Peter Greenberg Worldwide

Should Personal Electronic Devices be Banned in the Cockpit?

Lawmakers are champing at the bit to introduce new legislation banning personal electronics in the cockpit after the two Northwest Airlines pilots revealed that they were working on their laptops when they overshot their destination last month.

Reducing distractions for pilots seems like a no-brainer, but would these new laws actually hinder future safety advancements on planes?

The Senate is currently considering a bill called the Distracted Flying Act, which would ban the use of personal wireless devices and laptops on the flight deck of commercial aircraft.

Proponents of the bill have garnered support by comparing this behavior to the detestable habit of texting while driving.

Meanwhile, critics have pointed out that the Federal Aviation Administration already has rules on the books that prohibits pilots from engaging in distracting activities during flights.

The Air Transport Association has also warned that such a bill could leave pilots behind the curve as technology evolves and prevent them from having access to the best safety tools.

Many airlines are currently in the process of replacing paper maps and manuals with new electronic devices that would allegedly provide more up-to-date weather and runway information. Some airlines even outfit each pilot with a laptop to help with takeoff and landing calculations and store flight manuals.

What do you think? Should pilots be allowed to use laptops in the cockpit, or do they just offer too many opportunities for distractions? Leave us some comments below.

By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related links: USA Today, WashingtonWatch.com

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Backpacking Central & Eastern Europe: Austria & Slovenia

A generation ago, young travelers hit the road with nothing more than a backpack, a few dollars and a Eurail pass to cover as many Western European countries as possible.

But these days, that Eurail pass can take travelers far past the west-to-east borders, all the way to the Black Sea.

Already jaded by her Western European experiences, Dara Bramson reports on her journey south and east as part of a new generation of intrepid backpackers.

At first glance, Vienna is unmistakably beautiful and clean; akin to Washington, DC. But with the exception of indoor smoking and a few stunning monuments, it could be any big city—and for me, that defeats the purpose of traveling to a new destination.

As with most travels, though, spending time with locals is the best way to uncover a city’s quirks and unique personality. While planning a two-month stint traveling through Eastern Europe, I promised myself I would make meeting locals a priority.

Case in point: Café Alt Wien, a local favorite that dates back to the 1930s, is less than a five-minute walk from my hostel, but the likelihood of finding it on my own (or to translate the menu) would have been slim.

Instead, I’m ushered into this late-night hotspot by a Viennese local named Sebastian, who displays almost stereotypical dreamy European qualities (tall, flowing hair and fluent in three languages). The room is already filled with smoke, which I loathe, but I convince myself it’s part of the authentic European experience.

“The music promoters have an ongoing war to take down each others’ posters,” Sebastian says, and points to a guy who just slipped in and is making a beeline to the colorful concert powers that plaster the walls.

Learn more with our Ask the Locals Travel Guides. Or get more on Vienna with our Off the Brochure Travel Guide to Vienna, Austria.

Sebastian orders our drinks in German and seamlessly reverts back to English: “Do you mind if I smoke?”

That night, after two full days in Vienna, I finally warm up to the city.

In Austria and Slovenia, where trains are notably clean and on-time, this mode of transportation is particularly easy. A four-hour trip from Prague to Vienna, followed by a two-a-half-and hour trip to Salzburg is seamless on the regional Eurail pass (note: this isn’t necessarily the case in Eastern Europe, but more on that later).

If you have at least a day to enjoy the city, consider the €22 (around $32) Salzburg Card for free and reduced prices on everything from museums to car rentals.

Video Tips: Cheaper European Travel & Are City Cards Are Worth It?

One might imagine that a trip to Mozart’s Birthplace would only attract uppity tourists. But the visitors span all age groups and nationalities, including natives enjoying something of a family pastime.

Sheet music and instruments are set up throughout the otherwise empty rooms of the house where Mozart was born in 1756 and lived until 1773. Of particular note is an oval-shaped listening room, filled with nothing but Mozart arias. Sitting next to me is a stranger, a native Austrian, and we silently and simultaneously nod to acknowledge our journal-writing heaven.

Later that evening, we are reunited at the Mozart Dinner Concert, a pricey but worthwhile three-course meal complete with elaborate, costumed performances
It’s sounds cliche, but Salzburg is practically quaint compared to Vienna; it’s undoubtedly smaller and more manageable. You can still enjoy the city if you aren’t a Mozart or Sound of Music fan, but expect to be inundated by both. (This is particularly true if you arrive by plane, which will land at the airport carrying Mozart’s namesake.)

The cleanliness of the city is Switzerland-esque; the unexpected French-inspired cafés peeking out of random side streets could be straight out of Italy. In short, while the city is appealing in its own right, I still don’t feel like I’ve stepped off the beaten path.

Learn more about Europe with our European Travel section.

It’s true that getting around in Austria, as opposed to, say, Romania, is cleaner and more reliable. But there’s no hiding the fact that countries farther south and east offer something that northern and western countries don’t: affordability. Austria isn’t cheap.

Yes, you can find the average hostel or inexpensive meal, but by no stretch of the imagination is even the best deal triumphant in the part Europe. In Vienna, the Wombats is a clean hotel that draws an international crowd starting at €16 (around $28) per night … and represented the most expensive stay in my travels. Compare this with later stays in Bosnia & Herzegovina, where a standard hotel—not hostel—costs about €10 per night. With the exception of Croatia, the trend of descending prices was evident as I headed south, and eventually east.

Initially, I consider my night in the Austrian city of Graz as a layover to Slovenia, but the city is surprisingly intriguing. Its history dates back to 1128, evident by the impossible-to-miss Schlossberg Castle on the mountain overlooking the city. But the city also has some of the most unusual, impressive modern architectural structures I’ve seen in Europe. Overlooking the city from the mountain’s viewpoints reveals a canvas of rust-red roofs and then these totally out-of-place but stunning structures peeking out between buildings.

Planning a backpacking adventure? Check out Backpack Reviews and the Best Backpacks for All Types of Travelers.

A modern blue blob-like structure that appears ready to blast off at any moment is a perfect example. This is the Kunsthaus Graz, which houses a restaurant and lounge.

Ironically, my favorite landmark in the city is also one of the newest: Mur Island, which sits on the Mur River, was a temporary structure built during Graz’s 2003 reign as European Capitol of Culture which became a permanent attraction because of its popularity.

It’s architecturally akin to the Kunsthaus and houses a performance amphitheater and café, accessible by foot over a bridge. Sitting inside Mur’s restaurant is like being in a clear submarine above the water.

The train ride to Ljubjlana, Slovenia feels like the beginning of a less-trodden path, more akin to what I had envisioned on my gritty Eastern European trek.

Admittedly, I’m already uneasy about traveling farther away from familiar ground as a single female traveler.

This feeling especially rings true when I make the call to book my hostel stay … in a former military prison. Hostel Celica, which dates back to the late 19th century, served as a military prison in Austro-Hungarian Empire and later fell into the hands of the Yugoslav Federal Army.

In the 1990s, a group of artists and architects transformed the once stark and harsh prison into a bright, colorful hostel to welcome travelers into the “new” Slovenia. At first glance of the brilliant graffiti covering the walls of the basketball-court entrance, my concerns about being in Slovenia fall away. Inside, it’s clean, with amazing food, and feels more like a meditation retreat than jail. Rates start at €16 (around $23) and include sheets, towels and breakfast.

The city itself has the same dual vibe of funky and immaculate. In the charming town center that is reminiscent of Austria’s big cities, a chandelier hangs from the power lines outside a cafe and an old church. From this intersection, visitors can begin the trek up to the 12th-century Ljubljana Castle, another example of old, medieval architecture that has been updated and renovated to become a modern cultural attraction.

While the cities under my belt are undoubtedly impressive and culturally rich, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just barely scratched the surface. I have yet to discover something completely different from my past experiences in Western Europe. That sentiment, fortunately, dissipates quickly on my next stops: Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary, and Romania. Stay tuned for more tales from the backpacker …

By Dara Bramson for PeterGreenberg.com.

A Message from American Express: Pay Late, Lose Your Rewards

Airlines have become notorious for stringing travelers up like piñatas and beating them with frivolous fees. Now, American Express wants to take a swing.

Starting January 1, the credit card company is enacting a new policy that could cost you the points or miles you earned with your card—if you don’t pay your bill on time.

If you have an American Express card cobranded with Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Hilton Hotels, and Starwood Hotels, rewards won’t be transferred to your loyalty account with those partners if you are late paying your bill.

You can get those rewards back, but it will cost you. In addition to the late fee for the month you missed ($19 or $38, depending on your balance), you’ll also have to pay an additional $29 reinstatement fee. Then you’ll be hit with a penalty interest rate (currently 27 percent) on future balances.

Fed up with fees? Watch Peter’s segment from The Early Show on How to Avoid Airlines’ Fees

Be aware that the points you forfeit only apply to the month that you were late paying your bill, not for all future months. So if you pay on time the following month, you can still get your points you earned for those purchases.

Because of these fees, it may or may not be worth it to get your rewards back, depending on how many points you earned that month.

An American Express official said that this is not a new policy for their cards and that they are extending it to co-branded cards now “for consistency.”

By Dan Bence and Karen Elowitt for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related Links: Associated Press, WebFlyer

Peter Greenberg Links:

FAA Computer Glitch Fixed, Flight Delays Still Expected

The Federal Aviation Administration has fixed a major computer glitch that caused flight delays throughout the morning, but officials expect the logjam to last into the afternoon.

This is the second time in the last 15 months that an FAA computer glitch has led to extensive delays nationwide. Keep reading to find out what may have caused this problem …

Officials say the glitch started shortly after 5 a.m. at a computer center in Salt Lake City when a system known as the National Airspace Data Interchange Network failed. This forced flight controllers to input flight plans manually, which in turn caused the delays. The malfunction did not affect air traffic control systems and posed no threat to safety.

Airports in the Eastern U.S. were hit particularly hard. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport saw delays topping five hours while La Guardia Airport in New York and Philadelphia International Airport each faced holdups of more than an hour.

Find out how you can find airports with fewer delays.

The computer failure will likely create a domino effect of problems throughout the country, according to a statement released by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

Chicago’s O’Hare International is already dealing with 20 minute delays and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will likely start experiencing the ripple effect around noon.

In August of 2008, a similar computer glitch caused major delays nationwide. This latest snafu has many people pointing fingers, with Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) leading the way. Schumer said in a statement that the current system is a flop and the FAA will continue to experience these glitches until they receive more resources.

According to FlightStats.com, Delta Air Lines, AirTran Airways and JetBlue appear to be the airlines most affected by the glitch. Passengers should check the status of their flights online or over the phone before heading out to the airport.

By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related Links: NATCA Press Release, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC

Peter Greenberg Links:

Cancel Any Time, Any Reason Travel Insurance

You may have seen insurance companies offering policies that let you cancel at any time for any reason. It can be a great backup in these uncertain times, but as always, read the fine print. The policies have gotten more popular due to the economic downturn.

If you’re not sure you’ll be employed in two months, it can be worth a few extra dollars if you have to cancel at the last minute. Travel Safe has a plan that allows travelers to cancel up to two days prior to departure, for any reason. But the amount refunded depends on the penalty assessed by your trip or tour provider. The same plan also promises that travelers are covered if they cancel out of fear of contracting swine flu. A

ccess America has a plan that offers 100 percent cash back if a trip is canceled due to illness, job loss, or if your travel provider declares bankruptcy. But there are exclusions. For example, the policy has to be purchased a hurricane becomes a foreseeable event.

Other exclusions include war, epidemics, pollution, unlawful acts, and prohibition on travel by the government. It’s not that you need to avoid these plans—in fact, comprehensive coverage can really save the day. But don’t get fooled by the language. Always ask questions and read the fine print.

November 21, 2009: Huntington Beach, California

Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio is coming to you from The Hilton Resort, Huntington Beach, California.

With more than 8.5 miles of uninterrupted beaches, “Surf City, USA,” represents the quintessential laid-back, Southern California beach community.

Learn more on Peter’s radio show this weekend, and check back on Monday for the podcast. Featured guests include:

Anne Banas, executive editor for SmarterTravel.com, who reveals the results from Smarter Travel’s recent Readers Choice Awards. Find out which airline was voted to have the dirtiest cabins, which airlines are considered to be the worst gougers, and which airlines offer the best frequent-flier values in the industry.

Dean Torrence, co-founder/lead singer of Jan & Dean Rock & Roll Surf Duo, the hit rock ‘n’ roll duo that made waves from the late 1950s through the mid-1960s. Dean shares his memories of putting “Surf City” on the map and how beach culture became so ingrained in American music.

Andrew Harper, founder of the infamous “Hideaway Report,” won’t reveal his true identity, but this gentleman traveler talks about his experiences reviewing unique luxury hotels while incognito. Find out which hotels top his list, get the latest gossip from the road, and find out what all travelers should expect from the hospitality industry;

Robert Reid, U.S. Travel Editor for Lonely Planet, talks about how to truly explore a destination like a local, and shares insider tips from the highly anticipated new coffee table book, USA Book: A Journey Through America, featuring more than 400 full-color photographs showcasing each state’s unique personality;

Mayor Keith Bohr, a long-time Huntington Beach resident, discusses his vision for the city, especially in terms of tourism and transportation, and how the locals, arts and businesses work together to shape this unique beach community;

Julie Johnsson, reporter for the Chicago Tribune, calls in to explain why U.S. airlines expect to reap millions when Continental Airlines joins the Star Alliance, and how this partnership will affect travelers, both good and bad;

Chris Epting, Huntington Beach cultural historian, newspaper columnist, and author of 16 travel and history books, including Huntington Beach Then & Now, explains how this agricultural town evolved into an enviable surf and beach destination;

Catharine Hamm, travel editor for the Los Angeles Times, sharing her favorite spots in Huntington Beach, including the best places to grab a burger, some of the best beaches, how the area has changed over the years;

Courtney Conlogue, 17-year-old women’s champion of the U.S. Open of Surfing, recalling the titles she’s collected over her short but incredible career (she started at age 12), her favorite places to surf around Huntington Beach, and where beginners can start without being intimated;

Gary Sahagen, founder of the International Surf Museum, Board of Directors, and head of the Huntington Beach Longboard Crew, explains why surfing is synonymous with this area, shares lesser-known paces to get great waves, and talks about what visitors can do even if they don’t surf.

Tune in this weekend, or check out PeterGreenberg.com on Monday to listen to the podcast. And don’t forget to call in with your travel questions at 1-888-88-PETER (1-888-887-3837), or email Peter at peter@petergreenberg.com. (Write “ASK PETER” in the subject line so it doesn’t get rejected by our spam filters.)

Video Tip: Slow Travel

Whether you have physical limitations or just aren’t as fast on your feet as you used to be, group tours with relaxed schedules may be the thing for you.

There are a number of options for travelers with mobility problems, or for those who just want to move at a slower pace.

So check out these options for “slow travel” in this video for AARP…

Get more information in our Accessible Travel section.

Traveling with a group? Get ideas in our Group Travel section.

And don’t miss our Senior Travel section.

The Travel Detective’s Report from Seoul, South Korea

I’m stopping in Seoul en route to do a story in Bangkok, which coincided with Obama’s visit today.

I first came here in 1979 and certain things remain, like the DMZ, not far from Seoul.

In 1979, when I first visited, it was described as the most dangerous place on earth … and that description could still be true when you think that the 3-mile strip of land separating the two Koreas is jammed with troops, guard posts, tanks, missiles, and bunkers. And it’s a great tour to boot.

I still have a photo taken of me inside the joint security area of Panmunjeom, with North Korean guards staring ominously at me from outside a window 10 feet away as I stood with one foot on either side of the line that literally runs along the floor that separates north and south. And today, 30 years later, it’s exactly the same.

And yet, it can be argued that few things are the same in Seoul. Some things are staggering, like the unbelievable development at Songdo, an amazing new city being built near the airport in Incheon.

And speaking of the airport, for those of us who remember the old Kimpo airport (still being used for regional flights), Incheon is an amazing facility, along with Singapore, Hong Kong and the new Bangkok airport. The Koreans deserve kudos for a facility that really works.

Want more tips on traveling in Korea? Check out Suzy Gershman’s Postcard from Seoul.

The food in Seoul is no longer limited to spicy kimchi. The highlight of the trip for me has been a late-night dinner visit to the main fish market. It’s called Noryangjin, and this huge covered market is open until midnight (and reopens at 4 a.m.). It’s been around for more than 76 years, and chances are, you can find every type of fish here. Almost everything for sale in this market is alive, and is flown in from all over the world.

One of the delicacies is eating live squid (I passed), and ALL of us passed on the fermented skate (that was an easy choice). But then came a great, memorable and affordable meal: For my dinner with friends, we selected a 7-pound lobster from Canada, a number of Alaska king crabs, scallops from Spain, oysters from New Zealand, and clams from Japan.

Once selected, the seafood—all still alive—was put in plastic bags and then we carried the bags downstairs to a restaurant that gladly grilled everything for us. Total cost of all that seafood for eight people: $160. Total cost for the restaurant to cook and serve it, and for a unlimited supply of surprisingly good Korean beer: $40.

Obama and the White House press corps are wheels up in 10 hours, headed back to Andrews Air Force Base. I’m leaving about the same time … for Bangkok. More when I land.

By Peter Greenberg

DMZ photo credit: Karl I. Muller

What Are The Safest Cars to Rent?

Roads and highways will soon be stuffed with cars as millions of Americans gear up to make Thanksgiving road trips.

After a hefty meal, a generous dose of tryptophan and an adult beverage or two, the road can be a dangerous place.

So how can you keep your family safe? If you’re renting a car this holiday season, we have a guide to the safest vehicles and some you may want to avoid …

Rental-car companies offer vehicles in different classes like economy, luxury and SUV. If you’re looking for an economy car, be aware that you get what you pay for—standard models like the Chevy Aveo or the Hyundai Accent have some of the poorest safety ratings of vehicles in any class.

Instead, see if you can rent a Kia Soul, which was a 2010 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety top safety pick.

Although they may not be classified as “economy” models, other small cars like the Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Golf are safer picks. If possible, steer clear of the Kia Rio, which consistently ranks at the bottom of safety lists.

When considering which car to rent, don’t forget that a vehicle’s weight plays a heavy role in safety. Physics dictates that in a front to front collision at the same speed, the heavier car will push the lighter car back during impact, which means the velocity change of the heavier car will be much less than that of the lighter car.

Find out what you need to know: Don’t Break Rental Car Rules

If you’re considering a large or midsize car, keep an eye out for top safety picks like the Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring, Chevrolet Malibu, Subaru Outback, Buick LaCrosse or Ford Taurus.

If you’re looking for an SUV, ask if they have a Honda Element, Dodge Journey, Subaru Forester, Jeep Patriot or Volkswagen Tiguan in their fleet. You may want to avoid Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. While you’re browsing these bigger models, ask for one that has some form of electronic stability control, which reduces the risk of rollover and minimizes skids.

Now that you know what to rent, find out who to rent from with Car Rental Customer Survey Says: Satisfaction Steady

Before renting, consider what kind of driving you’ll be doing. These safety suggestions are more pertinent to those who will be logging a lot of miles on highways at more dangerous speeds than those who will be taking mostly short trips on urban roads.

No rental car company will give you the keys to a coffin on wheels, so if you can’t find a rental car with the highest safety ratings, don’t worry. By minimizing distractions and being aware of the other vehicles on the road, you can still make it home in one piece.

By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.

Peter Greenberg Links:

Animal Voluntourism

It’s one thing to travel to see exotic animals. But what if you could give back and get some hands-on experiences at the same time?

Let’s start with Bolivia. At an animal rehabilitation center called Inti Wara Yassi, volunteers can actually “adopt” a jaguar.

Inside a 2,000-acre jungle, you get assigned a rescue jaguar that you can take for walks every day. And, it’s affordable—about $300 a month including room and board, and a guide to show you the ropes.

If you prefer to be a little more hands-off, the same program in Bolivia also has construction projects and other volunteer opportunities in the Amazon.

In Zimbabwe, African Impact offers lion rehabilitation programs in a private game farm.

Visitors pay about $2,000 for two weeks, which includes three meals a day and accommodations.

Volunteers can help feeding the lions and bottle-feeding the cubs, assist with tracking and research, and other cleaning and maintenance projects.

And in Kona, the Three-Ring Ranch Animal Sanctuary is the only licensed exotic animal center in Hawaii. Visitors can arrange volunteer experiences in advance to help out with work projects for a day or two.

No prior experience is necessary, and you may end up working around animals like zebras, reptiles and native Hawaiian creatures.

Learn more about this in See & Save Endangered Animals on Vacation.

Looking for more advice? Click here for more Daily Travel Tips.

Power Mats: One-Stop Charging for Portable Electronic Devices

Tired of tangled wires and mismatching power plugs?

Gadget guy Phil Baker tests out the new generation of power mats, where your portable electronic devices can sit in one place and charge up neatly and efficiently whether in a hotel, office or at home.

Accompanying all of our elegant portable devices are very inelegant ways of keeping them charged: ugly power adapters that seem like afterthoughts, tangled wires and too-few outlets.

Necessity is the mother of invention, so this has spawned all sorts of creations, from chargers with multiple tips to power strips with rotating sockets, to charging stands that accommodate multiple devices.

One of the most promising solutions, in theory at least, is the power mat concept. The concept was shown several years ago at the Consumers Electronics Show—a flat rectangular plate that you drop your devices onto, which magically charges them using magnetic induction (similar to how some electric toothbrushes charge). But for it to catch on it required many manufacturers to standardize on the same technology; something that never happened.

The concept languished until Palm developed the Touchstone, a small pedestal on which you set a Palm Pre, held in place by magnets. Induction transmits power from the pedestal to the Pre.

Recently, several companies have introduced similar systems that offers some of the same convenience to all of your portable electronic devices. Each system consists of a flat plate and add-ons to the devices that bring connections from their charging ports to the plate.

I’ve been trying out two products, the Powermat and WildCharge. They each use different technology, but they work in similar ways. Each system offers add-on “cases” for the iPhone, BlackBerrys and a few other popular devices that enable the connection between the phone and the plate. For other products they provide an add-on pad with a cable that plugs into the charging port of the device. You lay the case or pad on the plate to begin charging.

The iPhone cases looks much like many of the black plastic or rubber phone cases sold in the Apple store. The plastic case from Powermat lets you sync without removing the iPhone from its case.

No handy power sources? Get Portable Power for Travel Gadgets & Gear

WildCharge’s plate has parallel metal rails. When you lay the case or disc on the mat, contacts complete the path, allowing the current to flow.

Devices can be placed anywhere on the plate so it’s possible to charge four or five at a time. If you accidently drop a paper clip on the surface of the WildCharge and create a short circuit, it shuts down momentarily and causes no harm. The Powermat is limited to three on the plate, but also adds a USB port to charge a fourth.

How energy efficient are these devices compared to a normal wall charger? The induction technology used on the Powermat, according to a company spokesman, is about 90 percent efficient, meaning 90 percent of the energy from the plate reaches the device. The WildCharge is 100 percent efficient.

Additional losses occur from the wall adapter. Powermat claims it loses less wall power than most at 18 percent, and that it also saves energy by detecting when a device is fully charged and turning off the circuit.

Because these products use a single wall charger to charge multiple devices, the energy that power adapters consume when they’re not charging is reduced. The bottom line is compared to conventional chargers, these are not green devices offering energy savings, but they’re not huge energy wasters either.

The value of these products comes down to their convenience. It’s simpler to drop your device on the plate than to plug it in, and it reduces wear and tear on the connector, usually the weakest point.

More from gadget guy Phil Baker:

Office on Wheels: Rolling Briefcases for Business Travelers

Great Gadgets for Business Travelers

Pros & Cons of Top Carry-On Bags for Laptops

Travel Gadget Spotlight: Packing More In Your Carry-On

Great Games & Travel Apps for the iPhone

“Checkpoint-Friendly” Computer Cases: Worth It?

After using both the Powermat and WildCharge to charge my iPhone, Bluetooth headset, and a Sprint Android Hero phone, all simultaneously, I found both to be similar in convenience and performance. I’d usually just lay my phones on the plate while at home and they would be close to fully charged when I went out. In the case of the headset I needed to plug in a cable so it offered no advantage other than keeping everything in one place.

While the Powermat uses the more advanced conductive technology, it comes at a higher cost and is a little bulkier. The Powermat is particularly well-styled and packaged and its AC adaptor is one of the cleverest I’ve seen with its housing serving as a reel to store the cable.
The WildCharge is packaged much more cheaply, but more environmentally friendly.

The retail cost for the Powermat and accessories needed to charge an iPhone, Bluetooth headset and a second cell phone is $170. A similar configuration from WildCharge items costs $100. (Some of these products are heavily discounted online.)

The WildCharge is slightly more portable, but Powermat also offers a folding version of the plate in a convenient carry case that’s designed for travel.

Each of the products offers a promise of simplicity and easier charging, but that’s dependent on the devices you have, and whether you’re willing pay for it.

By Phil Baker for PeterGreenberg.com. Originally published in the San Diego Transcript. You can read Phil’s blog at blog.philipgbaker.com, and click here to purchase his book, From Concept to Consumer: How to Turn Ideas into Money (FT Press, October 2008).

Social Networking Sites for Travelers

There’s no need to be afraid of social-networking sites like Facebook and Twitter—in fact, they can help you travel more effectively! Here’s what you should know…

So what is this Twitter?

It’s a way to get updates in real-time, whether it’s celebrities gossiping about what they just ordered at Starbucks, or … travel providers posting last-minute deals.

Airlines like United and JetBlue post fare sales on Twitter when they want to fill seats quickly, but don’t have enough inventory to justify a widespread promotion.

Don’t forget to check out Peter Greenberg on Twitter.

Another new social networking site for travelers is called Traxo.

This one combines some cool features:   a trip organizer compiles your reservations into one easily accessible source, and allows you to share certain information with friends.

If their trips overlap with yours, it will send an alert so you can make plans to meet up.

And for Facebook, are there any benefits if you’re under 25? Of course.

Not only is it a great place to share travel photos and anecdotes for all your friends, but it’s also a good resource to seek out advice and tips from other travelers before you go.

Learn more about travel technology in our Travel Gadgets & Gear section.

Looking for more advice? Click here for more Daily Travel Tips.

Car Rental Survey Says: Satisfaction Steady

After two consecutive years of declining customer satisfaction, the car-rental industry as a whole leveled out in 2009, according to the annual customer satisfaction survey from J.D. Power and Associates.

Keep reading to find out which rental car company topped the list, and which companies you may want to avoid …

The companies were rated on six key factors (listed in order of importance): costs and fees, pick-up process, rental car, return process, reservation process, and shuttle bus/van.

Enterprise topped the rankings for the sixth consecutive year, scoring well in every category across the board. National showed great improvement in 2009, moving up two spots to finish in second. Hertz ranked third on the list, performing among the best in every category except costs and fees, where it was just about average.

Not surprisingly, these top three companies also had the fewest customer-reported issues and complaints.

Meanwhile, Alamo and Avis hovered right around the industry average for overall satisfaction. Although Alamo was average in most aspects, it did rank better than most in costs and fees.

The rest of the companies surveyed (Budget, Thrifty, Dollar and Payless) were notably below average in overall satisfaction, with Payless bringing up the rear.

The study surveyed 12,900 business and leisure travelers who rented a vehicle from an airport location between September 2008 and October 2009.

By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.

Peter Greenberg Links:

Airline Mergers and the World’s Largest Cruise Ship

The merger—or the absorption, if you will—of Iberia by British Airways is big news. It means that in the global marketplace, you’ll be seeing the first of many mergers and acquisitions.

Flag carriers may become a thing in the past. And when you think about, what is a flag carrier? It’s ego.

At one point, every country had to have its own carrier.

You’ve got Sabena in Belgium, and you know what? In 75 years, Sabena only had a profit in one year. They were heavily subsided by the government and, of course, they’re no longer in business.

Alitalia, well, that one stands for “All Landing in Tokyo, All Luggage in Athens.”

TAP, the airline of Portugal is hanging in, but where’s their route network? It’s not that big!

And now you have Iberia, which does have a larger network if you take a look at everywhere they fly around the world, linking up with British Airways.

So, what does this mean for travelers? In the short term, absolutely nothing. British Airways and Iberia are still members of the oneworld alliance, just like Star Alliance with United, SAS and Lufthansa, and the SkyTeam with Delta and Air France.

But what it does mean is that it allows these airlines to combine overlapping routes and become more efficient in terms of where they fly and how often they fly. And you know what that means: in the long run, it allows them to cut their staff, cut their service, and increase fares.

Read more: Iberia-British Airways Merger Raises Competition Concerns.

Once that happens, if this is approved by the European Union, get ready! It’s already happening in the Pacific. There’s a big battle right now between American Airlines and Delta to see who wants to go to the dance with Japan Airlines. JAL was once one of the healthiest airlines in the world, and it’s now one of the sickest in that respect.

OASIS OF THE SEAS DOCKS IN FORT LAUDERDALE

The largest cruise ship ever built showed up last week in Fort Lauderdale. We’ve been talking about the Oasis of the Seas for quite awhile on simply because we have to ask the question: “How big is big?” or “Is it too big?”

Imagine a ship that’s 20 stories high, it’s as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Now, let’s put that in perspective. What that means is it’s too big to fit through the Panama Canal and too big to get to most ports. And of the ports it can fit in, like the island of St. Martin, the actual population of the ship dwarfs the population of the island in that area four to one.

At that point, infrastructure questions come into play, such as, “How many bathrooms can there be on port to handle all the people coming off the ship?”

You know what the answer to that question is? The people who built this ship at the Royal Caribbean really didn’t care about that simply because they didn’t build the ship to go anywhere. They built the ship as a destination.

Check out some Oasis of the Seas pictures here.

They have so many things on this ship to generate revenue that they don’t want you to get off this ship. Of course, at the time they ordered this ship, economic times were much different. Everyone had money, and everyone expected more money.

They built this ship really to give Orlando and Las Vegas a run for their money. This is a ship that can do meetings and conventions; they can do an entire car show if they want. And they’ve got all the entertainment, they’ve got all the gambling, the spa, and everything a Vegas hotel has.

What does this do to capacity issues of the cruise lines in general?

Well, number one: it means that it’s going to become another buyer’s market. In order to fill this ship, they need to siphon off the passenger database from all the other ships.

We’re already seeing the numbers. Seven-day cruise ships to the Caribbean are from $249. That’s $35 a night including meals. You can’t wake up in Madison, Wisconsin for $35 a night!

Go Inside the World’s Largest Cruise Ship on The Early Show.

One deal came across my desk earlier last week: A seven-day trans-Atlantic crossing on the legendary Queen Mary II for $495. I mean for $600, I think they’ll let you pilot the ship.

This a great buyer’s market with one important asterisk: onboard revenue. What these cruise lines are doing is marketing their ships to get you in the cabin because once you’re in there everything is a profit center. Ka-ching! And that’s what you have to budget for.

My advice is to take whatever fare they’re promising you for the cabin and multiply it by 3.5. That’s what your bill is going to be for going to the casino, going to the spa, and going to the signature restaurants other than the main dining rooms.

On the Oasis of the Seas, if you want to sit at a certain dining tables, there’s a $75 surcharge. It’s not the price that you need to think about, it’s the value. Everyone’s going to be competitive with the price. The key is to do your homework before you ever book a ship to make sure they’re competitive in value.

By Peter Greenberg for Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio.

Get more from Peter’s Travel Detective Blog.

Listen to recent and archived episodes of Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio here.

Learn more with Inside the World’s Largest Cruise Ship on The Early Show

Bargain Shopping in Europe: Madrid, Spain

While shopping maven Suzy Gershman tipples her way through Napa wines, she set a shopping challenge for her partner-in-crime, Sarah Lahey: visit three countries in five days to see what bargains she could uncover without compromising style or experience.

Dear Peter,

I’m often told that I have the best job in the world as Editorial Director for Suzy Gershman’s “Born to Shop” travel guides. Well, it just got better.

Suzy’s working on our new Born to Shop California Wine Country book, so she came up with a shopper’s challenge for me: Visit three countries in five days to find good buys on luxury goods without compromising style or shopping experience.

Chic Outlet Shopping Villages (www.ChicOutletShopping.com) has outlets dotted outside of Europe’s major cities, so the idea was to use the outlets to connect quick shopping excursions through Madrid, London and Munich. Olé.

Don’t miss Suzy & Sarah’s roadtrip across the USA with the Postcard from San Antonio to San Francisco: Shopping & Roadtripping the Southwest US.

BOOKING IT  

Suzy and I usually book our plane tickets online via airline Web site, but for this trip—put together at the last minute and of a complicated nature—I went to a consolidator to save money, time and hassle.

I needed to fly from San Francisco to Madrid, and then on to London, Munich, and New York for a day of meetings before returning home to San Francisco. Total ticket price was $2,830 which is less than I could find online.

Better yet, my flights were all Oneworld and Star Alliance, so I got miles on my American and United frequent-flier programs. Yes, I checked before booking to make sure all the flights qualify. What I failed to check was my name on the e-ticket. My passport name reads Sarah Roach Lahey, but the tickets were issued to Lahey Roach Sarah.

I had to check in at a ticket counter—couldn’t use the kiosks—to explain the mix-up and ask the agent to override the system and insert my frequent-flier numbers. Most airline computers automatically reject numbers and names that don’t match in their records. Note to self: Next time, check name on tix before departure.

Want more advice for Spain? Try our Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Madrid

OUTLETS “R” US  

Once in Madrid, my first stop was Las Rozas Village (www.LasRozasVillage.com), the first of my Chic Outlet Shopping Village conquests, this one right outside of town.

It was pouring rain, so I grabbed a taxi and headed to Las Rozas, about 40 minutes by car from central Madrid. The fare was €35 each way, but if I’d spent €700 or more at the village, Las Rozas would have treated me to a free taxi ride back to town.

If you want to save euros on transport, there’s also train service from Madrid’s Atocha and Chamartin stations to Pinar de Las Rozas; travel time is about 30 minutes. Buses (# 625/628) run from Moncloa bus station every 15 minutes.

Antonio Miro, Purifcacion Garcia, Custo Barcelona, Camper, and Bimba & Lola are among local fashion labels represented at Las Rozas, along with many international big names including CH Carolina Herrera, Hugo Boss, Zegna, Petit Bateau, Pepe Jeans, La Perla and Burberry. Geox and Bally both provided opportunities to replace my rain-soaked mocs.

Prices at the outlets are discounted a minimum of 33 percent, althoug I found some items marked down 80 percent off regular retail. The selection was very good, the merchandise was seasonal, and most clothing styles were available in a full range of sizes. I was told that all goods are from past collections, but I’m sure I saw current designs in several stores.

Get more great shopping adventures in our complete Shopping section.

To get off my feet and take a break from the rain, I headed to Starbuck’s for a jet-lag fix. I was also on a quest: to buy a mug. I have a collection of Starbuck’s City Mugs from most of the cities I’ve covered for “Born to Shop.”

The last time I was in China, I found that the styling on these City Mugs had changed. The mugs are now a bit smaller and color-coded by city with glossy colored insides. Pricey at €12 (about $18), I prayed not to break my Madrid mug before I got home.

EAT SLEEP SHOP

I arrived back at my hotel, The Villa Real (www.derbyhotels.com), in time for a quick walk around town before dinner. The hotel is centrally located next to the Spanish Parliament and Prado Museum, but I didn’t have time for sightseeing; still on my shopping list were ham, espadrilles, and an umbrella.

Pardon the expression, but I was in hog heaven when I walked into the Museo del Jamón (www.museodeljamon.es). After sniffing (no sampling, unfortunately) and surveying all the hanging hocks, I bought a kilo of a mid-priced Serrano ham for €18. I wanted to buy more, but feared detection by the dreaded U.S. Customs canines. I will plead innocent if caught; smoked meat is allowed, right? I’ll say the swine flew.

Nearby, I checked out the competition at the Mercado de San Miguel (Plaza de San Miguel ). Alongside the ham vendors were fresh oyster stands, beautiful organic produce and a charming bar where champagne was being poured.

By the time I finished my search for ham, it was late afternoon and I was exhausted so I gave up on the espadrilles. The umbrella purchase was easy; street vendors appear out of nowhere in the rain, as in any city, and I picked up a compact cheapie for €5.

Get more Spain travel advice:

Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Madrid

Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Barcelona

Family Travel Through Spain’s Costa del Sol

Travel Book Spotlight: MTV Spain

A couple of blocks up the street I inspected the Villa Real’s sister property, The Hotel Urban (www.derbyhotels.com). This new hotel features an eclectic mix of avant-garde architecture and design where Oriental and Egyptian works of art are prominently displayed in the public areas and guest rooms. There are totems and figures from Papua New Guinea, Chinese portraits from the 18th and 19th centuries and an extensive collection of Hindu figures from the 19th century. It’s like visiting a museum.

The hotel’s Glass Bar is a must-see for the young, rich and tobacco-addicted. Next time, I’ll try the Terraza del Urban, a rooftop bar and restaurant where the air is fresh and martinis rule.

In search of tapas, I wandered up the charming Calle Libertad to Bazaar (www.restaurantbazaar.com), a restaurant with Mediterranean decor and menu. No tapas, but a great dinner.

Last stop was Chocolateria San Gines on Pasadizo de San Gines, famous for homemade churros and thick, rich hot chocolate.
Tomorrow’s destination: London.

With jet-lagged hugs,
Sarah

By Sarah Lahey for PeterGreenberg.com. Join Suzy & Sarah on the road this spring on the “Born to Shop” trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from March 10-15, 2010, with an optional Bangkok extension. Guests will stay at the InterContinental Asiana and participate in “In the Know” shopping experiences filled with authentic local experiences and off-the-beaten path venues. For more information, contact Sarah at srlahey @ gmail.com.