The United-Continental merger was supposed to bring together the best of both carriers, but it doesn't always work that way. Continental is following United's lead and eliminating its free pretzels. But there are still a few options for flyers seeking free munchies -- and some of them are mighty tasty.

The hotel industry has emerged from its recessionary doldrums and it's getting harder to score a cheap room. But even with occupancy rates rising, if you're willing to book your stay blind on priceline.com or Hotwire, good deals can be had.

How hard can it be to get a really good chicken walnut sandwich at Denver International Airport? Depending on when you land, a lot harder than you'd guess. And it's not just Denver: The problem of airport restaurants that are closed when passengers are still arriving is irritatingly widespread.

Air travel delays can sometimes seem like the last straw for frustrated passengers. But new software, such as delay-prediction app FlightCaster, combined with some commonsense planning, can help keep air travelers sane and on schedule.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is raising the bar for the treatment of airline passengers this spring. You'll see more transparency in ticket pricing, better deals for bumped passengers, and reimbursement of luggage fees when checked bags are lost or delayed.

When Virgin American offered traveler writer Randy Diamond the chance to upgrade his ticket to "Main Cabin Select" for a mere $500 more than the coach fare, he assumed it must be for a first-class seat. But what the airline is actually offering for that upgrade may surprise you.

While the TSA argues that more aggressive security is necessary to find weapons or bombs under clothes and stop terrorists, travelers say they feel like they're the ones being terrorized. Worse, the procedures fail to achieve the stated aim of creating safer skies.

Finding a good -- or even passable -- restaurant at an airport isn't easy, especially for infrequent flyers. So, venture capitalist Dan Gellert decided to create a guide to airport eateries. He solution: GateGuru, now available for iPhones, iPads and iPod touch.

With its lack of premium amenities and upgrade options, Southwest has been an airline that many business travelers try to avoid. But after it absorbs AirTran next year, those frequent fliers will have almost no choice on some routes.

Don't believe the fairy tales United and Continental are spinning about their proposed merger being beneficial to travelers and carriers alike: Beyond the deal to bring Southwest to Newark Airport that they cut placate the antitrust watchdogs, this merger is all bad news.