SEPTA To Hold Lottery For Regional Rail Passes For Pope's Visit To Philadelphia For World Meeting Of Families

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --

SEPTA says it will hold a lottery for Regional Rail passes for the pope's visit to Philadelphia.




Online registration for the lottery will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 3rd.

The lottery will run for 24 hours, ending at 11:59 p.m.

No matter what time you enter your lottery submission, everyone has the same chance for being selected, SEPTA says.

SEPTA offered these instructions on how to enter:

-Any time on Monday, Aug. 3, click the "Enter Lottery" link that will be posted on SEPTA's homepage, www.septa.org. This will take customers directly to the lottery form on Ticketleap's website with an entry form.

-Select travel dates - Saturday and/or Sunday, Sept. 26 and/or Sept. 27;

-Enter up to three preferred outlying Regional Rail Stations

-Pick travel time slot from outlying stations, either 5:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m.-noon

-Quantity of passes: Customers can request up to 10 each day. Customers with a valid PA Disability Transit ID Card or Medicare Card can request one

-Valid entries will be put in a database and winners selected at random by Ticketleap. Customers with winning entries will receive a "congratulations" email on Thursday. Aug. 6, with a personalized link to a secured page where they can complete their transaction with a debit or credit card. SEPTA will mail the passes to customers.



The first attempt to sell the passes on Monday, July 20th, resulted in the crash of their website.

SEPTA officials told Action News last week that they brought in outside contractors to help with the process and their site was tested for 1,700 hits per second.

They believe the site was receiving three times that amount of traffic after tickets went on sale.

SEPTA is selling a total of 350,000 passes for the weekend - 175,000 for both Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. The passes are $10.

2015 Best Amusement Parks For Families Named

Family Vacation Critic has released its annual list of the Best Amusement Parks for Families. The list was chosen based on family perks, nearby accommodations and new rides and attractions.

"Amusement parks are a quintessential part of summer break for families," explains Lissa Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic. "Whether you're on vacation, or staying home, a day at an amusement park can be an extra-special treat for kids, and a fun bonding experience for the entire family. With so many new rides and attractions, it's the perfect time to visit one of these top parks."

This year's list includes:

• Cedar Point – Sandusky, OH
What's New: Rougarou, a floorless roller coaster, and extensive renovations at Hotel Breakers, an affiliate hotel.

Savings Tip: Stay at Cedar Point's onsite hotels and receive discounted admission of 37 percent off.

• Carowinds – Charlotte, NC
What's New: Fury 325, the world's tallest and fastest giga-coaster.

Savings Tip: The park's onsite campgrounds and hotel both offer free shuttle service and discounted admission to the park.

• Knoebels – Elysburg, PA
What's New: Impulse, a steel tower roller coaster.

Savings Tip: With no admission cost, visitors pay per ride or game – with rides starting around $1 each.

• Hersheypark – Hershey, PA
What's New: Laff Trakk, the first indoor, spinning glow-coaster in the U.S.

Savings Tip: Stay at Hersheypark Camping Resort, or at an official resort of Hersheypark, for discounted admission to the park and area attractions.

• Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, TN
What's New: Dollywood's DreamMore Resort, featuring two pools, a kids' club, family suites and a spa.

Savings Tip: Buy a "Splash and Play" three day, multi-park ticket and save over 30 percent on the combined cost of daily tickets.

• Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson, NJ
What's New: El Diablo, a looping coaster inspired by the Jersey Devil.

Savings Tip: Save up to $25 when purchasing tickets online.

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Williamsburg, VA
What's New: Tempesto, a new coaster hurling riders at speeds of over 60 mph.

Savings Tip: Save $20 when purchasing Bounce Tickets online – including admission to Busch Gardens, Water Country and Colonial Williamsburg.

• Silver Dollar City – Branson, MO
What's New: 10 new family attractions at Fireman's Landing, including a free-fall drop ride and water spray area.

Savings Tip: Enter the park after 3 p.m. and return the next consecutive day for free.

• Knott's Berry Farm – Buena Park, CA
What's New: Voyage to the Iron Reef, an interactive 4-D ride.

Savings Tip: Purchase tickets online – three days or more in advance – and save $25 on each ticket.

• Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, TX
What's New: Batman The Ride, with 4-D features and two 90-degree drops.

Savings Tip: Purchase tickets online and save up to $20 on admission.

App Helps Travelers Stay Informed And Prepared Amidst Rising Threats

As threats to global travelers increase in countries throughout the world, Global Rescue has developed an app to help keep travelers safe and support enterprises in meeting their legal Duty of Care responsibilities. The Global Rescue app puts critical medical, security and other essential real-time travel intelligence at travelers' fingertips. In an emergency, the app also puts travelers in immediate contact with Global Rescue's medical and security teams which are comprised of the paramedics, physicians and military special operations veterans who staff the company's global operations centers.

"The need for real-time travel intelligence and crisis response services has never been greater," said Dan Richards, CEO and founder of Global Rescue. "To stay safe while traveling abroad, travelers must have immediate access to critical information and a system that can be tailored to efficiently deliver that information. Mobile applications have also become an important asset for enterprises seeking to meet their Duty of Care responsibilities and our new app provides a combination of functionality and services currently unavailable anywhere else in the marketplace.

Travelers are increasingly relying on mobile devices for updates during their travels. According to a recent survey by TripAdvisor, more than 87% of the 30,000 people surveyed reported using a smart phone while on their trips.

While many organizations recommend that travelers download applications that provide personal travel details such as airline or hotel booking applications, many travelers lack immediate access to travel intelligence information or communication capabilities that may be life-saving in the event of a medical or security emergency.

Global Rescue mobile app features include:

Destination Reports – Detailed information on over 200 countries, including: health and security risk assessments, entry and exit requirements, exchange rates, important phone numbers, weather conditions and other essential information. Travelers can access recent regional events, compiled by Global Rescue's in-house intelligence analysts.

Real-time Alerts –Travelers can review real-time alerts delivering critical information on locations of interest. Global Rescue enterprise clients can configure their alerts by event severity, category and destination and immediately know which travelers are impacted.
Status and Location Updates –Travelers are able to indicate that they're okay or in need of assistance by "checking-in" by using their mobile device to transmit their message with their GPS coordinates to Global Rescue's operations centers and those they designate.
In-App Text Messaging – Secure two-way text messaging with Global Rescue's operations professionals who are standing by 24/7 to answer travelers' questions.

Emergency Notification – A one-touch emergency button that immediately alerts Global Rescue's operations teams that a traveler is in distress with the GPS coordinates of the traveler's location.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection Launches AirCare™ Abroad

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, has announced that AirCare™, the low-cost, fixed-benefit flight-protection coverage introduced last year for US domestic flights, is now also available for US residents flying internationally. AirCare™ Abroad will be made available directly to consumers through the company's website, call center and award-winning mobile app, as well as through travel suppliers and agents, up to 24 hours prior to a flight's departure.

According to the Department of Transportation, 2014 was one of the worst years for flight cancellations since 2007. Nearly four percent (69,257 flights) of U.S. flights were cancelled, compared to 1.8 percent in 2013. This year there have been nearly 50,000 flight cancellations, or 2.54 percent of all U.S. flights. According to FlightStats, in just the last 30 days there have been more than 35,700 flight cancellations around the world – including nearly 9,000 in the United States this July alone.

In response, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance has enhanced both its domestic AirCare™ product and the just-launched AirCare™ Abroad with flight-cancellation coverage to compensate customers when a carrier cancels their flights.

"With the strong dollar, more Americans are travelling internationally, and we're pleased to offer a new version of AirCare™ designed specifically to meet the needs of the international traveler," said Dean Sivley, president of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. "As travelers continue to experience increasing flight cancellations due to an air system that appears to be stretched to its limits, we are also pleased to come to their rescue with our newly enhanced AirCare™ products that include travel assistance and our new flight-cancellation coverage for both domestic and international flights. This will ensure that our customers are protected and compensated for the most common yet most annoying disruptions wherever they travel."

AirCare™ Abroad is priced starting at $46 per round trip, per person. The policy pays $250 for flight cancellation, $50 for a delay of two or more hours and $1,000 for a tarmac delay of two or more hours. A baggage delay of more than 12 hours pays $500, and a baggage loss pays $1,000.

Domestic AirCare™ is offered starting at $34 per round trip, per person. The domestic policy pays $150 for a flight cancellation, $50 for a flight delay of two or more hours and $1,000 for a tarmac delay of two or more hours. If travelers miss their connection (only available on domestic routes) they will receive a payment of $100. If a traveler's baggage is lost or delayed for more than twelve hours, they will receive $500.

Both AirCare™ products include proactive travel-assistance solutions through MyAssist™, a global assistance and concierge service.

In addition, both AirCare™ products will feature an industry first. In addition to electronic claims processing and fast, direct-deposit payment straight to a bank account or PayPal, customers now have their claims paid directly to any U.S. debit card. Insurance claims are made in real time. Travelers can access their payments directly from their accounts moments after the claim has been processed and approved.

The Best Time To Buy An Airplane Ticket (And When We Actually Buy)

© David Noton Photography / Alamy

A recent study by Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation suggests there might actually be an optimal time to buy airplane tickets.

Travelers often swap theories on the right—and wrong—time to book a flight. We've heard it all: The lowest fares are on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. ET. (No, Wednesdays at 1 a.m.!) You need to book at least two months before you fly. (No, you should look for a deal and fly at the last minute!) Websites like the now-defunct Farecast and Kayak suggest when you should buy, or if you should wait—like we're all trading stocks—but there's no guarantee. And according to George Hobica of AirfareWatchdog, "There is no secret time. You need to look four times a day—minimum—every day of the week, as far in advance as you can."

But a recent study by Expedia and Airlines Reporting Corporation has us paying attention. After analyzing data from industry sources such as the International Air Transport Association, Diio Mi, and the Airline Tariff Publishing Company, the companies have settled on a time frame when you're "in the best position to get a good deal." They also determined when U.S. consumers typically buy domestic or international tickets (it's different from when you should—see below.) At least we can all agree on one thing: "Tuesday appears to remain the best day of the week to find low fares on air travel booked at least three weeks in advance," according to the study, "Preparing for Takeoff: Air Travel Trends 2015."

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WHEN WE BUY

32 DAYS

The average advance-purchase time for domestic flights

59 DAYS

The average advance-purchase time for international flights

WHEN WE SHOULD BUY

57 DAYS

The ideal advance-purchase time for domestic flights—to snag the lowest average airfare

171 DAYS

The ideal advance-purchase time for international flights

Written by Paul Brady and Laura Dannen Redman

From www.cntraveler.com

Delta Soon To Offer Upgrades To Private Jets

(Photo: Delta Private Jets)

Delta Air Lines is about to up the ante on frequent-flier upgrades, though it will be offered only to a select few fliers.

The carrier is rolling out a new program that will give some of its elite frequent fliers the chance to buy an "upgrade" to switch from their commercial flight to a private jet flight. The offer for the upgrades will go to a small number of fliers, usually within 24 or 48 hours of their scheduled flight. The upgrades will run from $300 to $800.

The program, which could begin as early as this week, was first reported by Bloomberg News.

Delta says the effort will target "high-value customers" who have already achieved elite "Medallion" status with the carrier. When schedules allow, some of those customers now could receive an offer to forgo their regularly scheduled flight and instead take a seat on a private jet scheduled to fly the same route at around the same time.

IN-DEPTH: Delta is about to offer one of the coolest upgrades yet—to very few fliers(Bloomberg News)

Delta's Delta Private Jets subsidiary operates a fleet of 66 aircraft in a business that targets big-spending corporate and wealthy fliers. However planes in such an operation must frequently fly "empty leg" repositioning flights that have no paying passengers on board. The ability to shift elite frequent-fliers to such flights helps Delta promote a premium brand image. But it could also give the company a unique method to court corporate fliers – some of whom might have the means to at least occasionally consider paying for travel on Delta's private jet unit.

"The hope is that once someone flies private, and they don't have to go through TSA, and they have the experience, then they may determine that they want to fly private more often," Cyril Turner, Delta Private Jets' CEO, said to Bloomberg during a June interview.

Turner told Bloomberg the goal is "not necessarily to break even, but to at least get some type of income" from the otherwise empty flights.

Delta is ironing out some of the last details for the effort, but it could launch as soon as Wednesday (July 29).

Still, Delta's elite customers should keep their private-jet upgrade hopes in check. Delta says only a small number of private jet flights would be opened up for upgrades, especially at first, according to Bloomberg.

For those who do receive the option, upgrades will range from $300 to $800. They'll initially be focused on private jet flights operating to or from Delta's hubs in Atlanta, New York and Cincinnati. The Delta Private Jets unit is headquartered in Erlanger, Ky., near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

But Bloomberg warns "miles junkies, take note: There's no bonus in the upgrade, just the usual mileage accrual one would get taking the regular Delta flight."

Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

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