Just booked the above on this overcast Sunday morning. It's certainly a long overdue trip as reciprocation for all of the visits Tana has made to the Tampa Bay area and we're thrilled to finally travel to see her for a change.

The $115 ($134.90 all in) one-way fare finally reopened on Continental when I looked this morning and the American Advantage rewards booking for Friday was available for 12,500 miles and $2.50. So, all in all, pretty inexpensive trip for Texas standards.

ATLANTA - Attention coach passengers. The free hamburgers and sandwich rolls that Continental Airlines used to boast about, while rivals passed out tiny bags of pretzels, won't be free for many of you come this fall.

Continental plans to launch a food-for-sale program that mirrors what other carriers are already doing.

A spokesman said Monday that the airline, based in Houston, expects a $35 million annual benefit, from cost savings and added revenue.
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Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines are among carriers that already charge for food on flights.

Continental passengers on some international routes, on domestic flights over six hours and those who sit in first or business class on routes worldwide will continue to get free food. Snacks like pretzels and nonalcoholic drinks will still be free for all.

The changes take effect in the fall. Menu choices and prices will be disclosed later.

Air travelers have seen a steady erosion of amenities included in the price of their ticket over the last two years or so, from checked bags to pillows and blankets on board. Airlines call it unbundling the product, allowing them to offer lower base fares and only charge extra for people who want more. But with so many add-on fees these days, a traveler could end up paying more when everything is added together than what they previously paid for an all-inclusive ticket.

Some travelers have been packing lighter or carrying more on board flights to avoid checked bag fees. Likewise, some bring their own food on flights to avoid paying for meals.

Continental, which has about 900 daily mainline flights, said its food-for-sale program is about offering passengers more choices.

Currently, Continental flights lasting less than two hours usually have a free beverage service with a small snack like pretzels. Flights of two to three hours offer a small sandwich roll, or a muffin in the morning. Flights over three hours currently offer a free hot sandwich or other hot meal, or cereal in the morning.

In one of its past commercials, Continental said other airlines' meals have become pie in the sky, while it was still proud to serve complimentary meals.

"While free food was a nice point of distinction for Continental, we could not provide the same caliber of food on that basis that we can under a food-for-sale program," spokesman Dave Messing said.

Too bad. Although I seldom, if every, took advantage of the economy meals (vegetarian options on domestic flights were never offered) it's still a sad day to see Continental fall into line with the other U.S. carriers.

I suppose if there was an associated reduction in airfares this would be easier to accept. Somehow, especially after Continental just announced they would begin selling "more legroom", I don't expect to see any fare reduction.

What do you think? Will you miss the complimentary meals?

Having just mailed off for my Brazil visa last Thursday (March 4) I certainly didn't expect to see it sitting by the front door when I pulled into the driveway this afternoon. If only U.S. government agencies moved so quickly and effectively.

Another great surprise awaited me when I scanned the visa itself. Turns out it's good for multiple entries for the next five years. Who's paying a visit to the Amazon?!

Thursday brought to a close my very time-consuming and expensive experience with (hopefully) obtaining a Brazilian tourist visa for my impending trip in May. Up until this trip, even considering the extent of countries visited, I've yet had the need to actually apply for a paper visa as the vast majority of countries issue paperless visas at point of entry. A simple quick-over at the immigration desk at the airport, a stamp, and you're on your way. Not so as far as Brazil is concerned.

Although not required for the visa itself, unless one has visited a location within the Yellow Fever belt within the ninety days preceding your entry into Brazil, a trip to the St. Petersburg Center of the Pinellas County Health Dept. resulted in a quick vaccination for the virus and an international Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate. Since we're planning on visiting the magnificent Iguazu Falls, which do lie within the Yellow Fever belt inside of Brazil, I felt compelled to play it safe. Hundreds of misting waterfalls nestled snugly within dense vegetation all swathed in tropical heat, well, just sorta sounds like the place you might find a mosquito or two, the carriers of the fever. Thus, Wednesday afternoon was spent.

A day earlier, when I drove cross county to the Clearwater branch of the health department to obtain the Yellow Fever vaccination and subsequently found out that only the office in St. Petersburg offered it, I also made a stop at AAA for needed visa photo. The Consulate General of Brazil maintains that one must only display a "neutral" facial expression for the visa photo and a litany of other requirements must be met or the entire visa application will be rejected. So, without smiles, frowns, or any other recognizable emotional state I was on my way with photo in hand.

The better part of Wednesday evening was spent organizing and completing the visa paperwork and gathering the documents I would need to mail to the embassy: Passport, printout of the electronically filed "Electronic Visa Application Form" with visa photo glued (not stapled, only glued), and copy of Florida drivers license indicating residency within the jurisdiction of the Brazilian consulate in Miami.

An hour and a half of late Thursday afternoon was spent in the United States Post Office. Not only is the Brazilian Consulate very specific about documents being sent but they are also specific about how they are sent and how they are returned. After a $150.00 USPS money order was obtained ($130.00 for the visa itself, and, of course, a $20.00 handling fee since I was applying by mail versus in person), I also purchased two USPS Express Mail envelopes and enough postage to cover the mailing from the embassy in Miami back to me. ($15.90 x 2 = $31.80).

With everything signed, organized, and included, the package left Tampa Thursday and arrived at the consulate just before noon on Friday. Now, according to the consulates website, they have ten days to process the application and then return.

Here's hoping everything runs smooth.

Given recent news reports that U.S. airline companies are starting to see the initial edge of a recovery and statements within the industry of possible mergers, as well as a noted increase in airline fares by my own research, well, you simply have to jump at the good deals when you come across them.

Travis found a nice fare from TPA to HNL for a long weekend trip and we booked at $655.41, all in.

Four full days, Wednesday late afternoon/evening, and Monday morning is a good bit of time for the cost of the ticket. As we arrive back from Brazil less than two weeks earlier, on May 13th, this will have to be considered as a little rest and relaxation from that trip.

The flight also routes through LAX which means we'll be eligible for standard upgrades into first class on all flight segments. Now, lets just hope our Platinum status results in such.

Posted by ThreeCircles, March 4, 2010, 7:52 P.M.