Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rules: Are you America's "most frustrated traveler"?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/rules-are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/rules-are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/rules-are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/#commentsGadling and Capital One Venture's "Most Frustrated Traveler" Sweepstakes
OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Gadling and Capital One Venture's "Most Frustrated Traveler" Sweepstakes (the "Sweepstakes") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) who have reached the age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence at time of entry ("Entrants"). Employees of AOL Inc., Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., and their advertising or promotion agencies, including Porter Novelli Inc., those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Sweepstakes, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with Sweepstakes (collectively "Sweepstakes Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2. SPONSORS: The Sweepstakes is jointly sponsored by AOL Inc., 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 and Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, VA 22102 (collectively, the "Sponsors").

3. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes each Entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsors, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

4. ENTRY PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins at 9:00 am Eastern Time ("ET") on October 25, 2010 and ends at 5:00 pm ET on November 5, 2010 (the "Entry Period"). Entries submitted before or after the Entry Period will be disqualified.

5. ENTRY: During the Entry Period, Entrants can go to http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/ and follow the instructions to submit an entry. For an entry to be considered complete, each Entrant must describe in 250 words or less their most frustrating travel moment in the comments section of the Sweepstakes page at http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/. Limit one (1) entry per person. Subsequent entries from the same person will be deleted. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

6. DRAWING: On or about November 4, 2010, Sponsors will select the name of one (1) Grand Prize Winner, one (1) Second Prize Winner and three (3) Runner-up Winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period.

7. REQUIREMENTS OF THE POTENTIAL WINNERS: A Potential Winner is not a winner until s/he has returned all required documentation and eligibility has been verified by Sponsors. A Potential winner must comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. A potential winner must respond to the notification e-mail within the timeframe stated in the notification e-mail and provide his/her full name, age and mailing address. Failure of a potential winner to provide this information within the stated timeframe will result in forfeiture of the prize. Except where prohibited, the Potential Grand Prize Winner must sign and return to Sponsors, within five (5) business days of being notified, an affidavit of eligibility, liability/publicity release and IRS W-9 Form in order to claim his/her Prize. The winner's travel companion(s) must have reached the age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence prior to the date of travel (unless travel companion is the minor child of Grand Prize Winners) and will be required to execute and return a Liability Release/Publicity Release prior to issuance of the travel documents. Failure to return documents as specified, or if prize notification is returned as undeliverable, will result in the Entrant being disqualified, and the prize may be awarded to a potential alternate winner in Sponsors' sole discretion.

8. PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip for two (2) to the destination of Winner's choosing (in the continental United States), including roundtrip airfare (within the continental United States) from the major airport nearest the winner's home and 3 day/2 nights hotel accommodations (standard room/double occupancy). Meals, beverages, gratuities and ground transportation are the responsibility of winner and travel companion. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") of the Grand Prize is $3,000. Trip must be taken by October 1, 2011. The ARV may vary based upon dates of travel. The difference between the ARV and actual value of the prize will not be awarded. Travel and accommodations are subject to availability. Certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Winner and his/her travel companion must travel together and on the same itinerary and are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents. The winner's travel companion will be required to execute and return a Liability Release/Publicity Release prior to issuance of the travel documents. The winner and his/her travel companions are responsible for obtaining travel insurance (and all other forms of insurance) that they may wish to obtain (at their own expense) and hereby acknowledge that the Sponsors have not and will not obtain or provide travel insurance or any other form of insurance.

One (1) Second Prize Winner will receive a hassle-free travel essentials pack consisting of items such as a Garmin GPS and Bose noise canceling headphones. ARV: $1,500.

Three (3) Runner-up Winners will each receive a $100 Marriott Travel Card (subject to issuer's terms and conditions).
Specifics of all prizes are in Sponsors' sole discretion. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsors, who reserve the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize, or a portion of the prize, is not available for any reason as determined by Sponsors in Sponsors' sole discretion. Winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

9. GENERAL CONDITIONS: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsors may, in Sponsors' sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. Sponsors reserve the right in Sponsors' sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsors reserve the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsors' failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an online entry, online entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address from which the entry is made. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. A potential winner may be required to provide Sponsors with satisfactory proof that s/he is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the potential winning entry.

10. RELEASE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating in the Sweepstakes, Entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sweepstakes Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Sweepstakes; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; (f) for failure to supply the prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure(s), terrorist acts, threatened terrorist acts, earthquake(s), war(s), fire(s), flood(s), explosion(s), unusually severe weather, hurricane(s), embargo(s), labor dispute(s) or strike(s) (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage(s), transportation interruption(s) of any kind, work slow-down(s), civil disturbance(s), insurrection(s), riot(s), or any other cause beyond Sponsors' sole control; or (g) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from any Entrants participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize. Sweepstakes Entities shall not be responsible for any cancellations, delays, diversions or substitutions or any act or omissions whatsoever by any performer(s)/event(s), air carrier(s), hotel(s), or other transportation companies or any other persons providing any of these services and accommodations to passengers including any results thereof such as changes in services or accommodations necessitated by same. The passenger contracts in use by the airlines or other transportation companies shall constitute the sole contracts with respect to the Grand Prize Winner's and his/her travel companion's transportation and such contracts shall be solely between the Grand Prize winner, his/her travel companions and such transportation companies. Sweepstakes Entities shall not be parties to such contracts and shall assume no responsibility in this connection. Sweepstakes Entities shall not be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or the loss, theft or damage of cash, cameras, jewelry, securities, heirlooms, negotiable papers or other valuables. Sponsors' failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision; Entrants further agree that in any cause of action, the Sweepstakes Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Sweepstakes, and in no event shall the Sweepstakes Entities be liable for attorney's fees and/or experts' fees and costs. Entrants waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

11. DISPUTES: Except where prohibited, Entrants agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, Entrants' rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of Sponsors in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

12. REQUEST WINNER'S NAME: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Gadling/Capital One Winner's List, 22070 Broderick Dr, 12E:D01, Dulles, VA 20166. Requests must be received by November 30, 2010.

(C) Copyright 2010 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Rules: Are you America's "most frustrated traveler"? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Are you America's "most frustrated traveler"?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/are-you-americas-most-frustrated-traveler/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Does the saying, "if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all," describe you perfectly?

Are you a traveler who can't get his or her preferred flights booked because of all your credit card's black-out dates?

Do you invariably wind up next to the guy on the airplane who talks non-stop and dribbles food on his shirt the entire flight?

Well, wipe that sad face off your sour mug, Faithful Traveler! Gadling and Capital One Venture are teaming up to make five lucky winners a lot less frustrated. If you're America's "most frustrated traveler," you could win one of these great prizes:
  1. One Grand Prize Winner will receive a free 3 day/2 night trip to the destination of their choosing for two, including roundtrip airfare (within the continental United States) and hotel* - valued at $3,000.
  2. One Second Prize Winner will receive a hassle-free travel essentials pack consisting of items such as a Garmin GPS and Bose noise canceling headphones - valued at $1,500.
  3. Three Runner-up Winners will each receive a Marriott TravelCard - valued at $100 each.
Wow, that's enough to make any frustrated traveler considerably more content.

What's the catch? Well... you have to relive your experience one more time. To be eligible for the fantastic, frustration-reducing prizes in this contest, head to the comments and describe in 250 words or less your most frustrating travel moment, and why you deserve to win a free (and frustration- and hassle-free) trip courtesy of Gadling and Capital One Venture.

Continue reading Are you America's "most frustrated traveler"?

Are you America's "most frustrated traveler"? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestfrustratedgiveawaysweepstakesMon, 25 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to make free calls from a plane using Google Voice and Gmail]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/27/how-to-make-free-calls-from-a-plane-using-google-voice-and-gmail/http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/27/how-to-make-free-calls-from-a-plane-using-google-voice-and-gmail/http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/27/how-to-make-free-calls-from-a-plane-using-google-voice-and-gmail/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Right now, I'm cruising at 35,000 feet on a Delta flight surfing the Web with Gogo's Inflight internet access. My flight has been delayed, and I want to tell my wife that she can pick me up later. And it occurred to me: I wonder if Google's new "Call from Gmail" feature would work while flying.

Sure enough, I opened Gmail's "Google Talk Plugin" interface, entered Gadling editor Grant Martin's phone number and pressed "call." As it turned out, he answered the phone -- and he could hear me.

What does this mean? Well, it means that, if you're in-flight, and you have a headset and a Gmail account (and a Gogo Internet pass), you can make free calls from the air (to the US and Canada only) to landlines. This is not new for VOIP (Skype's infrastructure allows this, though it's hit and miss), but this is a first for Google.

Is it a win for airline passengers? We're undecided at this point. While the convenience is certainly nice, do we really need to hear the girl next to us on the plane cooing to her boyfriend via her Gmail account?

View Poll

How to make free calls from a plane using Google Voice and Gmail originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gmailgogogogo inflightGogoInflightgooglegoogle talk plugingoogle voiceGoogleTalkPluginGoogleVoicehow to make free calls from a planeHowToMakeFreeCallsFromAPlaneFri, 27 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling and jetBlue AYCJ Sweepstakes]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/25/gadling-and-jetblue-aycj-sweepstakes/http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/25/gadling-and-jetblue-aycj-sweepstakes/http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/25/gadling-and-jetblue-aycj-sweepstakes/#comments
OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Gadling and jetBlue AYCJ Sweepstakes (the "Sweepstakes") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and are (18) years of age or older at time of entry ("Entrants"). Employees of AOL Inc., jetBlue Airways Corporation, and their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Sweepstakes, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with Sweepstakes (collectively "Sweepstakes Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2. SPONSOR: The Sweepstakes is sponsored by AOL Inc., 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 (the "Sponsor").

3. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes each Entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

4. ENTRY PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins at 9am Eastern Time ("ET") on August 25, 2010 and ends at 5pm ET on September 1, 2010 (the "Entry Period"). Entries submitted before or after the Entry Period will be disqualified.

5. ENTRY: During the Entry Period, go to http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/25/jetblue-and-gadling-want-to-send-you-flying-as-much-as-you-want/ and follow the instructions to submit your entry. Limit one (1) entry per person. Subsequent entries from the same person will be deleted. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

6. DRAWING: On or about September 1, 2010, Sponsor will select the names of two (2) Grand Prize Winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period.

7. REQUIREMENTS OF THE POTENTIAL WINNERS: A Potential Winner is not a winner until s/he has returned all required documentation and eligibility has been verified by Sponsor. A Potential winner must comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. A potential winner must respond to the notification e-mail within the timeframe stated in the notification e-mail and provide his/her full name, age and mailing address. Failure of a potential winner to provide this information within the stated timeframe will result in forfeiture of the prize. Except where prohibited, a Potential Grand Prize Winner must sign and return to Sponsor, within a time period to be specified by Sponsor, an affidavit of eligibility, liability/publicity release and IRS W-9 Form in order to claim his/her Prize. Failure to return documents as specified, or if prize notification is returned as undeliverable, will result in the Entrant being disqualified, and the prize may be awarded to a potential alternate winner in Sponsor's sole discretion.

8. PRIZES: Two (2) Grand Prize Winners will each receive one (1) All You Can Jet ("AYCJ") unlimited flight pass. Each AYCJ Pass may be redeemed for unlimited air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Passes are valid for travel between 9/7/10 and 10/6/10. Each Pass flight must be booked and ticketed at least 3 days prior to departure, but no later than 11: 59 PM ET, 10/3/10. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Winner is required to be a valid TrueBlue member in order to book AYCJ travel. Winner is solely responsible for any fees, taxes, surcharges, and/or service charges applicable to travel to or from an international destination city or Puerto Rico, including: government fees and taxes up to $170.00 each way, and for Puerto Rico travel, a U.S. Departure/Arrival Tax of $16.10 each way. Taxes and fees must be paid at time of booking. Winners are solely responsible for any and all costs of air and/or ground transportation to and from Winners' residences and the airport serviced by JetBlue closest to the Winners' residences. If any of the Winners is deemed a minor under the jurisdiction of his/her state of residence, he or she must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Each AYCJ Pass has an approximate retail value of $699.00.

The following terms and conditions shall apply to the AYCJ Passes:

o. The JetBlue All-You-Can-Jet Pass (the "Pass(es)") includes unlimited air travel for one person named on the Pass ("You" or "Your") on JetBlue-operated flights in the JetBlue route network. Travel may be booked on the Pass between 08/23/2010 - 10/03/2010. The Pass may be used for travel ("Pass Travel") between 12:01 AM local time on 09/07/2010 and commence by 11:59 PM local time on 10/06/2010. Travel must be booked and ticketed at least 3 days prior to departure, but no later than 11: 59 PM ET, 10/3/10. Additional restrictions apply. Please review the terms attached as Exhibit A (the "Terms") for complete information.

o. Passes are non-transferable and may not be purchased, sold, bartered, or otherwise exchanged for value. Any attempt to transfer a Pass or book Pass Travel for someone other than You on Your pass will result in immediate forfeiture without refund.

o. Pass Travel is subject to all provisions of JetBlue's Contract of Carriage, except those regarding fare refundability under JetBlue Bill of Rights compensation. If Your flight is cancelled, You will, at Your option, receive reaccommodation on the next available JetBlue flight at no additional charge, or a voucher in the amount of $50 for a oneway flight cancellation and $100 for a roundtrip cancellation. JetBlue's Contract of Carriage is posted on the JetBlue website at http://www.jetblue.com/p/jetblue_coc.pdf.

Each Grand Prize Winner will also receive a $250 Scottevest gift card, a $69.99 EyeFi memory card, and $30 Boingo three month pass. Gift cards/passes are subject o issuer's terms and conditions. Approximate Retail Value of each Grand Prize is $1,048.99. Specifics of all prizes are in Sponsor's sole discretion. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserve the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize, or a portion of the prize, is not available for any reason as determined by Sponsor in Sponsor's sole discretion. Winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

9. GENERAL CONDITIONS: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in Sponsor's sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. Sponsor reserve the right in Sponsor's sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserve the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an online entry, online entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address from which the entry is made. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. A potential winner may be required to provide Sponsor with satisfactory proof that s/he is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the potential winning entry.

10. RELEASE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating in the Sweepstakes, Entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sweepstakes Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Sweepstakes; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; (f) for failure to supply the prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure(s), terrorist acts, threatened terrorist acts, earthquake(s), war(s), fire(s), flood(s), explosion(s), unusually severe weather, hurricane(s), embargo(s), labor dispute(s) or strike(s) (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage(s), transportation interruption(s) of any kind, work slow-down(s), civil disturbance(s), insurrection(s), riot(s), or any other cause beyond Sponsor's sole control; or (g) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from any Entrants participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize. Sweepstakes Entities shall not be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or the loss, theft or damage of cash, cameras, jewelry, securities, heirlooms, negotiable papers or other valuables. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision; Entrants further agree that in any cause of action, the Sweepstakes Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Sweepstakes, and in no event shall the Sweepstakes Entities be liable for attorney's fees and/or experts' fees and costs. Entrants waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

11. DISPUTES: Except where prohibited, Entrants agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, Entrants' rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

12. REQUEST WINNERS' NAMED: To request the name of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Gadling/jetBlue Winner's List, 22070 Broderick Dr, 12E:D01, Dulles, VA 20166. Requests must be received by September 15, 2010.

(C) Copyright 2010 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gadling and jetBlue AYCJ Sweepstakes originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Best travel tips from real travelers]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/20/best-travel-tips-from-real-travelers/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/20/best-travel-tips-from-real-travelers/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/20/best-travel-tips-from-real-travelers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Have you checked out Gadling's 100% reader-generated feature, "100 words or less." In "100 words or less," YOU -- the expert traveler -- get to share your expert travel tips with Gadling and all our readers. Know a sure-fire way to score a cheap hotel room? Confident you know a trick to get an airline upgrade? Share it with us!

We've rounded up some of our favorite tips below. Enjoy.

Hotel tips
If you often leave personal items in hotel rooms, remind yourself by writing it down -- but write it on a mirror with a dry erase marker instead of on a piece of paper you could easily overlook.

Today's tech-savvy world requires a lot of equipment to stay "plugged-in." Cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players all require power cords to recharge. Since these items don't need to be plugged in all the time, it's easy to forget your power cords when checking out of a hotel. Increase your chances of recovery by writing your name and contact information on a piece of masking tape and securing the tape to your power cord.

If you're concerned about the cleanliness of your pillow, the inside of your shirt is probably cleaner (or at least more acceptable) to lie on than a suspect pillowcase. Simply turn the shirt inside-out, slide it over your pillow, and you're good to go... to sleep.

Sleep better with these other hotel tips.

* * *

Cruise trip tips
Packing a dry erase board and markers and attaching to your cabin door accomplishes several things, including helping you to identify your room and providing an easy way for your family to communicate their whereabouts.

Continue reading Best travel tips from real travelers

Best travel tips from real travelers originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplane tipsAirplaneTipscruise tipsdining out tipsDiningOutTipshotel tipsHotelTipsinternational travel tipsInternationalTravelTipspacking tipsPackingTipsroad trip tipsRoadTripTipssouvenir tipsSouvenirTipstipstravel tipstraveling with kids tipsTravelingWithKidsTipsTravelTipsTue, 20 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[GADLING'S FOOD PHOTO CONTEST OFFICIAL RULES]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/05/gadling-s-food-photo-contest-official-rules/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/05/gadling-s-food-photo-contest-official-rules/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/05/gadling-s-food-photo-contest-official-rules/#commentsGADLING'S FOOD PHOTO CONTEST

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN

 1. ELIGIBILITY: Gadling's Food Photo Contest (the "Contest") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia), 18 years of age or older. Employees of Weblog, Inc. LLC, AOL Inc., their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Contest, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with Contest (collectively "Contest Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. All U.S., federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.

2. SPONSOR: The Contest is Sponsored by Weblogs, Inc. LLC, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 ("Sponsor").

3. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

4. ENTRY PERIOD: The Contest begins at 9:00 am ET on July 5, 2010 and ends at 5:00 pm ET on July 12, 2010 (the "Entry Period").

5. ENTRY: During the Entry Period, go to http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/30/food-glorious-food-photography-contest-presented-by-tamrac/ and leave a comment with a link to your online personal photo of food from your travels. Submission will result in one (1) entry. Limit one (1) entry per person. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

Sponsor shall have the right to disqualify any entries that they deem to be obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, lewd, derogatory, inappropriate, or otherwise not in good taste, as determined by the Sponsor in its discretion. By submitting an Entry you hereby grant the Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, licensees, and legal representatives the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to use, reproduce, edit, market, store, distribute, have distributed, publicly and privately display, communicate, publicly and privately perform, transmit, have transmitted, create derivative works based upon, and promote the Entry (as such may be edited and modified by the Sponsor in its discretion) for editorial, commercial, promotional and all other purposes including posting on any websites. Submissions must be 100% your original work, and must not contain any third party material or content (including but not limited to any company logos or trademarks, likenesses, or any other copyrighted or trademarked content) for which you have not been granted specific written permission for this use by the copyright or trademark rights holder. You retain ownership of all right, title, and interest in and to your Submission. All elements of your Submission must be your original work and must be owned by you, and you must have the right to grant any and all necessary rights and licenses, including without limitation, all necessary copyright and other related rights to all of the materials, free and clear of all claims and encumbrances without violating the rights of any person or entity, including any right to privacy or publicity. Your Submission should not include the likeness of a third party, unless permission of said third party has been given, or contain elements not owned by you (including but not limited to trademarks or logos). By submitting your Submission, you agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Entities and their officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of your Submission or your participation in any phase of this Contest.

Disclaimer of Similarities: Due to the nature of this Contest, there is a possibility that similar photographs may be submitted by multiple individuals. Any similarity between Submissions shall in no way entitle you to any consideration or compensation from the Sponsor or from any third party, including in the event a Submission similar or identical to yours is selected as a winner in this Contest. By submitting your Submission, you specifically acknowledge this possibility and agree to the terms stated in these Official Rules.

6. JUDGING: A panel of judges (the "Judges") will select fifteen (15) Finalists based equally on the following criteria (the "Judging Criteria"): creativity, beauty, composition, and theme. In the event of a tie, the submissions involved in the tie will be reviewed by an additional judge according to the Judging Criteria. Decisions of judges in are final. In the event an insufficient number of qualified eligible entries are received during the Entry Period, Sponsor reserves the right to select less than fifteen (15) Finalists.

7. VOTING: From 9:00 am ET on July 19, 2010 until 5:00 pm ET on July 23, 2010, the Finalists (as selected by the judges) will be posted at http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/19/food-glorious-food-photo-contest-finalists-announced-vote-here/ for public voting. Users will be allowed to vote for their three (3) favorite photos. The three (3) submissions receiving the most votes will be declared the potential Grand, First and Second Prize Winners. In the event of a tie, the judges will select the winner. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit votes will void all votes submitted by that person.

8. NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place.

9. REQUIREMENTS OF THE POTENTIAL WINNERS: Except where prohibited, the potential winners (or, if winner is deemed a minor in his/her state of residence, his/her parent or legal guardian) may be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (the "Affidavit/Release") within seven (7) days of being notified. If a potential winner fails to sign and return the Affidavit/Release within the required time period, the prize will be forfeited and may be awarded to an alternate winner. Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use winner's name and likeness for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.

10. PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a Nikon L110 digital camera, a Tamrac Aero 70 photo backpack and a Tamrac Zipshot tripod. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize is $405. One (1) First Prize Winner will receive a Tamrac Aero 70 photo backpack and a Tamrac Zipshot tripod. ARV of First Prize is $145. One (1) Second Prize Winner will receive a Tamrac Zipshot tripod. ARV of Second Prize is $60. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

11. GENERAL CONDITIONS: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

12. RELEASE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless Contest Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Contest or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Sponsor's liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Sponsor be liable for attorney's fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

13. DISPUTES: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

14. CONTEST RESULTS: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Gadling Food Photo Contest Winners, AOL, 22070 Broderick Dr - 12E:D01, Dulles, VA 20166. Requests must be received by July 31, 2010.

GADLING'S FOOD PHOTO CONTEST OFFICIAL RULES originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eyjafjallajokull fallout: What did Iceland's volcano's explosion cost travelers?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/27/eyjafjallajokull-icelands-volcanos-explosion-cost/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/27/eyjafjallajokull-icelands-volcanos-explosion-cost/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/27/eyjafjallajokull-icelands-volcanos-explosion-cost/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Beginning April 14, Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, melting glaciers and spewing a huge ash cloud, which disrupted air travel throughout the EU and impacted business as far away as Kenya. As a result, air travelers were stranded for days, many in airports and most with little hope for comfort. After about a week, air travel began to return to normal, though many travelers flailed about looking for who would help reimburse their costs during their forced stays.

To help understand the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Gadling has teamed with Online Schools to develop an easy-to-understand infographic, which explains everything from how to pronounce the name of that silly volcano to an analysis of how much hotels tried to gouge stranded passengers. Keep reading for some amazing numbers -- and for the only solution for clearing the next ash cloud from the skies.

Continue reading Eyjafjallajokull fallout: What did Iceland's volcano's explosion cost travelers?

Eyjafjallajokull fallout: What did Iceland's volcano's explosion cost travelers? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disruptionEyjafjallajökullflightsvolcanoweirdTue, 27 Apr 2010 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[What is "Travelers Night In"?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/21/what-is-travelers-night-in/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/21/what-is-travelers-night-in/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/21/what-is-travelers-night-in/#commentsFiled under:

Every Thursday from 3:30-5:00 EST, Twitter users who love travel come together for Travelers Night In (TNI) to chat about the latest and greatest of the travel world. Each week, TNI tackles a different theme, and for those 90 minutes, the hosts of TNI discuss the theme with participants. Past themes have included Winter Destinations, Adventure Travel, and Mexico/Caribbean travel. This week's theme is City Travel, and next week's theme is Travel for Foodies.

How does it work?
The process is simple: the hosts of TNI ask one question every 10 minutes for the 90 minutes of the event. Participants respond with answers, questions, tips, etc. Each Tweet should include #TNI, so it's easy for followers to track. If you forget to include #TNI in your Tweet, it's likely that comment will be lost.

The process is very democratic. It is NOT 90 minutes of hosts lecturing to participants. Quite the opposite! In reality, the hosts throw out questions and keep the conversation moving, but participants do the bulk of the knowledge sharing.

How can I participate?
How you participate is ultimately up to you, of course, but you can easily join in by loading your Twitter page (or your Tweetdeck, or your Hootsuite, or...) and searching for #TNI.

Continue reading What is "Travelers Night In"?

What is "Travelers Night In"? originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>tnitravelers night inTravelersNightInWed, 21 Apr 2010 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling on Foursquare]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/16/gadling-on-foursquare/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/16/gadling-on-foursquare/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/16/gadling-on-foursquare/#commentsFiled under:

Ethiopia. Barbados. France. Chicago. New York. Seattle. These are just some of the places you'll find our travel experts at this exact moment.

If you'd like to keep a closer eye on some of our travels and hear about our insider travel tips, become Gadling's friend on Foursquare. Once you do you'll find out what we think is the best bar in Munster, Indiana; which place in New York has the best donuts; or where we found the best burger in South Florida, among other things.

For those of you who "don't get" Foursquare, don't worry - it's just a simple tool that allows you to "check in" at places you visit -- bars, restaurants, hotels, shops -- via your mobile device. You can share information about those places and get tips from others who've checked in, too. In addition, Foursquare offers its users a fun game: you can earn "badges" for your check-ins and even become the Mayor of an establishment, if you're the most frequent visitor there.

Still confused? See how Foursquare describes itself and read The Frugal Travelers' excellent description of the application, and how it has the potential to change the way we travel, the way we think about travel, and the way we collect information about our travels.

And don't forget to become our friend!

Gadling on Foursquare originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>foursquareFri, 16 Apr 2010 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Share your travel tips with Gadling and get published, paid]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/24/share-your-travel-tips-with-gadling-and-get-published-paid/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/24/share-your-travel-tips-with-gadling-and-get-published-paid/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/24/share-your-travel-tips-with-gadling-and-get-published-paid/#commentsFiled under:


Have you ever looked at a travel blog and thought to yourself, "Boy, I could do that!"? Well, now's your chance to "do that"!

Introducing Gadling's brand new, 100% reader-generated feature, "100 words or less." In "100 words or less," YOU -- the expert traveler -- get to share your expert travel tips with Gadling and all our readers. Know a sure-fire way to score a cheap hotel room? Confident you know a trick to get an airline upgrade? Share it with us!

To submit your own tips, sign up for a free account at Seed, filter the assignment list by the category "travel" and look for assignment requests with the words "100 words or less." (And yes: if your tip is published, you will be paid!)

Anticipating questions, here's a quick FAQs:

Continue reading Share your travel tips with Gadling and get published, paid

Share your travel tips with Gadling and get published, paid originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>seedtravel tispTravelTispWed, 24 Mar 2010 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling and lebua's Trip to Bangkok Giveaway]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/19/gadling-and-lebua-s-trip-to-bangkok-giveaway/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/19/gadling-and-lebua-s-trip-to-bangkok-giveaway/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/19/gadling-and-lebua-s-trip-to-bangkok-giveaway/#commentsOFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Gadling and lebua's Trip to Bangkok Giveaway (the "Giveaway") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) (excluding Puerto Rico, all United States Territories and Possessions and all Overseas Military Installations) and who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of entry ("Entrants"). Employees of AOL Inc., Challenge Property Co., Ltd. on behalf of lebua at State Tower, and their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaway, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with Giveaway (collectively "Giveaway Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2. SPONSORS: The Giveaway is jointly Sponsored by AOL Inc., 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 and Challenge Property Co., Ltd. on behalf of lebua at State Tower, with offices at 1055/807 RCK Tower Condominium, 35th Floor, Silom Road, Silom, Bangkok Thailand 10500 (collectively, "Sponsors").

3. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes each Entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsors, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

4. ENTRY PERIOD: The Giveaway begins at 9:00 am Eastern Time ("ET") on February 19, 2010 and ends at 5:00 pm ET on February 26, 2010 (the "Entry Period"). Entries submitted before or after the Entry Period will be disqualified.

5. ENTRY: During the Entry Period, go to http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/19/win-a-trip-to-bangkok-from-gadling-and-lebua/ and follow the instructions to submit your entry. Limit one (1) entry per person. Subsequent entries from the same person will be deleted. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

6. DRAWING: On or about March 1, 2010, Sponsors will select the name of one (1) Grand Prize Winner in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. The odds of being selected as the potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period.

7. REQUIREMENTS OF THE POTENTIAL WINNER: A Potential Winner is not a winner until s/he has returned all required documentation and eligibility has been verified by Sponsors. A Potential winner must comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. A potential winner must respond to the notification e-mail within the timeframe stated in the notification e-mail and provide his/her full name, age and mailing address. Failure of a potential winner to provide this information within the stated timeframe will result in forfeiture of the prize. Except where prohibited, a Potential Grand Prize Winner must sign and return to Sponsors, within five (5) business days of being notified, an affidavit of eligibility, liability/publicity release and IRS W-9 Form in order to claim his/her Prize. The winner's travel companion(s) must be of the legal age of majority in his/her state of residence and at least eighteen (18) years of age and will be required to execute and return a Liability Release/Publicity Release prior to issuance of the travel documents. Failure to return documents as specified, or if prize notification is returned as undeliverable, will result in the Entrant being disqualified, and the prize may be awarded to a potential alternate winner in Sponsors' sole discretion.

8. PRIZE: One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive five (5) day/four (4) night trip for two (2) to Bangkok, Thailand. Prize includes: (a) round-trip coach air transportation for two (2) from the major airport nearest the winner's residence to Bangkok (Airfare shall not exceed $1,500 per person. Winner is responsible for the difference if airfare exceeds $1,500 per person. In the event the airfare is less than $1,500 per person, the winner will not receive the difference in cost); (b) four (4) nights hotel accommodations in the Tower Club Riverview Suites at the lebua Hotel at State Tower in Bangkok; (c) airport shuttle transportation in Bangkok; (d) dinner for (2) at any lebua restaurant (subject to price limitations); and (e) cocktails for two (2) at the Skybar (subject to price limitations). All other meals, beverages, gratuities and ground transportation are the responsibility of winner and travel companion. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") of the Grand Prize is $5,000 (USD). Trip must be taken by February 15, 2011. Once confirmed prize package is nontransferable and cannot be resold. Once confirmed, prize package is non-changeable and has no cash value and frequent flier mileage may not be accrued. Winner is solely responsible for all airport and security taxes including the September 11th security fee, federal, state and all local taxes. The ARV may vary based upon dates of travel. The difference between the ARV and actual value of the prize will not be awarded. Travel and accommodations are subject to availability. Certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Winner and his/her travel companion must travel together and on the same itinerary and are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents, including passports, visas, and required vaccinations/immunizations prior to travel. The winner's travel companion will be required to execute and return a Liability Release/Publicity Release prior to issuance of the travel documents. The winner and his/her travel companions are responsible for obtaining travel insurance (and all other forms of insurance) that they may wish to obtain (at their own expense) and hereby acknowledge that the Sponsors have not and will not obtain or provide travel insurance or any other form of insurance. Specifics of all prizes are in Sponsors' sole discretion. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsors, who reserve the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize, or a portion of the prize, is not available for any reason as determined by Sponsors in Sponsors' sole discretion. Winner is responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

9. GENERAL CONDITIONS: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsors may, in Sponsors' sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prize from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. Sponsors reserve the right in Sponsors' sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsors reserve the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsors' failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an online entry, online entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address from which the entry is made. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. A potential winner may be required to provide Sponsors with satisfactory proof that s/he is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the potential winning entry.

10. RELEASE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating in the Giveaway, Entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; (f) for failure to supply the prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure(s), terrorist acts, threatened terrorist acts, earthquake(s), war(s), fire(s), flood(s), explosion(s), unusually severe weather, hurricane(s), embargo(s), labor dispute(s) or strike(s) (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage(s), transportation interruption(s) of any kind, work slow-down(s), civil disturbance(s), insurrection(s), riot(s), or any other cause beyond Sponsors' sole control; or (g) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from any Entrants participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use of any prize. Giveaway Entities shall not be responsible for any cancellations, delays, diversions or substitutions or any act or omissions whatsoever by any performer(s)/event(s), air carrier(s), hotel(s), or other transportation companies or any other persons providing any of these services and accommodations to passengers including any results thereof such as changes in services or accommodations necessitated by same. The passenger contracts in use by the airlines or other transportation companies shall constitute the sole contracts with respect to the Grand Prize Winner's and his/her travel companion's transportation and such contracts shall be solely between the Grand Prize winner, his/her travel companions and such transportation companies. Giveaway Entities shall not be parties to such contracts and shall assume no responsibility in this connection. Giveaway Entities shall not be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or the loss, theft or damage of cash, cameras, jewelry, securities, heirlooms, negotiable papers or other valuables. Sponsors' failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision; Entrants further agree that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney's fees and/or experts' fees and costs. Entrants waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

11. DISPUTES: Except where prohibited, Entrants agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, Entrants' rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of Sponsors in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

12. REQUEST WINNER'S NAME: To request the name of the winner, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Gadling/lebua Winner's List, 22070 Broderick Dr, 12E:D01, Dulles, VA 20166. Requests must be received by February 28, 2010.

(C) Copyright 2010 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gadling and lebua's Trip to Bangkok Giveaway originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[8 insane skydiving mishaps (videos) continued]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/06/8-insane-skydiving-mishaps-videos-continued/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/06/8-insane-skydiving-mishaps-videos-continued/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/06/8-insane-skydiving-mishaps-videos-continued/#comments

Pretty much what every mom worries about: this student skydiver breaks his back on his very first jump.

In this clip, a skydiving teacher videotapes a student's dive from a helmet-mounted camera. When the student's rib cage collides with the instructor's head, the instructor becomes paralyzed instantly. This filmed, first-person perspective of free-fall -- arms flailing, world akimbo -- is about as close to a nightmare as you can imagine.

8 insane skydiving mishaps (videos) continued originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Do you recline your seat on a flight?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/31/do-you-recline-your-seat-on-a-flight/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/31/do-you-recline-your-seat-on-a-flight/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/31/do-you-recline-your-seat-on-a-flight/#commentsFiled under:

As you're probably aware, some people think reclining a seat on a flight is a pretty much a crime, while others think it's a blessing. Therefore, yesterday, we asked our Twitter followers a burning question:


Immediately, our wonderful (and vocal) followers burst forth with their thoughts, which ranged from absolute insistence to meek denial. Overnight, we let Gadling's servers and mega-computers crunch the data, and now, we're here to report our findings.

Continue reading Do you recline your seat on a flight?

Do you recline your seat on a flight? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlinesairplaneseattwitterThu, 31 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Should overweight passengers pay extra for airline tickets?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/10/should-overweight-passengers-pay-extra-for-airline-tickets/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/10/should-overweight-passengers-pay-extra-for-airline-tickets/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/10/should-overweight-passengers-pay-extra-for-airline-tickets/#comments

The argument about whether overweight passengers should pay for a second seat has been getting louder. Our friends at AOL Travel recently summarized some readers' thoughts on the subject of obese passengers, and now here's your chance to sound off!

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Should overweight passengers pay extra for airline tickets? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA["Nationwide system outage" grounds flights]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/nationwide-system-outage-grounds-flights/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/nationwide-system-outage-grounds-flights/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/nationwide-system-outage-grounds-flights/#commentsOnly when I arrive at my gate do I learn of the FAA's "nationwide system outage" grounding flights across the country. Gate attendants are reading from prepared FAA statements, explaining they don't know what caused the delay, but that they're working to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

My 8:50am flight has been pushed back to 9:50, but now -- at 9:20 -- there's been no word about rescheduling my flight. Naturally, I have a connecting flight in Atlanta Hartsfield -- the world's busiest airport -- and they are reporting widespread delays, as well.

The issue, apparently, revolves around scheduling flights for departure. (There's a lot of confusion about this, here at FLL.)

Flights in the air are safe, and seemingly, airlines have the ability to clear flights one-by-one for departure: that explains the three flights that have zoomed off in the past 20 minutes. According to @ExecutiveTravel, "The FAA's own site says that flight schedules are being entered in MANUALLY, thus the delays and cancellations" -- but I'm unable to find this information.

We're on the ground -- literally -- for this story, updating live from our Twitter account. We'll also update this post as we learn more.

If you're traveling today ... we sympathize.

UPDATE: Apparently, the computer glitch is in Atlanta.

UPDATE 2: The gate attendant announced at 9:50 that the delay would end in "about 45 minutes." Let's see how accurate he is.

UPDATE 3: The gate agent was right on target. That flight is boarding now. My flight -- the one originally scheduled for 8:50 -- is now scheduled to depart at 11:30.

UPDATE 4: According to the WSJ, "The FAA system is a major, cutting-edge program full of redundancies that are designed to keep it from going down."

"Nationwide system outage" grounds flights originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlantafaaflltravelThu, 19 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling feeds; Gadling on Twitter, Facebook; other Gadling goodness]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/08/19/gadling-feeds-gadling-on-twitter-facebook-other-gadling-goodn/http://www.gadling.com/2009/08/19/gadling-feeds-gadling-on-twitter-facebook-other-gadling-goodn/http://www.gadling.com/2009/08/19/gadling-feeds-gadling-on-twitter-facebook-other-gadling-goodn/#comments
Here at Gadling we're almost always on the go: packing, unpacking, ass-dragging through customs, reclining seat backs, putting up tray tables. Ugh: it can be exhausting. Of course, we know you're probably at least as busy and as movious as we are. Therefore, we thought it'd be nice to remind you all the places you can get your Gadling on.

If you don't have time to check Gadling.com every day, but you can breeze through your feed reader before rushing to the airport, don't forget you can subscribe to our RSS feed. If you prefer to follow only certain writers, you can subscribe to any individual author's feed (the feeds are located right next to the writers' names, on each post).

If you're less interested in specific writers, but you love to catch up on travel topics, be sure to check out some of our hub pages -- including Travel Tech, Adventure Travel, Cockpit Chronicles, Galley Gossip, or The Accidental Chef Travels.

Finally, if you didn't already know, you can become of a fan of Gadling on Facebook, and you can follow the site (as well as the writers) on Twitter. Here's a handy list of names:

Team Gadling @Gadling

Mike Barish @MikeBarish
Kraig Becker @KungFuJedi
Catherine Bodry @CatherineBodry
Alison Brick @AlisonBrick
Scott Carmichael @ItsMeScotty
Justin Glow @JustinGlow
Stephen Greenwood @SPGreenwood
Katie Hammel @KatieHammel
Aaron Hotfelder @AaronHotfelder
Tom Johansmeyer @TJohansmeyer
Jeremy Kressman @Kressie42
Heather Poole @Heather_Poole
Jamie Rhein @Jamie_Rhein
Annie Scott @AnnieScott
Willy Volk @WillyVolk
Karen Walrond @Chookooloonks
Kent Wien @VeryJr
Brenda Yun @HIBren

Continue reading Gadling feeds; Gadling on Twitter, Facebook; other Gadling goodness

Gadling feeds; Gadling on Twitter, Facebook; other Gadling goodness originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Best beaches in southeast Florida]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/20/best-beaches-in-southeast-florida/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/20/best-beaches-in-southeast-florida/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/20/best-beaches-in-southeast-florida/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

With 1200 miles of sand beaches, Florida is the world's premiere destination for vacationers seeking sun, surf, and sand. However, with so much coastline, how do you choose the beach that's right for you? Here's our list of the best beaches in southeast Florida (roughly the area from Stuart to Miami).

Best beach for photo ops: Blowing Rocks Preserve

Blowing Rocks PreserveBlowing Rocks Preserve encompasses a mile-long limestone outcrop riddled with holes, cracks and fissures; when the tide's high and there's a strong easterly wind (call for conditions: 561-744-6668), water shoots up, geyser-like. When seas are calm, you can hike through four coastal biomes: shifting dune, coastal strand, interior mangrove wetlands and tropical coastal hammock. Across the street, Hawley Education Center has rotating art exhibits with nature themes, as well as two short nature trails and a butterfly garden.

Entry to the preserve is $2 per person, and it's only open from 9am to 4:30pm. A dedicated photographer would probably consider the best photo opportunities to be at sunrise (though we didn't tell you to park south of the preserve and hike in with your camera and tripod). Finding the refuge is a little tricky, as there's no signage: from US Hwy 1, take Bridge St (708 east) to Hobe Sound. Make a left on Beach St (707). Travel about 3 miles; the refuge is on your right.

Continue reading Best beaches in southeast Florida

Best beaches in southeast Florida originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachbeachdaybeachesfloridageo:26.715 -80.053596geo:26.775 -80.058296geo:26.896447 -80.058286geo:26.933901 -80.094398geo:27.474899 -80.298698geo:28.55302 -82.468201geo:30.253901 -85.956902haulover beachHauloverBeachmiaminudeWhere:haulover-beach-floridaWhere:hollywood-beach-floridaWhere:hutchinson-island-floridaWhere:jupiter-floridaWhere:riviera-beach-floridaWhere:west-palm-beach-floridaMon, 20 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/15/enter-gadlings-perfect-road-trip-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/15/enter-gadlings-perfect-road-trip-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/15/enter-gadlings-perfect-road-trip-contest/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yesterday, we announced Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" contest, a fantabulous contest in which Gadling is partnering with Cadillac to send one lucky winner (and a friend!) on his or her perfect road trip, all expenses paid. All you have to do is describe your favorite road trip, and if you're selected as the winner, Cadillac will provide --
  • airfare for you and a friend from your home(s) to the start of your road trip destination;
  • a new Cadillac SRX to drive for the duration of a the road trip (sorry, you have to give it back at the end of the trip);
  • money for fuel and expenses along the way (think: hotel and meals);
  • airfare from the road trip's end point back to your home.
Here's how the contest works --
  1. In the comments below, leave a comment telling us about your favorite road trip. (Please: no months-long trips here; the road trip may only be two days long, but that's PLENTY of time to, say, cruise the Florida Keys.)
  2. You don't have to have been on the road trip before -- it can be one you're dreaming about -- but try to be specific. Make us drool over your imagined itinerary. (Hint: the prize will be available in September, so try to think of a relevant destination -- and that destination must be in the Continental US.)
  3. You can only leave one road trip suggestion, so choose wisely. Successive road trip ideas will remain visible on the site, however, for other people to dream about.
  4. All submissions must be left by July 22, 2009, at 5pm EST, in order to be considered.
  5. Gadling's road trip gurus will choose the 5 best road trip ideas from those left in the comments.
  6. We'll present Gadling's readers with the list early next week, and they'll vote on which is the best road trip -- and therefore, who should be the winner of the contest.
  7. Leaving a comment below constitutes having read, understood, and agreed to the complete rules (link is a PDF).
Good luck.

Gallery: 2010 Cadillac SRX

Enter Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest! originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillac srxCadillacSrxroad tripRoadTripWed, 15 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Announcing Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/14/announcing-gadlings-perfect-road-trip-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/14/announcing-gadlings-perfect-road-trip-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/14/announcing-gadlings-perfect-road-trip-contest/#comments
There's something transcendental about zooming along wildflower-rimmed country roads with the top on your convertible down. Fresh spring air, ripe with morning dew, floods your nostrils and tossles your hair. Hulking, weeping fig trees, thick with Spanish moss, sway in the breeze like a feathered boa on a dancing woman, and the sun -- cresting the canopy of the roadside trees -- plays hide-and-seek in the ripples of the nearby river.

Troubles at home? Far removed. Stressed from work? No longer. All that matters is the here and the now -- driving along gorgeous back-country roads, mercifully traffic-free.

If road trips delight you, then Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" contest will make you ecstatic. We're partnering with Cadillac to send one lucky winner (and a friend!) on his or her perfect road trip, all expenses paid. All you have to do is tell us your favorite road trip, and if you're selected as the winner, Cadillac will provide --
  • airfare for you and a friend from your home(s) to the start of your road trip destination;
  • a new Cadillac SRX to drive for the duration of the road trip (sorry, you have to give it back at the end of the trip);
  • money for fuel and expenses along the way (think: hotel and meals);
  • airfare from the road trip's end point back to your home.
Here's how the contest works --

Continue reading Announcing Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest

Announcing Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Afghanistan, an accordion, 'Elvis' and Johnny Cash]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/07/afghanistan-an-accordion-elvis-and-johnny-cash/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/07/afghanistan-an-accordion-elvis-and-johnny-cash/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/07/afghanistan-an-accordion-elvis-and-johnny-cash/#commentsFiled under: ,

Some people travel to shop in different stores, or to eat different food, or to drink different beers. Jeff White traveled to immerse himself in a different culture. He believed so strongly in immersion, in fact, that he moved to Germany to live and work. This post of Jeff's, republished in his honor, demonstrates Jeff's interest in immersion and passion for connecting with people while traveling. Thanks, Jeff, for reminding us of the most important reason for travel.

A friend of mine just sent me this video from the start-up Web site GlobalPost, and it's fantastic.

Gregory Warner, a freelance foreign correspondent living in Afghanistan, is an avid accordion player, and he tries to use the instrument as a means to connect with the people he's covering.

The way Afghans respond to his accordion music is somewhat unexpected and reveals some truths about the country's development during the last quarter century.

What does Warner do when asked to perform at a concert and realizing he doesn't know any tunes by Afghanistan's own pop icon? Well, Johnny Cash to the rescue. Watch and see what I mean...

(Thanks, Ed)

Afghanistan, an accordion, 'Elvis' and Johnny Cash originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accordiangregory warnerGregoryWarnerjeff whitejeff white memorialJeffWhiteJeffWhiteMemorialTue, 07 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST