With the economy in a tizzy, everyone is cutting back on just about everything, including travel.

But don’t let that lull you into thinking everyone but you will be staying home this holiday season.

Even in tough economic times – or maybe because of tough economic times – people gather together for the holidays. So planes, trains, buses and highways will be full. Lines will be long. And tempers could be short.

Which is why you might need the 15-point Guide to Stress-Free Holiday Travel that I put together for MSNBC.com.

When you’ve read through those tips, check out the cool “getting to Grandma‘ feature MSNBC.com put together about how culture – and Thanksgiving costs – have changed over the past 50 years.

Categories: Holidays
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As I wrote about in my “At the Airport” column for USAToday.com, (Airports mark holidays with sales, Santas and song) airports are doing their part to make holiday travel fun and somewhat stress-free.

Now JetBlue Airways is joining in with some special events for passengers traveling to or from the new Terminal 5 (T5) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

“During select times on Tues. and Wed., November 25 and 26, the airline will be hosting complimentary events ….including magic shows to entertain the family, introductory yoga and stress-reducing exercises courtesy of New York Sports Clubs and five-minute makeovers courtesy of Harmony Pharmacy.”

Categories: Free Stuff, Shopping
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(Yummy stuff from Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l Airport)

It may seem unnatural to blend a holiday shopping excursion with a trip to the airport, but this season many airports are working overtime to court you and your gift-buying dollars with prizes, promotions, festive décor, and lots of top-notch entertainment.

(A TSA choir -really- will perform at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport)

There are plenty of other reasons to shop for holiday gifts at an airport. Over the past few years, airports have been steadily upgrading the quality and variety of their concessions. Stores generally open early and close late to accommodate travelers’ wacky schedules. And many airports impose a “street pricing” policy, which means that the prices charged inside the airport must closely match the prices at local malls. Besides, if you travel by air, you’re already spending a lot of time hanging out in airports. So you may as well be merry while you multi-task.

Where are the best deals? At the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Sacramento International Airport you can pick up discount coupon books. Oregon’s Portland International Airport has a holiday festival with food sampling, demonstrations and a drawing for tickets on JetBlue. (You can enter on-line.) And check out the Frankfurt Airport’s Web site for a chance to win a big diamond.

There’s lots more information about airports offering holiday shopping specials and entertainment in my “At the Airport” column posted today on USAToday.com

Categories: Deals, Holidays, Shopping
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The bad economy is forcing some airports to delay facility upgrade projects and to cancel others altogether. But Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) is just trying to finish a major upgrade to the East Terminal.

Right now they’re rushing to replace 9, 000 square yards of original terminal carpeting in time for the Thanksgiving rush. Look for it between Gates E-2 and E-33, in the passenger waiting areas for Southwest Airlines, USA 3000, Air Choice One and charter flights.

The new carpet is not only ADA-compliant, it’s got a custom design that “mimics the patchwork of crops and fields passengers might see if they were looking down from a plane at 35,000 feet.”

Can you see that???

Categories: Renovations
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Heading to or through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) this holiday season? Be sure to leave some time for shopping.

The airport is giving out holiday coupon books with discounts, freebies, and gift-with-purchase offers from more than 60 airport shops and restaurants.

The coupon booklets will be available at the airport information booths and downloadable from the MSP Web site. Valid dates: November 26-December 31, 2008.

But why wait? Here’s a copy of all the coupons and offers.

Categories: Deals, Free Stuff, Shopping
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