This is about as much as I can show you… or else I’d have to kill you…

Tracey Friley of The Passport Project got me in touch with the State Department who wanted to bring travel bloggers and other interested parties in for Passport Day. I eagerly signed up for the chance.

All the equipment is in the back to actually produce the passports and passport books. That is actually not the most interesting part of the tour, but the question and answer with Kathryn, a State Department employee and our guide for the day.

At the Hudson Street Passport Office, they process about about 1500 passports a week. During the summer months this number jumps to about 2000 as school and work vacations has everyone wanting to jump on a place when they have the opportunity.

Once submitted the passport takes about 4-6 weeks to be returned to you. 2-3 weeks if you choose to expedite. Which brings up a good point. Plan ahead if you want on taking a trip out the country. If you have less than 6 months before the passport expires, get it renewed. Many countries won’t allow you to enter when you have six months or less left on your passport.

During the yearly Passport Day event, the Hudson Street office will accept 200-300 passport applications.

If you don’t know the requirements for a US passport, they are here along with other important answers. But I had a more interesting questions for our host Kathryn.

Can a convicted felon get a passport?
The answer is yes, as long as the all the requirements of incareceration are fulfilled and there is no probation. BUT many countries don’t allow convicted felons to enter their countries anyway so this could be a moot point, but not all countries have that regulation. Our neighbors to the north, Canada, has a no felon rule. You cannot enter Canada if you’ve been convicted of a felony

With all of that said, 99% of passport applications get accepted.

Typical passports need to be renewed every 10 years. Children under 16 need to have their passports renewed every five years. This takes into account how much the looks, height, weight of a child can change over the course of a few years.

There are about 110 million US passports in circulation today, but the there were only half that amount in 2000. The reason for the sudden rise: The rule that passports were needed for travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Many people complain about the rise in passport price renewals in 2010. Why is adding passport pages $82 when it used to be free? Why is a new passport $135 when it used to be $100 The answer is that the State Department does more than just issue you the blue book. All the embassies in countries around the world have to be maintained, as well as all the support staff.

RFID or radio frequency identification chips are installed in all new passports. This should make it harder to forge passports and well as make the information harder to steal if lost or stolen. The US passport is part of an international standard that covers security and encryption. This should stop thieves from pulling information out of the air off your passport as you walk by.

The Smarter Traveler app for iPhone is a great resource, surprisingly so. In fact I talked about how shocked I was that this useful app came from the US Government.

So what did we learn from Passport Day?

Getting a passport is easy.
Getting a passport is an almost automatic proposition.
Getting a passport is the key to seeing the world.

So why don’t you have a passport?

Behind the Scenes with the State Department at Passport Day 2012 is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Today’s guest post is from Tia of National Geographic’s ExploretheCanyon.com

I may not be the most tech savvy person around and sometimes take an almost zealous pride in resisting change – took me awhile to box up my collection of audio tapes , and even longer to replace my trusty old film camera with an endlessly upgrading higher-pixel digital camera. I feel that post-processing photographs makes you a good graphic designer and not a good photographer. I feel that my 6 year old Godson should be as fascinated by his pop-up books as he is with his mom’s iPad. You can therefore imagine how my travel plans would’ve looked like, and how much weight in my backpack would’ve been dedicated to tomes and printed words about the place that I’m traveling to.

My box of audio tapes now occupies 5 Compact discs. My digital SLR holds over a 1000 images and backs up data beautifully. My Godson prefers interacting with larger-than-life numbers and flying alphabets, than he does with Angry Birds. Though I draw the line at retouching people’s visages (What’s flawlessness got to do with beauty anyhow?), I love creating surrealistic images through Photoshop. Resisting change is I guess, like resisting new experiences….So, I finally smartened up and started ‘devicing’ my plans.

On a recent trip to Italy, while sitting in a Piazza, I came across a gratuitous Wi-Fi zone which allowed me to install a bundle of travel apps on my smart phone. And Triposo was one such serendipitous discovery, which I still swear by. It became a constant companion and I would go so far as to say that it’s now my unfailing travel buddy.

Mind you, I still had my handy guidebook with me (old habits die hard), but on cross referencing, I realized that certain sections of information seemed outdated – Restaurants closing shop, stores changing locations, changed phone numbers, changed operating hours. Triposo seemed to overcome this problem by aggregating real-time data through various trusted resources – including Wikipedia, Wikitravel, Open Streetmaps and ChefMoz Dining Guide. Triposo is the brain child of three ex-Googlers, who realized the need for an all-in-one travel app that is free, simple and extremely intuitive.

My favorite feature was the offline map. With its inbuilt GPS tracking and key points of interest, I was no longer afraid of getting lost in a new city. And like a homing pigeon, I inevitably found my way back to the hotel, without asking anyone for directions.

Another section I loved diving deep into was ‘City at a glance’. It is heavily loaded with sub sections that offer rich historical information, great local perspective, overviews on safety, cultural relevance, transport options and a fantastic phrasebook. It is molto buono!

The app also offers recommendations on sights to see and places to eat at. Accommodation options can be filtered by type, price, popularity, distance or simply, alphabetically. A new feature added recently, is the ‘My city’ section which lets you bookmark places of interest, and share your ‘check ins’ via Facebook.

What works for Triposo is its extremely simple, colorful and easy to navigate UI. Though its more popular counterparts such as Timeout and Lonely Planet offer similar features, I personally like Triposo’s layout and ease-of use. The only downside to its offline application is its hefty data download requirement for more popular cities. You need to preload the data for cities that you are planning to visit. So make sure you have a generous memory card nestled snugly on your smart device.

I probably may not say ciao to my guidebook, but I find myself increasingly turning to smart travel apps for their portability, GPS features, smart pricing (in this case, free!), bookmarking capabilities, and real-time information.

Welcome to the lighter side of travel.

Tia Jones loves all things Travel and Technology. She’s a blogger who contributes articles on Travel Tips, Technology and Grand Canyon Vacations for National Geographic’s ExploretheCanyon.com. Feel free to follow Tia on Twitter @GrandCanyonNGVC and like Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center on Facebook.

Can Smartphone Travel Apps Really Replace a Tour Guide? is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

The Travel Paradox And Why Women Know Best

Are women better travel planners than women? Could be. If we were to generalize, men just want to jump in there and do things, while women want to plan everything out. Again this is a generalization but found to be true in many cases. You’ll find the contrasts especially when couples travel.

My Flying Lesson
Alec Baldwin. Alec, just turn off the iPad and shut up please!

Travel Video of the Week
Health Tips for Travel to a Dangerous Country

How Panic Doomed Air France Flight 447

This story still bothers me because we don’t have all the facts with so many lives lost. The author’s hypothesis is that the pilots got scared when the plane’s systems malfunctioned. Had he calmed down and thought through the situation, he and everyone aboard would have lived, according to this article.

Sing For Your Supper, Work For Your Bed: “Free” Volunteer Vacations at Working Farms

Some of the best deals in travel. By working on farms or doing odd jobs, you can get a place to sleep and food. Sure beats staying in a pricey hotel or even a hostel. The tradeoff is the work. But if you’re able-bodied, you can do it.

How to Find Ski Lift Tickets for Less

This is the time for skiing and these are some great tips for you to save while you carve up the mountain.

Should English Be The World’s International Language?

If you talk to many people, it should. Until we get to the state of the Star Trek universal translator, we need one language so that we can all communicate. Then the argument would be, why not Mandarin Chinese? Or Spanish? Swahili? Because English is the language of the dominant Western world. In particular, the United States.

10 things to learn about yourself when traveling alone

I can say I definetely experienced all of this on my round the world trip. The one thing I really learned is that you really don’t need much to survive. I traveled for 4 months with just the clothes on my back and got on fine. It is liberating knowing that the possessions you think you need you really don’t.

How to get extra legroom on a plane

How to score extra legroom? If you don’t score one of those bulkhead or exit row seats, you’ve got to pay for it.

Get More Frequent Flier Miles Without Signing Up for Yet Another Credit Card

If you have bad credit can you accumulate frequent flyer miles like everyone else who uses credit cards (the fastest and most common way). Yes you can with a little creative work on your part.

How To Organize Your Own Press Trip

If you are a traveler who would love to get deeper into the travel industry while securing free or partial paid trips, a press trip is for you. If no one is knocking down your door offering them to you, then create your own. Sherry Ott has put together a blueprint of how to put on a press trip for yourself.

What Not to Do When Traveling Over the Holidays

Traveling the day of holidays has worked for me but this article recommends against it.

Top 25 Ways to Save on New York City Travel

Some good tips for Broadway shows and cheap meals amongst other things.

How to Travel for Less by Bartering

A traveler who stays in houses for free. Yes it is possible if you are a house-sitter. Walk the dog. Pick up the mail. Water the plants. Can you do that? Sure you can because you do it at home already. Why not do it abroad in a foreign country.

Best Travel News and Deals – December 6, 2011 – How to Get Free Accommodations, How to Find Housesitting Gigs, How to Get Cheaper Ski Lift Tickets, What You Learn When You Travel Alone is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

How to avoid airline fees
This story will get harder and harder to write as more airlines put in fees that you just can’t avoid. Remember the lure: super low prices and then you add the baggage fees, the fee for the (dirty) pillow and blanket, for talking to an agent on the phone, etc. This has forced travelers to become more self sufficient trying to avoid any contact with the airline until they are actually on the flight.

New rules, tips for Thanksgiving fliers
A lot of this will apply for Christmas/New Year’s travel also. Less seats means more crowded flights. As I always preach, book your flights as soon as you know what your dates are, get to the airport early and make sure to read the fine print.

Travel Video of the Week
What is CouchSurfing?

CouchSurfing has a nice brief video that explains the concept for the traveler who has not heard of it yet. You sleep on someone’s couch, spare bedroom, etc. all for free. The intent is for cultural exchange and sharing. The host does not have to, but is assumed to entertain the hostee or at least show them the ropes of the area they are in. The traveler is not supposed to abuse the privileged of getting a place to stay for free and be on their best manners.

What Not to Pack
Have you ever gone away on a trip and realized that you did not use or wear 50% of what you packed? I used to be that person, until I learned the joy of packing less clothing and the hotel/hostel/local laundry. The article also talks about jewelry and I can’t understand why anyone is taking anything of value on a plane. Unless you’re a diamond dealer or a rapper from 80s, leave the bling at home.

The etiquette of crowded flying
“Suggested” responses to some of the more common flying quandaries, like should you recline your seat and crying babies on flights. Flying requires more and more patience these days. More people slammed into the same size aircraft. With so many people in close proximity, nerves are bound to be irritated more frequently and much faster. Take a breath (or a few) and try to get to your destination without a shouting match, or being lead off the plane in handcuffs.

TSA Turns 10: Examining the Agency’s Strengths and Weaknesses
The TSA gets ridiculed for patting down wheelchair bound grandmas, forcing cancer victims to show their prosthetic breasts and making small children cry when they have to take a “closer look” at the stuffed bear. But the fact remains there has not been a successful hijacking of a plane since 9/11. We’ve had the shoe bomber, the underwear bomber and we’ve been lucky they weren’t very good at what they tried to do.

5 ways to be international at home
If you can’t travel now, there are ways to get that international flavor without jumping on a boat or plane and getting your passport stamped. I like the postcard exchange program. Very cool. They recommend hosting an exchange student. You can also become a Couchsurfing host to have a steady stream of people in your home. There are some people who love this, especially when they can’t travel.

Cancer-Causing Airport Scanners? Enough Is Enough
The debate continues on whether the new body scanners at US airports cause cancer. We probably won’t know for another 20 years, like with cell phones.

U.S. Airlines: No Pillows In Coach, But It’s Sundae Time Up Front
First class customers, you are very special to the airlines. Very, very special.

Cambodia’s surprising cuisine: Spiders, anyone?
Cambodia was where I wanted to eat the still beating cobra heart. Never got around to it. Apparently there were other treats for me to sample had I known they were there.

Get your flu shot at the airport
Miss your flu shot? You can get them at the airport. Be warned that some think the flu shot is a scam at best and at worst, part of a worldwide conspiracy.

Is Travel to Cuba for Americans Worth the Hassle?
Is it? Until the US lifts the restrictions on its citizens, we always have to be careful about getting your passport marked with a Cuban stamp.

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Best Travel Deals and News – November 22, 2011 – What is Couchsurfing, How to Avoid Airline Fees, What NOT To Pack When You Travel, Why Airlines Love First Class Passengers is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

How To Find Cheap Airfares In Any Season
The first 3 tips involve social media (Facebook, Twitter) and email. Those should be your first resources because they are the quickest to access. Also don’t forget the travel agent. They have been pushed to the side because of the Internet, but there are many instances when a travel agent is your best choice. If you’re taking a cruise for the first time, or traveling with a large group, or going to a very specialized location, a travel agent can be the best bet.

Frequent Flyer Tips That Only The Pros Know
A lot of the talk is about frequent flyer programs, which the airlines are using to keep the most loyal and high volume (high revenue) customers.

Travel Video of the Week
How to Survive a Plane Crash

Not something we want to think about, but the possibility is there when we get on a flight. The good news is that the odds are you should never need this information.

Your New US Passport May Need a “Shield”
I’d like to make a correction from the article. The author says you do not get your passport back. But I did get mine back when I renewed as part of Passport Day 2011. Not sure if that was a mistake or if there are circumstances where you don’t get your passport back.
The original intent of the article was to talk about the small chip in new passports that transmits information wirelessly. You’ll want to get a passport holder that blocks the radio signals from being picked from any person who is close enough to pull the information.

15 Ways to Get the Best Hotel Rate
Read them all. Use and reuse. That is all.

Burglar targets traveling Facebook friends
There have been stories about this before and I think it is great to mention it again. You must be careful when you announce your exact travel plans on Twitter, Facebook, etc. You never know who is watching and waiting to pounce on your house/apartment and possessions.

14 Ways to Ditch the Crowds in the Caribbean
Some ideas of places to hit in the Caribbean that only the savvy traveler or local resident know about.

How to battle jet lag in your KIDS
A new take on an old topic. Jet lag in young children. One parent admitted using cough medicine to get the kids to sleep on the flight. But the options for kids to beat jet lag are pretty much the same as for adults: Drink plenty of water, get sunlight in the new location and try to work/play according to the local time zone.

How can a 16-year-old travel?
Travel is possible for everyone: even a teenager who doesn’t have any money of her own. See some of the suggestions given to her.

Bizarre hotels: Sleep in a coffin or cliff-top yurt
I love the hostel inside of the decommissioned airliner.

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Best Travel Deals and News – November 15, 2011 – How To Get the Best Hotel Rate, How Can a Teenager Travel, Best Ways to Find Cheap Airfares, Hidden Spots in the Caribbean is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

10 impossibly amazing trips of a lifetime
Some of these are James Bond-esque in their nature. Diving to the underwater techtonic plates. Getting to the most remote island in the world. Trekking in Borneo.

Personal Tour Guides a Rare Bargain in Japan
There are volunteer guide programs all over the world and they are a great way to see a city from a local’s point of view. Taking you away from the tourist traps will only make your trip better and give you a different perspective.

Travel Video of the Week
How to achieve your one travel dream

Lecturer who had a dream to get to Antarctica and talked about all the ways he tried to get there. Eventually he just got on a bus and kept going south.

TSA watch: Are screeners preying on sick passengers?
Sick passengers are the low hanging fruit so to speak of and therefore easier to pick on when at the airport. I don’t understand this. Do they think the sick passenger has nothing left to live for and will try to take down a plane and all its passengers to go out with a bang, so to speak? I’d love for the TSA to address this directly.

Lost in Paris
One of the most popular destinations in the world and some ideas for you to check out in the City of Light.

Program could shorten wait at airport security checkpoints
Conflicted. I would love to speed through the lines at the airport. But at what cost? How much more privacy do we need to give up so that we are TRUSTED by government?

10 Tips for Getting a Free Hotel Room Upgrade
Hotel room upgrades are like airline upgrades. There are multiple methods to getting them, and if you get one without doing anything its like a surprise birthday gift. Here are some ways you can better your odds of getting an upgrade.

25 Reasons to Avoid Hostels
You all know I love hostels. Fellow travelers hate them with a passion. Their reasons are perfectly legitimate. Take a look and see if you agree. You can always check out Airbnb or Couchsurfing as an alternative if you can’t/won’t do hostels anymore.

A local’s guide to Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan is widely known for Wall Street and now for 9/11. But there is much more history in Lower Manhattan than people realize.

Amtrak: more popular – and more at risk – than ever
Amtrak has had record ridership in the last year. But they are still at risk losing funding because the revenue generated does not cover all of its costs.

The best cargo cruises
Cruise ships? You want an adventure on the high seas? How about sailing on a cargo ship? You definitely won’t have the never-ending buffets, Broadway shows and casinos on board, but you will have a quiet trip with interesting ports of call along the way, and a diverse group of fellow travelers.

When to call on the concierge
The concierge is not just for the rich, or the business traveler with an expense account. The concierge is for everyone (even if you’re not staying overnight) and they take great pride in accomplishing the seemingly impossible. Give them your best request and watch them go to work!

10 Ways to Get Kicked Off a Plane
Too fat? Too stink ? Too loud? All the above and more can get you kicked off a plane.

Travel Etiquette: Flying with Kids
While this is taken from the other passengers’ perspective, I think the main responsibility for an unruly child is the parents. I know, crazy concept, right? How many times have you seen a child kicking the back of a seat, or yelling or running up and down the aisle and the parent pretends like it isn’t happening or gets defensive when confronted.

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Best Travel Deals and News – October 11, 2011 – How To Get A Hotel Upgrade, Bad Kids on Flights, Free Tours in Japan, How To Get Kicked Off A Plane is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Airbags lift off: Airplanes offer safety devices in some seatbelts
If you get on a flight and your seat belt looks/feels a little different, you may have an airbag in it. Only specific seats on the plane have it however. I can only imagine it will be a matter of time before it is installed in all seats.

Worst Drinking-on-a-Plane Incidents
Please folks, drink in moderation on flights. Or else you might be doing the perp walk as you exit the plane for your indiscretions.

Travel Video of the Week
On a Cruise Ship — Enjoying the Easy Life, Poolside
From Rick Steves, a personally shot short video walking around a cruise ship. It is huge and gaudy and some would cruise ship passengers NOT travelers. I say whenever you’re going someplace new you are a traveler.

Free Flights? Award Upgrades? Don’t Count on Them for Much Longer
The merger of United and Continental means that frequent flyer miles are getting restricted in some areas, especially if you are an elite level flyer. The consensus is that frequent flyer miles are getting harder and harder to redeem so this will not help anyone get the seats and flights they would like to use with their points.

How 2 Minutes of Prep Can Save Your Life in an Airline Accident
What they are saying: Pay attention to the flight attendants who point out the exits, demonstrate putting on the face mask and pointing out the lights in the aisle. Most travelers ignore them, but the information could save your life in an emergency.

The Travel Tip Alphabet From A to Z
Common sense, helpful, and always good to repeat.

Camping? In New York City? Yes…
I had no idea you could camp in New York City and I’m sure you didn’t either.

Win 200,000 AAdvantage Miles
Even if you don’t win you get 100 flyer miles just for entering.

Behind the scenes at LAX
As you get on your flight, you probably never think about all the processes and people required to get you through the airport and into the air safely. This backstage look at LAX calls to attention the part of the airport we don’t see, besides the TSA security lines.

Leave something on the airplane? Here’s how to get it back
How you get it back: You hurry back to the airport and talk to someone in person. You can be easily dismissed if you call on the phone. Don’t leave anything in the seat pocket where the magazines are. They are the black hole from which your purse, cell phone or other items won’t reappear from. Not only that, they are dirty. Everyone puts their garbage and used tissues in there.

Young travel writers Wanted for Volunteer Trip to China
If you’re 18-23 and wanted to go to China, this is your chance.

4 things I learned on a round-the-world yacht race
Round the world travel does not have to involve planes, trains, buses and automobiles. You can do it in a yacht race too. That mode of transport and the nature of the race brought about lessons that you would not get from the usual modes of travel. Or maybe they are the same lessons, just in a different vehicle, so to speak…

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Best Travel Deals and News – October 4, 2011 – Airbags on Planes, Airline Safety, Behind the Scenes at an Airport, How To Get Back What You Left on the Plane, How to Go Camping in New York City is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

I was recently approached by the Learning Annex to record two sessions on travel. I jumped at the chance to record some great information on video.

The sessions are currently $2.99 and about 15 minutes each. Less than the cost of a Starbucks drink could potentially save you hundreds of dollars more.

Book the Cheapest Airline Ticket

Here I talk about the easy steps you can take to buy the cheapest airline ticket possible. Changing airports, the best time to book your flight for the best price and to get to your destination on time, etc.

Fun and Cheap Alternatives to Hotels

We discuss house and apartment rentals, Airbnb, hostels, and websites like couchsurfing that allow you to sleep on someone’s couch or spare bedroom for free.

So for a few minutes, sit back and relax and watch these fine videos to learn how to save some money when you’re getting ready to take off on your next trip.

Check Out My Learning Annex Classes on Saving Money When Traveling is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

How The Iran Hikers Could Have Avoided Their Hellish Holiday
Ummmm hire a guide? GPS? Common sense? Just glad it is over for them.

Travel Video of the Week
Hitchhiker Travels 5,000 Miles, Meets 930 People, Across US

Time lapsed video of the many many people this hitchhiker met along the way. For more information about his trip check out his interview.

Try a Private Jet, at Public Prices
Ever wanted to ride in style like a boss? You can within reason. With a combination of persistence, the Internet and some luck, you can get a private jet for prices closes to what to you pay in business class. If you’re really in luck you can get a ticket for coach prices.

More singles cabins slated for cruise line
Yeah for single cruises, who I’ve talked about before getting the short end of the stick. Single cruisers = money left on the table. The cruise lines are looking to collect all that money.

How New Generation of Young Global Jet-Setters Rack Up Frequent-Flier Miles
I had no concept of frequent flyer miles or even international travel when I was coming out of college. Those fortunate enough to get involved early get great benefits and a world view that serves them well in their business and personal lives.

How to Avoid Food Sickness While Traveling
This talks about food poisioning when you travel but that doesn’t mean it does not happen at home. I got e-coli poisisong at a hotel banquet in New Jersey. Laid me out for two days. Abroad I got sick my last time in Egypt. Running a fever and becoming the “King of the Bathroom Throne” is no fun at all. And even with all the precautions, you can never really completely avoid it. Being a vegetarian does not exclude you from trouble. In fact fruits and vegetables can be an easier way to transmit food borne disease.

Can complaining too much get you booted from a frequent flier program?
In a world – YES. Airlines can decide you are not worth the trouble if you complain all the time and they have to pay some type of compensation to you. They’d rather drop your business than dealing with you anymore.

How to travel the world without paying a penny
I bought the book reference in the article and will post a review about it. In the meantime, the idea seems completely valid.

8 Legit Ways to Travel for Free on Your RTW
Again, perfectly valid ways to travel for free or for very little money. Many times it requires thinking outside of the box, because you’ve probably never heard of other people using these ideas.

No Vacancy? No Problem! Find a Great Hotel Room When Everything Is Booked
Isn’t that the worst feeling? You can’t get the hotel room you want, there are no vacancies so you are forced to travel even more to get a hotel room. Or pay through the nose for a room. Or get a room in a substandard hotel. There are ways around it. The first thing is to call the hotel DIRECTLY as opposed to calling the national/international number for booking.

Beginner’s Guide to Gaining Points in Frequent Flyer Programs
If you keep hearing about frequent flyer miles but don’t know where to get started, this is a great primer on what to do to begin.

Which airlines were voted the World’s Best by passengers
The only US based carrier in the top 10 is Virgin America and only one more US carrier in the top 20. What do US based carriers need to do to break into this list?

The problem with staying in hostels
It doesn’t end the way you think it does….

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Best Travel News and Deals – September 27, 2011 – Fly a Private Jet at Coach Prices, More Single Cabins on Cruise Ships, How to Travel Long Term on the Cheap, Get a Hotel When Everything is Booked is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

How to pick the perfect cruise
Cruise ships have personalities. Didn’t know that? Some are more fun-loving. Some are laid back. Some are adventurous and outgoing. That is only one of the criteria you should use when picking a cruise ship.

10 steps to getting through TSA airport checkpoints quickly
Cooperate or you’ll be in trouble. I think that is the takeaway from this article. And the author is completely right. Running in the line with an indignant attitude is only going to get you delayed and potentially in a world of trouble.

Travel Video of the Week
Cook Breakfast in a Hotel Room with an Iron and Coffeemaker

I’m sure the hotels don’t want you to see this but many enterprising travelers have decided that they would prefer to cook with an iron than eat in the hotel restaurant. Not sure about the fire hazards though….

Common scams to watch for while traveling in Europe
Europe is not known for violent crimes, but for the pickpockets and con artists who will try to remove you from your valuables. Maintain your personal space when you’re walking the streets and you can eliminate the chances of being victimized.

Amtrak Shutdown?
Arthur Frommer writes about the potential shutdown of Amtrak. This is very much under the the radar as this is the first I’ve heard of it.

Ridiculous or not? Lie-flat airline seats = snoring epidemic
Snoring? On planes? Seems like they are getting so comfortable people are making themselves at home. That includes snoring like a buzzsaw. This is another reason you should always have your earplugs on a flight.

Suriname, South America’s Hidden Treasure
You’ve probably never heard of this country. No more. Consider it for your passport.

Where to Find Travel Bargains in South America
South America ain’t cheap. You think it is and then you really start have to look hard for deals. One thing I noticed in the comments from readers is the general consensus that Argentina is NOT a bargain destination. Another way the comments are sometimes as valuable as the article itself.

The Love Boat, North Korea Style
Not one American visited North Korea last year. There weren’t many other tourists from other countries. Hence the new cruise ship to entice travelers to visit. Keep working on that North Korea…

How to take amazing travel photos
The camera does not need to be better, you need to be better. The latest, greatest camera won’t make a difference without the photographer taking steps to get the best picture possible.

Can complaining too much get you booted from a frequent flier program?
In a word: yes

How to travel the world without paying a penny
Working abroad is something more people should consider, especially with the economy in the dumps. But people don’t want to move from their families, their friends, etc. If you’re interested in travel working abroad can serve two purposes – getting you to explore the world and also keep food in your mouth and a roof over your head.

It’s named what!?! The worst names for restaurants ever
Someone wasn’t thinking about all the ramifications of the names when coming up with them. The results are hilarious and head scratching at the same time.

25 Air Travel Tips For Seniors (And Others)
Good common sense tips that are always well worth repeating.

7 Things You Learn About Yourself (and the World) While Traveling Solo
I learned to trust myself and that the world is not scary. In fact the world is as scared of you as you are of it.

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Best Travel Deals and News – September 20, 2011 – How To Pick A Cruise, Cook in Your Hotel Room, Travel Scams to Avoid in Europe, Amtrak Shutdown is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel