“Travelers returning from concerts, plays, sporting events or who prefer earlier and later departures can take advantage of these lower rates,” said a spokesperson for Amtrak.

The inexpensive tickets are available on select trains for departures between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Travelers can find the $5 fares on journeys between Washington, D.C. and New York City and New York City and Boston. 

Four bags (two personal items and two suitcases) are included in the fare. 

The discounted tickets are subject to availability, so book early to have the best chance of finding one.

Sample Night Owl Fares

One-way coach class fares are priced starting at:

• Philadelphia – Baltimore/BWI: $5
• New York – Newark/Newark Liberty: $5
• Washington – Baltimore/BWI: $5
• Boston – Providence: $5
• New York – Philadelphia: $10
• Philadelphia – Washington: $10
• Providence – New Haven: $10
• Boston – New Haven: $15
• New York – Baltimore/BWI: $15
• Washington – Newark/Newark Liberty: $15
• New York – Washington: $20
• Boston – New York: $20

The post Amtrak Just Added More $5 Fares—Here’s How to Snag One appeared first on SmarterTravel.

What “Duty-Free” Really Means

When shopping duty-free abroad, the “duty,” or, more accurately, “tax,” that you avoid is the tax that’s in effect where the airport is located. You’re not avoiding a U.S. import duty, which is very low on most items, anyways. The main tax is usually a value-added tax (VAT), although a local import tax could be involved, depending on the location. When duty-free shopping in the U.S., the taxes you avoid are the state and local sales taxes, and/or the federal excise tax that apply to some products.

Duty-Free Items Aren’t Necessarily Cheaper

Airport duty-free shops do not price items by simply dropping the tax; they price so as to be reasonably competitive in their local area. But the shops have to bear the usual retail overhead and also pay a stiff royalty to the airport, so the markups are still high.

Choose Your Duty-Free Purchases Strategically

When you’re returning to the U.S. after a foreign trip, the best buys are generally confined to items that are subject either to a stiff U.S. excise tax or to tight manufacturers’ price controls. That means liquor, tobacco, cosmetics, and fragrances typically offer the best deal.

Duty-Free Electronics Can Be More Expensive

Although they’re often available when duty-free shopping, cameras, watches, and other electronics are almost always cheaper online via sites like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, or Walmart, than at any duty-free shop.

You Can Shop Duty-Free On Arrival

Some countries allow arriving international travelers to use duty-free shops before leaving the airport, but the U.S. does not. Returning U.S. travelers can buy duty-free only at foreign departure airports.

Liquor is the Most Popular Duty-Free Purchase

Liquor is probably the most popular duty-free buy for U.S. travelers. TSA rules allow travelers to bring liter bottles into the country as an added carry-on even on connecting domestic flights, as long as they’re packed in tamper-evident bags—which the duty-free stores provide with your purchase.

There Are Limits on Duty-Free Purchases

Returning U.S. citizens are allowed one liter of duty-free alcohol and a maximum of either 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars from most foreign countries. Some states impose tighter restrictions on import of liquor and tobacco than the federal restrictions. Conversely, “states may allow you to bring back more than one liter, but you will have to pay any applicable Customs duty and IRT,” according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades. The founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, he continues to inform travelers and fight consumer abuse every day at SmarterTravel. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post 7 Things You Need to Know About Duty-Free Shopping appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The last federal government shutdown began in late 2018 and lasted for 34 days before ending in early 2019. During this time, a significant impact on travel was seen. 

Here’s what travelers should be prepared for if the government shuts down again.

Air Travel

Air Traffic Controllers and TSA agents are considered “essential” government employees and will still be required to work during a shutdown. However, these essential workers will not be getting paid until the shutdown ends—during the last shutdown, many employees called out of work (some to work other jobs to make ends meet). This resulted in air travel issues, including a ground stop at New York’s LaGuardia Airport after 10 air traffic controllers called out for the day.

At one point during the last shutdown, 10 percent of TSA agents nationwide didn’t show up to work, leading to long security lines at many airports.

The shutdown could have lingering effects on the air travel industry long after it ends, as the hiring and training of air traffic controllers would be halted during the shutdown. 

National Parks

National Parks will likely be officially closed during a government shutdown. However, gates may remain open at some parks so travelers can enter at their own risk. Park rangers will probably not be available to help if needed, and all services inside parks, including restrooms and visitor centers, will be locked and inaccessible. 

According to the National Parks Conservation Association, about a third of national parks closed completely during the last shutdown. Many parks that stayed open reported vandalism, overflowing trashcans and restrooms, and damage due to unsupervised visitors. 

Does Travel Insurance Cover a Government Shutdown?

If you’re dreading long airport lines and want to cancel your trip, you’ll need to have purchased a Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance policy for it to be covered due to a government shutdown. 

According to travel insurance site Squaremouth, even Travel Delay coverage won’t apply during a government shutdown, explaining, “The most common covered reason under Travel Delay is a delay of a common carrier due to inclement weather or a mechanical breakdown. Other covered reasons include being involved in a traffic accident on the way to the airport, lost or stolen passports or travel documents, or an injury or sickness that causes you to be late. However, delays in line for a security checkpoint are not covered.” This also means that if you encounter an unexpectedly long security line due to the shutdown and miss your flight, you won’t be able to get compensation. 

The post How a Government Shutdown Would Impact Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Previously, members would visit a Global Entry kiosk to have their photograph taken before proceeding to a CBP officer for verification. 

Now, Global Entry members can download the Global Entry app from the Google Play or Apple App store and skip the kiosk entirely. Simply take a selfie using the app, and you’ll receive a mobile receipt to show the CBP officers to complete the entry process. 

“The new Global Entry mobile application leverages the latest technologies in order to enhance security while further improving the travel experience for CBP’s trusted travelers,” said CBP’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller, in a news statement.

The app is free to download but can only be used by Global Entry members. A Global Entry membership costs $100 for a five-year membership. 

Where Can You Use the Global Entry Mobile App?

The Global Entry app can only currently be used at seven airports:

• Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Seattle, Washington)
• Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, California)
• Miami International Airport (Miami, Florida)
• Orlando International Airport (Orlando, Florida)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (Dulles, Virginia)
• Pittsburgh International Airport (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston, Texas)

The post Global Entry Just Got Even Faster With New Mobile App appeared first on SmarterTravel.

For now, switching to airplane mode is a federal requirement on U.S. domestic flights. You must disable wireless transmission functions such as cellular voice and data.

But why?

Here’s the answer: Cell phones are designed to send out signals strong enough to reach great distances. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which originally put the ban in place back in the early 1990s, the radio frequency emitted by these and other electronic devices could interfere with cell tower networks on the ground.

What Happens If You Forget to Turn On Airplane Mode?

If you don’t switch into airplane mode then your cell phone or cellular-enabled tablet will keep attempting to make connections with every cell tower on the ground that the airplane passes.

Not only will the signals cause interference with airplane navigation, but the effort it takes your cell phone to keep scanning and tower hopping at fly-by speeds will also drain your battery and still not maintain a constant signal.

“Cellular does not function as well with the speed and altitude of the plane and so needs an alternate off-aircraft connectivity solution to make it work,” says John Wade, EVP and Chief Operating Officer at Gogo, a technology company that provides in-flight connectivity and wireless entertainment services for Delta, United, and others.

“Wi-Fi usage takes advantage of the aircraft’s off-aircraft connectivity, enabling a better connection and functionality.”

Accessing In-Flight Wi-Fi

Almost all airlines nowadays offer in-flight Wi-Fi, which is made possible because it’s satellite-based and not dependent on cellular tower connections. Almost every domestic airline offers in-flight Wi-Fi but there are only two airlines that offer it for free, JetBlue and Delta.

Through this network, you can surf online, read emails, check social media, or chat using Internet-based messaging apps like iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. Although you can’t now text with SMS over cellular, you can use Wi-Fi.

And although you can’t now make in-flight voice calls over cellular, you could use Wi-Fi. But U.S. airlines won’t allow it. All domestic carriers prohibit VoIP calls even though many international carriers do not. And what happens to that plane when it enters U.S. airspace? The technology that allows in-flight calling is turned off.

Today, there is more extensive bandwidth and upgraded satellite technology on most airlines around the world, with Qantas and JetBlue among the first to adopt.

In February 2017, Qantas introduced its new in-flight Wi-Fi network using the upgraded technology. Connection speeds increased up to 10 times faster than conventional in-flight Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to stream Netflix, Spotify, and other online content to their personal devices. In following years, more airlines have come out with gate-to-gate connectivity like Southwest, Norwegian, and JetBlue (which also supports streaming services).

And if airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi, they most likely also allow you to stream video and other media in-flight, but it’ll cost you. Similar to the tiered Wi-Fi plans that you’ll find at hotels, you now see passengers having the option to select a certain speed of Wi-Fi for their inflight plans. The only exception to this is when the airline offers in-flight entertainment on your own device via its app, which is free to stream.

Stay Entertained with Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Whether your flight is one hour or ten, the best way to make the time soar by is by watching pre-downloaded movies, audiobooks, or music with noise-canceling headphones.

The Future of In-Flight Cellular

Over a decade ago the European Commission began allowing in-flight cellular service throughout the EU. Several airlines offer onboard voice calling, data, and texting, while others allow only data and texting. Beginning this past June, flights in the EU have adopted 5G capability, allowing for full albeit slower mobile usage in-flight.

Technically speaking, the service requires that each plane be fitted with its own mobile base station, a network control unit that prevents onboard phone signals from reaching land-based networks and a satellite link to terrestrial phone networks.

The technology has been deployed successfully in Europe and around the world without incident, according to the FCC. It’s available in the United States, too. Some of Gogo’s business aviation customers are already using it, but none of the technology company’s 16 commercial airline customers have requested it.

Over the past several years the FCC collected consumer and technical input as it considered new proposed rules that would give airlines the freedom to allow cellular service if the aircraft is outfitted with the proper onboard equipment. However, it ultimately decided against the proposal in 2020 after strong opposition from flight crew, passengers, and members of Congress.

Do Americans Even Want Voice Calling?

The FCC’s decision seemingly reflects the sentiment of the majority of Americans. A 2018 study commissioned by Turkish Airlines showed that 89% of U.S. respondents were against in-flight voice calls.

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Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to note that the ban on in-flight cellular data use originated with the FCC, not the FAA, and to clarify the reasons behind this ban. This article was written in 2017 and has been updated with the latest information. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post What Happens If You Don’t Switch Your Phone to Airplane Mode When You Fly? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

To help you decide which domestic airlines to fly (and which ones to avoid), the travel experts at Bounce analyzed data and awarded scores across 11 categories: 

• Percentage of on-time arrivals
• Percentage of cancellations
• Number of flights
• Meals
• In-flight entertainment 
• Seat comfort
• Staff service
• Free carry-on allowance
• Free checked bag allowance (domestic)
• Complaints per 100 passengers

Those scores were used to calculate how domestic airlines compared. In 2022, Bounce rated Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines as the top three domestic airlines. Alaska has fallen to number four this year, and Delta has risen to the number one spot.

The Best Domestic Airlines for 2023

1. Delta Airlines
2. Southwest Airlines
3. Hawaiian Airlines
4. Alaska Airlines
5. United Airlines
6. American Airlines
7. JetBlue Airway Corporation
8. Spirit Airlines
9. Frontier Airlines
10. Allegiant Air

The post The Best Domestic Airlines for 2023, Ranked appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The airport will still sell water in sustainably packaged alternatives, including recyclable aluminum or glass bottle containers. The ban applies to water sold at all restaurants, concessions, lounges, and vending machines but will not prohibit passengers from bringing their own plastic bottles into the airport. (Remember, the bottle must be empty to bring it through security.) 

Only non-carbonated, unflavored, or electrolyte-enhanced water is subject to the new policy—sparkling water, juices, sodas, and other beverages may still be sold in plastic bottles. 

“The climate crisis is a great challenge facing our city, and phasing out single-use plastic water bottles at Los Angeles World Airports facilities is an important step to reducing our environmental footprint and protecting the health and livelihood of all Angelenos,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a statement.

Los Angeles isn’t the first airport to ban plastic water bottles—San Francisco Airport no longer allows sales of any beverages (including soda, teas, and juices) in plastic or aseptic paper packaging.
No matter where you’re flying, packing a refillable water bottle is a smart way to save money. Check out our list of the best filtered water bottles for your next trip.

The post LAX Just Banned This Common Travel Necessity appeared first on SmarterTravel.

“Hotel hiring continues to increase, and leisure and hospitality is the ‘rock star’ among industries reported in monthly U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment figures,” said Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power. “This boost in hotel staffing is showing up in the form of high customer satisfaction scores. Staff service is now the highest-scoring factor in this study across all hotel segments from economy to luxury, underscoring the critical role that frontline staff play in defining the guest experience.”

The survey evaluated 102 hotel brands on six factors: communications and connectivity; food and beverage; guest room; hotel facility; staff service; and value for price.

Factors like hotel staff and value for the price paid were among the most important elements of a good stay for guests. Another unexpected key aspect of a hotel stay? The lobby. A good experience starts when a guest walks into a hotel, setting the tone for the stay. According to J.D. Power, luxury hotel guests prefer a hotel that is “modern and unique.” For upscale or upscale extended hotel stay hotels, guests want a lobby that is “welcoming and inviting.”

The Best Hotel Brands for Every Travel Type

Luxury: Waldorf Astoria
Upper Upscale: Hard Rock Hotels and Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts (tied)
Upscale: Cambria Hotels & Suites
Upscale Extended Stay: Hyatt House
Upper Midscale: Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay: Home2 Suites by Hilton
Midscale: Tru by Hilton
Economy: Americas Best Value Inn and Microtel by Wyndham (tie)
Economy Extended Stay: WoodSpring Suites

Despite the high demand for summer travel, you can still expect great service at hotels this year. “Only a small portion of guests (14 percent) indicate they experienced a problem with the hotel during the stay,” Stokes tells SmarterTravel. “This tells us that, despite continued high consumer demand for hotel lodging, hotels are keeping up with that demand while providing a satisfying guest experience.”

The post The 9 Best Hotel Brands 2023 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Make this dream a reality by entering our sweepstakes, where you could win a vacation at The Landings Resort and Spa, one of St. Lucia’s best luxury villa-suites resorts, with impressive all-inclusive option.

Need more inspiration to enter? Read our review of The Landings here.

What’s Included

The winner of this giveaway will receive: 

• A three-night stay for two adults at The Landings Resort and Spa in a One Bedroom Marina View Suite (with your own private plunge pool!)
• All-inclusive meal package
• Beach ambassador service
• Access to daily on-resort activities
• Unlimited watersports
• Two spa treatments for two (one per guest)
• Round-trip airport transfer in St. Lucia

Note that airfare is not included in this prize.

How to Enter

Entering the sweepstakes is easy! Simply subscribe to newsletters from SmarterTravel and Oyster here. Our newsletters are a mix of travel inspiration, packing tips, and breaking travel news, designed to help you plan (and dream) for your next vacation.

Don’t worry, if you’re already a subscriber, you just have to verify your email address (and you won’t be signed up twice). 

Want to increase your chances of winning? Get bonus entries by following SmarterTravel on Twitter, retweeting our giveaway announcement, and visiting SmarterTravel and SmarterTravel Hotels on Instagram via the links on the giveaway page.

Entries must be completed before the giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 27th. Winners will be notified via email by 8 p.m. Eastern Time July 31st.

Didn’t win? Click here to find great rates at The Landings on SmarterTravel Hotels. 

Book Now

The post Win an All-Inclusive Saint Lucia Stay appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Prime Day, Amazon’s biggest sale of the year will run July 11th through July 12th for 2023. To help you make the most of this mega savings event, I’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you get the best deals.

If you’re not already a Prime member, now is a great time to sign up. If you haven’t been a Prime member in a while, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial and cancel after Amazon Prime Day with no charge.

Now you’re ready to shop. Here are a few Amazon Prime Day secrets to consider:

1. Download the app to see the “sneak peek deals” and add your must-haves to your list to get notified when they go on sale during Prime Day. (Here’s how to do it.)
2. Monitor Amazon’s deals page for the latest discounts.
3. Enter the daily giveaways leading up to Prime Day through the Amazon app.
4. Shop early deals from small businesses leading up to Prime Day.
5. Clip digital coupons to save even more on purchases.
6. Split the cost of a Prime membership by adding multiple people to your “Amazon household,” which allows you to share the benefits of your membership.
7. Check out new Just for Prime deals that are exclusively available to Prime members.
8. Easily find the best Prime Day deals by asking Alexa, “Alexa, what are my deals”?
9. Amazon Prime users can get one year of free delivery with GrubHub
10. Prime Members can earn a $15 Amazon Credit when uploading their first photo to the Amazon Photos app.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post 10 Amazon Prime Day 2023 Secrets That Will Save You Even More Money appeared first on SmarterTravel.