On this week’s TravelSkills on SFGATE publication…
Adios. Adieu. Sayonara and Ciao! I need my most loyal readers, those that subscribe to this text, to listen to it first from me: I am retiring from journey writing on the finish of December. Sure, you learn that appropriately…after greater than 30 years of writing, talking, broadcasting and gossiping about journey, I’ve determined to step away.
This resolution pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic… it is one thing that I have been aiming to do for some time now. I actually respect the numerous relationships I’ve constructed with my expensive readers, a few of whom have been following my work since my writing profession started on the Atlanta Journal-Structure again in 1990, then moved on with me to CNN and Fortune Journal, learn my two books, and jumped on board after I launched The TICKET publication in Atlanta or The BAT (Bay Space Traveler) which finally morphed within the TravelSkills weblog, and at last landed proper right here at TravelSkills on SFGATE.
I’ve cherished each minute of getting what I feel is the most effective job on this planet, and I thanks all in your loyalty and suggestions over time. I’ll write up a remaining sayonara submit on SFGATE within the subsequent week or so, however needed to go forward and spill the beans now to you all.
As for the long run, I am planning to “chop wooden and carry water” for some time, and see what occurs to my mind when it is out from below a number of each day deadlines. Who is aware of?
Please keep in contact with me if you would like through e mail chris@travelskills.com.
This is the remainder of the information…
Final week’s multi-billion-dollar IPO is nice information for Airbnb, however it masks lingering resentment over its powerful insurance policies round refunds for vacationers making an attempt to obey the present spherical of COVID-19-related shutdown or stay-at-home orders in California and elsewhere. And it exposes how the massive resort corporations are literally being extra honest. Learn: Airbnb won’t refund my $2,000 holiday booking in LA
On Saturday afternoon, Las Vegas police arrested a person who climbed onto the wing of a departing Alaska Airways flight at McCarran Worldwide Airport. The 45-minute incident was captured on video by passengers seated by home windows on the Portland-bound flight. Learn: Man arrested after bizarre wing-walking stunt at Las Vegas airport
In route information, Alaska Airways now has a manner for Hawaii vacationers to bypass COVID take a look at end result checks upon arrival; United shrinks its January schedule, together with some SFO routes; A enjoyable new video from SFO with a beat you may dance to; Hawaiian Airways provides extra mainland gateways; new routes out of San Jose, Oakland and Monterey; Singapore Airways and Qatar Airways begin SFO flights subsequent week, and Qatar will add Seattle service; Southwest provides routes from Lengthy Seashore and Houston Bush Intercontinental; United offers clients on the spot entry to brokers on the airport; Chicago’s airports open COVID testing websites; and American expands at-home testing for home journey. Learn: Routes- Preclearance to Hawaii, United cutbacks + Singapore, Qatar, more
Alaska Airways has unveiled new advantages that its Mileage Plan members will obtain after March 31, when the service is scheduled to grow to be a full participant in American Airways’ world Oneworld alliance. That is big information to vacationers closely invested within the Alaska program which have been craving for broader mileage incomes and burning alternatives. Alaska Airways is the second-largest service at San Francisco Worldwide and a significant participant in any respect three Bay Space airports. Learn: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elites get global perks
Right this moment, United joined different main carriers together with Delta, American and Alaska Air in eliminating change charges on all worldwide tickets, together with the most cost effective primary financial system fares, by March 31, 2021. Which means vacationers on these carriers can alter worldwide itineraries with out having to pay the beforehand required, and obnoxiously onerous, $100-$500 charges to make such adjustments. Learn: COVID-19 upends more irritating airline fee policies
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Usually at the moment of yr, I’d be writing about methods to cope with the approaching vacation crowds or how the 2 weeks after Thanksgiving or New Years are the most cost effective occasions of yr to journey, the so-called “lifeless weeks” when demand, and due to this fact costs, hit annual lows. However because the COVID-19 pandemic rages, with document charges of infections and hospitalizations in California and throughout the nation, the “lifeless weeks” tackle a complete new that means. Learn: It’s time to stop traveling
The US authorities has determined that in relation to air journey, solely canine might be service animals, and companions used for emotional assist do not rely. The Transportation Division issued a remaining rule Wednesday that goals to settle years of pressure between airways and passengers who deliver their pets on board at no cost by saying they want them for emotional assist. Learn: Lastly: Tough new rules about ‘service’ animals on planes
Chris McGinnis is SFGATE’s senior journey correspondent. E-mail: chris@travelskills.com. Stand up-to-the-minute journey information through Chris’s social feeds: Twitter: @cjmcginnis | Fb: @TravelSkills