Change name to secure miles Q I'm getting married in the spring and already am feeling overwhelmed by all the cards and accounts for which I'll need to change my name. Do I also need to do that for my Delta frequent-flier account?
A If you want to continue accruing miles, you do. In order to get miles for flights, the name on the ticket must correspond with the name on the Delta SkyMiles account. Remember, too, that the Transportation Security Administration requires the name on a ticket to match the name on a passenger's identification. I suggest booking any honeymoon flights with your maiden name and beginning the joyful (and, yes, daunting) task of changing your name on all cards, driver's license and otherwise, after your return.
KERRI WESTENBERG
ONLINE PLANNING
Kayak adds hotel bookingsInternet users can now book hotel rooms directly through Kayak.com instead of having to click over to Hotels.com, Orbitz or other sites. The feature, which is being rolled out slowly, will be fully released on the Kayak site and iPhone application "in the coming weeks," the company says. "Our users value that we give them choices on where to book, though some people would prefer to complete their purchases without leaving Kayak," said Steve Hafner, Kayak's CEO.
WASHINGTON POST
TRAVEL TRENDS
A kids-free vacation?Family vacations are back, but some travelers would prefer to leave the kids at home. The travel website TripAdvisor found that 83 percent of U.S. travelers surveyed said they planned to take a least one family vacation this year. That's up from 79 percent in 2010. But in the survey of 1,600 travelers, 43 percent of those with children admitted they would often prefer to take vacations without the kids.
LOS ANGELES TIMES
U.S. TOURISM
Japan crisis to hurt U.S.The U.S. travel industry, still suffering from the economic downturn, is likely to take another hit in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. While Japanese tourism to the country has been declining steadily for years, it was still the fourth-largest source of international visitors in 2009, the latest year for which complete data are available, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Just more than 2.9 million Japanese travelers came to the United States that year, down 10 percent from 2008, spending about $13 billion on airfare, hotels, car rentals and so on -- or about $4,400 per person. Hawaii was the single most popular destination, with 1.2 million. California received 462,000 and New York City about 220,000.
