travel agency by city

Kelly Marchand

913-620-3614

[email protected]

Laura Richardson

913-777-8511

[email protected]

Explore Europe with the one you love!

We are thinking of you! We are open and booking travel for 2023 - 2024 including holiday and winter travel.

Please reach out to us for great deals already being offered by airlines and resorts.

Making Magical Memories Since 1988

The world is constantly changing making travel more complicated than ever.

Save your time, money, and make your travel plans stress free with Destinations by Kelly. We are a premier travel consultant agency located in the Kansas City area. With access to the best tour packages and exclusive events, we’ll plan your perfect vacation!

Whether the problem is getting there, getting in or getting out, Destinations by Kelly will get you where you want to go.

Over 30 years of travel planning experience!

Available 24/7, even in destination!

We plan it all.

Family All-Inclusive Vacations

Meetings & incentive travel, group &  celebrations, destination  weddings, don't just take our word for it....

Share the love and leave a review on Google!

Vacation envy starts here

Featured in, next-level travel powered by tech and the human touch.

Our travel advisors have the tools, insights & connections to build your dream vacation. Get VIP recommendations & perks, a seamless booking experience — and maybe a cool new friend along the way.

Destinations near and far, we do it all

Buzzing cities, tropical islands, remote escapes and everything in between. Our first-hand intel and insider expertise covers the globe.

Designed for every type of traveler

... whether you're planning a bucket list adventure, family reunion, solo trip or weekend away. If it's on your list, we book it.

Travel like a VIP with our partners

Unlock perks and upgrades at thousands of hotels around the world — including Four Seasons, Andaz, Kimpton and more — at no extra cost.

Hotels with Perks

Villa Partners

Cruise Lines

Experiences

All-Inclusives

Local Partners

Featured hotels

Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection

This serene casita resort features bird-song-filled acres of untamed tropical forest, a coffee farm, equine stables, organic chef’s gardens and a wellbeing center.

$100 hotel credit.

Breakfast daily.

Extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Chablé Yucatán

This luxury Mexico resort was founded on the basis of Mayan well-being, and offers thoughtful immersion into the country’s vibrant culture.

$100 hotel / resort credit.

Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Domaine de Fontenille

This restored 18th-century home sits amid an organic garden and 17th-century vineyard in Luberon, an idyllic hilltop region in Provence.

Complimentary experience.

Welcome note & amenities.

One-way airport transfer.

Why We're Different

Customized travel planning for your style, expert advice from people who've actually been there, free upgrades, spa credits and more — we got you, relax, you're in good hands.

Fora Advisor Christina P.

Christina was extremely thorough throughout the process. She handled everything every step of the way. Honestly, it felt like she was right by my side throughout the entire trip. I could not have experienced this trip without her.

Booked travel to Illinois with Christina P.

Fora Advisor Katrina F.

Katrina was incredible every step of the way. She helped us tighten up our itinerary and made great recommendations for hotels and restaurants that worked really well for our family. I would highly recommend anyone thinking about how to make their trip perfect go straight to Katrina.

Booked travel to California with Katrina F.

Fora Advisor Melissa F.

I was impressed by the high level of professionalism in planning and organizing my trip to NYC. Attention to detail and genuine care for my particular interests - great restaurants and seeing the best of the city - were evident in every step of the planning. I highly recommend Melissa!

Booked travel to New York City with Melissa F.

Fora Advisor Thomas S.

Thomas was amazing. He got us a free room upgrade, free breakfasts for 5 days (an ~$270 value), a $50 room credit, early checkin, late checkout and more. I am referring him to all of my friends who like to travel in style.

Booked travel to Washington DC with Thomas S.

Fora Advisor Sequoia A.

Managed expectations and helped deliver the experience I was looking for. Kind and professional. Facilitated everything so I could fully enjoy myself without worry or any kind of stress arranging my stay.

Booked travel to Mexico with Sequoia A.

Fora Advisor Jill M.

Jill is amazing - so professional and goes above and beyond to accommodate her clients and their particular requests and booking preferences. She always find exactly what we need and want! Highly recommend.

Booked travel to Portugal with Jill M.

Looking for travel inspiration?

Are you the go-to person for travel tips.

Turn it into a dream job. We'll show you the ropes and make you look great. Work from anywhere, flexible or full-time — the best gig you didn't know existed.

What travelers say about our advisors

Still have questions, what is a travel agency.

A travel agency supports a team of travel advisors who sell, curate and book travel. Travel advisors consult with clients on where to go, what to do and where to stay. In addition to planning and booking trips, advisors communicate with hotels and other partners (tour companies, cruises, etc.) to ensure each trip goes smoothly.

What is the difference between a travel advisor and a travel agent?

The terms travel agent and travel advisor are used interchangeably. The original term was ‘travel agent,’ but the industry has gone through a bit of a rebrand to showcase the breadth of work that a travel advisor does. We use both, but typically refer to our network of travel advisors simply as Fora Advisors.  

Fora Advisors (a.k.a. travel advisors / agents) work with clients to understand their travel needs and handle all the travel arrangements, from booking a hotel for a long weekend to planning a honeymoon to securing a room block for a corporate conference.

What are the benefits of working with a travel agent?

Working with a travel agent helps you level up your travel experience. A travel agent handles all the logistics — on-the-ground transfers, hotel and tour bookings, itinerary planning — so you can get the most out of your trip, without any of the stress. 

Plus, our Fora travel agents have insider access to over 5,000 preferred partnerships, meaning you get complimentary perks, priority upgrades and so much more at thousands of locations around the globe. We put serious time and airline mileage into visiting these properties in person so we can give you the up-to-date intel on your destination. We also maintain close relationships with hotel management so you’re treated like the VIP you are from the moment you arrive.

In other words, working with a travel agent unlocks a secret travel world you need to be a part of. But don’t just take our word for it… we have tons of 5-star reviews from happy clients.

Will I get perks & benefits when I work with a Fora Advisor?

Yes — big time. Our travel advisors have access to upgrades & perks at over 5,000 partners around the world. Plus, our partnerships with brands like Virtuoso , Four Seasons , Rosewood and beyond — as well as with smaller, independent boutique hotels — ensure you get treated like a VIP wherever you travel to next.

What types of travel can I book with Fora?

You name it, we book it: resort vacations, safaris , city breaks, vacation home rentals, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, weekend escapes…We do it all.

Do Fora Advisors count as Disney travel agents? What about cruise travel agents?

Absolutely. We provide comprehensive training on just about everything in the travel industry, so our advisors are well equipped to curate any client’s dream trip. (Read more about the benefits of booking with a cruise travel agent .)

I’m planning a group trip. Can Fora Advisors help?

Of course! The more the merrier. Whether you’re organizing a family reunion, honeymoon , bachelorette party or company-wide retreat, we’re happy to help. Just get in touch with your Fora Advisor to begin the process.

How do I make the most of my experience when planning a trip with Fora?

Tell us everything. Let us know if you love golf, must have access to a kids’ club or have a soft spot for off-the-beaten-path travel . Serious allergies or dietary restrictions are also very helpful information to share. That way, we’ll only show you options that fit your wants and needs. We also love to hear about your favorite hotels and trips you’ve enjoyed in the past, because that clues us in to your travel style.

If you’ve never worked with a travel advisor before, get our guide on what to expect when booking with a travel agent .

Wait, I kind of want to be a Fora Advisor myself. How can I join?

We love to hear it! We have a guide on how to become a travel agent . Then, when you’re interested in transforming your passion for travel into a meaningful career, apply to become a Fora Advisor today . 

Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

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Midwest and North Texas Winter Weather - Update - Travel Notice Exception Policy

Affected Airports - City , State Association:

• Akron Canton, OH   (CAK)
• Appleton, WI  (ATW)
• Bloomington, IL (BMI)
• Cedar Rapids, IA  (CID)
• Champaign, IL (CMI)
• Chicago O’Hare, IL  (ORD)
• Cleveland, OH (CLE)
• Columbia, MO (COU)
• Columbus, OH (CMH)
• Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
• Dayton, OH (DAY)
• Des Moines, IA  (DSM)
• Detroit Metro, MI  (DTW)
• Evansville, IN (EVV)
• Flint, MI  (FNT)
• Fort Smith, AR (FSM)
• Fort Wayne, IN (FWA)
• Garden City, KS (GCK)
• Grand Island, NE (GRI)
• Grand Rapids, MI  (GRR)
• Green Bay, WI  (GRB)
• Indianapolis, IN (IND)
• Kalamazoo, MI (AZO)
• Kansas City, MO (MCI)
• Lansing, MI  (LAN)
• Lawton, OK (LAW)
• Little Rock, AR (LIT)
• Madison, WI  (MSN)
• Manhattan, KS (MHK)
• Marquette, MI  (MQT)
• Milwaukee, WI (MKE)
• Moline/Quad City, IL (MLI)    
• Montreal, Canada (YUL)
• Northwest Arkansas National Airport, AR (XNA)
• Oklahoma City, OK (OKC)
• Omaha, NE (OMA)
• Peoria, IL (PIA)
• South Bend, IN  (SBN)
• Springfield, IL (SPI)
• Springfield, MO (SGF)
• St. Louis, Mo (STL)
• Stillwater, OK (SWO)
• Texarkana, TX (TXK)
• Toronto, Canada (YYZ)
• Traverse City, MI  (TVC)
• Tulsa, OK (TUL)
• Waterloo, IA    (ALO)
• Wausau Central Airport, WI  (CWA)
• Wichita, KS (ICT)

For complete details View

Issued: 20JAN24 

Update: January 22, 2024

• Extend Ticket Travel Dates
• Extend New Travel Date

American Airlines has implemented a special exception policy to our travel partners that is now available for our mutual customers due to the Midwest and North Texas Winter Weather. Our Travel Notice exception policies on American are also available when ticketed to/from/through on our Joint Business partners: This applies to both prime and codeshare flights as shown below:

Inventory Requirements

Lowest Inventory, Same Cabin

If original inventory is not available rebook lowest inventory available in the same ticketed cabin. As a reminder, customers that do not hold a Basic Economy fare should never be booked into B inventory.

Basic Economy -

• Must be booked in B inventory only. If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected. Advance Purchase and Ticket Change restrictions are waived.

Instant Upsell -

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for rebooking guidelines and Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com . IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

• OTHS AGENCY RETAINS CONTROL OF TKT FOR REISSUES
• OTHS INSTANT UPSELL ANCILLARY EMD ISSUED 001xxxxxxxxxx

Refer to Exceptions to Fare Rules .

Note: If customers are unable to rebook or reissue their ticket within the given timeline, they can cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket; all rules and restrictions apply. Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

Endorsement Box Requirements

• Refer to individual Travel Notice for Event Name
• Ticket Reissue required. This is the only required verbiage and supersedes all other information.

Instant Upsell (IU) tickets must use waiver code: TNADV/IU when rebooking in the Instant Upsell Inventory IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com .

Changes to Origin/Destination - Not Allowed

• Waive Change Fee
• Ticket reissue for original ticketed fare
• 300 Mile Radius is always allowed, unless otherwise stated in the notice
• Changes to origin/destination are not permitted for the travel notice
• Any changes made to origin/destination all fare rules apply

300-Mile Radius Only - Allowed

• Within same country
• For booking inventory, view Inventory Requirements

Basic Economy Short-haul fares

book in B inventory only.If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected.

Changes to Connection City

Changes to Co-Terminal

Changes to Co-terminal and MAC airports on AA Prime and AA*/Codeshare flights are allowed

• Co-terminal & MAC Airports are considered the same routing.  

Reissue Policy Information

American Airlines will waive change fees and travel agents may rebook and reissue tickets provided the below guidelines are met and applied:

• Ticket issued on the following ticket stock: AA 001, AY 105, BA 125, El053, IB 075, JL 131, QF 081
• Applies to AA*/ one world flights
• Travel has not commenced on the affected flight segment and the ticket has not been reissued by American Airlines
• The first departure flight is more than 2 hours away
• Affected coupons are in OK status
• Travel reissuance only in accordance to dates identified in the applicable Travel Notice Exception Advisory
• More than one change allowed without an additional collection, including penalty or change fee within the Travel Notice dates
• Original issuing agency responsible for ticket reissue
• Ticket Revalidation not permitted
• The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory)
• Refer to Extend Travel Rebooking after the Travel Event
• Basic Economy must be rebooked in the appropriate Basic Economy inventory
• Please ensure the above procedures are accurately followed to prevent debit memo issuance

Rebooking - Exception to Fare Rules

Exception to Fare Rules: All fare rules apply with the exception of the following:

• Advance Purchase requirement waived
• Minimum/Maximum Stay requirement waived
• Change Fee waived
• When changes to the outbound travel occur, the unaffected return date may be changed to protect the original length of the trip. The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory).

SalesLink Request

• Rebook flights in compliance with Travel Notice Exception Policy
• Log-in to SalesLink at www.saleslink.aa.com
• Request Type: select 'Service'
• Input AA PNR
• Waiver Type: select 'Travel Notice'
• Travel Notice: select applicable Travel Notice event name
• Select 'Next' - and complete request
• Verify: SalesLink approval remarks in PNR
• New Ticket Endorsement Box: Enter event name only
• Ticket Reissue required

Endorsement Box requirement: 20JAN24A or the exchange will be subject to a debit memo

Extend Travel Rebooking Guidelines

If customers are unable to rebook within the New Travel Dates, may reschedule their reservation to/from the same city or alternate cities and reissue their ticket with the below guidelines:

• Cancel their itinerary and apply the value of the original ticket towards the purchase of a new ticket for travel commencing within 1 year from the date of original issuance
• Change fee only is waived as long as the original ticket is reissued within ticket validity and the impact dates are in accordance with those identified in the Travel Notice
• Basic Economy fares may only be used towards the purchase of other Basic Economy fares.
• Residual MCO's are not allowed when using the TNADVE waiver code for reissue.
• Extend Travel Rebooking does not apply to tickets in conjunction with Instant Upsell (IU)

Refund Policy Information

When the flight is cancelled or the length of delay is 91+ minutes , travel agents may refund ticket(s) through normal GDS/ARC/BSP processing. Refer to our Schedule Irregularity policy for delays 90 minutes or less.

• Refund To Original Form Of Payment - All penalties/fees waived
• Non-Refundable Fare
• Refundable Fare with cancellation Fee
• Basic Economy Fare
• Bulk/Opaque Fare

Note: If the ticket has been exchanged by American as an INVOL submit the refund request directly with American. Refer to American Airlines Refunds .

When the flight is not cancelled or the length of delay is 90 minutes or less , a refund does not apply:

• If customer elects to cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket outside the Travel Notice dates; may use Extend Travel Rebooking or may hold ticket for future travel; all rules and restrictions apply.
• Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

En route/Diversion

• Connecting customers' en route to one of the above-listed destinations or whose flights are diverted will have the option to return to their original departure city and rebook travel to alternate future dates.
• Customers should work directly with the airport to obtain a boarding pass for return travel to their original departure city. If the customer wishes to rebook travel to alternate future dates, please contact American Airlines Reservations for assistance. Alternatively, they may receive a refund if re-accommodation options are unacceptable.
• If a ticket has already been reissued by American Airlines or the ticket is partially used, travel agents must submit the refund request online at https://prefunds.aa.com/refunds/

American Airlines will continue to monitor this Travel Notice Exception Advisory and adjust this policy if needed. Changes will be posted on AA.com and www.saleslink.aa.com reference. Please check these sources frequently for the most up to date information.

• www.saleslink.aa.com Reference: Select Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines
• Visit www.saleslink.aa.com and navigate to AA News and Offers to view current travel notices.
• Contact your Sales Support Center 800-621-8489 or American Airlines Reservations 800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or for Reservations outside the U.S. and Canada, please see our Worldwide Reservations Numbers American Airlines encourages all customers to check flight and gate status prior to leaving for the airport. For complete travel information, visit AA.com .
• Group reservations must be changed by AA Group & Meeting Travel
• Information contained on this web site is subject to change at any time without notice. American Airlines shall not be liable for any consequences resulting from your reliance on the information.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

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Do I need travel insurance for my summer vacation? It's complicated.

• Travel insurance can be complicated, but it's worth it if you have travel expenses that insurance would cover.
• You might not need travel insurance if you're taking a driving vacation and staying in a place where lodging is free.
• If you're leaving the country, you'll likely need travel insurance.

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If you're planning to travel somewhere this summer, you're probably thinking of buying travel insurance.

Kingsley Hopkins is. He's headed to Portugal and Iceland with his girlfriend, and he wants to make sure he's covered for things like medical emergencies or trip disruptions, "or if a volcano erupts," he said.

Check out   Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

But getting the right travel insurance can be complicated. There's no one-size-fits-all policy, and Hopkins, an assistant editor at a book publishing company in New York, has been spending a lot of time thinking about how to protect his summer vacation.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Chances are, so have you.

Why finding the right travel insurance is so hard

Most surveys suggest this will be a record summer for travel. How much of a record? Demand is so high that some airlines are afraid they will run out of planes. Now that's busy.

At the same time, danger and uncertainty are lurking everywhere – wars in Europe and the Middle East, the usual slate of natural disasters like hurricanes and maybe a volcano or two. It's no wonder people are giving some serious thought to insurance. 

Older travelers are particularly worried. And they should be, said PK Rao, CEO of INF Visitor Care . Claims by travelers over age 50 spike during the summer months.

Warning: American tourists are being profiled. Don't be one of them.

Try this pro trick for an affordable and stress-free summer vacation

"According to our claim data, medical emergencies tend to uptick during the summer, especially for those going on trips that involve outdoor activities," he said.

But there are so many choices out there, including credit card coverage, medical evacuation membership programs and stand-alone travel insurance. What should you get?

You need peace of mind 

But don't just reflexively start shopping for a travel insurance policy this summer. Instead, look for peace of mind – knowing that if something goes wrong, you'll be taken care of.

"Knowing you're protected from unforeseen travel mishaps – like delays, lost baggage and even medical emergencies – can make the trip that much more enjoyable,” said Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Partners USA .

As it turns out, there are several ways to get the peace of mind you need. And there are times when you can safely skip travel insurance.

This is when you don't need insurance

Here's when you can skip travel insurance, according to experts:

◾ If you already have coverage. "You may already have travel coverage through your benefits at work, your credit card, or through group benefits with an organization," said Jiten Puri, CEO of PolicyAdvisor.com. If you do, there's no need to buy more coverage. You're all set.

◾ If you're not traveling far. If you're taking a driving vacation and staying in a place where lodging is free, like a relative's sofa, then there's not much to insure. "If you already have health insurance, it may cover you for a domestic trip, so you don't need to think about health insurance coverage," said Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

◾ If your trip isn't insurable. Traditional travel insurance covers conventional trips with prepaid, nonrefundable components like airline tickets and hotel stays. You might find that you either already have coverage through your medical insurance, or the trip is essentially uninsurable.

So think twice before saying "yes" to optional travel insurance that your online travel agency may offer you when you're booking a trip. You might not need it.

Here's when you need travel insurance

But most travelers should consider some kind of travel insurance coverage this summer. Here's when you need the extra coverage:

◾ If you have travel expenses that insurance would cover. "If you have many prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, it's best to take out travel insurance," said Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye Travel Insurance ."This includes things like flights, hotel rooms, tickets and activities." The more conventional your vacation, the likelier travel insurance is to cover almost every aspect of your summer vacation.

◾ If you're leaving the country. "Your regular medical insurance might not extend coverage beyond your home borders," said John Rose, chief risk and security officer at ALTOUR . Also, many countries require travel insurance for entrance. They include Bermuda, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and some European countries.

◾ If you can't afford to lose your trip. "When considering travel insurance for your summer trip, evaluate whether you can afford to lose your vacation investment due to unforeseen circumstances like illness, weather disruptions, or emergencies," explained Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA). "Can you afford the financial risk if you miss your cruise departure because of covered flight delays? What if you have to cut your trip short because of illness?"  

One of the most common mistakes travelers make is assuming their credit card will cover them. For example, I found that my credit card only covered my rental car as secondary insurance, which made it completely useless when I rented a car in Tampa recently. I had to buy a standalone policy from Allianz to cover the vehicle.

Should you repeat your vacation? Let's settle this once and for all.

Junk fees: Travelers are drowning in junk fees during the summer of surcharges

How one traveler insured his summer vacation

So, how did Hopkins handle his travel insurance needs? Well, as I mentioned – it's complicated.

Hopkins said he always buys some travel insurance before he takes a trip, "but how much, and what I cover, varies," he explained.

He decided that his path to peace of mind in this case was to spend a few extra dollars: He made fully refundable flight and hotel reservations, just in case something went wrong. That would eliminate a lengthy claim with his travel insurance company or credit card.

But he still needed at least $50,000 in medical coverage with emergency evacuation because of his active schedule.

"We’re going to be doing a lot of hiking in Iceland," he said. "And you just never know." 

At the beginning of the year, he decided to buy an annual Medjet Horizon plan, a membership that would get him from a hospital in Portugal or Iceland to a hospital at home, in case something happened. 

For insurance, Hopkins checked TravelInsurance.com to find an affordable travel insurance policy. He found coverage through Trawick International that pays up to $50,000 in medical expenses and up to $200,000 for an evacuation.

"I’ve heard good things about them," he said. "Hopefully, we won’t need any of it."

How do I insure my trips?

I'm on the road about 360 days a year, so I'm always thinking about peace of mind. I currently use a Wells Fargo credit card with lots of travel benefits, and I have long-term policies through Faye and Cigna, which have worked fairly well. I also am a long-time Medjet Horizon member. If I rent a car, I turn to Allianz for my primary coverage.

I know – that's a lot of peace of mind. 

But I've also run into trouble and had to use many of those benefits. Medjet got me back home during the pandemic. Cigna covered me after a serious ski accident in Switzerland. My old Allianz policy took care of my medical expenses when I had to see a doctor in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a few years ago.

Like I always say, when it comes to having enough insurance, better safe than sorry.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Air travel is getting worse. That’s what passengers are telling the US government

Holiday travelers wait for their luggage after arriving at Salt Lake City International Airport Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Travelers walk through Miami International Airport, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Air travel got more miserable last year, if the number of consumer complaints filed with the U.S. government is any measure.

The Transportation Department said Friday that it received nearly 97,000 complaints in 2023, up from about 86,000 the year before. The department said there were so many complaints that it took until July to sort through the filings and compile the figures.

That’s the highest number of consumer complaints about airlines since 2020, when airlines were slow to give customers refunds after the coronavirus pandemic shut down air travel.

The increase in complaints came even as airlines canceled far fewer U.S. flights — 116,700, or 1.2% of the total, last year, compared with about 210,500, or 2.3%, in 2022 , according to FlightAware data. However, delays remained stubbornly high last year, at around 21% of all flights.

So far this year, cancellations remain relatively low — about 1.3% of all flights — but delays are still running around 21%.

More than two-thirds of all complaints last year dealt with U.S. airlines , but a quarter covered foreign airlines. Most of the rest were about travel agents and tour operators.

Complaints about treating passengers with disabilities rose by more than one-fourth compared with 2022. Complaints of discrimination, while small in number, also rose sharply. Most were about race or national origin.

The Transportation Department said the increase in complaints was partly the result of more consumers knowing about their rights and the ability to file a complaint. The department said it helped Southwest Airlines customers get more than $600 million in refunds and reimbursements after the carrier canceled nearly 17,000 flights during December 2022. Southwest also paid a $35 million fine .

Airlines receive many more complaints from travelers who don’t know how or don’t bother to complain to the government, but the carriers don’t release those numbers.

The Transportation Department is modernizing its complaint-taking system, which the agency says will help it do a better job overseeing the airline industry. However, the department now releases complaint numbers many months late. It did not issue figures for the second half of 2023 until Friday.

The Transportation Department’s online complaint form is at https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint

NHL free agency 2024 live updates: Stamkos, Skjei, Marchessault headed to Nashville, latest rankings, deals, trades

What to know about NHL free agency

With the NHL Draft just in the rearview mirror, our attention quickly shifts to free agency. At noon ET today, unrestricted free agents are free to sign a new contract, whether with their old team or a new one.

Sam Reinhart and Jake Guentzel were Nos. 1 and 2 on The Athletic 's best free agents list, but Reinhart agreed to an eight-year deal to remain with the Florida Panthers, and the Tampa Bay Lightning swooped in on Guentzel on Sunday, trading for his rights and signing him to a seven-year contract .

Steven Stamkos (No. 3), Brady Skjei (No. 5) and Jonathan Marchessault (No. 7) all agreed to terms with the Nashville Predators .

Elias Lindholm (No. 4) is signing with the Boston Bruins and Brandon Montour (No. 6) with the Seattle Kraken .

NHL free-agent big board: Where all the top targets are landing on July 1 and who’s still available

Senators, Shane Pinto agree to 2-year deal

The Ottawa Senators and restricted free agent Shane Pinto reached a two-year deal that carries a $3.75 million average annual value, the team announced Tuesday.

Pinto will receive $2.5 million this season and $5 million in 2025-26.

Pinto was handed a 41-game suspension in October after an NHL investigation determined he engaged in “activities related to sports wagering.” Pinto was allowed to rejoin the Senators at the end of January, and the team missed the playoffs with a 37-41-4 record.

Senators, Shane Pinto agree to 2-year, $7.5 million contract

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Blues sign Pavel Buchnevich to 6-year extension

The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Pavel Buchnevich to a six-year, $48 million contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.

Buchnevich, 29, has one year remaining on his current contract. The new deal, carrying an $8 million average annual value, takes him through the 2031-32 season.

Blues sign Pavel Buchnevich to 6-year, $48 million contract extension

Blues acquire Radek Faksa, Mathieu Joseph

The St. Louis Blues have made a pair of trades, acquiring center Radek Faksa from the Dallas Stars and right winger Mathieu Joseph from the Ottawa Senators, the team announced Tuesday.

The Blues are giving up no players or assets in the deals, providing the Stars and the Senators with “future considerations.” In the trade for Joseph, St. Louis is receiving a 2025 third-round pick. There was no salary retention in either transaction, according to a team source.

Blues acquire Radek Faksa, Mathieu Joseph for future considerations from Stars, Senators

Lightning extend Victor Hedman on 4-year deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defensive stalwart Victor Hedman to a four-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $8 million, the team announced Tuesday.

The deal keeps Hedman, 33, in Tampa Bay, the only NHL home he’s ever known, through 2028-29. It comes on the heels of former 34-year-old captain Steven Stamkos’ signing with the Nashville Predators on Monday.

Lightning extend Victor Hedman on 4-year deal carrying $8 million AAV

Penguins sign Sebastian Aho to 2-year deal

The Penguins continued to make small moves Tuesday. The latest: adding defenseman Sebastian Aho on a two-year deal at $775,000, the team announced.

This continues a tend of organization depth signings by general manager Kyle Dubas.

Sabres sign goalie James Reimer to 1-year deal

The Sabres signed goalie James Reimer to a one-way, one-year contract worth $1 million, the team announced Tuesday.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi are in line to be Buffalo's goalie tandem, but Reimer gives the team some insurance if there's an injury or Levi, who finished the season in the AHL, isn't ready to make the jump to the NHL next season. With two young goalies, adding a veteran isn't a bad idea.

Reimer, 36, played 25 games for the Red Wings last season with a 3.11 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. He's not someone who can be leaned on, but the Sabres needed a No. 3 goalie in the organization.

The Islanders make a smart move with Anthony Duclair. Do they still need more?

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

5609070When you have barely any cap space heading into July 1, it’s easy to appear calm and collected. The New York Islanders didn’t sit back as the deals rolled by on Monday because they necessarily wanted to but because they had to — there was no way, with less than $5.5 million in cap space for 2024-25 and a slew of long-term deals on the books, that Lou Lamoriello would be in there swinging for the fences for top-six wingers like Jake Guentzel, Jake DeBrusk or Steven Stamkos, all of whom were gone before the bell rang at noon on long-term, big-money deals.

That Lamoriello was able to fill needs at all with the two signings he made was smart. Retaining Mike Reilly on a one-year, $1.25 million deal was smart; Reilly, claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers in November, fit very well with what Patrick Roy wanted out of this team when he took over as coach two months after Reilly arrived. The 30-year-old ended up as the second-leading scorer among defensemen with 24 points in 59 games.

And Lamoriello, as he always does, stuck to his price even as Reilly balked at a similar offer nearly two months ago, opting to see what he could get from another team. That search didn’t last long and the Islanders got their sixth defenseman, rounding out what will be a very familiar D-corps but one that should benefit from a full training camp under Roy and with a new assistant coach, longtime Lamoriello employee Tommy Albelin, coming in to run the defense.

The new addition, Anthony Duclair, is even smarter, especially on a four-year deal worth $3.5 million.

Read more about Duclair here.

Oilers re-sign Troy Stecher on 2-year deal

Troy Stecher is returning to the Edmonton Oilers on a two-year, $787,500 AAV deal, the team announced Monday. The defenseman appeared in just seven regular-season games and no playoff games after he was acquired from Arizona before the trade deadline. He had ankle surgery midway through the postseason.

NHL free agency Day 1 winners and losers: Panthers impress while tampering rules fall short

Day 1 of NHL free agency got off to a chaotic start, with deals rushing in when the clock struck noon ET. Just after 5 p.m. ET, there were 121 signings carrying 290 contract years and $1 billion in salary, per CapFriendly.

With all of that offseason work done over the last few hours, who are the early winners and losers around the NHL? The Athletic 's Shayna Goldman takes a look.

What Oilers re-signing Mattias Janmark means for their cap space

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed left winger Mattias Janmark to a three-year, $1.45 million AAV contract, The Athletic 's Pierre LeBrun reported Monday. Janmark had just four goals in 71 regular season games but matched that total in the playoffs as the Oilers reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Two of those goals came on the penalty kill, the first time an Oiler has scored more than once in that situation in a postseason year since Todd Marchant did so in 1997. Janmark was a fixture on the PK alongside Connor Brown, who also re-signed on Monday.

This is the first multi-year deal Janmark has signed since his entry-level contract, which expired in 2017, and the first raise he's received since 2020. The Oilers now have less than $1.35 million in cap space with RFAs Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg still unsigned. Trade candidates to provide more financial flexibility are Evander Kane, Ryan McLeod, Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak. It's worth noting that Kane has a full no-movement clause until March 1 at which point it becomes a partial no-trade.

NHL free agency best and worst deals: Star wingers in Florida, Boston’s big bets

One billion dollars later, the first day of the annual free-agent frenzy has come to a close. The NHL’s wildest day of the year did not disappoint with over 100 signings on the books. Now it’s time to pick out the best and worst of the bunch.

Based on the projected surplus value and the general vibe of the deal, The Athletic 's Dom Luszczyszyn breaks down the five best and five worst free-agent contracts signed today .

Ages of the new Blackhawks, who got real old real quick:

Ilya Mikheyev: 29

Tyler Bertuzzi: 29

Teuvo Teravainen: 29

Laurent Brossoit: 31

TJ Brodie: 34

Craig Smith: 34

Alec Martinez: 36

Pat Maroon: 36

Already on the team:

Andreas Athanasiou: 29

Seth Jones: 29

Connor Murphy: 31

Petr Mrázek: 32

Nick Foligno: 36

What Jeff Skinner signing with Oilers means for Edmonton

The Edmonton Oilers have signed left winger Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract, The Athletic 's Pierre LeBrun reports. Skinner had 24 goals and 46 points in 74 games for the Buffalo Sabres this past season before being bought out by the team last week. Infamously, he's played the most NHL games without ever appearing in the playoffs at 1,006. That promises to change in Edmonton. Skinner, 32, is a leading candidate to play on a second line with newly signed Viktor Arvidsson and Leon Draisaitl — provided he isn't traded this summer. Draisaitl is entering the last season of his contract. After signing Skinner, the Oilers have less than $2.8 million in cap space with RFAs Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg still in need of new deals. There remain holes to fill among the bottom-six forward mix and on right defense.

Penguins sign Blake Lizotte to 2-year deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins continued to address forward depth at a short term and low cost with the signing of Blake Lizotte. The 26-year-old forward signed a two-year contract that carries an average annual value of $1.85 million, the Penguins announced Monday.

GM Kyle Dubas has targeted players on lesser terms and lower AAVs as he tries to navigate building a Cup contender in the waning years of the Sidney Crosby era while also guarding against long-term deals for the future that might include Crosby, but very few others.

Newest Stanley Cup champion Ryan Lomberg talks turning the page

Ryan Lomberg went viral yesterday for his Stanley Cup celebrations with Florida Panthers fans, drinking beer from a mini model Stanley Cup and even crowdsurfing with no shirt on. All the while, he had done everything possible to keep himself from worrying about his future. Even if he knew there was a “pretty big” possibility he’d be changing addresses on Monday.

“It’s been weird for sure,” Lomberg said. “A roller coaster of emotions, I would say. Definitely way more ups than downs. Obviously bittersweet having to leave this group and this city and this organization. They’ve done so much for me. When I first signed here, it was my first real shot at being an NHLer and a steady NHLer.

"Winning with this group and the bond that comes with that, it’s special. Because now this group that from the looks of it is going to be pretty broken up, we’re going to live on together for the rest of time because we have that moment together. So it’s kind of tough to turn the page right now”.

Granted, he’s still excited about returning to Calgary, where he played the first 11 games of his NHL career. He joins on a two-year, $4 million contract.

Putting Jonathan Marchessault’s incredible run with the Golden Knights into context

(Photo: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS — For seven years, it seemed as though every time the Vegas Golden Knights needed a goal in the worst way, Jonathan Marchessault delivered.

It will have to be someone else moving forward.

After not reaching a contract extension, Marchessault hit the free-agent market on Monday morning and quickly signed a five-year deal with the Nashville Predators worth $5.5 million per season.

Signing the 33-year-old winger to a long-term contract obviously carries risk for Nashville, and apparently it was one that Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon wasn’t willing to take. Marchessault will be 38 when this contract expires.

That’s the business of professional hockey with a salary cap. Vegas opted not to pay Marchessault into his late 30s, and only time will tell if it was the correct decision. They’ve moved on from several fan favorites in the past, and many times it’s worked out in their favor.

One thing is certain, though: replacing Marchessault won’t be easy.

NHL free agency: 10 lessons we learned from a wild first day

(Photo: Brett Carlsen / Getty Images)

The initial wave of the annual free agent frenzy has slowed down, so let’s take a breath and ask the big question: Class, what have we learned today?

Lesson: Being heartless is the new market inefficiency

Jonathan Marchessault not being in Vegas feels wrong. Steven Stamkos not being in Tampa feels worse. Both players leaving on the same day, and essentially admitting that it was the teams’ call and not theirs, is enough to make even the most hardened cynic need a moment.

Lesson: The Predators are back, baby

By landing Stamkos and Marchessault, not to mention signing Brady Skjei today and extending Jusse Saros a few days ago, the Predators are making it clear that they expect to be right in the mix for the Central and beyond.

Lesson: As always, term is what matters

Whenever a new deal gets signed, hockey fans want to know the AAV. That’s important, but for a lot of contracts, it’s not the most important number. Once a player gets out of their mid-20s, it’s the term that often matters most.

In related news, NHL teams don’t seem to have any issue giving out big-time term to guys who are really old.

Read the rest of lessons learned on the first day of free agency .

A free-agency recap on the go

Want a recap of the biggest deals from the opening hours of NHL free agency, including the Predators making a huge splash with a trio of signings, Sam Reinhart staying with the newly-crowned Stanley Cup champion Panthers on a team-friendly contract, Jake Guentzel finding a new home in Tampa Bay and more?

Listen on The Athletic Hockey Show .

Canadiens sign Juraj Slafkovský to 8-year extension, take care of offseason's No. 1 priority

(Photo: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)

The Montreal Canadiens and forward Juraj Slafkovský have agreed to terms on an eight-year, $60.8 million contract, general manager Kent Hughes announced Monday. The contract carries an average annual value of $7.6 million and will kick in next season and carry over to 2032-33.

Slafkovský was drafted by Montreal with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and leads the 2022 draft class in total games played (121), goals (24), assists (36) and points (60).

Signing Slafkovský was the No. 1 priority of the offseason for the Canadiens, and to get it done on the first day he was eligible to sign an extension, and get it at this number, is a big win for the Canadiens.

Canadiens sign Juraj Slafkovský to 8-year extension

Local Politics | LADWP union alleges ‘double dipping’ when…

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Local politics | ladwp union alleges ‘double dipping’ when retired workers take pension and then work for another city agency.

The Los Angeles Superior Court petition filed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18 also alleges the practice creates extra burdens on both the tax and utility payments made by residents.

According to the petition, the city charter prohibits people who have retired from city service and who are receiving a pension from being paid a municipal salary at the same time.

“This plain charter language was affirmed by the City Attorney’s Office in 2005,” the union said in a statement. “Suddenly, and without explanation, in late 2023 the city attorney opined that the charter’s definition of ‘city’ does not apply to LADWP” when it comes to the practice.

A representative for the City Attorney’s Office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

“LADWP and the Water and Power Employees Retirement System were both established by the city charter, so it’s just plain nuts for city officials to allow the city attorney to say that LADWP jobs are not city jobs,” Local 18 Business Manager Gus Corona said in a statement. “It will be Los Angeles residents who pay the price for this bizarre decision through their tax dollars and utility payments.”

Additionally, the labor agreement between the city and the union “clearly requires that this action, which has deep implications for the department’s employees and their pension system, must be addressed through collective bargaining,” according to the union statement.

“The city’s actions in this matter clearly violate the contract between the union and the city and show a disregard and disrespect for basic worker rights,” Corona said. “The taxpayers and ratepayers of Los Angeles are the same people and they will pay the price if this decision is allowed to stand.”

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• World's Best Awards 2024

Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite Cities in Central and South America of 2024

T+L readers select their favorite cities in Central and South America in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2024.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

The cities of Central and South America are full of food, entertainment, and historical touchstones. This year, Travel + Leisure readers found plenty of reasons to return to them again and again. Surveyed for the 2024 “World’s Best Awards,” our readers chose their top 10 cities in Central and South America for life-changing travel.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Cities were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Sights/landmarks
• Friendliness

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Stockphoto24/Getty Images

This year’s top city — Cuzco, Peru — retained its position from last year. Rising to take the No. 2 spot (it ranked No. 7 last year) was Antigua Guatemala, a city surrounded by volcanoes and known for its Baroque architecture. Panama City, Panama (No. 10) is new to this year’s list, displacing São Paulo. Brazil’s sole representation now comes in the form of the iconic Rio de Janeiro. Mendoza, Argentina, at No. 9, impressed T+L surveyors with its “great wine.”Colombia is still represented in the No. 7 and No. 8 slots: Cartagena and Bogotá, respectively. The former, one reader said, is a “melting pot of Caribbean, African, and Latin cultures.” And readers continue to recommend Quito, Ecuador (No. 3), as well as Lima, Peru (No. 4 this year, up from No. 9), as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina (No. 5, the same as last year). For more on individual rankings and for why readers chose Cuzco, Peru, as the best city in Central and South America for the World’s Best Awards, read on.

Cuzco, Peru

JeremyRichards/Getty Images

This city in the Peruvian Andes has long been a favorite for T+L readers, and it’s not hard to see why. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors can explore Incan temples, sample local delicacies like cuy al horno (or roast guinea pig), and locate themselves centrally for a visit to Machu Picchu . “All the best things you could imagine are in this incredible city,” one reader noted about Cuzco. “Beautiful place, a lot of history, and the food and nightlife are unique.” The city’s history and architectural charm won over many readers. It is, one wrote, a “beautiful city.” In short, as a reader summarized, Cuzco is an “amazing place to visit to go and see the wild history of the country.”

1. Cuzco, Peru

Reader Score: 87.47

2. Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Reader Score: 85.93

3. Quito, Ecuador

Reader Score: 84.26

4. Lima, Peru

Reader Score: 84.13

5. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Reader Score: 84.09

6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Reader Score: 82.81

7. Cartagena, Colombia

Reader Score: 82.69

8. Bogotá, Colombia

Reader Score: 82.14

9. Mendoza, Argentina

Reader Score: 82.00

10. Panama City, Panama

Reader Score: 79.05

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