If you’ve ever been in the middle of a multi-leg, multi-day trip, you’re probably familiar with the small joys that a well-kept airline lounge can bring.

Unfortunately, costs keep rising on the airlines, and added fees aren’t going to make up for all of carriers’ financial struggles. In order to further cut costs, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have begun to close several of their lounges throughout the U.S.

With mergers, partnerships, and alliances, members might still be able to track down a lounge to their liking, but it’s likely that Delta Air Lines and United Airlines will not be the only major carriers to go after airport perks as a means to save money.

Visit Gadling for more on the story and the specific lounges that are closing down.

You can still find a bit of comfort and luxury in the sky without flying business class or first class. Along with extra room, Virgin Atlantic’s (VS) premium economy class offers “devoted cabin crew, personal seatback entertainment, exclusive meals, plus a slew of other features…”

The added perks aren’t the only reason to fly Virgin Atlantic premium economy to London. You’ll also find travel deals across the Pond from New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and other departure cities throughout the U.S.

VS’ current premium economy airfare deals are good for travel this summer until December 17th, but prices do vary depending on your month of departure. Keep reading for a full break down of premium economy airfare to London on Virgin Atlantic…

The Venetian hotel and casino, dedicated to brining a bit of European luxury and glamor to the American desert, is opening their newly renovated suites to the public by offering both weekday and weekend deals.

The latest Las Vegas deal package from the Venetian features suites for $199/nt (weekdays) and $219/nt (weekends). Along with its “modern European ambiance,” your suite will also feature:

• Three televisions: in the King suite - 17″ LCD in the bath, 32″ in the living room, and 32″ in the bedroom; in the Dual Queen suite - 17″ LCD in the bath, 32″ in the living room, and 42″ plasma in the bedroom.
• Remote control Roman shades and curtains, with first-of-its-kind “Touch Control” technology.
• Oversized terry cloth bath sheets.
• DVD player and CD/clock radio alarm.
• Wireless dual-line telephones and wireless Internet available

Book your room at the Venetian online, or call 1-866-403-8046 and mention promotional code: GVGUS08.

Forbes has just released its list of “Eight Sensational Scuba-Diving Trips,” and while all of the featured destinations offer the potential for unique diving experiences, Forbes has also manged to find underwater paradises located near world class resorts, eco-escapes, private islands, and all the luxury a weary diver could need.

These scuba vacations will put you face-to-face with rare species of fish, legendary predators of the sea, and even sunken ruins from the Civil War.

Keep reading for a look at Forbes’ Eight Sensational Scuba-Diving destinations…

UK travelers can escape to the beaches of Barbados in luxury for less.

Virgin Atlantic is offering Upper Class airline tickets from Manchester to Barbados for as low as 999 GBP R/T. You can also fly Upper Class to St Lucia for as low as 1,001 GBP.

In order to take advantage of Virgin Atlantic’s upper class escapes, you have to book by 10:00 PM on 1 August 2008 and travel between 01 September and 12 October, 2008.

Visit Virgin Atlantic Special Offers for more details.

British Airways is kicking luxury vacations up a notch. The carrier is offering London vacation packages that welcome travelers into a world of comfort from the moment they step on the plane.

With a British Airways first class “seat,” you’ll actually find yourself in a secluded “demi-cabin,” that comes complete with turndown service, gourmet meals, personalized service, and even a pair of velvet slippers to soothe your feet on the long flight.

Upon landing, you’ll be chauffeured to a five-star hotel where you can spend 3-nights enjoying your luxury accommodations and exploring all that London has to offer. When it’s time to return to the States, you’ll once again have the benefit of chauffeur service, easy check-in, and those demi-cabin accommodations for the flight home.

British Airways has partnered with several luxury hotels in London to give travelers the opportunity to find the perfect surroundings for their trip. These first class luxury packages from British Airways start at $9,425+ per person. You can also find business class luxury vacation packages from BA starting at $3,898+ per person.

Visit British Airways Luxury Vacation Packages for more details.

If you don’t have a balloon and 80 days to spare, there’s another way to travel around the world. In fact, the oneworld alliance of airlines is trying to make it as easy as possible for you to take the epic journey.

Combining the “resources and route networks of American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Royal Jordanian or Qantas,” you can plot your trip, earn large quantities of frequent flier miles, enjoy the perks of membership, and perhaps even save some money along the way.

Your fare will vary depending on how many continental zones of the oneworld alliance you touch, the length and path of your travels, and a range of other elements. However, oneworld will help you plot your course to determine an airfare estimate.

If you have the spirit of Adventure in you, visit oneworld Explorer to discover how they can help you truly see the world.

Business travel isn’t quite what it used to be. Not only are companies looking to cut back on costs, they’re also looking for faster, easier ways to handle their corporate travel needs. So, will we soon see the day when travel departments take the step that so many leisure travelers have already taken…will we see them turn to social networking for all their answers? Yes, we will–at least, that is, if certain corporate travel companies have their way.

The folks at Travel 2.0: Interactive Trend Report break down the latest moves travel companies are making in order to become “the Facebook of corporate travel.”

The article takes a look at some of the advantages social networking could offer companies and their frequent business travelers. It also raises the all important question: how much use will a business traveler social network really receive?

Check out Travel 2.0’s Business Traveler Advice From Strangers for more on this burgeoning trend in corporate travel.

Delta Airlines is still offering their BusinessElite Leisure airfares to destinations throughout Europe. As the name implies, these airfares are the carrier’s way of making business class travel more appealing to leisure travelers.

As fuel costs continue to rise and corporate travel departments move more company employees to the back of the plane, airlines will most likely need more leisure travelers to keep their business class sections full.

Delta Airlines BusinessElite Leisure airfares do offer good deals to a range of destinations, but these are still very much business class airfares. However, if you’re looking to fly in luxury and save a bit in the process, you can book your business class airline ticket 50 days or 30 days in advance (50-day advance purchase will get you the cheapest flights).

Keep reading for sample BusinessElite Leisure Airfares from Delta Airlines…

Forbes has once again released its list of the Top 10 airports in the world. This list (based on results from a Skytrax survey) is, as most Top 10 lists, highly subjective. However, it does rate airports in over 40 categories including shopping, dining, and wait times, and the survey takes into account the answers of over 8 million travelers.

So, the results are in, and once again Hong Kong International Airport took top honors. It was one of several Asian airports to crack the Top 10. Europe saw a few of its major hubs make the list, as well, but not one airport in the United States made the grade.

Keep reading to see which airports reign supreme, and visit Forbes for a more in depth look at the list…

In search of a luxurious escape that rejuvenates the body as well as the mind? The Lodge at Chaa Creek in Belize may be the destination you have been dreaming about.

Located in the western highlands of Belize, the Lodge at Chaa Creek has earned distinction as one of the premiere eco-resorts in the world. During your stay, you’ll find yourself nestled among the sweeping landscapes of Belize, the flowing waters of the Macal River, and over 70 ancient Mayan archaeological sites.

A vacation package to the Lodge at Chaa Creek aims to enrich mind, body, and spirit by combining outdoor adventure, immersion into local culture, and invigorating spa treatments. Keep reading for a sample of what you can expect to discover when you escape to Belize…

Make traveling to Europe an experience — an experience in comfort and luxury — on Continental’s business class flights. And, save money.

There are restrictions; travel must be completed by Sept. 5, and there is a 7-day minimum stay (that won’t be hard).

But just look at these prices for 30-day advance purchase:

• Newark to Heathrow, $999+ one-way
• Newark to Edinburgh, $999+ one-way
• Newark to Dublin, $999+ one-way
• Newark to Paris, 1099+ one-way

You’ll also save — just not as much — with a 14-day advance purchase:

• Newark to Heathrow, $1281+ one-way
• Newark to Edinburgh, $1466+ one-way
• Newark to Dublin, $1512+ one-way
• Newark to Paris, $1697+ one-way

There are also departures from Cleveland and Houston, plus lots more European cities to go to, so click here for all the details.

Like traveling first class, but still like saving money?

Then hurry. Virgin Atlantic’s luxury flights to London from several U.S. cities must be booked by July 21.

And there is a 42-day advance purchase. All the details are right here.

Want to be someplace warm this fall? With a golf club in your hand?

Northwest has got the vacation package for you, whether you dream of the links in Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Montego Bay or Cancun.

Vacations begin with first class travel on NWA, and hotels like the Ritz-Carlton or the Fairmount. And you don’t even have to play golf! Let someone else play at being Tiger, while you lie around and get pampered. Prices start at $1,026+ which includes airfare and 3-nights in the hotel.

Travel is from Oct. 1 through Dec. 18. There are restrictions so click here for all the details.

Northwest is offering packages for first-class airfare and 3-nights at first class hotels like Bellagio, the Ritz-Carlton, the Wynn and other opulent resorts — with prices starting as low as $936+, depending on your departure city (from Omaha, Detroit, Minneapolis and more).

Hotel amenities include use of spa facilities, dining credits and preferred show seating.

You may just find Sin City has never looked so glamorous.

Book by July 19. See all the details here.

Virgin America (VX) is offering its eleVAte members a couple of opportunities that you won’t get with most frequent flier programs.

The first involves a chance to see the WhiteKnight (WK2), “the world’s largest all carbon composite aircraft with a high-altitude lift capacity capable of launching SpaceShipTwo into sub-orbital space flight.” OK, so it’s not technically a spaceship, but it will be launching Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, and that’s not the type of craft you get to see every day. The lucky eleVAte member who wins this prize, will also be “flown to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) where they’ll be whisked away with other VIPs to this once-in-a-lifetime world premier in the Mojave Desert.” (from VX)

Along with WK2, you’ll also get a look at Sir Richard Branson while in the Mojave. Visit Virgin America/Virgin Galactic for more details.

Space flight and billionaires not really your thing? The second opportunity from eleVAte might be more your speed (or at least your ‘Speed of Sound’): “We also have a special surprise for one loyal Elevate member who is a die hard Coldplay fan. We have a pair of front row tickets just waiting for you to go to Coldplay’s show in San Jose, CA on July 18 at the HP Pavilion.” (from VX) Visit Virgin America News for more details.

Rock bands and sub-orbital launchers might be a tough act to follow, but will let you know when Virgin America and eleVAte launch their next PR move.

Whether you’re flying first class, business class, or economy, there is a chance you may find that a flight you booked months ago no longer exists. Rising fuel costs have led to capacity cuts both domestically and internationally.

So, you were prepared, you booked your flight early, and now you find that there is no flight. What do you do?

Over on RickSeaney.com, we’ve broken down some of your options, your rights in these situations, and some tips that can help you get rescheduled and on your way with as little headache as possible.

Visit That Flight You Booked 6 Months Ago? Canceled! But We Can Help.

The five-star hotel: The pinnacle of luxury. The top of the line. The envy of all those four-star hotels that just couldn’t quite make the cut, right? Well, maybe not anymore. At least in Berlin.

Upgrade: Travel Better has a great post that breaks down some of the struggles five-star hotels in Germany are currently facing. With the cost of business travel on the rise, it seems that those five stars are keeping the corporations away.

In order to deal with lost revenue and lost customers, some top hotels in Berlin are doing what they can to drop a star. So, will dropping a star really bring in the business travel? Will the move in Berlin spawn similar movements elsewhere? After all, Berlin isn’t the only city affected by decreased business travel spending.

Read Upgrade Travel Better: Downgrades wanted?! Hotels hoping to shed a star for more details and for a look at how a hotel might go about dropping a star, and if you’re a corporate travel planner please let us know if a hotel’s star-count ever comes into consideration for you.

Another business-class-only airline will soon be gone. L’Avion, the carrier that offers “business class, French style” between New York and Paris’ Orly Airport will be purchased by British Airways.

L’Avion joins fellow former business class airlines MAXJet, eos, and Silverjet in the “little airlines that couldn’t” category. Rising fuel costs, decreased demand for business class travel, and pressure from larger carriers have made the “premium airline” space a tough market to navigate, and this latest casualty further demonstrates how difficult it is for the “little guy” to compete in a struggling industry.

The move from British Airways seems like a logical one. It’s fledgling OpenSkies (an airline heavily focused on business class and premium economy travel) operates a Paris - New York route, and it can’t hurt to get the competition out of the way.

BA will pay $107.3 million USD for L’Avion, and will incorporate the privately-owned French carrier into its OpenSkies unit.

With British Airways behind it, OpenSkies may survive in the niche air travel market, but the departure of L’Avion coming on the heels of other business-class-only airline collapses may be the final nail in the coffin for what the folks at Gadling refer to as “the small, proud airline.”

Visit Gadling and Reuters for more details on British Airway’s move to purchase L’Avion.

Virgin Atlantic is offering their fabled “Upper Class” service to London for less, from several American cities.

The best deals, though are from the NY area: travel either in August, September or October for just $1,179+ one-way.

You must do a 42-advance purchase, and you must purchase your tickets by July 21. See all the details, as well as deals from other U.S. cities, right here.

Demonstrating that there are no hard feelings towards a former colony, British Airways has launched an Independence Day business class airfare sale to London.

In keeping with the holiday, they’re offering Club World seats for as low as $1776+ R/T.

These deals are good for travel through December 31st, but you have to book by July 6th to take advantage of the reduced business class airfare.

Prices are subject to availability and they do vary based on departure city. Visit British Airways Offers for more details, and keep reading for a look at the perks that come with a British Airways Club World seat…

Alitalia’s Magnifica Class Summer Airfare Sale will help you fly to Italy in style for less. With a 50-day advance purchase you can enjoy business class comfort and first class service to dream destinations like Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Venice for as low as $3,202 R/T (including taxes and fees).

Once onboard, you’ll lounge in plush Italian-designed seats, enjoy gourmet meals served on fine china, enjoy a variety of entertainment options presented on your personal flat screen, and you’ll have the attention of Alitalia’s multi-lingual flight staff.

This Magnifica Class airfare sale from Alitalia is good for travel October 31, 2008. Keep reading for sample airfares to a destinations throughout Italy…