SavvySugar

That'll Cost You: What Airlines Are Charging For Drinks, Pets, and More

SavvySugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:04:56 -0700

Purchasing your plane ticket gets the biggest traveling expense out of the way, but that total doesn't include anything you'd want to tack on to make your trip a happier experience. The Baltimore Sun gathered fee facts from domestic airlines and broke down charges for everything from beverages to pets.

Beverages: Monster Energy drinks - $3 (Southwest Airlines); VitaminWater drinks - free (AirTran); $3 (Delta Air Lines); Beer, wine and alcoholic cocktails - $4 (Southwest Airlines); $5 (Delta, United, US Airways, American Airlines) $6 (AirTran Airways)
Meals: Snack boxes and sandwiches range from $3-$8 (Delta, United, US Airways, American); Continental Airlines is the sole major U.S. carrier to still offer complimentary snacks (2+ hour flights) and meals (3+ hour flights); No sandwiches or meals available on Southwest or AirTran
Checking Bags: Second bag - $10 (AirTran); $25 (American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways); Southwest charges starting with third bag - $25
Seat Assignments: Exit row extra legroom - $20 (AirTran); $5 to $35 (Northwest Airlines); Window, aisle seats in front of plane - $5 to $30 (US Airways); Reserving seat number in advance online - $6 (AirTran); Business Select early boarding - $10 to $30 more than highest fare (Southwest)

Unaccompanied children (nonstop flights): $100 (Delta, US Airways); $99 (United); $75 (American, Continental); $75-$120 (Northwest); $39 (AirTran); free (Southwest)
Curbside Check-in: $3 per bag (Delta); $2 per bag (Delta, United, US Airways, American, Northwest); Free (Southwest and AirTran)
Headphones: $5 (US Airways); Free on United, AirTran; No in-flight entertainment (Southwest)
Pets: $65 one-way for small pets in a carrier that fits under the seat (AirTran); $100 for small pets in cabin to North American locations (Delta, US Airways and United); $95 (Continental); $80 (American, Northwest); Southwest doesn't allow pets to be brought on-board or stored as cargo

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Blood Donors and Pet Food Banks Are Subtle Signs of the Times

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:36:45 -0700

Workers at blood donor centers and pet food banks have identical comments about the increase of people entering their facilities - the new faces are from all walks of life and represent a cross-section of society. The director of one donor center in New Mexico commented, "All walks of people come in to donate," she said. "We have teachers, students, people who work for the city. We're definitely seeing a change in who is walking through the door, but they're all saying the same thing. They all say they need a little extra cash to pay for gas."

Similarly, the executive director at a pet food bank in Santa Cruz said, "In the past, the demographics has been people who are disabled or on disability and senior citizens. Nowadays, during the pet food program, I see people who are able-bodied and not able to find a job.'' The pet food bank she runs, which typically provides about 5,000 pounds of free pet food each month, has seen a 20 percent demand increase in the past six months.

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Emergency Kit Hostess Gift: Brilliant or Baffling?

SavvySugar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:30:06 -0700

Practicality is en mode these days, but I'm wondering if the makers of Ice-Qube preparedness kits (priced $20 and up) are taking the rational focus a little too far. The company says:

Finding the perfect gift is tricky, but emergency preparedness is always welcomed. Whether heading off to a dinner party, going to a small get together or escaping to the country, why not bring the host something they need because there are some of life's events even the best host can not prepare for.

There's a whole line of kits, including products designated for home, office, baby, and pet. The company thinks the Ice-Qube is the "must have hostess gift of the season." What do you think of the idea of gifting an emergency kit - is it brilliant or baffling?

How Money Are You: Celebrity Entrepreneurs

SavvySugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:30:38 -0800

Most celebrities, as we know them, have earned fame in entertainment. Celebs like Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and Gwen Stefani have tried their hands in everything from restaurants to fragrance and clothing lines. Let's take a peek at the extra-curricular entrepreneurial gigs of some famous folks who somehow find the time for various pet business projects. How well do you know your celebrity entrepreneurs? Take the quiz!

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Would You Jump Through This Hoop For a Promotion?

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:30:28 -0700

The other day PetSugar shared a story with me about her ex-employer who was notorious for putting employees through hoops. In this particular case, there was a position open that would be considered a step up, and the office required workers to apply and interview for a move rather than simply offer a promotion.

One of her coworkers was vacationing on the East Coast and when he got wind of the open position, he expressed interest in the job. Rather than allow the employee (who had been working for them for more than two years) to interview when he returned from his trip, the employer said he had to buy a web-cam and interview while on vacation.

Pet's co-worker purchased the equipment and ended up getting the job. Would you have bought the web-cam if you were in his position?

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Forbes Traveler Names Most Annoying Airline Fees

SavvySugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:04:14 -0700

One word that can be used to describe the airlines these days: predictable. We may not know what fees will pop up next, we just know they're coming. Forbes Traveler developed a list of what it considers the top 10 most annoying airline fees, and I for one find the checked baggage fee to be the most annoying of all even if it isn't the most expensive.

Checked Baggage, $10-$100: American Airlines will charge $15 for the first checked bag starting June 15, and a as of June 10 Spirit customers will pay $5 to $10 each way for the first two bags and $100 for each item thereafter.
Talking to Real People, $10-$25: Booking through airline representatives costs $25 with Delta, $20 with American Airlines, and US Airways and JetBlue charge $15.
Seat Preference, $10-$20: "Several American carriers now charge for seat preference within the coach section. United Airlines' Economy Plus plan is unique: For a $349 annual fee, one member and his or her companion are seated at the front of economy section whenever possible."
Rewards Redemption, $75-$100: "Legacy airline travelers must shell out $75 if miles are redeemed without "sufficient notice"-considered three days on Continental and 21 days on Delta; American charges $100 if miles are redeemed for a flight sooner than six days away."
Curbside Check-In, $2-$3 or more: "The charges have cut into some of the tips travelers leave for the workers."

There are five more annoying fees so read more.

Traveling with a Child or a Pet, $10-$100 and up: Fees have increased for unaccompanied minors and small carry-on pets.
Changing a Reservation, $30-$200: "United Airlines has hiked its ticket-changing charge from $100 to $150."
Paper Ticket, $50-$70: Delta and American Airlines charge $50 if customers want a physical copy of their ticket instead of an e-ticket.
Airport Improvement, $4.50-$20 or more: "It has a number of names-facility upgrade fee, airport tax, embarkation fee-but the airport-improvement fee has one short-term impact: It makes your ticket more expensive."
Fuel Surcharge, $30-$300: "Fuel now accounts for 40 percent of a ticket's price, and surcharges are regularly $65 each way on most major carriers."

Source

Would You Pay For a Pillow and Blanket on the Plane?

SavvySugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:30:52 -0700

JetBlue's money troubles have triggered its newest plan to begin charging for a pillow and blanket kit, only offered on flights longer than two hours.

The $7 "eco-friendly" travel blanket and pillow will come with a $5 coupon to Bed Bath & Beyond. According to JetBlue, the blankets' fabric technology blocks critters, mold spores, pollen, and pet dander.

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I'm Asking: Has Your High School Identity Shaped Your Adult Job Choices?

SavvySugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:38:13 -0700

While we no longer spend our days judging the coolness levels of our classmates, a new Careerbuilder survey of 6,000 full-time workers over the age of 30 found that four in 10 admit their high school roles influenced their career path. Here are some of the survey's conclusions - do you think your role(s) in high school shaped your choice of job?

If you were a cheerleader, you're more likely to be: vice president; in travel or insurance; satisfied with your job.
If you were in student government, you're more likely to be: director/manager/team leader; earning a six-figure salary (12 percent say they are paid an annual salary of $100,000 or more).
If you were a teacher's pet, you're more likely to be: an administrative/clerical worker.
If you were a jock, you're more likely to be: a professional; in the transportation field; earning an annual salary of $50,000 or more; satisfied with your career progress.
If you were a geek, you're more likely to be: in technology; dissatisfied with your job.
If you were in drama club, you're more likely to be: in healthcare, public administration or government.

Fill in the Blank: When Cost Is No Object

SavvySugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:27:52 -0800

Is there anything in your life for which cost isn't an object? Pet pampering, gifts for your significant other, killer shoes, gourmet groceries - do tell!

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