Layover in Atlanta?

AeroClinic located inside the Atlanta airport to offer early flu shots. Read More...

US Airways increases Baggage Fees Again!

Effective October 7, 2009 US Airways will charge $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second, when bags are checked online, an increase of $5.

You will also pay an extra $5 per bag checked in at the airport. The current bag fees at the airport are $20 for the first and $30 for the second. The airline is also matching a $50 second checked bag fee on its trans-Atlantic flights, a charge recently introduced by American and Delta airlines. The new trans-Atlantic second bag fee will apply to all European destinations served by the airline.

The bag fee will be waived for first class and top-tier frequent flier status along with military personnel.

What Country Has the Highest Tax Rate

Denmark has the highest income tax rate, with its top-taxed citizens paying 68% of their hard-earned crowns. The basic tax rate begins at 42%. Source: Guiness World Records

Where You Can't Access the Worldwide Web

Interesting article about the "Great Firewall of China" and programs to access the web and email while you are traveling or living in countries which restrict your web access and internet content. Read more...

Health Insurance for Non-US Citizens

Do you have family, guests or employees who are foreign nationals coming to the US? Third country nationals find that their home country social medical systems rarely extend beyond their country's borders. The U.S. has some of the best but most expensive medical care in the world, medical insurance has become a necessity to prevent the financial risk of an unforeseen illness or accident. I maybe premature but I don't believe the new new Health Insurance Bill will include benefits for foreign visitors; however, I could be wrong.

Even traditional individual health insurance excludes individuals who are not residents or who do not possess a social security number, the good news is there is an array of health insurance plans for foreigners who are visiting, residing, working or immigrating to the US. I would recommend the Atlas America Visitors Health Insurance or Liaison Continent Visitors Insurance. Both are guaranteed issue, which means there are no health questions or medical exams to qualify, and both can be purchased for as little as 7 days and up to 6 months. The Atlas America Visitors Health Insurance can be purchased for up to 12 months. There are no age limitations; however, I would recommend a different plan for anyone 80+ years of age since the benefits are capped at $15,000. I suggest the Inbound Immigrant or Inbound USA for seniors who are visiting or immigrating to the USA.

Many citizens and permanent residents of this country are anxiously waiting for our government to decide the future of health care. Will the U.S. have a national health care and what choices will we have? No one quite knows, but until then I would recommend keeping a health insurance policy because I doubt any medical expenses incurred prior to any health care bill will reimbursed.

Two Things You Need To Know About Obama's Health Plan

Two Reasons Why You Should Sell Short-Term Health Insurance

Most US Citizens do not realize once Congress and the President agree and pass legislation for a national health care program, there is most likely a waiting period before citizens will be able to utilize the plan. It will take months, if not years, for the government to organize health care providers, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, employers, banks, national government offices and local government offices as well as distribute information to each eligible citizen regarding instructions for receiving medical care. The proposed bill is approximately 2,000 pages long.
Insurance Services of America realizes this process will take time and though it is not prudent to terminate your current health insurance policy with expectations of receiving immediate government sponsored medical insurance, we also find it unnecessary to pay the high cost of current health insurance which could be unneeded in 12 months. Our Amigo short-term major medical plan is the perfect solution and provides temporary health insurance for up to 12 months (6 months in some states). For more information, review the policy terms and to get a free quote, visit http://www.bestshorttermplan.com/. We don't recommend short-term health insurance for everyone, but you can save up to 75% off your current insurance premiums and be covered for major medical expenses while you are waiting for the government sponsored plan.
Secondly, any medical expenses you incur prior to the national health plan will most likely not be a eligible reimbursement since they occurred prior to the government sponsored plan. Insurance Services of America recommends keeping a health insurance plan until the government sponsored plan is effective. If you decide an affordable temporary health insurance policy is the best solution for you, then please call us at 800.647.4589 for a no-obligation quote. Coverage can begin within 24 hours.

Insurance Services of America is a worldwide marketer of international health insurance specializing in short-term health insurance solutions for US residents. Visit us online at http://www.bestshorttermplan.com/ or call us at 800.647.4589 or email at health@bestshorttermplan.com with your questions and concerns.

"ROCHESTER, WE HAVE A PROBLEM".... "Anyone there?"

I was fortunate to have a delay free flight to San Diego this weekend where I celebrated my nieces wedding. On the other hand my nephew flew from Phoenix to San Diego and his flight was delayed 4 hours before the plane could take off. The flight itself is only approximately an hour long and the drive from San Diego is about 5 hours. The majority of people fly to save time, so when it takes more time to fly, shouldn't the passengers deserve their money back?

I was reading an article this morning about an Express Jet flight from Houston to Twin Cities, MN but was diverted to Rochester due to inclement weather. After arriving at Rochester, the 47 passengers were held on the plane for 9 hours due to no security personnel to screen the passengers at the airport and the flight crew reached it's maximum work hours so they had to wait for another flight crew. Read more here. Have we lost all common sense that 47 stranded passengers cannot wait in a deserted terminal?

At times, I find no rhyme or reason for some of the security measures. I can pack over 4oz liquid type toiletries in my luggage and it will pass the screeners, but if my wife takes them out and puts them in a quart size plastic baggie, then she gets stopped because there is 1 oz of toothpaste in the 8oz squeezable container. So the question is, is the container size a threat or the actual liquid?

Enough ranting. I don't want to sound like a hipocrite because I still enjoy the convenience of flying and there are many places I wouldn't have a chance to visit without the help of a jumbo jet.

Quote of the Day

"You can not do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do."
- Anonymous