of containing a virus that infects the user’s computer when they open attachments.

The e-mails thank the recipient for using the new service “Buy flight ticket Online” on the airline’s website. It states an account has been set up and gives the e-mail user an account number and password. It also tells them how much their credit card has been charged. An attachment is supposed to be the invoice and ticket but instead contains a virus that infects the user’s computer once it is opened.

The e-mail also contains spelling and grammatical errors.

Northwest Airlines’ vice president of e-commerce, Al Lenza says, “Customers should be aware that these e-mails are not coming from the airline. NWA itineraries are specific and contain information that customer will recognize. If the format does not look familiar to you, and you have not recently purchased a ticket, do not open the attachment. Delete the email right away.”

Please be advised that due to the significant increase of fuel cost, all non ticketed itineraries may be subject to fuel surcharges imposed by the airlines without advance notice.
 

Please advise clients that it is best to have their tickets issued at time of booking to guarantee quoted fare and avoid additional costs.  Fares are not guaranteed until ticketed.

For more information and to book online visit vacationexpress.net

Vacation Express announced today that plans have been finalized for a new and improved charter schedule from its popular Cincinnati gateway to Cancun starting in February 2009. After a review of 2008 vacation patterns, it was determined that fewer passengers are opting for short stay durations, with a stronger demand for the longer stays. The 2009 charter program will be available for sale at some point during the week of July 28.

Effective February 14 through August 9, 2009, Vacation Express will offer two flights weekly from Cincinnati operating on Saturdays and Sundays with returns on Fridays and Saturdays. The resulting charter patterns will be: Saturdays: 6nts and 7nts; Sundays: 5nts and 6nts. Vacation Express will continue its long-established partnership with AeroMexico for its 2009 charter program.

Passengers will enjoy complimentary open bar, meal service and complimentary seat assignments on all flights. An upgrade to Express Class is also available. In addition, vacationers enjoy optimal flight times, allowing for maximum beach time, with convenient 9:30am departures and 3:40pm returns.

According to Mr. Rene Jongmans, President of Vacation Express, "Rising fuel costs have necessitated an increase in package prices plus have made it necessary to re-evaluate the number of flights (and rotations) we offer each week on our charter program. The longer stays (proven to be the most popular) are less affected by the cost increase than the short stays." As a result of the company's travel trend and cost analyses, the decision was made to offer 5, 6 and 7 night charter rotations and eliminate the shorter 3 and 4 night stays. Mr. Jongmans further explained, "We know that 7 night stays have always been popular in this market, and that Saturday departures in particular are in very high demand. More recent trends are showing that many vacationers prefer the 6 night option which still provides a week's vacation but with the added benefit of a one night hotel savings - something very appealing these days to budget-conscious vacationers. In addition, honeymooners will find the Sunday departures a perfect choice with both 5 and 6 night stays available."

Vacation Express has been in existence for 19 years and has sold well over 2 million vacation packages. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Vacation Express offers over 25 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica and recently launched The Concierge Collection, its luxury hotel brand. Vacation Express is a privately held company with a focus on client and agent satisfaction.

MIAMI – July 21, 2008 – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) received top billing in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s special August cruise issue, which hits newsstands today.  The top-rated travel magazine recognizes Norwegian Gem as one of the best cruise ships for “spa lovers” and Norwegian Jade as one of the best for “foodies.”

Luggage Fee Policy

Due to rising fuel costs, Northwest Airlines has implemented a $15 charge for the customer's first checked bag. The new policy applies to tickets, inclusive of WorldVacations', sold on or after July 10, for travel starting August 28, throughout the United States as well as travel between the U.S. and Canada.

These charges also apply to Worry-Free Vacations passengers flying on Northwest Airlines and USA3000.
 

Luggage Fee Policy

Question: Is it cheaper to book a cruise online through the cruise line or through a travel agent?

--Cindy Gardina

Answer: It may or may not be cheaper to book through a travel agent, but it is definitely smarter. Here's why:

If you want chocolate, you can go to See's Candies. The chocolate may even be on sale. But you'll get only See's. And that's not, I am here to testify, a bad thing.

But suppose you also like Godiva or Toblerone or Amedei or La Maison du Chocolat. What then? Wouldn't you need a guide to tell you which one is right for you?

"The cruise line only has their products to sell, their ships, their cabins, their ports of call," says Jay Rein, chief executive and president of TravelWorm.com, an online travel agency.

Cruises used to come in two flavors: one, for the newly wed, and the other, for nearly dead. That notion is more outdated than the fur you've hidden in the closet. There are different kinds of cruises for different kinds of people and different price ranges and different kinds of ships.

"The [travel] agent can sell you everybody's cruise ship, everybody's extracurricular activities, everybody's options," Rein says. "An agency has a greater portfolio to choose from."

As for price, an agency worth its salt should be able to help you get the most for your money, whether it's alerting you to an especially good deal or getting you upgrades and perks.

An agent also can help you book tickets to your gateway destination and arrange overnight stays if necessary.

If you want the human touch, try www.tyustours.com..

But steer away from the agent who doesn't ask enough questions to know your "vacation personality" and immediately tries to tell you that a certain cruise line on a certain date is the ticket, says Evan Eggers, president of SureCruise.com, a cruise-only online agency.

If I set sail again, I'll use an agent, whether it's clicks or bricks because, frankly, he or she (or it) will offer to help. And when was the last time anybody else in the travel industry bothered to do that?

Have a travel dilemma? Write to travel@tyustours.com.

Question: Is it cheaper to book a cruise online through the cruise line or through a travel agent?

--Cindy Gardina

Answer: It may or may not be cheaper to book through a travel agent, but it is definitely smarter. Here's why:

If you want chocolate, you can go to See's Candies. The chocolate may even be on sale. But you'll get only See's. And that's not, I am here to testify, a bad thing.

But suppose you also like Godiva or Toblerone or Amedei or La Maison du Chocolat. What then? Wouldn't you need a guide to tell you which one is right for you?

"The cruise line only has their products to sell, their ships, their cabins, their ports of call," says Jay Rein, chief executive and president of TravelWorm.com, an online travel agency.

Cruises used to come in two flavors: one, for the newly wed, and the other, for nearly dead. That notion is more outdated than the fur you've hidden in the closet. There are different kinds of cruises for different kinds of people and different price ranges and different kinds of ships.

"The [travel] agent can sell you everybody's cruise ship, everybody's extracurricular activities, everybody's options," Rein says. "An agency has a greater portfolio to choose from."

As for price, an agency worth its salt should be able to help you get the most for your money, whether it's alerting you to an especially good deal or getting you upgrades and perks.

An agent also can help you book tickets to your gateway destination and arrange overnight stays if necessary.

If you want the human touch, try www.tyustours.com..

But steer away from the agent who doesn't ask enough questions to know your "vacation personality" and immediately tries to tell you that a certain cruise line on a certain date is the ticket, says Evan Eggers, president of SureCruise.com, a cruise-only online agency.

If I set sail again, I'll use an agent, whether it's clicks or bricks because, frankly, he or she (or it) will offer to help. And when was the last time anybody else in the travel industry bothered to do that?

Have a travel dilemma? Write to travel@tyustours.com.

Question: Is it cheaper to book a cruise online through the cruise line or through a travel agent?

--Cindy Gardina

Answer: It may or may not be cheaper to book through a travel agent, but it is definitely smarter. Here's why:

If you want chocolate, you can go to See's Candies. The chocolate may even be on sale. But you'll get only See's. And that's not, I am here to testify, a bad thing.

But suppose you also like Godiva or Toblerone or Amedei or La Maison du Chocolat. What then? Wouldn't you need a guide to tell you which one is right for you?

"The cruise line only has their products to sell, their ships, their cabins, their ports of call," says Jay Rein, chief executive and president of TravelWorm.com, an online travel agency.

Cruises used to come in two flavors: one, for the newly wed, and the other, for nearly dead. That notion is more outdated than the fur you've hidden in the closet. There are different kinds of cruises for different kinds of people and different price ranges and different kinds of ships.

"The [travel] agent can sell you everybody's cruise ship, everybody's extracurricular activities, everybody's options," Rein says. "An agency has a greater portfolio to choose from."

As for price, an agency worth its salt should be able to help you get the most for your money, whether it's alerting you to an especially good deal or getting you upgrades and perks.

An agent also can help you book tickets to your gateway destination and arrange overnight stays if necessary.

If you want the human touch, try www.tyustours.com..

But steer away from the agent who doesn't ask enough questions to know your "vacation personality" and immediately tries to tell you that a certain cruise line on a certain date is the ticket, says Evan Eggers, president of SureCruise.com, a cruise-only online agency.

If I set sail again, I'll use an agent, whether it's clicks or bricks because, frankly, he or she (or it) will offer to help. And when was the last time anybody else in the travel industry bothered to do that?

Have a travel dilemma? Write to travel@tyustours.com.