I booked and paid for a room using Hotwire.com last weekend and then ended up paying for a second hotel room. Why? It turns out that there is a catch with the HotWire service that you should know about.

If you are not familiar with HotWire.com it is a site that sells unsold hotel rooms at a significant discount. It is similar to the better known Priceline.com. With Priceline you bid for what price you are willing to pay (which is a hassle). With HotWire they will tell you what price you can pay for a hotel that is rated a certain number of stars with particular set of amenities. Neither site tells you the name of the hotel before you pay for a pre-payed, non-refundable room. On HotWire you choose a general geographic area, decide if you need the pool at a 3 star hotel or if the 2 star hotel with free internet is what you want.

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Popularity: 65% [?]

According to a story in the USA Today you may soon get to choose which security line you use at the airport depending on how fast you will get through. Pack lighter and you can choose a faster line.

Salt Lake City International Airport is trying to get travelers through security checkpoints faster.
Travelers are being divided into three groups, depending on the number of carry-on bags, whether they’re with kids and other factors.

The head of the Transportation Security Administration says the idea is to separate large groups or heavy packers from those who can move through the lines quickly. Kip Hawley was at the Salt Lake City airport to announce the program Friday.

Popularity: 40% [?]

When we first travelled with our friend Susan we would say something like “oh I need a band-aid” or “does anyone have a wet wipe” and out of Susan’s magic backpack would emerge the desired item. After while it felt like being on the old “Let’s Make a Deal” when Monty Hall would ask if anyone had a raw egg. Susan did her research on what to pack (always including chocolate and peanut butter) on her own but some companies are trying to make this easier for travelers. So eBags for instance offers the Air Travel Essentials:

Air Travel Essentials If you are going on a trip by plane, you are going to want to have some necessary supplies for where you’re headed. The “Air Travel Essentials Kit” comes packaged in a thick clear slide-closing vinyl bag.

• 1 Survivor Industries® - Travel Safe First Aid Kit
• 1 Purell® Hand Sanitizer with Aloe
• 2 Shout® Wipes Stain Treater Towelette
• 1 Charmin To Go® Toilet Seat Covers
• 1 Charmin To Go® Bathroom Tissue
• 1 Jaraze® Sewing Kit
• 1 Kleenex® Tissues Pocket Pack
• 1 Gearaid® Mini Rolls Duct Tape (2 rolls)
• 1 BioZide® Disinfectant/Deodorant Pump Spray
• 2 Dramamine® Chewable Formula
• 1 Generic Poncho
• 1 Generic Small Flashlight

Raw egg not included.

Popularity: 50% [?]

Popularity: 10% [?]