Gotta get out of this place

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
I was going to suggest buying some shorts, but I've never been. Golf and riding mopeds is all I've ever heard about Bermuda. What's the temperature like during winter? It isn't as nice as Caribbean Isles, is it?

I've been told to expect the 70s for the most part. Which ain't exactly lie on the beach weather, but it beats the current climate in Chicago.

I won't really have time for a round of golf. I guess I'll probably just wander around the town and see what looks interesting.

[Alex_de_Large]

FYI, I just received the following e-mail from US Airways:

Dear [AdL]:

It is with great disappointment that I write this, knowing that many of our
customers sometimes purchase tickets via Expedia. However, I felt it only
appropriate to immediately notify you that US Airways tickets will no longer be
available through expedia.com.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Expedia arbitrarily raised the fee it charges
customers to purchase a US Airways ticket (from $5 to $8.99). This higher fee
only applies to US Airways and our customers. This action - taken without
notice - unfairly puts our customers in the middle of discussions with Expedia
about its desire to significantly increase the commission it charges US Airways
for selling our tickets.

By taking the action it did, Expedia also represented to the public that our
fares were higher than those of our competitors because Expedia factored in its
higher fee for US Airways tickets.

As a result, we have notified Expedia that, effective immediately, US Airways
tickets will no longer be available for sale online through expedia.com.

Customers have every assurance that travel already purchased through Expedia
will not be affected. If you need any other assistance with your reservation,
please call our reservations department at 1-800-428-4322 and one of our
professional sales representatives will help you.

I want to remind you that there are other convenient choices for purchasing US Airways tickets online, including through http://www.usairways.com, where there are no booking fees, where low fares are always listed, and where customers earn bonus Dividend Miles with their purchase.

In the event we can work out an agreement with Expedia that is mutually
beneficial, we will quickly restore Expedia's ability to sell US Airways
tickets. Meanwhile, like some other carriers, our fares will not be available
through Expedia.

Your interests are important to us and we will do everything possible to make
our fares and schedules widely available.

Thank you.


Sincerely,



B. Ben Baldanza
US Airways Senior Vice President
Marketing and Planning

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
FYI, I just received the following e-mail from US Airways:

[I]Dear [AdL]:

It is with great disappointment that I write this, knowing that many of our
customers sometimes purchase tickets via Expedia. However, I felt it only
appropriate to immediately notify you that US Airways tickets will no longer be
available through expedia.com.

They are still on orbitz (isn't that the airline run site?). I've only used orbitz before, and not expedia. Anyone have any opinion between the two services?

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
They are still on orbitz (isn't that the airline run site?). I've only used orbitz before, and not expedia. Anyone have any opinion between the two services?

I have always found Expedia to be cheaper than orbitz

[robustpuppy]

I'm trying to combine business travel to Edmonton with a stay at a ski resort. Not an avid (that is, skilled) skier, so I'd want lots of other activity options, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, drinking, and some spa stuff.

Can anybody offer any insight into Banff, Jasper, etc?

[Skeks in the city]

Originally posted by robustpuppy

Not an avid (that is, skilled) skier, so I'd want lots of other activity options ... snowshoeing

You DO NOT want to go showshoeing unless you are in extremely good shape.

[Anne Elk]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
I'm trying to combine business travel to Edmonton with a stay at a ski resort. Not an avid (that is, skilled) skier, so I'd want lots of other activity options, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, drinking, and some spa stuff.

Can anybody offer any insight into Banff, Jasper, etc?

There's not much in Jasper or Lake Louise except for the lodges and the views. If you're not a big skier I'd recommend Banff. You can ski up at Sunshine Village (just a day trip), shop in town, check out the hot springs, or indulge at the Banff Springs Hotel.

[Anne Elk]

Anybody been? I'm thinking about heading over this spring. Should I fly into Zurich or Geneva? Due to flight times on the return, I'd have a day/night in the city before flying out. Is one better than the other?

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
They are still on orbitz (isn't that the airline run site?). I've only used orbitz before, and not expedia. Anyone have any opinion between the two services?

Orbitz is run by a large oligopoly with a history of price-fixing. I would go with Expedia.

[Anne Elk]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Orbitz is run by a large oligopoly with a history of price-fixing. I would go with Expedia.

I was just checking airfares to Zurich. Orbitz was $50 cheaper than Expedia or newcomer Hotwire.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Orbitz is run by a large oligopoly with a history of price-fixing. I would go with Expedia.

Truth be told, I usually check out Orbitz to see what other carriers are charging before logging on to American and buying tix from them (despite marginally higher fares). Because I live in Dallas. And in Dallas there is really only one airline... American can and will drive all others out of business here (see, e.g. Legend).

And don't even get me started on the reCOCKulous Wright Amendment, which prevents most interstate travel on Southwest, despite the fact that Southwest is based here.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by Anne Elk
I was just checking airfares to Zurich. Orbitz was $50 cheaper than Expedia or newcomer Hotwire.

I'm not saying that one is cheaper than the other. I'm just saying that historically, the airline industry has been untrustworthy. Try Sidestep. It checks Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity and each individual airline's website (except for Southwest and a few others).

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Orbitz is run by a large oligopoly with a history of price-fixing. I would go with Expedia.

Uh, you do know who owns Expedia, right?

Or, nice ironic comment. :thumbsup:

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive


And don't even get me started on the reCOCKulous Wright Amendment, which prevents most interstate travel on Southwest, despite the fact that Southwest is based here.

If SWA flew from somewhere other than Love field, couldn't they fly interstate from Texas?

It's like a real version of the destination distance rules at Reagan, which are now so watered down that they're meaningless.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Uh, you do know who owns Expedia, right?

Or, nice ironic comment. :thumbsup:

Oligopoly, not monopoly. But a monopoly in a different industry. Trust me, I hate Microsoft too.