No need to hold a bikini car wash to pay for your vacation with the new Priceline trip protection.

What was very en vogue in the last quarter of 2008 and at the start of 2009 has suddenly become en vogue again. But we won't complain because it's actually a good thing. Priceline.com has announced it will offer a full cancellation and refund for anyone who books a trip on their site and then loses their job. From the press release:

The expanded trip protection is available for priceline.com’s vacation packages, Name Your Own Price® hotel rooms, published-price and Name Your Own Price® airline tickets, and rental cars booked as an add-on to any priceline.com travel reservation.

However, as this is part of Priceline's optional travel insurance you need to select this option in order to get a refund. But um, we hope that won't happen because we want you to keep your job! Trip protection costs as little as $16 for a flight and $5 a night for a hotel reservation. ]]> juliana 2009-10-07T16:33:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/5/12333/21562

The Internets went crazy last night when Paula Abdul tweeted that she was leaving "American Idol" after eight seasons of telling contestants that America loves them. Coming on the heels of an announcement that new judge Kara DioGuardi had re-signed for another season, the scuttlebutt holds that producers were trying to replace Abdul all along; according to the New York Post, the "Opposites Attract" singer had asked for up to a $15 million pay raise to stay on as a judge.

Our advice to Paula: It's time to get out of Los Angeles for a bit! It doesn't matter whether you jumped or were pushed. If you sign up for a new reality-TV project, you're only going to look desperate and hate yourself. Put down your Blackberry and enjoy one of our handpicked getaways: ]]> egw 2009-08-05T12:33:03-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/30/93253/5222

Let's face it, the reputation of radio and concert giant Clear Channel was not all that great even before they embarked on their second round of layoffs in four months. Better that they focus on bringing bikes to American cities, we figure. But after posting a $5 billion loss for its first quarter this year, its San Antonio-based parent company broke out the pink slips hardcore.

Turn the volume down on all that unemployment noise for a few days with our easy-listening travel guide for those laid off in this wave: ]]> egw 2009-05-07T11:51:50-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/30/9101/40320

The private jet ads, they do nothing! Kansas-based manufacturer Cessna announced 2,300 layoffs yesterday as it struggles to adapt to an economy in which both airlines and people are content with last year's planes. Having all but closed their Oregon operations, they're now taking a chunk out of headquarters in Wichita. Fly free of these mortal concerns with our travel suggestions:

Spice -- Drown your sorrows in muchísimas margaritas at Albuquerque's great TexMex restaurants. When you've recovered from your hangover, check out the city's vibrant art scene or go for a warm-weather hike. We found a LastMinute.com package for next weekend for flight and hotel, $272/person.

Vice -- With Allegiant's $58 round-trip fare to Vegas will save you so much scratch, you can afford to re-enact that Katy Perry video when you get there. Suite at The Palms? Don't mind if we do!

Everything Nice -- Montreal's Hot & Dry Weekend, a five-day dance party at LGBT clubs all around the city, begins May 14. With a $420 round-trip fare from United, you'll be ready to party all night and sleep all day.

Related Stories:
· Cessna announces 2,300 layoffs as orders fall [AP via Google]
· Private Jet Companies Attempt To Justify Their Existence [Jaunted]
· Laid Off coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Kansas in the rear-view mirror: irishfireside] ]]> egw 2009-05-01T11:23:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/23/10241/6172

Times must be tough if even oil companies are cutting down their workforce. Houston multinational Apache is "only" laying off 200 employees in response to dropping oil and gas prices, but that's a deep cut for an industry widely considered to be recession-proof.

Of course, the best revenge on the oil company which showed you the door would be to staycate and let their demand fall even further, but that's not as fun as our post-employment suggestions:

Cool It -- It's not even that warm in Texas yet, but you know it's coming, so spend a chill weekend sampling microbrews and watching the Rockies play in Denver; we found a LastMinute.com package for next weekend for $259/person, hotel included.

Craic -- This Gaelic word meaning "fun or light-hearted mischief, often in the context of drinking" is what you'll be having with a $516 round-trip ticket to Dublin on Air Canada this summer.

Crash -- Want to stay close to home but still get away? The NYLO Plano Hotel is offering a buy-one-get-one-half-off weekend special for a getaway you can drive to.

Related Stories:
· Oil independent Apache Corp. is laying off 200 [Houston Chronicle]
· Wall Street Meltdown Good for Airlines [Jaunted]
· Laid-Off Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: guccibear2005] ]]> egw 2009-04-23T12:13:49-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/22/221814/033

Looking for a good excuse to put off college? We have just the thing. Greenforce uses volunteer tourists to create sustainable communities and conduct research for conservation projects. What sets the organization apart, is that they specialize in gap year programs in which students take a year off in between high school and college.

The gap year concept is also becoming popular with people who are looking to take time out of their current career or are looking for a new purpose after losing their job.

Greenforce offers a four-week program collecting data on white sharks in South Africa for $2,000 a person. A new group departs the first of each month. If you don’t find the imminent danger of swimming with sharks appealing, they also offer trips to study pandas in China or rescue animals in the Amazon.

Related Stories:
· 10 Great Summer Volunteer Vacations [Peter Greenberg]
· Greenforce [Official Site]
· Volunteer Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: Greenforce] ]]> cmb 2009-04-23T09:46:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/16/115747/242

But who will think of the children? The L.A. Unified School District was forced to cut 5,500 jobs this week from its rolls, 3,500 of them teachers, to plug a $570 million budget deficit. Not that anyone asked us, but teachers work damn hard and are so often under-appreciated. Educators of LA, consider this your summer vacation present:

Learn to Hula -- Airfare Watchdog not only mentioned a $242 r/t fare between L.A. and Honolulu this week for travel through June 7, they were actually able to book it.

Learn to Drink Guinness -- We're convinced that, unless you imbibed it in your youth like mother's milk, it's something you have to be taught. LastMinute.com's $474-per-person flight and hotel package to Dublin for next weekend should give you some extra help.

Learn the Right Coast -- See what you've been missing on the other side of the country with $218 fares through American to New York City throughout the summer. Check out Anne Hathaway in Shakespeare in the Park, kayak the Hudson or join the sign-wavers on Wall Street.

Related Stories:
· L.A. Unified moves to cut 5,000 teachers and others [LA Times]
· "Fast & Furious" Returns to Los Angeles [Jaunted]

[Photo: undergroundbastard]]]> egw 2009-04-16T13:47:59-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/