Co-founder: It matters when you book airfare

Co-founder: It matters
when you book airfare

NEW YORK — If you’re booking airfare online, did you ever wonder if it matters what day of the week or what time of day you book?

The co-founder of Lessno.com, a Web site that offers international flights, says it does matter.

“Our experience with airlines has shown us that they update available seats around 12 a.m. Eastern time every day,” said Assen Vassilev, who is also the company’s CEO.

He added that weekend specials are usually released Thursday night. So, Vassilev said, late Thursday night is a good time to check for the best deals.

Lessno.com’s discount fares come from more than 75 airlines around the world.

Lithium batteries banned from luggage

WASHINGTON — To help reduce the risk of fires, air travelers are no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage.

The ban began Jan. 1.

Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers.

If packed in plastic bags, batteries may be in carryon baggage. The limit is two batteries per passenger.

The ban affects shipments of nonrechargeable lithium batteries, such as those made by Energizer Holdings Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co.’s Duracell brand.

The Federal Aviation Administration has found that fire-protection systems in the cargo hold of passenger planes can’t put out fires sparked in lithium batteries.

Want the top bargain?
It’s an inn in Mass.

NEEDHAM, Mass. — The SeaCoast Inn in Hyannis, Mass., was named the “best bargain in the world” in TripAdvisor’s annual “Travelers’ Choice Awards.”

The inn, located on Cape Cod, is lauded by consumers posting on TripAdvisor as “fantastic,” “immaculate,” “comfortable,” and “quiet,” with a perfect location and friendly innkeepers.

The inn is closed for the season, but rates on the inn’s Web site at www.seacoastcapecod.com are listed as $98-$148 summer, and $68-$108 spring and fall (higher for holiday weekends),

For the complete list of 325 hotels in all categories, visit www.tripadvisor.com.

2007 tops record for
U.S. visitors to Israel

TEL AVIV, Israel — More Americans visited Israel last year than ever before.

In 2007, 529,000 Americans made the trip, according to Arie Sommer, Israel’s tourism commissioner for North and South America.

The previous record year was 1999, when 515,000 Americans visited the country.

About 25 percent of all tourists to Israel come from the U.S., with the top five states of origin being New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

While some Americans go to connect with their Jewish heritage, Sommer estimates that as many as a third of U.S. visitors are Christian. Itineraries that include sites connected to the New Testament and the life of Jesus are popular.

For more information on visiting Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.

Associated Press