Travel America » American Express

When Holidays Go Wrong

admin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:49:16 +0000

We are all getting more adventurous – not only in the distances we are prepared to travel, but in the activities we indulge in once we get to our holiday destinations. Lying on a beach with a good book seems so passé when you can go bungee jumping, galloping a horse down a beach, skiing or paragliding. But with excitement comes danger, especially if you don’t ensure you’re sufficiently covered by your travel insurance.

American Express Travel Insurance recently issued a warning, stating that not all skiing-trip travel insurance will cover inexperienced skiers who go off-piste (even if accompanied by a guide). This has become a particular concern following an unusually mild winter with low snowfall across Europe. Many holidaymakers risked going off-piste to find the best snowfall, resulting in twice as many accidents in the French Alps compared to the year before. If you are thinking of going skiing in the next year, it is essential that you check your insurance policy before you leave – you could be liable for huge costs if you have an accident off-piste and you discover your policy does not cover you. Airlifting you from the French Alps, for instance, could cost as much as £2,000. Quite simply, you need to tell your insurers if you are planning any kind of activity that could put you at greater risk of injury.

According to recent research, 15% of British people risk going abroad without any kind of travel insurance, let alone ‘extreme sports’ cover. Consider some of the costs you might incur should you fall ill or have an accident abroad, and you might think twice before gambling with your health and finances. Even if you holiday in Europe where your medical treatment might be covered by a European Health Insurance Card, you may still have to cover the costs of getting home to the UK, following your accident.

Examples of typical medical costs abroad:

Air ambulance (East cost USA) – £30,000-£35,000Air ambulance (Canaries) – £12,000-£16,000Scheduled flight, stretcher and doctor escort (Australia) – £15,000-£20,000Scheduled flight, seated economy with a doctor escort (Mediterranean) – £1,800-£4,000 Source: health and wellbeing provider, First Assist Tales of woe, however, shouldn’t put you off travelling far and wide, and enjoying all the activities on offer once you get there. The following guide provides some tips on how you can holiday, while gaining the best travel insurance at the best price for what you would like to do abroad:

If you are going to do anything that will be seen as risky such as skiing, canoeing, scuba-diving or climbing – you must tell your insurers and ensure your policy covers you in the event of an accident. Some activities such as paragliding or ski jumping may require special policies.Do not skimp on your travel insurance. If the worst happens and you are injured abroad, you will want to know that you have the right insurance policy and company behind you to make the best of a bad situation. Check that the policy covers everything you need and choose one with a 24-hr international helpline.Beyond your potential holiday activities, make sure your travel insurance covers other basic essentials, such as medical and dental treatment, getting you back home, personal liability, missed departure, cancelled flights, theft and lost luggage.Shop around for the best deal. Don’t just assume that your travel agent is the best option for travel insurance – look at the different insurance options and choose one that works for you both financially and practically.Ensure you take all your travel insurance documents with you. If you need to make a claim, you will need all your details close at hand.

One final piece of advice: once you have your travel insurance secured, try and forget about the potential dangers and enjoy your break. After all, holidays are really meant to be about having fun…

By: Caroline Poynton

Jet Blue from American Express

admin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:20:55 +0000

The American Express card company is one of the most reputed financial service organizations functioning worldwide. Founded in 1850, the credit cards of this company have become synonymous with excellent customer service, immediate purchasing power and amazing benefits to its cardholders. Jet Blue from American Express is one such card and is travel based.

The Main Features of Jet Blue from American Express

The Jet Blue from American Express is ideal for those with good credit and who fly regularly with Jet Blue Airlines thereby taking advantage of the excellent rewards program. The introductory APR for this card is 3.99%, which continues for a period of for six months and applies to purchases and balance transfers submitted with the application. Thereafter, you are introduced to a regular APR, which standing at 18.24%, is above average.

There is also an annual fee of $40, which, however, is much less compared to other airline reward cards from Amex. There is no spending limit on this card. There is a system of rewards in the form of award points for every dollar spent using this card, which can be redeemed for shopping, travel and entertainment.

The Reward Points

The points program for the JetBlue card is that for every dollar spent using the card, cardholders receive 1 Awards Dollar. Two Award Dollars are earned for each dollar spent on JetBlue flights, restaurants, movie theaters, gym memberships, event tickets and golf course fees. Cardholders earn $ 5000 bonus dollars when they make their first purchase with the card.

For every 200 Award Dollars accumulated, cardholders receive 1 trueBlue point and for every 100-trueBlue points, cardholders receive 1 Award Flight. In mathematical terms, this means $200 (real dollars) spent on the card gives you 1 trueBlue point and $20000 spent on the card gives1 Awards Flight.

Using the Card or flying JetBlue will extend the life of your points to a full year. There is no limit to the amount of Award Dollars that can be earned but TrueBlue award-points expire 1 year after they are issued.

Redeeming The Award Points

Points can be redeemed against rewards from 21 airlines, hundreds of hotels worldwide, vacation packages, over 50 cruise itineraries, and spa retreats. Members can also transfer points to 11 frequent flyer programs – in most programs you get 1 point for 1 airline mile. Points can also be redeemed for rewards from over 50 of the finest names in shopping and entertainment, including Banana Republic, Saks Fifth Avenue, COACH®, DellTM Computer, Callaway® Golf, and The Sharper Image®.

Who the Card Is Ideal For

Jet Blue from American Express is good for someone who can afford to pay in full after the introductory period expires and will spend at least $20000 on the card and uses JetBlue services frequently. Awards dollars never expire, but points and rewards expire after 1 year. That is what makes it so important to use JetBlue at least once a year. This card is not meant for someone who will need to make large purchases and carry a balance.

Other Benefits

You can receive up to $100 annually if you book your trip with American Express Travel. The purchase protection plan protects purchases made with this card up to 90 days. There is online fraud protection guarantee. While using the card online for shopping, you will not have to pay for unauthorized charges. Also various Internet account related services, auto rental insurance, emergency card replacement, medical and legal referral services and up to $100000 in travel accident insurance are provided for by the Jet Blue from American Express.

By: Richard Gilliland

Car Hire – Prices Continue to Increase

admin — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:21:48 +0000

A recent study has shown that car hire prices are continuing to rise as a result of fuel prices increasing and due to the maintenance and overhead charges that most car hire companies have to face.

The survey was published by American Express and showed its 2007 rental rates and focussed on business travellers. It was determined from the research that the price for hiring a car jumped by 4.4 per cent between 2006 and 2007.

This AMEX study is known for being one of the most reliable sources of information on trends in the pricing of travel related services and it is therefore known as the Business Travel Monitor.

American car hire companies were showed to be having difficulty remaining profitable as their operating costs continue to rise. One of the biggest reasons for the companies finding it difficult to make any profit is due to fleet costs. Car hire firms are finding it hard to cope with the 20% increase on the costs of fleets; this increase is due to firms finding it much more difficult to buy new vehicles from the manufacturers for discount prices. This therefore means that it is extremely difficult to recover the extra expenses.

The survey shows a steady rise in car rental rates which goes back to 2001. The average price of hiring a car in 2001 was $63 and in 2007 it had risen steadily to $72. With this trend showing no signs of slowing down, finding cheap car hire when you are away on holiday in the US is not looking hopeful.

By: Gill Critchley

The Bahamas – A Pirate Fan’s Perfect Travel Destination

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:39:07 +0000

The Bahamas is a magical string of 700 islands in the middle of the Caribbean that has been a popular tourist destination for decades, according to American Express Travel. The Bahamas is a world-renowned travel destination with a rich history. In 1492, Christopher Columbus made his first landfall on the island of San Salvador in the eastern Bahamas. Columbus commented on the shallow water of the sea surrounding the islands, calling the water “baja mar”. It is from these words that the name “Bahama” came. Since the Bahamas islands are located close to Florida they caught the attention of explorers, settlers, invaders and traders.

Pirate History in the Bahamas

One of the most interesting things about the Bahamas is its history with pirates. Black Beard, Calico Jack and Captain Henry Morgan himself were known visitors to the Bahamian islands. 1680 to 1730 was the golden age for Bahamian pirates. These islands made an ideal home base for pirates because of the numerous islands and islets. These were great places to hide their renegade ships and stolen treasure. The islands were also close to well-traveled trading routes, creating the perfect opportunity to plunder merchant ships.

The battles fought between pirates, merchants and other authorities often caused may casualties, especially ships. These ships often sank off the coast of the Bahamas, laden with gold, silver, and other antiquities. Spanish galleons were easy prey for pirates. These ships carried stolen riches from the native peoples of South and Central America. Pirates would hide this treasure in the numerous limestone caves dotting the Bahamas or bury it somewhere on the miles of beaches.

Rumors of treasure still hidden in the Bahamas exist today. Pirate William Catt is supposed to have buried loot on his namesake, Cat Island. Sir Henry Morgan, who preferred the island of Andros, is said to have buried treasure throughout the many islands. Where rumors may be false, the Bahamas certainly offers a mystique that encourages its visitors to indulge in opportunities for adventure and seclusion. American Express Vacations is beginning to offer special tours for travelers interested in highlighting famous pirate sites all over the islands of the Bahamas.

Modern Day Fun, Rest and Relaxation

The Bahamas of today is still full of adventure and excitement. The islands of the Bahamas are some of the most popular locations for travelers in the world. A big draw to most Caribbean tourists, the Bahamas cater to travelers on a moderate to high-end budget. AMT American Express Travel offers a number of moderate and high-end accommodations that give the best value for your money. There are no accommodations such as hostels because the focus of the island is a luxury experience. But travel to the Bahamas is on most world traveler’s to see list.

By: Virginia Morgan