Travel news found its way to the front page more than ever in the past decade. From terrorist attacks involving planes to Internet innovations like online auctions and fare trackers, the years from 2000-2009, the travel industry was involved in a lot of lead stories. Many of these developments radically changed the way we travel. Here is a top 10 list of the decade's biggest travel news stories -- both good and bad -- that grabbed the attention of budget travelers.
The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 changed the way the world travels. Every air traveler routinely allows far more time and
packs with airport security in mind. We now pay attention to how many ounces of shampoo is in our carry-ons and instinctively remove our shoes at checkpoints. In addition to spending more time in airport lines, the new security also had an impact on ticket fees. But the logistical challenges usually get the most attention from budget travelers. Airport security was the biggest travel story of the decade, and its impact will be felt for years to come.
With major carriers filing for bankruptcy protection, desperate attempts to create new revenue streams led to a smorgasbord of
new fees from airlines. The most widespread and costly involve fees for checked baggage. But fees also popped up for previously complimentary meals, movies and even pillows. Budget travelers found ways to avoid the new charges. Many strive for one-bag travel with carry-on luggage. Some even pack their own snacks and drinks for the flights.
Once unthinkable, many travelers now skip trains in favor of the
budget airlines in Europe. On many flights, the taxes and fees amount to more than the airfare itself. But budget airlines grew rapidly in other parts of the world, too. U.S. budget carriers such as Southwest topped customer satisfaction surveys and provided the opportunity to fly at the last minute or on a refundable fare without huge financial penalties. Budget carriers sold one-way fares and simplified boarding procedures, too.
Cash-strapped airlines cut flights and offered fewer reward seats. So the 50,000 frequent flier miles someone saved for three years so they could afford a big trip suddenly became a source of frustration. Airlines began offering
multi-tier redemption options for travelers who were willing to double the mileage price of a seat.
Priceline.com's "name your own price" opportunities allowed travelers to snag deeply discounted hotel rooms, car rentals and flights. Those booking something more than a place to sleep for the night sometimes encountered disappointments, but the cost savings over rack rates on hotel rooms blunted some of the complaints and led to repeat customers. Budget travelers
learned how to use Priceline properly. Hotwire.com also achieved widespread success with a model that, like Priceline, asked travelers to bid on location and star-rating without knowing the name of the actual property. Other online auctions arrived and departed, but budget travelers remain intrigued by the bidding game.
Many budget travelers are also busy people, and they don't have hours to spend on the Internet in search of available frequent flier award tickets or the lowest airfare. Improvements in tracking software for such tasks led to new
online services such as Yapta.com, which enables travelers to tag a given route and receive email notification when the airfare changes or additional rewards bookings become available. Services such as
Kayak and TripAdvisor compiled thousands of traveler reviews for attractions and hotels. Some of the amateur reviews proved unfair and inaccurate, and budget travelers learned to be cautious about attaching too much significance to a glowing or condemning reviews.
When the decade opened, savvy budget travelers were seeking out air courier assignments. Companies needing overseas deliveries would employ a courier company that in turn would offer to heavily subsidize the trip in exchange for use of the traveler's baggage allotment. The theory--very valid at the time--was that passenger baggage made it through customs much more quickly than many cargo shipments. But throughout the decade, air cargo companies spent huge sums to make their fleets more efficient. Discount airfare options that came with no baggage allotment restrictions often proved cheaper and more popular than the
dwindling air courier options.
Prior to the September 11 travel challenges, cruise lines committed to building huge ships. But declines in travel after 9/11 resulted in many unsold cabins. Cruise lines were forced to discount, and they attempted to make up the lost money in other ways. They began offering
overpriced shore excursions and ramping up charges for alcoholic beverages and shipboard photographic services. But the disciplined budget traveler who learns to avoid those pitfalls can
find a wide array of discounted cruises.
Online booking is a great convenience for travelers, but it also provides new opportunities for unscrupulous "tour operators" looking to take the money and run. Since travel is a product for which people often pay in full prior to delivery, and because anyone with a fax machine and a Web site can appear to be a legitimate travel business, complaints and rip-offs increased with the overall popularity of online travel shopping. Smart budget travelers learned
a few simple scam precautions to avoid becoming victims.
Rising gasoline prices made consumers far more aware of fuel economy. Hybrid cars, carpooling and better car care were the results, but others
found ways to conserve or took trips that did not involve paying at the pump: some opted for trains or big-city visits that utilized public transportation. Others stayed closer to home and explored the riches of their home areas.
