Daily Consumer Tips

For FlyClear Customers, "It is Not all Clear."

The company that pioneered paid security lines at major US airports shut down today. A report from the AJC indicates that FlyClear failed to reach an agreement with a key creditor. Customers had to go through strict background checks in order to use the facilitated security lanes. There are reports that there were 260,000 travelers nationwide using FlyClear. What is unclear is what will happen to the data from the 260,000 travelers who were using it. Consumers were required to undergo a stringent background check complete with fingerprints and other personally identifying data. In light of this company's demise:
1. It is up to the Federal Government through the TSA to ensure that consumer data that was used in the FlyClear program is protected at all costs. FlyClear was contracted with the TSA to run those security lanes. I hope that someone from the Federal Government is working with FlyClear to protect customer data.
2. Those customers who used FlyClear need to monitor their credit reports just in case. You can never be too careful with your personal data.
3. The easiest way to monitor your credit report is to contact all three credit bureaus and freeze your credit report until the FlyClear matter is sorted out by the parties involved.

Coming soon. PetAirways

There will soon be a pets- only airline in the USA. PetAirways will start operating on July 14 as America's only pet airline. According to a report in the USAToday, the airline will operate in a handful of US cities and is due to expand later. What I like about a pets-only airline is that hopefully there will be be someone on board who actually likes to work with pets and will be taking care of your pet to it's destination.

Highest rated Hotels In the world

Travel and Leisure has released a list of the 500 highest-rated  Hotels, resorts inns and lodges in the world  for 2009. The following are the top 25. Enjoy courtesy of Travel and Leisure.
1. Singita Sabi Sand (97.5)Kruger National Park Area, South Africa
2.Oberoi Rajvilas (95.71)Jaipur, India
3.Fairmont Mara Safari Club (95.6)Masai Mara, Kenya
4.Oberoi Udaivilas (95)Udaipur, India
5.Triple Creek Ranch (95)Darby, Montana
6.Oberoi Amarvilas (94.27)Agra, India
7.Kirawira Camp (93.89)Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
8.Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (93.48)Kruger National Park Area,   South Africa.
9.Tortilis Camp (93.06)Amboseli National Park, Kenya
10.Domaine des Hauts de Loire (92.56).Loire Valley, France
11.Alvear Palace Hotel (92.44)Buenos Aires, Argentina
12.Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (92.39)Little Torch Key, Florida
13.Hotel Bel-Air (92.32)Los Angeles, California
14.The Oriental, Bangkok (91.94)Thailand
15.Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, The Lodge at Koele (91.88)Hawaii
16.Kichwa Tembo (91.59)Masai Mara, Kenya
17.Peninsula Bangkok (91.51)Thailand
18.Taj Lake Palace (91.43)Udaipur, India
19.Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai (91.25)Thailand
20.Peninsula Beverly Hills (91.15)Los Angeles, California
21.Hotel Hassler (91.1)Rome,Italy
22.Cape Grace (91.05)Cape Town, South Africa
23.Peninsula Hong Kong (91.04)China
24.Voyages Lizard Island (90.94)Great Barrier Reef , Australia
25.Treetops Lodge and Estate (90.1)Rotorua, New Zealand

Avoid Baggage Check-in Fees

If you are not a frequent flier, expect to pay more to check in your bags at your airport. United Airlines and US Airways are increasing baggage check fees. According to the San Diego Tribune, United is charging $5 per bag in you pay at the airport. In addition, you will pay $20 for the first bag and $30 for the second. These fees go into effect June 10. US Airways will increase the fees come July 9. What is a consumer to do?

1. According to the report, check your bags online. Doing this is a lot cheaper than checking in at the airport.

2. Try to travel with just carry-ons. If you just travel with 2 carry-on pieces, there is no fee charged and there is less chance of losing your bags.

In-Flight Internet: Yes!

Have you wished you could surf the net while flying? The wait is over. Now AirTran Airways becomes the first major US airline to offer wireless internet on every on every flight in the USA through Gogo In-flight Internet. According to USAToday, all AirTran Boeing 737 and 717 jets will be equipped with in-flight wireless service by late July 2009. Will the wireless connections be free? According to the AirTran CEO Bob Fornaro, there will be a fee that will be charged to the customer’s credit card. Delta, American, United and Canada Air are also in various stages of installing in-flight wireless internet. Way to go AirTran.