“Free” frequent flier trips are about to enter the same historic time warp as inflight meals, no-charge second checked bags and free airline phone reservations.

Delta Air Lines today announced it will begin charging a $25 fuel surcharge on domestic and Canadian flights earned with mileage plan miles and $50 on international mileage plan flights beginning Aug. 15.

Delta follows US Airways with extra charges of frequent flier mile redemption. US Airways will charge a $25 to $50 processing surcharge for frequent flier flights booked on or after Aug. 6. American Airlines is already charging a $5 processing

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International Lease Finance Corp., the world’s largest aircraft lessor, says it plans to buy 150 single-aisle aircraft from both Boeing Co. and its rival, Airbus.

The Los Angeles-based ILFC may announce those orders soon at the Farnborough Air Show in England.

The present financial and fuel crisis in the airline industry could provide ILFC with a unique opportunity: satisfy airlines’ need to replace their gas guzzlers with more efficient new aircraft without having to spend their precious cash.

If ILFC’s timing is right, it could negotiate better prices with the aircraft makers who are seeing

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In anticipation of summer travel season, U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent out a few tips today on how to cross the Canadian border quickly and safely.

First U.S. and Canadian citizens are now required to present proof of citizenship and identity to enter the United States at land and sea ports of entry. This can include a passport, trusted traveler program card (NEXUS), or a birth certificate with a driver’s license.

Travelers 18 and under can present just a birth certificate.

More handy tips:

- Take a look at the “Know Before You Go” portion of the U.S. Customs Web site to avoid fines and penalties.

- Have your citizenship and identity documents ready for inspection as you cross and be prepared to declare all the items you acquired abroad. Also hang up your cell phone before you get to the inspection booth.

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Burger King has sold out of a limited-edition, super-fancy hamburger it made available to Londoners, according to Forbes. The cost? $185 How many days did it take to sell out? Just two.

Here are some additional details from the Forbes story on what the chain restaurant dubbed simply The Burger:

The secret to the meat’s delectable taste? “Its massaged Japanese Wagyu beef,” Dowding said.



The burger, which looks similar to a regular whopper, is made out of ingredients from seven countries, from Japan to France.



Some restaurateurs dismissed the burger, spiced

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It might pay to know your local sales tax rate – literally, according to the state Department of Revenue.

Some shoppers may save money on sales tax due to a change starting July 1 on how the tax is collected on shipped and delivered goods.

Beginning next month sales taxes on items that are shipped or delivered will be based on where the customer receives the product instead of the point from which it was shipped.

The Department of Revenue points out that knowing your local sales tax rate could save you money if that rate

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The July edition of Travel+Leisure magazine features a patriotic cover story about “50 Fabulous U.S. Travel Ideas” – one for each state.

Coming in at No. 6, Tacoma, Wash. Why?

“Because of the incandescent beauty of Tacoma’s colored glass,” the magazine touts.

Travel+Leisure’s write-up on Tacoma includes an image of a glass pear blown by artist Jesse Kelly and available to purchase at the Museum of Glass gift shop.

“This once industrial city has become an international destination for glass art. The birthplace of acclaimed glass designer Dale Chihuly, Tacoma

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Prium Companies redesigned its building planned for the Foss Waterway. Now, it’s ground floor is actually on the ground, rather than built up on a pedestal of stairs.

When Prium Companies won approval recently from the Foss Waterway Development Authority to switch from a mostly residential building to a mostly office building, it required a redesign.

This week the FWDA released these images of the waterside view and the view from I-705. Credit the work to BCRA’s architectural team:

· Stuart Young, principal-in-charge

· Gail Merth, senior architectural designer

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Nineteen Northwest airports are at risk of losing some or all of their air service during the current airline financial crisis, a new study says.

The study by the Business Travel Coalition lists those airports among 150 U.S. airports that could see diminished travel choices.

Sea-Tac Airport and Portland International Airport were not among those the BTC listed as being at risk.

The BTC said high fuel prices and slackening demand for air travel is putting flights in jeopardy.

The study listed Spokane, Tri-Cities, Bellingham and Yakima in Washington, Eugene, Medford and Redmond in Oregon, Boise,

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