Upgraded Points Latest Data Study Highlights The Most And Least Pet-Friendly U.S. Vacation Spots

https://upgradedpoints.com/most-and-least-pet-friendly-vacation-spots-study/) has recently unveiled the results of their latest data study -- this one rating the degree of pet-friendliness for 50 of the most popular U.S. vacation destinations.

Analysis Methodology

For this study, data was compiled on the following 8 criteria:

1. Number of dog parks per 100K population
2. Number of pet stores
3. Number of pet-friendly hotels
4. Number of vacation rentals that will accommodate pets
5. Number/extent of pet-friendly restaurants
6. Availability of veterinarians per 100K population
7. Total miles of hiking trails available
8. Total number of hiking trails per 100K persons

The 8 criteria, when summed, gave each location a possible maximum value of 50. Each city rated was then ranked numerically according to their calculated score.

For a fuller discussion of the weighting and details of the various ratings, as well as detailed graphics and interactive charts, please visit the full report HERE. Upgraded Points also provides useful tips for traveling with your pet and a list of pet-friendly airports.

Cities with the Highest Pet-Friendly Ratings

The clear winner in this data study was the city of Asheville, North Carolina. It topped the list with a total score of 47.5 out of 50 points. In fact, Asheville received maximum positive ratings for 6 of the 8 total criteria. Critically, two of those maxed-out positive ratings were for the number of pet-friendly hotels and also the number of vacation rentals available that were considered pet-friendly. The city also has a large number of hiking trails, which would be important to any pet owner desiring to take their pet outside.

The number two city was determined to be Santa Fe, New Mexico. This city also had top-flight rankings for pet-friendly accommodations, pet-friendly vacation rental units and hotels.

Cities with the Lowest Ratings for Pet-Friendliness

Unfortunately, this study uncovered a few cities that have room to improve their experience for travelers with pets. With the lowest score was Maui, Hawaii, which only scored a 2.3 rating out of 50 possible points. It did get some rating for their hiking opportunities, but failed to secure any points for accommodations that were pet-friendly, nor did they receive any points for pet-friendly activities (such as restaurants that were pet-friendly).

Alex Miller, founder of Upgraded Points, speaking about a major finding of this study, noted that "A big surprise to us was to find the shocking number of major metropolitan U. S. cities that did not score well at all. A number of these cities have very few pet-friendly hotels and vacation rentals for their population size, which is a big drawback for those traveling with pets, and most struggle to provide enough -- or any -- amenities like dog parks and hiking trails. Until this situation changes, we would strongly recommend that travelers avoid traveling to those cites with their pets."

The major U. S. cities with poor pet-friendliness ratings were Los Angeles (ranked 14th out of 15), Chicago (ranked 11th), New York City (ranked 2nd poorest) and Philadelphia (ranked 8th out of 15).

About Upgraded Points LLC

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that provides insider strategies on maximizing travel points and rewards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to give travelers, as well as those looking to travel a real understanding of how to maximize their points and miles. Learn more at: UpgradedPoints.com.

8 Travelore Tips for Going On A Road Trip With Your Pets

Embrace Pet Insurance compiled a list of tips to make it a comfortable and safe journey for everyone. Here are some cat- and dog-friendly travel tips for when you decide to pack up your furry family member.

1. Keeping Them Safe and Secure

As you’re making a list of everything you need for your trip, add a well-ventilated pet carrier or crate. Whichever type you choose, make sure your pet will be able to move around, stand, and sit in it. If you can’t find a crate or carrier to meet your needs, a pet safety belt is the next best option.

2. Bring Something Familiar

Does your pet have a favorite blanket, toy, or bed? It’s ideal to bring cat and dog travel items with you as they can ease some anxiety and provide a sense of familiarity.

3. Make Sure Your Pet is Comfortable with Car Rides

If your pet is used to car rides, you likely won’t have any issues. However, if your pet isn’t used to rides, you should start by taking them on short car rides around the block and then lengthen the ride a bit to get them used to the car. If your pet isn’t used to the car, don’t just assume they will be fine. Dogs, and even cats, can experience a great deal of anxiety about something new like traveling.

4. A Quick Vet Check Can’t Hurt

Make sure your pet is physically healthy and ready for the trip with a quick check-up at the vet. Talk the trip over with your veterinarian to ensure your pet has the right temperament and health status to take on a lengthy trip and new surroundings.

5. Think About Microchipping

Losing your pet would be a devastating experience. Thankfully, technology has come a long way. At your pre-trip check-up, talk to your vet about microchipping your pet. A microchip is about the size of a piece of rice and injected under the skin. The microchip comes with a registration number that can be read by using a scanning tool, which will then link to your information.

If your pet is already microchipped, make sure all your information is current. Check their tags to make sure everything is up-to-date as well.

6. Stop for Breaks

If your pet is used to a normal potty break and feeding routine, make sure to schedule your trip in such a way that will allow for the same breaks. It’s not ideal to feed your pet in a moving vehicle, so make it a point to stop during regular feeding times.

Before you venture out on your road trip, check online and see which rest stops along the way have dog walking areas. This will give your pup a break to stretch his legs.

7. Make Sure Your Pet Keeps His Head Inside

While it’s cute to see your dog stick his head out the window and take in all the fresh air, it’s not safe. Oncoming traffic or flying objects could injure him. It’s best for your dog to sit in a pet seat belt or a crate.

8. Protect them with Pet Insurance

Unexpected accidents and illnesses can happen at any time – and our dogs and cats aren’t exempt from this. Having pet insurance is like having a safety net for unexpected veterinary bills. It provides you with peace of mind that if the unexpected happens, you’re covered. Pet insurance has no networks, so you can seek treatment at any licensed veterinarian during your trip.

Amtrak “Presidents Day Sale”, Savings Up To 30 Percent On Travel Across The Country From February 16-19th.

 

Whether you want to find out if the West Coast is the Best Coast, discover the pulse of the Heartland, or see the uniqueness of the Eastern Seaboard, Amtrak’s “Presidents Day Sale” can help those who want to experience some of the best sightseeing opportunities, iconic landmarks and exciting travel opportunities in the country.

Starting Friday, Feb. 16, through Monday, Feb. 19 (Presidents Day), customers can receive up to 30 percent discounts on select trains nationwide for travel between Monday, Mar. 19 and Wednesday, May. 23, with no blackout dates. Below are some of the special prices available during the “Presidents Day Sale” available on our most popular trains, including the Cardinal, Southwest Chief and Northeast Regional.

To/From	Price	To/From	Price
Washington, D.C. - Philadelphia	$33	Chicago – New York City	$82
New York City - Philadelphia	$33	Los Angeles – Portland, OR	$90
New York City - Boston	$43	Chicago - Denver	$92
New York City – Washington, D.C.	$43	Los Angeles - Seattle	$92
Chicago – Washington, D.C.	$76	Los Angeles - Chicago	$133

The sale is only available at Amtrak.com, and all prices will be automatically discounted from the standard fare price. No discount code is needed; prices are as shown and can’t be combined with other discount codes. 

Amtrak offers free Wi-Fi on most trains, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”), the ability to travel with small pets on many trains, large spacious seats with ample leg room, and no middle seat.

Sale prices are available exclusively for one-way Coach Class fares and upgrades to Business Class or sleeping accommodations are not permitted. Space is limited as sale prices are not available on all routes or at all times, including Acela Express. Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable. Others restrictions may apply.

About Amtrak®

Amtrak offers a more comfortable and convenient travel experience with free Wi-Fi on most trains, plenty of leg room and no middle seat. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak customers for each of the past seven years. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily, connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces, and reaches 400 additional destinations via connecting bus routes. Learn more at Amtrak.com.

Cunard's Iconic Queen Mary 2 Makes Boston Debut With Extended Kennel Area

BOSTON, MA - Queen Mary 2 gave a royal welcome to Boston's top Instagram dogs, Nacho (@NachoDogg) and Bear (@KnoxandBear), who enjoyed the new kennels on the Remastered ship at Boston's Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

CunardCu's flagship ocean liner sailed into Boston today to debut its significant refit costing in the region of $132 million. The luxury liner has been lovingly remastered with new contemporary interior designs and guest experiences, many of which take their design inspiration from the original Queen Mary, which debuted into service 80 years ago. As the only passenger vessel to carry dogs and cats, Queen Mary 2 has expanded its kennel service during this multi-million dollar renovation, adding 12 new kennels for a total of 24.

In addition, the ship extended the kennel area, adding an owner's lounge, new pet playground, and expanded the outdoor area to accommodate an historic British lamppost and American fire hydrant so canines from both sides of the pond feel at home. A full-time Kennel Master takes care of daily pet responsibilities including feeding, walking and cuddling the pets onboard.

Cunard's pet-friendly policy dates back 176 years to the maiden voyage of the Britannia in 1840 when the ship sailed with a cow to provide fresh milk for passengers. Famous canines such as Rin-Tin-Tin, Elizabeth Taylor's pampered pups and the Duke of Windsor's dogs traveled on Cunard, and to continue that tradition, Boston's top Instagram dogs joined Cunard on board the ship to test out the new, expanded kennels.

The refit was conducted in the Blohm + Voss Shipyard, in Hamburg, one of the only shipyards in the world large enough to hold Queen Mary 2. It was a 24-hour a day operation, with over one million man hours put into the refurbishment, during a 25-day period.

The Remastering Features:

• Redesign and refurbishment of the Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants, as well as Britannia staterooms, the latter to be fully completed by the end of the year

• The addition of 30 further Britannia Club staterooms, 15 Britannia single staterooms and five Britannia inside staterooms

• Redesign of key public spaces and restaurants, including the transformation of the former Winter Garden into the Carinthia Lounge, the introduction of The Verandah as the ship's new specialty restaurant, and the complete refresh and restructuring of the Kings Court, the ship's popular buffet area

• 12 additional kennels and other enhancements

• And as befitting the flagship of the Cunard fleet, a complete repaint of the ship exterior and significant technical enhancements and structural changes

About Queen Mary 2

Christened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 defines luxury travel for the 21st Century and continues a 176-year legacy of transatlantic travel. Queen Mary 2 achieved her 200th transatlantic crossing in July 2013. Iconic luminaries, political figures and celebrities from the Golden Age of Ocean Travel to the present day have sailed with Cunard and aboard Queen Mary 2.

Pet Travel - Cheapflights Scouts Out Airport Pet Relief Stations In Terminals Across North America

Airport Pet Relief Stations in Terminals across North America

For those traveling with pets, service dogs, therapy dogs or emotional support animals, airports have traditionally been unforgiving places when it comes time for their four-legged companions to do their business. However, thanks to updated federal regulations, major airports are now opening pet relief stations inside each terminal, so animal friends can relieve themselves without having to trek outside the building (and security). 

These new in-terminal options can be as simple as a smallish patch of AstroTurf or as fancy as a dog park. To provide you with the full scoop, the travel experts at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, have rounded up details on animal rest stops with their Guide to in-terminal airport pet relief stations.

Here’s everything you need to know about where pets can go inside and outside at five of the most popular airports in North America:

·         Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois - One of the more deluxe options for pets, Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s Pet Relief Room has a duo of two-foot by four-foot pet relief areas, complete with artificial grass covering, miniature fire hydrants and pop-up sprinkler systems to wash away liquid waste into a drain. For extra cleanliness, there is a mounted hose as well as plastic bags for waste clean-up. There are two sinks for passenger use too. The pet relief room is located past security checkpoints in the Rotunda area of Terminal 3. Additional options include three outdoor service animal/pet relief areas with real grass, gravel or wood chips located near the lower level curb front of Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 5.

·         Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas, Texas - There are pet relief areas in each of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s five terminals. Three pet relief areas are inside security at Gate B28 in Terminal B, D18 in Terminal D and E31 in Terminal E. Outdoor areas post security are on the lower level at entry doors near Gate A8 in Terminal A, near Gate C2 and C39 in Terminal C, near Gate D15 and D29 in Terminal D and near Gate E2 and E38 in Terminal E. There is also a 24-hour Paradise 4 Paws resort that offers grooming, pet massage therapy, play time, cuddling sessions and treats like frozen peanut butter Kong toys.

·         John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, New York - There are several purr-fect places for pets to relax and relieve themselves at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. JetBlue’s rooftop lounge adjacent to Terminal 5 offers respite for both humans and pets. The 4,046-square-foot rooftop includes landscaped green spaces, seating for 50 people, a children’s play area, food kiosks and a dog walk area. The space is open to all airline passengers and pets. In Terminal 4, there is a 70-square-foot pet relief room that includes artificial green grass, a fire hydrant, a hose for cleaning and plastic doggie bags. The airport is also set to open ARK — a $32 million facility equipped with a veterinary hospital and 24-hour Paradise 4 Paws resort that offers a bone-shaped dog pool, pet suites with flat screen TVs and pet massage therapy among other services — that is scheduled to open later this year.

·         Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles International Airport leads all U.S. airports with the most pet relief areas of any U.S. airport. The airport boasts three mini Pet Parks and seven pet relief stations. The Pet Parks are located on the Lower/Arrivals Level of the Central Terminal (between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2), on the southeast end of the Central Terminal Area (near Terminal 7 and Terminal 8) and beyond security at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Each park has a small doghouse, trash can and plastic bags for waste. Note: pets cannot be unleashed at the Terminal 7-8 location.

·         Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida - Miami International Airport recently opened an indoor, post-security pet restroom called SARA (Service Animal Relief Area) in Concourse D near Gate 34 and has three more scheduled to open later this month in Concourse F, Concourse G and Concourse J. SARA includes a patch of Astroturf, two sprinkler heads to clear waste and cleaning supplies for pet owners. The airport also has three outdoor pet relief areas. Miami is the first international airport in South Florida to add indoor pet relief areas. (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport plans to add indoor pet relief areas in Concourse A and Concourse B in Terminal 1 in June 2017, as well as one in Concourse D in Terminal 2 and one in Concourse G in Terminal 4 in 2018, according to the “Sun-Sentinel”).

For more on convenient, and at times lavish, loos for traveling animals at an additional 11 airports, check out Cheapflights.com’s complete Guide to in-terminal airport pet relief stations at www.cheapflights.com/news/north-america-airport-pet-relief-areas.

Amtrak Announces Flash Sale For Northeast Corridor, August 9-11th, As Low As $24 Each Way

Ride the Northeast Corridor in style for as little as $24

Before you head back to school, log onto Amtrak.com and take advantage of our 3-Day Flash Sale to book a ticket for travel this Fall between some of the most popular cities on the East Coast. 

Ride Amtrak Northeast Regional service between New York and Boston for as little as $38 each way; New York and Philadelphia for $28; Baltimore and Philadelphia for $24.  Additional city pairs can be found on Amtrak.com. 

Tickets are on sale for a limited time – Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 11 – and must be purchased via Amtrak.com.  Travel can be completed anytime between Sept. 13 and Oct. 6. 

Amtrak is a comfortable, convenient and enjoyable way to travel the Northeast Corridor and beyond. Northeast Regional trains are equipped with café cars offering sandwiches, salads, snacks and hot and cold beverages, including a variety of wine, beer and soda.  The popular Quiet Car provides a library-like atmosphere to relax or focus on an important project, and most trains now allow pet owners to travel with small dogs or cats.

Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable. Others restrictions may apply.

About Amtrak®

Amtrak – America’s Railroad® – is dedicated to safe and reliable mobility as the nation’s intercity passenger rail service provider and its high-speed rail operator. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak passengers for each of the past five years. Formally known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak is governed by a nine member board of directors appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Anthony R. Coscia is board chairman and Jeffrey R. Moreland is vice chairman.  Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Learn more at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and other information. Check us out at blog.Amtrak.com, Like us on Facebook.com and Follow us on Twitter @Amtrak.