Discounted International Airfares!

Now where is our beach along broadway , Mr Bloomberg?

The Beaches of Paris Return to the Banks of the Seine

By VALERIE GLADSTONE

You may not be able to go snorkeling in the Seine, but this summer, Paris has again transformed the banks of its river into a Caribbean-like beach paradise. In 2002, Bertrand Delanoe, the mayor of Paris, inaugurated the idea of Paris Plages. Open through Aug. 21, the beaches offer an unusual perspective on the city and a great opportunity to slow down between museum and monument visits.

“What makes them so special is Paris,” said Stephane Chave, event coordinator for the city of Paris, “Have you ever seen a sunset in front of Île de la Cité or Île St.-Louis? It is the most beautiful view in the world.”

This is actually not such a bad value ...

ROYAL TREATMENT AT HEATHROW By ELAINE GLUSAC

Any commoner with deep pockets can now get the sort of arrival and departure service at Heathrow Airport near London usually reserved for royalty and popes.

The new Heathrow by Invitation service offers travelers access to 20 newly remodeled private lounges formerly exclusively used for visiting dignitaries.

Unlike other airport concierge services that specialize in gate-to-curb escorts and tout expedited security and immigration lines, Heathrow by Invitation will send a car to pick you up when you land, speeding you to a private suite without your ever setting foot in the terminal. Employees collect and deliver your bags to the suite, where customs and immigrations officials will process your arrival, rather than forcing you to queue with the masses.

Something both Democrats & Republicans can agree on

Congress to airlines: Pass along savings to passengers or trust fund

By Mike M. Ahlers, CNN July 27, 2011 8:33 a.m. EDT

The tax holiday could save passengers $25 to $50 on a typical flight.

Washington (CNN) -- Airlines benefiting from a unplanned federal tax holiday should save the money for the government or pass it along to the passengers, but should not pocket the money themselves, key congressional leaders said Tuesday.

High Times for Tom Stuker ...

Traveler flies high with 10 million miles

By A. Pawlowski, CNN

July 12, 2011 10:08 a.m. EDT

Tom Stuker poses in front of the United Boeing 747-400 named in his honor for earning 10 million frequent flier miles.

(CNN) -- When Tom Stuker telephones United Airlines to reserve a flight, all he has to say is "Hi."

Cathay Pacific's 100 tickets for $ 100.00

Cathay Pacific promo: Hong Kong for $100 round trip

 

Cathay Pacific aircraft at Hong Kong as seen on Feb. 21, 2007.

CAPTION

By Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

Cathay Pacific is offering fares to Hong Kong for just $100 round trip in an effort to promote its new nonstop route between Chicago O'Hare and Hong Kong that debuts Sept. 1.

Is there a catch? Of course, but the fine print is relatively uncomplicated for such a good deal.

ARCHIVES:  Cathay Pacific makes Chicago first new U.S. city since 1998

First, the fare is only good from Chicago O'Hare. That's not a huge surprise given that the sale is meant to hype Cathay Pacific's new Chicago service. And, the $100 trans-Pacific fare is so low that even buying a domestic ticket to Chicago makes the deal a bargain for most U.S. travelers. (Alas, the deal is open only to U.S. residents).