Eye on Travel — The Pierside Hotel in Santa Monica, California — April 11, 2026
Peter Greenberg reports from the Pierside Hotel in Santa Monica, using the iconic Route 66 endpoint as a backdrop to discuss the cascading fallout from the Iran conflict on global travel. He highlights soaring fuel costs, airline ticket and baggage fee hikes, and the potential removal of Customs officers from major U.S. airports, which could cripple international arrivals. Greenberg then shifts to airline safety, critiquing the FAA’s conflicted dual mandate and citing recent incidents like the LaGuardia collision and historic disasters tied to FAA oversight. He brings in aviation expert Mike Boyd to underscore the need for systemic reform.
Foreign Transaction Fees: When You Least Expect Them
Credit‑card users may incur foreign transaction fees even on purchases made in the United States when the merchant is incorporated abroad. Cruise lines, many of which are registered overseas, routinely apply the fee to onboard purchases, and the same rule...
Hotel Check-In: Why Your Card May Get Blocked
Hotels routinely place a pre‑authorization hold on the credit or debit card presented at check‑in, often up to twice the nightly rate. For Visa, Mastercard or Discover, the hold can consume the entire credit limit, leading to declined future purchases....
River Cruising Through the Danube River
The MS Riviera Radiance’s Danube itinerary showcases the river’s blend of historic cities, cultural landmarks, and evolving geopolitical landscape. Travelers glide past Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade while experiencing upscale amenities that cater to affluent tourists. The report highlights a surge in European...
A Simple Trick to Avoid the Middle Seat
Travelers often dread being stuck in the middle seat, especially when flying with a partner or family member. Peter Greenberg suggests a two‑step trick: flip a coin to decide who gets the window, then reserve both the window and aisle...
HIDDEN HONG KONG: Where to Stream It
Peter Greenberg’s new series "Hidden Hong Kong" is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. The eight‑episode documentary explores Hong Kong’s more than 237 islands, juxtaposing ancient temples with futuristic skyscrapers. It aims to reveal the city’s lesser‑known cultural...
Hidden Gems of Manchester
Manchester, once the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, has reinvented itself as a cultural and creative hub. The city now draws tourists with its Roman ruins, historic canals, vibrant music scene, sports venues, and a thriving independent retail and culinary...
Eye on Travel — Terranea Resort — March 28, 2026
In this brief episode, veteran travel journalist Peter Greenberg reports from the Terranea Resort in California, reflecting on its history as the former Marineland site and segueing into a deep dive on recent aviation safety crises, notably the LaGuardia runway...
Cruise Disruptions: What You Need to Know About Your Rights
The article outlines that cruise lines can cancel or substitute itinerary ports at their discretion, often citing weather or operational issues. Travelers receive no automatic refunds for missed ports, private shore excursions, or flights that cause them to miss the...
The Future of Free Hotel Breakfasts
Free hot breakfasts, once a staple at budget hotels, are under pressure from rising labor and food costs. Major chains such as Marriott are shifting to paid buffet models, while Holiday Inn splits its approach: full‑service hotels charge, but Holiday Inn Express retains...
Beware of Basic Economy Fares
Travelers chasing the lowest online fare often encounter basic economy tickets that appear cheap but come with significant restrictions. These fares typically exclude seat selection, limit baggage, offer no refunds, and may forfeit frequent‑flyer mileage accrual. For roughly $30 more...
What to Do When You Have Been Downgraded on a Flight
Travelers who purchased economy‑plus or business‑class tickets can be downgraded when flights are oversold or a smaller aircraft is deployed. Airlines usually calculate refunds based on the price of a full‑fare refundable coach ticket, which often results in a modest...
Eye on Travel — Monaco — March 7, 2026
In this episode of Eye on Travel, Peter Greenberg reports from the Forbes Travel Guide Global Summit in Monaco, covering the fallout from the Middle‑East airspace closures after the U.S.–Israel strike on Iran and the resulting evacuation challenges, as well...
Student Airline Discounts: Do They Really Exist?
Student airline discounts have largely vanished, with major carriers such as Southwest, Delta and JetBlue offering no dedicated student fares. United remains the sole airline advertising a student discount, providing a modest 5% reduction on basic‑economy tickets. Accessing United's discount...
Airline Lounge Overcrowding
Airline lounges are experiencing severe overcrowding as credit‑card issuers oversell access, diluting the premium experience. Capital One now charges $45 per guest and has removed complimentary guest slots, while American Express restricts guests to those on the same flight. The surge...