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In-Air Entertainment Enhancements


Remember just a few years ago, when all that was available in flight was a tiny movie screen way up forward on a bulkhead? You could get the sound with earphones and severe eyestrain trying to make out the movie.

You could also choose to listen to music by plugging in earphones to an armrest. Of course, you had no control of what the airline decided to broadcast. Today, everything has improved, and keeps on evolving.

Some airlines, including United and British Airways, now offer a large library of movies, videos, games and audio music that play constantly on the back of the seat screen in front of you. Of course, you can opt to take along your own iPod, iBook, DVD player, laptop and other portable electronic digital devices and choose from their virtually endless entertainment and other  menus.

Speaking of menus, many airlines plan to lend out pre-programmed individual iPads to passengers as they board. In addition to offering choices for entertainment and reading, there will be digital menus listed. All they’ll require is for the passenger to tap in orders for food, drink, information and other services from flight attendants. If it weren't for the groping security check-in, flying could once again actually be a pleasant journey.
Is it OK to bid on an online vacation auction? PDF Print E-mail

 

Cartoon of man in straw hat

Watch out for phony offers at online auctions

Q: We’ve seen many ads and websites offering resorts, cruises and other travel deals at auction. We’re not gamblers nor experienced auction attendees, and have always booked our trips the regular way. However, now that we’re retired and can go anywhere at any time almost on a moment’s notice, we’d like to take a shot at an online vacation auction. How do we go about it?

A: Internet auctions can be fun, whether you win or not. Some can be very deceptive song-and-dance routines, and are touted with much phony fanfare and wild promises. Make sure you stay away from those. Stick with the legitimate websites that may offer honest auctions for vacations that will interest you. Auction deals involve vacations that have already been advertised as discounted, but are not selling well. Anxious officials of hotels, cruise ships and resorts then put them up to bids for a limited number of days or hours, hoping they’ll be sold for at least some profit.

For instance, a recent email from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , offered a potential deal at the very plush Signature Hotel of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Resort. It included two weekend nights in a junior suite, listing the original retail price at $388. The minimum starting bid was $200, and bids closed in 48 hours.

Another was at the beachfront, oceanview Andronis Luxury Suites in Santorini, Greece, with four nights in a Premiere suite, including daily breakfast. The retail listing price was $3,358, with starting bids at half price of $1,679, and was offered with just 48 hours of accepting bids.

Now that you’re free to have all the vacation options available to you, and can pack and go quickly, do some serious homework to learn the good and bad of internet vacation auctions. Who knows, if you play it right, for just a few bucks, you may get a week in that super cool suite with the mirror in the ceiling at the top of the most luxurious resort in Las Vegas, Hong Kong, London or Venice. Well, at least you can bid on it.

 
 
 
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