If you’ve put your travel plans on hold due to layoff fears, think again. Some travel companies are relaxing their restrictions, even calling it “layoff insurance.”

With swine flu spreading around the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided Monday to raise its pandemic alert level a notch, from level three to four. The highest level possible is six.

However, the agency stopped short of recommending full-scale border closures or travel bans because it considers them ineffective.

WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said that screening people at borders and airports can miss those who are not symptomatic yet, while completely sealing Mexico’s borders would be economically disastrous.

You may have heard me recommend getting travel insurance. But should you go for an annual program, or are you better off paying per trip?

Got a question for travel guru Peter Greenberg? Write us at peter@petergreenberg.com.

I booked a round-trip flight to Portland, Oregon through Travelocity on Frontier Airlines for $325.

If I can’t go on the trip anymore and I don’t see myself taking the trip later, what options do I have for canceling the flight and getting my money back? -Ryan, St. Louis, MO

If it sounds too good to be true, it is. You’ve heard all that before.

But when it comes to classic travel scams, many of us turn a blind eye because of our urge to travel.

You receive a notice in the mail or online that you’ve won a new car, a TV, a set of luggage or … a free cruise.

You’re already a winner, right? Wrong.

Lots of people buy car-rental insurance because they’re worried about getting into an accident. But are you covered if you get a minor ding on the road?