Wealth Finance

Here’s a rundown on some of the more interesting news of interest to travelers.

• Surprise! More airline fees. Want a seat in the front of the coach cabin, preferably a bulkhead? Want to board and hopefully disembark ahead of the pack? American Airlines is now offering Express Seats, an option with an “introductory” price starting at $19, and ranging as high as $39 on some routes. This latest revenue generator is part of the carrier’s “Your Choice” program, which we reported on here back in June. Your Choice is a new set of optional service options—such as prioritized boarding—for fees ranging from $9 to $19. Not surprisingly, there are caveats with Express Seats (e.g., you can only purchase them between 24 hours and 50 minutes prior to departure), so check out the FAQs.

• Room rates rising? A leading lodging industry research firm predicts occupancy and rates are steadily increasing for U.S. hotels, so expect to pay more for your stays next year. STR’s latest domestic forecast indicates average daily rates will remain virtually flat throughout 2010, decreasing 0.1 percent to $97.74. However, that average is expected to rise 3.9 percent to $101.55 by the end of 2011, as prices trend upward. Availability may get a little tougher as well. In addition, STR estimates average occupancy rates will continue climbing this year—up 4.4 percent to 57.1 percent nationwide by the end of 2010, before evening out a bit next year, up 1.4 percent to 57.9 percent by the end of 2011.

• Tracking cruise crime. Last month we posted here that a new law—the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act—is designed to strengthen U.S. oversight of citizens traveling on cruise ships in American waters. Now the Fort Lauderdale-based Sun Sentinel has created a database detailing incidents on cruise ships reported to the FBI in recent years. There are quite a few gaps in the database, but the paper notes “requests for additional information remain unfulfilled.”

• Unlimited pass quite limited. Jetblue Airways generated quite a bit of attention on Tuesday when it announced the All You Can Jet pass had returned from last year. Members of TrueBlue, the carrier’s frequent flyer program, were eligible to purchase the AYCJ-7 pass good for travel on any day of the week for $699, or the AYCJ-5 pass not valid on Fridays and Sundays for $499. At that price, customers could book every available seat—a key term—on every flight between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6. Trouble is, by yesterday JetBlue announced on its home page that the “while supplies last” rule had taken effect, and AYCJ is sold out for 2010. So was it a bargain? Obviously the answer depends on your travel plans, but flexibility is key as well, since you would need a loose schedule to fly enough space-available flights to earn back your investment. If you’re curious what others are planning, you can follow the travels of this year’s AYCJers on Facebook.—William J. McGee

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