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Visit America: It’s Easier Than You Think


That’s the theme of the State Department’s invitation video ads aimed at people throughout the world to come and spend some money in the U.S. We certainly can use some fresh money coming in, instead of it all going out in foreign aid, wars and floods of imports.

A new video released by the State Department is trying to encourage tourists from around the world to visit America. Their euros, yens, dinars, sheckels and all other currencies are very welcome.

The ad continues with: Discover America. More than 65 million visitors do each year. The voice of President Obama adds, "We've got the best product to sell." We can guess he doesn’t mean Toyotas, Hondas, Audis, Volkswagens, Samsung TV sets and stacks of Chinese clothing and toys in Wal-Marts and K-Marts.

ABC reported last year that foreign tourists visits to the U.S. have slowed down due to the State Department’s complicate visa requirements. The claim is that the practice represents lost foreign tourist revenue of $500,000,00o a year.

That indicates foreigners just don’t want to go through all the official hassle of getting into the U.S. Hmmm. Have they ever considered coming in the simplest way, across the Mexican border?

Be Aware Of Airline Add-On Fees: The Spirit Is Willing, But… PDF Print E-mail


Savvy senior fliers know airline bargain ads are full of fibs. The typical blab may offer New York to Miami for just $199.99 round trip. Wow, gee, what a bargain, and the flight costs less than $200!

Of course, when you see the bill, the actual out-of-your-pocket and in-your-face ticket charge is more likely $250. Piled on will be taxes, carry-on bag fees, preferred seating and other charges that hike the real ticket cost, as well as the airline’s income.   

According to a report by USA Today, listed are the typical passenger add-on fees per ticket by some airlines: Spirit $51, WOW Air $49, Allegiant $49, Frontier $48, Jet2.com, $43, Qantas Airways: $43, United $39, AirAsia X $33, HK Express $33 and Wizz Air $31.

 
 
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