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Want to get a European stamp in your passport? You'll have until early November to get one

You’re running out of time if you want to get a European stamp in your passport. 

The European Union’s commissioner for home affairs announced in a speech Friday the E.U. would switch on its new electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) on Nov. 10, which will remove the stamp requirement for most tourists. 

“At every single airport, every single harbor, every single road into Europe. We will have digital border controls,” the text of her speech said. “When that happens, it will be goodbye to passport stamping, hello to digital checks.” 

Under the new system foreign visitors entering the E.U. will have their fingerprints and face scanned digitally upon entry. (Visitors who already require a short-stay visa, which U.S. tourists do not, will only have their face scanned.) E.U. officials will then use those biometrics to confirm a visitor’s entry and exit from the union. 

Once the EES is switched on, border officers will cross-reference a person’s biometrics with their passport on the first visit and will remain on file . For future visits, tourists’ biometric data will be verified on entry and exit.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

To use the system, travelers will need a biometric passport. Since 2007, the U.S. State Department has exclusively issued biometric passports, which have a symbol of two rectangles with a circle in the center on their cover. Visitors to the E.U. who do not have a biometric passport will have to go through more thorough processing at the border and will not be eligible to use self-service passport control kiosks. 

The E.U.’s EES system is separate from the European Travel Information and Authorization System ( ETIAS ), which will require most visitors to also preregister ahead of their trips.  

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New technology could help treat hearing loss more effectively

Nih-funded uc researcher studying magnetic nanoparticle delivery.

Just as a business needs an effective and reliable service to deliver its goods to customers, medications need an effective delivery system to get them to the specific area of the body where they can have an impact. 

The University of Cincinnati’s Daniel Sun, MD, has received a career development award of just more than $1 million from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders to research the potential of using magnetic nanoparticles as a delivery system for drugs to reach the inner ear and treat hearing loss. 

Aside from often ineffective steroids, there are currently no drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat hearing loss, and getting the medications into the inner ear, where hearing loss occurs, is a major hurdle. 

“There are a lot of interesting medications that are in the pipeline that have a lot of potential to transform the way we treat hearing loss and allow us to delay or even reverse hearing loss,” said Sun, the Myles L. Pensak, MD, Endowed Professor in Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, director of the Division of Neurotology, neurotology fellowship program director and associate professor of otolaryngology in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and a UC Health physician. “But we don’t have a good way to get these promising medications into the ear very effectively.” 

Sun said a breakthrough in drug delivery combined with the new medications being developed could open a new world for noninvasive treatment of hearing loss. Photo/UC Health.

Magnetic nanoparticles have been used as a drug delivery system in other parts of the body, but Sun said his research is helping develop a better understanding of exactly how to engineer the nanoparticles specifically for the ear’s anatomy.  

“The goal is to create something that’s minimally invasive and then use a magnetic field to steer these nanoparticles into the ear where hearing loss is happening,” Sun said. 

Different kinds of hearing loss, like age-related hearing loss, noise trauma and sudden hearing loss, are caused by different mechanisms and therefore treated by different medications. If magnetic nanoparticles are effective, they could act as the delivery truck that gets loaded up with the specific medication each patient needs based on their kind of hearing loss. 

“Based on the way they’re engineered, these particles can carry many different forms of medications,” Sun said. “It’s essential that we can use a common platform for different medications that can target different types of hearing loss.” 

In addition to the magnetic field research, Sun and Donglu Shi, PhD, from UC’s Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, are collaborating to study the effectiveness of lasers to activate the nanoparticles and help them penetrate the inner ear. 

Sun, center, collaborates with colleagues at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute. Photo/UC Health.

“We want to approach it very systematically and rigorously to truly understand how to design these nanoparticles in a way that is biocompatible, that is safe for hearing and balance function in the ear,” Sun said. “At the same time, we want to provide very robust drug delivery capabilities. We’re really starting from the ground up to understand how these particles really penetrate the membrane that separates our middle ear from the inner ear and how these particles actually go to the areas of the inner ear that we need them to go to.” 

Long term, Sun said a breakthrough in drug delivery combined with the new medications being developed could open a new world for noninvasive treatment of hearing loss. “We really want to look to a future where people, regardless of age or their health, can safely undergo these treatments with these promising medications in a way that is minimally invasive and also effective in treating their hearing loss,” he said. 

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction.  Next Lives Here.

Sun was initially awarded this grant while at Johns Hopkins University and transferred the grant when he joined the faculty at UC. 

Featured photo at top of Sun pointing to a scan on a monitor. Photo/UC Health.

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Florida's official tourism site removes 'LGBTQ Travel' section

Florida’s official tourism website quietly removed a landing page for the state’s LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations sometime in the past four months.

The website for the state’s tourism marketing corporation, VisitFlorida.com, had an “LGBTQ Travel” section that no longer exists, according to archived versions of the site viewable on the Internet Archive. The landing page previously featured blog posts and videos related to the state’s gay-friendly beaches, Pride events and LGBTQ road trip ideas.

“There’s a sense of freedom to Florida’s beaches, the warm weather and the myriad activities — a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance,” the landing page used to read. “Whether you’re a couple seeking a romantic getaway or a modern family searching for kid-friendly fun, here are some LGBTQ-friendly destinations for you, throughout the Sunshine State.”

The link where the LGBTQ Travel page had been (https://www.visitflorida.com/things-to-do/cultural/lgbtq/) now directs users to a general “things to do” landing page. It is unclear exactly when the landing page was removed, but it was available as recently as April 19, according to the Internet Archive. It is also unclear why Visit Florida, a nonprofit created as a public-private partnership by the Florida Legislature in 1996, removed the landing page and who was behind the decision.

The website does continue to provide travel information for destinations specific to other minority groups, including Black and Hispanic travelers.

Visit Florida did not immediately return a request for comment.

Rachel Covello runs OutCoast , a travel blog that promotes Florida as an LGBTQ-inclusive destination. Covello, a lesbian who lives in St. Petersburg, said the “LGBTQ Travel” landing page has existed on Visit Florida’s website since at least 2021. She said she first noticed that the landing page was missing last month.

“It really feels like we were just erased in a way,” Covello said.

“We want LGBT people to come here, we have really cool places to highlight and showcase,” she added.“But when the state-run platform removes any trace of us being in Florida, it sends a pretty strong message to our travelers, to our community in Florida.”

Not all references to LGBTQ people or LGBTQ-friendly places have been removed from the site. For example, if one types “LGBT” in the site’s search function, five results pop up, three of them for venues described as “LGBT Friendly.”

Maryann Ferenc, a small business owner who served as the chair of Visit Florida from 2017 to 2018, said there was a lot of LGBTQ-related travel information on the site during her time, including information about suggested itineraries and recommended beaches. She questioned whether stripping the site of its LGBTQ Travel section and other LGBTQ-related content s was a smart business move.

“To be a great tourism community, you need to be open and welcoming. That’s the basics of hospitality, right?” she said. “When I was chair, we talked about, ‘Could we be No. 1 in hospitality? How could we measure being the most hospitable state in the Union?’ This certainly wouldn’t qualify for that.”

Ferenc added that diversifying the state’s tourism industry was one of her main objectives when she led the organization.

“All of our diverse markets are important to us getting all of the business that is our fair share of the statewide, national and international tourism market,” she said. “It’s important that we have that diversity, not only because of the amount of money that will be spent by a diverse market, but by the diverse places in which that money will be spent.” 

The removal of the LGBTQ Travel section from VisitFlorida.com is the latest in a yearslong effort to restrict queer history and the expression of LGBTQ identities in the state.

Since 2021, Florida has enacted legislation to limit the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in its public schools, to limit the ability of trans minors from accessing transition-related health care or from participating on school sports teams and to defund diversity programs at Florida colleges. 

In recent years, Florida lawmakers also unsuccessfully attempted to limit drag shows, an artform that has decades-old roots in the LGBTQ community. Some of the state’s schools have also voluntarily removed or banned LGBTQ-related books or books with queer characters. 

Just last week, New College of Florida tossed hundreds of books in the trash , with many of the discarded titles appearing to be related to LGBTQ issues, race and women’s rights.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis notably waged a yearslong legal battle with Disney , which has a massive corporate footprint in the state, after the company came out against the state’s so-called “ Don’t Say Gay ” law. Disney settled with the state this year.

Last year, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group, and the statewide LGBTQ nonprofit Equality Florida issued a travel advisory detailing the risks of traveling to the state and citing “the devastating impacts of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community.”

A recent survey of 2,300 LGBTQ Americans by the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) found that 52% of respondents indicated hesitancy or outright refusal to travel to Florida due to anti-LGBTQ legislation passed in recent years. However, about 66% of respondents also said that they would be willing to visit LGBTQ-friendly cities within states that have anti-LGBTQ laws. 

In 2017, within days of former president Trump’s inauguration, his administration similarly scrubbed nearly all mentions of LGBTQ people and issues from the websites of federal agencies and the White House. 

For more from NBC Out, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC Out.

Residence hall move-in to affect campus travel Aug. 25 and Aug. 27-29, 2024

Commuters can expect delays in the campus area for UW Housing fall semester move-in. Some campus roadways will close or be limited to one-way move-in traffic. The move-in days are Sunday, August 25 and Tuesday through Thursday, August 27-29, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Parking lots located near residence halls will also be used as unloading zones. Transportation Services will send email notifications to permit holders in affected parking lots.  

East Campus Closures

• Park Street between University Avenue and Langdon Street will be one-way northbound. The southbound lane will be restricted to move-in traffic only.
• Lake Street between Dayton and Johnson Streets will be closed to thru traffic. Access will be restricted to primarily move-in traffic, one-way northbound only. The intercity bus stop will temporarily move to Johnson Street, north of Gordon Dining and Event Center.

West Campus Closures

• Observatory Drive between Charter Street to Babcock Drive will be one-way westbound only and restricted to primarily move-in traffic.
• Elm Drive north of Observatory will be restricted to primarily move-in traffic.

Campus Bus Detours

Any detours related to move-in will be posted at Madison Metro Transit’s website .

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Money blog: Top Yorkshire chef shares Yorkshire pudding secrets - including mistake you're almost definitely making

Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Today's posts include Yorkshire pudding tips in Cheap Eats and a look at big brands' returns charges. Leave a comment on anything we're covering in the box below.

Wednesday 21 August 2024 10:56, UK

• Death of the free return - what each major brand charges
• New timeline for €7 visa to visit Europe
• Tax rise speculation as government borrowing soars
• Rents now falling in some cities

Essential reads

• Cheap Eats : Top Yorkshire chef shares Yorkshire pudding secrets
• Gold price reaches record high - here's why
• Shirt prices for each Premier League team
• Pay at every supermarket - and perks staff get

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• How to get money back when purchase over £100 goes wrong
• 'Should I top up my NI and could it really get me £6,000 extra?'
• Energy deals that could beat winter price rise
• All discounts you get as student or young person

Ask a question or make a comment

By  Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

The share price slide for BT continued today. It topped the leader board as the biggest price faller in the FTSE 100, with shares down 1.36%. 

Yesterday, an estimated £1bn was wiped from the company's value after an internet network rival CityFibre struck a deal with broadband supplier Sky, the owner of Sky News. 

It means Sky will use CityFibre's network, rather than Openreach, to offer its services starting next year.

The oil price is this week back below $80 a barrel which should make refilling a car cheaper in about a week to 10 days' time. The benchmark oil price, a barrel of Brent crude, is $77.36, cheaper than for most of the last year.

One pound is equal to €1.1708, down from the highs of July but better than early this month. Against the dollar, sterling is strong, buying $1.3026 - the highest in more than a year. 

Ed Conway , our data and economics editor, has warned there is a "lot of bad news to come" as Labour try to get a grip of the UK's finances.

Earlier, we reported that government borrowing rose to its highest amount since the pandemic in July, with public sector spending on the rise.

But Conway is clear most of this pre-dates the Labour government.

"What it's showing is the state of public finances is not actually terribly good," he says.

"Having spoken to people in government, they are going to be raising taxes, they are going to be cutting spending.

"What we are going to hear about in the budget that is coming up at the end of October is frankly going to be quite miserable.

"It's going to be quite grim."

He adds: "There's going to be a lot of bad news to come, I'm afraid."

A reminder the prime minister and chancellor have vowed not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT.

Reports in the Guardian and Mirror newspapers suggest the chancellor may look to raise more from inheritance tax and capital gains tax, among other measures like not scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Signs that the upward movement on rents is finally easing have been reported by Zoopla.

In research commissioned by the BBC , the property website found "the recent boom in rent rises for new lets is coming to an end".

Across the country, rents have risen by 1.6% over the last six months - way down from the 11% we saw overall in 2022 and 8% in 2023.

Zoopla expects this year's overall figure to come in at between 3-4%.

But interestingly, the picture differs across the country - with rents now falling in places such as London, Brighton, Glasgow, Nottingham and Worthing...

In London, a third of boroughs are seeing rents come down, most noticeably in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich...

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

Government borrowing rose to the highest amount since the pandemic in July, official figures show.

Not since 2021 has there been a July with such high borrowing, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

There was a £3.1bn difference between what the government took in from things like taxes and how much was spent on public sector services - a net deficit made up for with borrowing.

Compared with the same month last year it's £1.8bn higher.

The sums are also higher than expected when looked at across a four-month period, despite being £500m below the same time in 2023.

So far the government has borrowed £51.4bn over the first four months of the 2024-25 financial year.

Independent forecasters the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expected borrowing to be £4.7bn less and come in at £46.6bn.

Despite better-than-expected economic growth in recent weeks, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is widely  expected to raise some taxes  in her first October budget having said there is a  £22bn black hole  in the public finances.

Today's figures are likely to add to that expectation.

Every Wednesday we ask Michelin chefs to pick their favourite Cheap Eats where they live and when they cook at home. This week we speak to James Mackenzie, chef and owner of East Yorkshire's only Michelin-star restaurant - the Pipe and Glass in South Dalton.

Hi James, can you tell us your favourite places in East Yorkshire where you can get a meal for two for less than £40?

You can't beat brunch at Drewton's Farm Shop and Kitchen . Nestled in the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds, they serve a fantastic all-day breakfast using local ingredients, including their own craft sausages and Doreen's black pudding. It certainly sets you up for a busy day.

My second choice is Laveracks , a butcher/deli with shops in nearby Holme on Spalding Moor and Pocklington. They make great sausage rolls that hit the spot if I'm out and about - they're a generous size wrapped in delicious home-made pastry. The pies are chunky too, they don't scrimp on the filling and the flavours are fab. They also offer a top-quality selection of meats - everything that a great butcher should be.

What is your go-to cheap eat to cook at home when you have a night in?

You can't beat a family Sunday roast complete with all the trimmings and a sky-high Yorkshire pudding or two. 

Yorkshire pudding is the first recipe that I ever made. I was about five or six, and I can remember cracking the eggs and whisking like mad, and my mum saying, "Carry on, they need more air" - but I think this was just a ploy to keep me occupied and had nothing to do with her recipe.

This recipe is simple and it uses an excessive amount of eggs to create the biggest Yorkies you've ever made.

And make sure you don't make the common mistake of seasoning your batter too early.

Make sure you let it rest before adding salt at the last minute before cooking - otherwise it affects the rise.

Ingredients (makes 10)

• 300ml full-fat milk
• 260g plain flour
• Goose or duck fat or beef dripping, or rapeseed oil if preferred
• Salt and freshly ground white pepper
• Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4;
• Place the eggs and milk into a mixing bowl and whisk together, sieve the flour in and mix with a hand blender until you've got a smooth batter. Leave to stand for at least 10 minutes;
• In a 12-hole baking tray place a tablespoon of fat into each mould and put in the oven until smoking hot;
• Season the batter immediately before you pour it into the smoking hot tray - this will stop the salt breaking down the egg and your puddings will rise really well;
• Fill up 10 moulds nearly full around the edge of the tray, leaving two moulds in the middle free to allow the heat to circulate evenly;
• Bake for 35 minutes and don't be tempted to open the oven door earlier or they will collapse.

We've spoken to lots of top chefs - check out their cheap eats from around the country here...

Over half of fashion retailers now charge customers for postal returns, new research shows.

The consumer choice website Which? found that 12 out of the UK's 20 biggest online retailers no longer offer free postal or courier returns. 

PrettyLittleThing, H&M and Boohoo are among the stores charging the lowest return fee at £1.99 while MandM Direct charges customers between £2.99-£3.99.

Also among the retailers Which? looked at were JD Sports, Matalan, New Look, Next, River Island, Sports Direct, TK Maxx and Zara.

When Which? examined the pages for Zara, River Island and New Look it found the stores outlined their fees on product listing pages, but many of the other retailers did not explicitly state during the checkout process that customers have to pay for returns.

And apart from Sports Direct - which only accepts online returns via post - all of the retailers in Which?'s research that have physical shops do offer free in-store returns. 

Gurpreet Chokar, Which? consumer law expert, said that it was becoming "increasingly common" for customers to foot the bill if they couldn't return their item to a physical shop as many online retailers were now shifting away from free online returns.

"While some shoppers will be able to return items at physical stores without any extra charges, retailers must ensure that any return fees are clear upfront so that customers can make an informed decision before they place their order," Ms Chokar said.

What are your rights?

Regulations state that consumers have a right to return an item they have purchased online.

The product does not have to be in its original packaging, but a company is entitled to ask for some form of proof of purchase.

Companies are not allowed to charge you for items that were placed in your online shopping basket as a result of a pre-ticked box.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, consumers also do not have to pay for returns if their item is faulty or not as described. 

The first £1 coins featuring King Charles have entered circulation, with collectors encouraged to look out for the historic addition to the nation's change.

Nearly three million of the new designs will be making their way into pockets and tills across the country this week, via Post Offices and banks throughout the UK.

The £1 coin has a pair of British bees on the "tails" side, in honour of the King's passion for conservation and the natural world, and Charles' official coin effigy on the obverse, or "heads".

The other designs, which will be introduced in line with demand, are the 1p showing a hazel dormouse, the 2p red squirrel, the 5p oak tree leaf, 10p capercaillie grouse, 20p puffin, and the £2 with the national flowers - rose, daffodil, thistle and shamrock.

Giving workers the "right to switch off" is key to productivity and could boost economic growth, Downing Street has said.

Labour has promised to give employees the right to ignore work-related calls and emails out of hours, so homes do not become "24/7 offices".

Ministers are looking at models in other countries where there is already a right to disconnect, such as Ireland and Belgium.

The prime minister's spokesperson said the plan was about making sure "we're not inadvertently blurring the lines between work and home life".

The plans were not a "one size fits all" and would recognise companies vary and people have different roles, she added.

The number of firms in England and Wales going bust last month rose by 16% year-on-year, according to official figures.

Commentators said the 2,191 company insolvencies showed how many businesses were still recovering from the impact of high inflation and borrowing costs, despite growing optimism about the UK's economic outlook.

The figure was 7% down on June's total, but insolvency levels remain much higher than those seen during both the pandemic and in the years following the 2008/09 financial crisis, officials said.

Rebecca Dacre, a partner at advisory firm Forvis Mazars, said the data was "a strong reminder that many businesses are still a long way off from recovery".

BT's share price has fallen, wiping off an estimated £1bn from the company's value. 

One share now costs £134.45, a low last seen 10 days ago.  

It comes after an internet network rival CityFibre struck a deal with broadband supplier Sky. 

This means that Sky will now use CityFibre's network to offer its services starting next year. 

It's a hit to BT as Sky customers are hosted on BT's Openreach network. Under the plan, Sky aims to connect so-called "hard-to-reach areas".

CityFibre reaches 3.8 million homes and aims to expand and reach "at least" 8 million premises in the coming years, it said.

"This partnership with Sky is a huge vote of confidence in our business and has cemented CityFibre's position as the UK's third digital infrastructure platform," said company chief executive Greg Mesch.

Formerly British Telecoms, BT is worth roughly £14.44bn, based on the number of shares issued and the share price.

The head of financial analysis at investment platform AJ Bell Danni Hewson said the CityFibre detail may not be that significant. 

"BT shares came under pressure on fears of an enhanced competitive threat for its Openreach broadband operation amid chatter Sky might start partnering with CityFibre in 2025. 

"However, CityFibre's modest scale and focus on rural areas suggest it shouldn't be a huge issue."

Sky is the owner of Sky News.

UK citizens will need to pay a €7 visa-waiver charge to travel to Europe from next year after the EU revealed its timeline for the introduction of new entry requirements for some visitors.

The additional charge, which is similar to the US ESTA, is part of a series of new border checks and entry requirements the EU is bringing in.

They'll apply when entering the Schengen area, which includes 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. 

The waiver will last for three years or until your passport expires.

Its official title is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), and its implementation will follow the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The latter will require people to have their fingerprints registered and their pictures taken on arrival to airports.

Addressing the rollout, EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson said the EES will enter into operations on ­10 November while the ETIAS will follow shortly after that in 2025 - likely May.

However, it is thought there could be a six-month grace period before the visas become compulsory - taking it to November next year.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

The price of gold has soared to a record high of more than $2,522 (£1,938) per ounce today.

It comes after months of the precious metal steadily rising in value.

Many factors are thought to have played a part, but analysts believe the latest leap is largely down to the weaker US dollar and growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next month.

Lower rates tend to make a country - and its currency - less attractive to investors, because they end up getting lower returns on bonds, shares and other investments.

There are also general worries about the status of the US economy, amid rumblings it could enter a recession this year or next - although some commentators have downplayed the likelihood of this.

But it is not just the US that is on the cusp of reducing the cost of borrowing.

The European Central Bank and the Bank of England both recently cut interest rates - and are expected to do so again this autumn - which may also be off-putting to some investors.

What has all this got to do with gold?

It's largely because of its perceived status as a "safe haven" investment.

Gold is seen as solid and dependable - both literally and in its value as a commodity.

It has been prized and sought after since ancient times - and its valuable status seems certain to continue long into the future.

So when things seem uncertain - and when interest rates are being seemingly cut everywhere - putting your money in gold may seem like a good bet (or so the thinking goes - of course, many would argue there is no such thing as a sure bet in the financial markets).

This "safe haven" status also helps explain why the price of gold may have been steadily rising in recent months, as fears have grown over an escalation of the wars in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine.

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15 Tennis-inspired Outfits That Are Comfortable Enough to Wear All Day at the U.S. Open — From $15

They make excellent travel pieces, too.

Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

Tennis has always been a well-loved sport that attracts spectators to large events to watch the best players in the world compete for a professional title, and the U.S. Open is no exception. The past year has been an especially big year for tennis. From 19-year-old American player Coco Gauff winning the title last September to the release of the Zendaya-led Challengers in the spring and the rise of the "tenniscore" fashion trend , people cannot stop talking about the sport and incorporating fun nods to it in their wardrobe. 

The end of August marks the beginning of the U.S. Open, which takes place in Queens, New York. Whether you’ve had this trip planned for months or are buying a last-minute ticket, there’s still the important question: “What do I wear?” Thankfully, this New York City-based fashion writer has you covered. I’ve picked out 15 of my favorite tennis outfit styles, including chic blouses and elegant matching sets to comfortable athleisure dresses , that are surefire aces for the 2024 U.S. Open. If you’re attending the full, two-week-long tournament or just stopping by to see some quick tennis action, you’ll be sure to find something to serve in. However, the best part of all is that each one can be worn well after the event, too — and that they're starting at $15.  

Madewell Ribbed Polo Mini Dress

Madewell’s take on the traditional polo dress is an amazing option for a day of watching tennis in New York City. With its collared neckline, this dress is sure to have you looking elegant among the swanky spectators. The brand’s sustainable Tencel fabric slightly hugs the skin and is just loose enough to guarantee a comfortable, breathable fit. The ribbed detailing adds a bit of sophistication to the look, but you could certainly dress this up or down. I could easily see myself pairing this with white sneakers and a canvas tote bag, or you could take a different approach with low heels and some nice jewelry to round out the look. 

Quince Poplin Boxy Short Sleeve Shirt

Another fresh rendition of a timeless look is this cropped button-down shirt from Quince. The boxy, oversized fit with large panels of fabric along the edges gives it a modern and trendy essence, while classic features like the button-down front and a crisp, pointed collar help it remain incredibly fashionable. The loose, utility fit already provides a breezy feeling while wearing the shirt, and the 100-percent organic cotton fabric will also help keep you cool even at an all-day outdoor sporting event in August. With three different neutral colors to choose from, it would be easy to pair this with anything currently in your wardrobe. 

Anrabess Knit Pullover and Pants Two-piece Set

If you’re like me and find it hard to decide what to wear to an upcoming event, make it easy on yourself and wear a two-piece set. The sleeveless sweater top and the smart casual trousers are an excellent combination for a posh look that will leave you feeling put together all day. The slightly cropped top hem with the high-rise waistband of the bottoms creates a flattering silhouette when worn together. Outside of a tennis match, this could easily work for a Sunday morning brunch or a lovely evening dinner while you’re still in the city. 

Sam Edelman Simone Sneakers

Having the proper footwear at the U.S. Open is just as important as your outfit itself, and this stylish pair from Sam Edelman is just what you need. Even though you’ll be finding yourself sitting and watching the action for a large portion of the day, you’ll still want a shoe that provides function and support for the different activities around the stadium. With thick, 1-inch soles, they ensure comfort in each step. The Simones come in four different colors and a trendy scalloped trim that would look great for a variety of different occasions. If you’re going for a preppy outfit for the event, the ivory color with touches of gold or the all-white pair would tie in nicely for a tennis match look. Although, the pine green colorway is a personal favorite of mine.

J.Crew Amelia Maxi Shirtdress in Poplin Cotton

J. Crew’s Amelia Shirtdress is an effortlessly elegant piece that will catch glances as you walk through the famous Arthur Ashe Stadium. Little details throughout the dress, like the button-down center and the collared neck, give it a classy and polished touch, and the slightly ruffled sleeves and hemline add a dainty and feminine quality as well. Not to mention, the tie in the middle of the dress helps bring dimension to the piece and creates a flattering silhouette. With a few pieces of jewelry and other accessories like a pair of sunglasses and a fun pair of shoes, you’ll be ready to go. 

Cugoao Half-zip Polo Tennis Dress

If you’re attending the U.S. Open and looking to go the athleisure route, Amazon has the perfect dress. With a mix of nylon and spandex, the Cugoao tennis dress offers just enough stretch to stay comfortable throughout the day. One of my favorite features of this dress is the zippered neckline that can be worn up or folded down into a collar. Even if you're playing tennis in this sporty dress, having the zipper down would keep things cool while active. There’s also a pair of separate shorts that come with the dress to wear underneath that have two pockets on the sides if you ever want to slip in small items away quickly.

Alo Yoga Tennis Club Sweater Knit Dress

This best-selling dress from Alo Yoga is all the rage — so much so that it sold out and was just restocked. The knit sweater dress, with a varsity jacket-styled pattern lining the edges of the fabric, creates a classic and chic look that would be perfect for wearing to the tennis stadium. The dress is currently available in black and gray and could be dressed up or down depending on how you choose to accessorize. I’d personally style this dress with gold jewelry pieces, oversized sunglasses, white sneakers, and a small shoulder bag to find that happy medium of cute and casual. 

Athleta Essential Tee Dress

You can never go wrong with a simple T-shirt dress, and this one from Athleta, made with the brand's lightweight Supima cotton, has a flowy and comfortable fit that you’ll feel good in from the day session matches well into the night session matches. One thing I love about this dress is that it's available in regular and tall sizing, so depending on your height, it will offer enough length to keep you covered. Pair with a belt for more shape, a cardigan wrapped around the shoulders, and some white sneakers or platform sandals, and you have the perfect U.S. Open outfit.

Franco Sarto Tinsley Mary Jane Flats 

A classic style that’s made its way back to the mainstream, Mary Jane flats had an epic return and are here to stay well through the fall. For under $100, this pair from Franco Sarto would be a great addition to anyone’s closet for year-long wear. Boasting a versatile design, these shoes are a great option to go with a variety of outfits, whether it’s for a refined look at a tennis match or maybe just a casual day at the office. The metallic silver and leopard print styles immediately caught my eye, but with nine colors to choose from there’s something for everyone. 

Anthropologie Melie Bianco Willow Shoulder Bag

Anthropologie

What’s better than a bright yellow-green shoulder bag at the hottest tennis event of the year? If you’re looking to make a subtle statement walking around the grounds, then look no further: The Melie Bianco Willow Shoulder Bag is just the right mix of luxurious yet playful. The bag is made with smooth vegan leather that allows it to keep a sturdy shape. Measuring 10 inches by 6 inches by 3 inches, it’s the perfect size to hold all of your essentials. There’s even a slip pocket on the exterior of the purse if you need easy access to a few things. 

For the sporty dressers out there, I recommend toting around something sleek and spacious like the Telena Belt Bag from Amazon. Its adjustable strap allows it to be worn around your waist, crossbody-style, or on your shoulder, and there are plenty of pouches to hold your tickets, phone, and more.  

Vuori Set Dress

What says “tennis” better than a pleated skirt? Thankfully, you don’t have to be a tennis player to wear this classic look from Vuori. The Set Dress could easily double as the perfect outfit to play a set in or be styled for an everyday look. With a built-in sports bra and thick straps for extra support, it’s a great option to provide all-day comfort. Beyond the U.S. Open and your next rally, this dress could also be worn on a trip, especially if you'll be doing a lot of walking and sightseeing. 

Abercrombie & Fitch LuxeLoft Short-sleeve Cardigan

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch recently added this short-sleeve cardigan to its collection, and it’s an excellent choice for a day of tennis in New York. The cardigan-style, short-sleeve sweater is simple enough to be styled well with anything from straight-leg jeans to a maxi skirt, but the gold buttons down the middle and the crew neckline give it a polished look that would make any outfit seem incredibly put together. It comes in four different colors, and whether you take this from the tennis match to the office, it will have you feeling comfortable and stylish. 

Everlane The Boxy Cardigan in Everyday Cotton

A cute option that could nicely cross over into your fall wardrobe, this organic cotton cardigan from Everlane is a lovely versatile closet staple. With eight different colors to choose from, it wouldn’t be too hard to find a color that catches your eye and pairs with your outfit for the U.S. Open. In the summertime, I love to take cardigans like this and drape them over my shoulders to create a casual yet classy look without fully committing to putting the sweater on. I’d wait just a few more weeks until the temperatures begin to drop for that. However, if you’re traveling from out of town to watch the tennis matches, this would be the perfect item to keep you warm if you find yourself getting cold at the airport or train station. 

New Balance 6 Panel Washed Corduroy Hat

New Balance

A cute baseball hat during the summer can do wonders not only for your eyes but for your outfit as well. At first glance, this hat from New Balance is no different than an everyday baseball cap, but its corduroy fabric helps set it apart. It comes in two colors: beige linen and burgundy rich oak. Either color would be a great option to accessorize an outfit for the U.S. Open as the material adds a bit of charm and character to help make a look unique. The rich tones of the brown-red color would also be an amazing accessory to wear into the fall. 

Mosanana Trendy Rectangle Sunglasses

A pair of oversized sunnies is a must for a day spent outside at a sporting event, and this pair from Amazon gives luxury without the designer price tag. The vintage-like rectangle shape is a great choice to throw on with any outfit, but it will also give you that final touch that adds a bit of class to the look. For only $15, these sunnies are essential to keep on you while traveling to the U.S. Open and during the matches. You even get a case with your purchase.

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How to Choose a Volunteer Trip

Hoping to leave a place better than you found it? Here’s what to look for when signing up for a program that combines purpose with travel.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

For travelers interested in packing purpose into their trips, volunteer vacations offer opportunities to leave a place better than they found it. But time commitments, costs and the work required varies. The following tips explore the variables that distinguish volunteer travel experiences.

Understand the spectrum of work

Volunteer trips with the most impact require a significant work contribution. They tend to be run groups like Global Volunteers , a nonprofit based in St. Paul, Minn., that has operated in 37 countries for 40 years. Volunteers usually have evenings and weekends free while living in communities where they are working.

For those seeking a balance of work and travel, a category of trips known as “voluntourism” combines lighter service and more time for tourism activities.

The website Workaway , for example, lists global opportunities to volunteer, including landscaping in the Gulf Islands of Canada and harvesting tea in Vietnam. Workaway volunteers are expected to work five hours a day in exchange for shelter and some meals, and the website allows users to browse opportunities by country and by service subject.

Commit to at least one week

Organizations that offer travel programs that last a week or two say short-term work can be powerful if well organized.

“With a group, you can get a lot of project work done,” said Chris Braunlich, the board chair and chief executive of the California-based nonprofit Conservation VIP , which runs outdoor trips from the Scottish Highlands to Patagonia, Chile, that might involve building or maintaining hiking trails with a crew of six to 18 volunteers working roughly seven to eight hours most days.

Assess your impact

Vet the organization you’re considering by looking for impact reports and asking questions.

“To avoid exploitation, find someone with long-term partnerships and ask them, ‘Where does my week fit into the service vision of this community?’” said Michele Gran, the co-founder and senior vice president of Global Volunteers .

Prepare to pay

Though travelers volunteer their time — and some programs, like those offered by Workaway, provide meals and overnight stays — many programs charge a fee to cover travelers’ expenses, including lodging, meals and local transportation.

“We want to make sure you are safe, well-fed and well-cared for so that when you hit the ground you have enough energy and motivation to do what you’re there to do,” said Ms. Gran, noting that Global Volunteers maintains tourist-class lodging and meal standards.

Fees vary based on the destination and duration. A week with Habitat for Humanity , the nonprofit that builds affordable housing and community amenities around the world, generally costs $1,625 to $2,500 a person.

“Volunteers who pay tend to be more serious,” said Julie Kelley, the founder of Let’s Be S.M.A.R.T. , a cat shelter near Athens, Greece, that accepts free Workaway volunteers and those who pay through Natucate , a Germany-based service that lists volunteer vacations. The latter receive better accommodations and more perks.

Whether there’s a fee or not, most volunteer programs do not cover travel expenses such as airfare.

Check the volunteer organization’s tax status. If you volunteer with a registered nonprofit, the I.R.S. will allow you to deduct your trip , including airfare, as a charitable donation.

Determine your interests

Volunteer vacations can align with a range of topics from the outdoors to social services.

The international environmental nonprofit Earthwatch offers opportunities to help scientists with field research on trips that are rated for their activity level and run about $350 to $460 a day.

A nine-day Earthwatch Expedition to Costa Rica , for example, has participants trek off trail to collect caterpillars in an ongoing study measuring the effects of climate change on them.

Targeting hikers and backpackers, the nonprofit American Hiking Society ranks from easy to very strenuous its volunteer vacations that focus on building and maintaining trails. Trips that involve backpacking, such as a recent program in the Bitterroot National Forest of Montana and Idaho ($425), require volunteers to bring their own camping gear.

Conservation VIP targets travelers who are concerned about their impact on the world by tackling projects in bucket-list destinations such as the Cinque Terre in Italy (to restore its stone-walled terraces) and the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador (to participate in sea turtle research and habitat protection). Domestic trips include a week of trail maintenance in Yosemite National Park in Northern California based at a campsite not open to the public and including catered meals ($1,090).

Gardeners will find opportunities like raising organic produce for people in need in Romania with International Volunteer HQ , based in New Zealand ($504 for one week). And those who sew or knit can join a women’s cooperative in Cuba to create and teach islanders to make clothing through Global Volunteers ($2,790 for a week).

Pet shelters often use animal lovers to help with the care and feeding of their residents. At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, visitors can work with cats, dogs, horses and other orphaned animals (free, though volunteers pay for local accommodations, food and transportation).

Apply your skills

Most service organizations say that no special skills are required. But volunteers with experience in construction, teaching, gardening and child care will find many opportunities to contribute.

Don’t underestimate your abilities. For example, many of Global Volunteer opportunities, including working with Ukrainian refugees in Poland , involve practicing conversational English with foreign language speakers and don’t require the volunteer to know the local language.

Spread the word

Many organizations thrive on word of mouth to carry their message and generate new volunteers.

In Northern Thailand, the sanctuary Elephant Nature Park — which supports rescued elephants and has been internationally recognized for responsible tourism — relies on volunteers to spread its anti-cruelty message. Day tours help fund the operation. Volunteers who stay longer can help with their care. “When they go back home, they are really keen to educate their friends and community,” said Saengduean Chailert, the sanctuary’s founder.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Provincetown, Mass.:  Located at the tip of Cape Cod, P-town (as locals call it) has overlapping — and sometimes competing — identities : one of America’s oldest art colonies, nature preserve, thriving L.G.B.T.Q. resort and historic Portuguese fishing village.

Lake Como, Italy:  Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here’s an insider’s guide .

South of France:  Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped  by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Disney Theme Parks:  As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves  if they should rethink their vacations.

Helsinki, Finland:   Explore the stunning architecture  of the new central library, browse treasure-filled shops in the Design District, sweat in a wood-burning sauna, sip cocktails on a schooner and trek across islands in the surrounding archipelago.

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Cooptravel   Reviews

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We have just booked a 2024 Nov

We have just booked a 2024 Nov. holiday and paid a deposit, but are already experiencing issues with lack of communication and no information. Extremely worried and contemplating cancellation. Has anyone done Taj and Tigers tour this year? Did it go well??

Date of experience : 19 August 2024

BUYER BEWARE!

Avoid trade at all costs with these shambolic imbeciles, they couldn’t book an appointment, let alone a holiday. Thick staff did not send out documents and holiday was a complete disaster. Refused to honour price match guarantee. Lied about booking details and continue to lie, and refuse to accept responsibility for their procedural errors and deplorable service. So called customer services are as thick as dense fog, just don’t get it, don’t understand plainly worded English, you could draw them a diagram, they still wouldn’t. The negative reviews on here are to be heeded.They are honest and telling. Take to court guaranteed win, AVOID LIKE COVID

Date of experience : 18 June 2022

Reply from Cooptravel

Good afternoon, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear you have been unhappy with the service you have received and experienced issues whilst away. So we can look into this for you further. Please contact our customer service team by email to [email protected] We will be happy to look into the matter for you. *Please note in regards to your updated comment- our customer service team have received no phone call or email in regards to this comment.* Kind regards, Your Coop Travel. Customer Services.

Following a claim after a holiday the…

Following a claim after a holiday the beginning of May I am unable to get hold of anyone and emails go unresponded to apart from an automated response to say it is received. The one contact by email I had asked for things a month after I'd provided them already so I already guessed then that nothing had progressed It says someone will contact you and no one does . You are unable to speak to anyone by phone. It makes an already horrible experience worse.

Date of experience : 01 August 2023

Thank you for your feedback. Please be advised we are Midcounties Co-operative Travel, an independent travel agent. If you query is in relation to travel insurance you would need to contact the company who you purchased travel insurance. The coop offer travel insurance, however they are a separate business to ourselves based in Manchester. I hope this helps. Kind Regards, Your Coop Travel service team.

Harwich coop, dont bother booking there

Harwich coop So after my mums holiday wasnt arranged properly and didnt get picked up from airport as arranged, after 20 phone calls to shop i was forced to visit and they wonder why i got irate after listening to their pack of lies. Low and behold the same happened on return journey and they didnt care, had two weeks to sort out and still couldnt be bothered, staffs attitude was terrible. Get a cab and keep receipt was their reply to my elderly mother.

Date of experience : 11 May 2022

Good afternoon, Please be advised the Harwich Coop store you refer to is not a Midcounties Co-operative Travel store. You may wish to contact the store where your booking was made. Alternatively I believe they are part of East of England Coop travel, if you wish to contact them. In closing I hope this helps and that you are able to achieve a suitable outcome. Kind Regards, Holly Mancini Customer Service Executive for the Travel Division. Midcounties Co-operative Travel.

Spalding co-op Travel Agents

Visited our local Coop travel agents to book a holiday in October. We was greeted by a representative who never smiled once. We explained what we was looking for and throughout our time there she never smiled engaged in any conversation and didn’t appear to want to help. She made both me & my husband feel uncomfortable and unworthy. We left after 20-30 mins due to this with no holiday booked. Disappointing customer service.

Date of experience : 04 June 2022

Coop Travel Derby Branch

Coop Travel Derby Branch Sagar at the Derby Branch was extremely thorough when dealing with our booking. He recommended Cyprus and Dome Beach Hotel. He sorted everything out including booking our seats going our and returning. He resolved all our questions which made the holiday effortless. We will definitely call Sagar for all future holidays. Manoj & Sonal

Date of experience : 03 July 2022

Thank you for taking the time to write to us Manoj. I was delighted to read of the outstanding service you received in our Derby travel branch and of the extra touches provided by Sagar. I am pleased Sagar was able to assist with your query. I shall ensure that your comments are passed to the members of staff concerned alongside Sagar's regional manager. Thank you taking the time to contact us, I hope that we will have the pleasure of assisting you with your travel plans in the future. Kind regards, Your Coop Travel, customer services.

Worst experience of a travel insurance…

Worst experience of a travel insurance company. Absolute catalogue of errors. Cancelled my policy on the day of my 4 month trip without my consent. Ended up having to buy 3 policies with 2 being refunded. Staff seem to put you on hold every 2 minutes was on the phone for over 2 hours in total. The last thing I need before a once in a lifetime holiday. I wouldn’t recommend. Absolutely terrible.

Date of experience : 31 October 2019

Booked a holiday in May that never…

Booked a holiday in May that never happened. Tried to claim compensation for parking and was first told we would get £200 each in refund then told it would be vouchers September and still being fobbed off It’s a joke could and will do a better job myself Will never use again Manager is right miserable thing too terrible customer service

Date of experience : 31 August 2022

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We are sorry to hear you had issues with your parking. Please be advised Coop Travel do not provide parking this is booked through a third party supplier. Should you still require assistance with this, please contact the travel store who made the booking for you. One of our colleagues will be more than happy to help. Kind regards, Your Coop Travel, customer services.

Grantham Store

Used Grantham store on countless occasions. Nothing is too much trouble. I normally use Hannah who is totally professional and can be relied on to carry things out. Hopefully we will continue to use them and keep receiving an exceptional service. Only one thing missing is a coffee machine.

Date of experience : 10 November 2022

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lambley, Thank you for getting in touch and taking the time to share your feedback! Customer satisfaction is our top priority and it is always a pleasure to receive comments from our customers who are happy with the service we provide. I shall ensure that your comments are passed to the members of staff concerned alongside Grantham's travel stores- regional manager. Thank you once again for taking the time to contact us. I hope that we will have the pleasure of assisting you with your travel plans in the future! Best wishes, Your Coop Travel, customer service team.

Just book direct with tui etc and save the hassle!

Have not been impressed with the Walsall branch since it’s new management. Was told the wrong price when we asked how much was left to pay on our holiday. When we called up to pay it they paid it off somebody else’s holiday instead! They did sort this out when they realised but this was only when the other person called to pay off their holiday and were shocked to find it had already been mostly paid off. It would have been much easier to book direct with tui in terms of being able to log on and make payments, that would have also been much more reliable.

Date of experience : 15 May 2022

Co op travel Sutton coldfield

Brought a holiday. Then the following day needed an alteration. Checked online and it was only £24 extra to upgrade the room...tried amending ticket myself online but you can only do changes through agent...went to agent who said prices are different online and then quoted the alteration as £175 through co op...asked if I can get a refund, they said if I do I'll loose the deposit which was the full price of the ticket! So in hine sight best to miss out the middle man and buy direct through Jet2 or whoever your flight is with online

Date of experience : 15 June 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback. I am sorry to hear you were dissatisfied. Please be advised the price is dictated by the tour operator. Midcounties are the agent only. If you would like us to look into this further please contact our service team- [email protected] Many thanks. Your Coop Travel customer services.

Phone booking Walsall

Terrible customer service, booked cruise last year, paid in full back in February, cruise cancelled on the 25th March and promised a refund but here we are nearly 3 months later still not got it. Have called several times, very few times have we got through, left our phone number and twice they haven’t even bothered to phone back. Also never had a reply from email. Avoid

Coop Travel Market Harborough

Hopefully this is the correct Midcounties Coop travel company ?? I cannot fault the Market Harborough Branch. The staff are extremely good and thorough when dealing with my bookings and this is the reason why i will not go anywhere else. If I have any queries or problems regarding any parts of my holidays, they always deal with them very quickly. This is why I book with people that you can talk to (face to face) not a faceless web site whith no one to take ownership.

Date of experience : 23 July 2021

Thank you for taking the time to contact us and share your feedback. I am delighted to read of the outstanding service you received in our Market Harborough Travel Branch. Our travel agents are there to provide face to face service and ensure that your holiday is tailored to your needs. Alongside answering any queries you may have. Its always a pleasure to to receive such positive comments from our customers who are happy with the service we provide. I shall ensure that your comments are passed to the members of staff concerned alongside their manager and regional manager. Thank you once again for taking the time to contact us, I hope we will continue to have the pleasure of assisting you with your travel plans in the future. All the best and safe travels. Kind regards, Holly Mancini Customer Service Executive Customer Services Department Midcounties Co-operative  

Over 3 months waiting for a refund for…

Over 3 months waiting for a refund for a holiday cancelled due to Covid. When contacting The company I have been told they’ve no idea when I can have a refund. Unhelpful bit were happy to make assurances that the holiday would be going ahead.

Date of experience : 18 January 2021

Good afternoon, Thank you for your feedback although I am sorry to read its content. If you still have concerns and would like me to look into this for your further please email- [email protected] with the details of your holiday so I can investigate and access your booking. Kind Regards, Customer Services Department, Midcounties Co-operative Travel.

Shocking!!!

Shocking!!! I’ve been awaiting an update on my holiday for weeks as to whether it will be going ahead. I was told not no pay my final balance until they could update me further on 15th March. Chased the update on the 15th, no response, followed up again on morning of 16th. Was in a meeting 2pm till 6pm, received a response at 3pm stating I had till 5pm to pay my full balance or holiday cancelled! Obviously missed this totally unfair deadline after months of chasing and being fobbed off.. Following weeks of looking at transferring dates and being totally ripped off by co-op travel (£3k - £4k more expensive than TUI after being initially cheaper with booking) I’m appalled that they are still in operation treating customers like this! I’ve now passed this and evidence to my solicitors to deal with!

Date of experience : 16 March 2021

Dear Louise, I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy. Can you please email your concerns to [email protected] we will then look into the matter for you. Kind regards, Midcounties Co-operative Travel.

Just booked with Co-op Travel in…

Just booked with Co-op Travel in Spalding with a fab lady called Sophie there she listened was not pushy at all found us a great holiday but we went away to think on it.I rang back the same day found another holiday different hotel different company had it ,and within 20 minutes she has got it cheaper all booked with everything we asked for .Really pleased and the Shop in Spalding is allways busy but the staff are polite friendly and for me done a excellent job ..

Date of experience : 24 August 2019

Poor Customer Service

Poor Customer Service. I've just spent an hour on the phone dealing with JTA travel direct. I booked through Co-op Travel in Lowestoft and they can't be bothered to deal with this for me. Co-op had a joint venture with Thomas Cook and they would have been paid their commission on this and another holiday I've also had to sort out myself. Rubbish customer service and I certainly won't use them again. Surely common sense would tell you to deal with this for the customer in the hope they'll come back and book more holidays. These are the first holidays I've booked through an agent in over 10 years and I won't be doing it again.

Date of experience : 23 January 2020

Derby branch,intu centre

Derby branch,intu centre, booked a hoilday December last year, £4500, to Maldivesfor a week, first thing flight was cancelled left us at Manchester 7 hours,connecting, we missed because of first delay. When we left surposed to be 3 in afternoon by boat, they changed it on the day to 11 in morning, to top it off when we arrived to check in they said the test we had wasn’t enough and we needed a pcr test, at a charge oh 590 dollars, which was a absolute nightmare, on arriving back in uk, was not needed, been down coop. Send emails to complain, only to be told Louise is not available, still not heard a thing, might as well book yourself, terrible, hope they read this and contact me with reply

Date of experience : 24 February 2022

Good afternoon, Thank you for your feedback although I am sorry to read your comments. We will investigate your concerns with our Derby branch. We will come back to you as soon as we are in a position to respond. Kind Regards, Customer service department. Midcounties Co-operative Travel.

respected company

Co-op travel is not just an online store, it has branches up and down the country. In fact youre better off booking at one of the branches because the website is pretty naff. Prices are very competitive. One good thing about co-op travel is that it is unlikely to go bust because it does not just specialise in holidays. Over the years people have respected the co-op for the way that it gives back to the customers.

Date of experience : 06 June 2011

Unprofessional and total shambles!

Googled coop travel foreign currency exchange rates. Clicked on the result that clearly say foreign currency and it takes you to the holiday selling page! So I ask the on line chat. The answer is I can’t give you that information on the chat!!! All I want is to see the exchange rates before I decide to buy them and all they want to do is sell me a holiday! Total shambles!

Date of experience : 02 November 2022

Thank you for your feedback Bob. Firstly, I am sorry for any inconvenience caused. Currency is not available and not a service we provide via our online website. We do however have a foreign exchange bureau in our local coop travel stores. Should you have a query moving forward, please contact your local store by popping in or via telephone (contact numbers are displayed on our website) My colleagues in store will be able to provide you the rate for that day, and any advice on currencies that you may have. Including ordering any not available in store. I hope this helps. Your Coop Travel, customer services.

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Οι τυχεροί του διαγωνισμού της Coopfamily Loyalty Card είναι: Παντελής Νικολάου με αριθμό κάρτα μέλους 1002 έχει κερδίσει 1 διανυκτέρευση στο ξενοδοχείο Atlantica Miramare στην Λεμεσό αξίας €140 Ιωάννα Χαραλάμπους με αριθμό κάρτα μέλους 1231 έχει κερδίσει 1 διανυκτέρευση δωρεάν στο ξενοδοχείο Rodon στον Αγρό αξίας €120 Οι τυχεροί έχουν

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Cooptravel   Reviews

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never again

never ever again. never. not even if they were the last travel company in the world. make a complaint, receive an acknowledgement they will look into it, dont hear anything else, they claim person dealing with it has left and they will look into it again. repeat over and over again. ITS CALLED FOBBING YOU OFF SO YOU GO AWAY!!!!

Date of experience : March 08, 2018

Online booking - truly shocking customer service

Read review pages I’ve booked online & have disputed number of issues for a month. If you are lucky to get through to them on the telephone they will then say a manager will call you back and they don’t. I have received emails from them still not answering or even resolving my questions. When booking online take screenshots of every page that you click on because they ask you proof even though when the documentation arrives you have to ring them for discrepancies I’ve been trying to ring them for a whole month and they still failed to deal with my questions. When booking online it took a further 24hrs for them to confirm booking but worrying when you can monies pending to come out of your bank. I am now pursuing them with trading standards ATOL and ABTA I have given them plenty of opportunity to resolve this matter before I take to social media and then again failed to respond leaving me with no other option.

Date of experience : June 02, 2022

Definitley won't be using CO-OP insurance for anything

I first purchased travel insurance with CO-OP in 2019, we were meant to go on holiday to Mauritius in 2020. Due to COVID restrictions we wasn't able to fly. The travel company refunded any monies paid. with no issues. Tried to cancel the insurance was a totally different matter. I ended up just letting it go, even though I know I shouldn't Then bought travel insurance for our next trip in October 2022. type of cover was Annual Multi-trip (Gold). 3 days into our holiday my wallet was stolen. Made the claim when I got home, thinking as I purchased the gold option there would be no problem with my claim. How wrong was I After going through all the forms submitted police reports, proof of monies drawn out etc. Was told that the money was not attended by myself and not in your locked accommodation, therefore I am unable to consider your claim any further on this occasion. How am I supposed to pay for anything outside of my accommodation without my wallet?? Is theft not covered then ??? Will I be using CO-OP travel insurance again.... No If anyone asks me is CO-OP travel insurance good to use....NO

Date of experience : April 17, 2023

Recently booked with Burntwood branch…

Recently booked with Burntwood branch and I highly recommend them . From start to finish I recieved friendly helpful assistance and everything was sorted for me will definitely use again . Thank you

Date of experience : July 24, 2023

Reply from Cooptravel

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Its a pleasure to read that you received friendly service from start to finish. We look forward to helping with your travel plans in the future. Kind regards, Your Coop Travel Service Team.

Do not book with this company!

Booked a holiday and paid a deposit in September 2019, holiday was cancelled and requested refund in May 2020. Coop travel refused to refund my large deposit and are full of excuses as to why I have to wait. DO NOT BOOK A HOLIDAY WITH THIS COMPANY

Date of experience : December 22, 2020

Hi Karen, I am sorry to learn of your dissatisfaction. If you still require assistance please email- [email protected] and we will look into this further. Kind regards, Customer Service Department. Midcounties Co-operative Travel.

Booked a holiday to Honduras

Booked a holiday to Honduras. On arrival our luggage didn't turn up. Our tour guides contacted the airport & airline daily but no news. The day before we were due to depart we were told that our luggage had turned up. We arrived at the airport the following day only to discover that only one case had turned up but the other was on its way from Mexico. It turned up about an hour later. When we put in a claim with the Co-op Insurance they asked for lots of information & proof from the tour guides & company which we duly obliged. There was a further request for information. Finally after 2 months, after responding to their requests & involving the tour guides & lodge recption staff, they suddenly decided to tell us that delayed baggage isn't covered, only the contents which we could claim for any purchases which we made. We didn't have any as the lodge were so good & laundered our one change of clothes daily free of charge but nothing could be done about our wet footwear we had to put on everyday due to it raining for 4 days. If they had told us at the start that they were not liable & we should contact & make a claim from the airline it would have saved a lot of time & effort. We would also have been in date to claim from the airlines,

Date of experience : January 02, 2023

Thank you for your message. Please note we are Midcounties Co-operative Travel. We do not have a travel insurance product. It may be Coop Group that you have an insurance product with. They are a separate business. You may want to refer to your documentation and contact the provider direct. I hope this helps! Kind regards, Customer Services. Midcounties Co-operative Travel (Your Coop Travel)

Scammed 7k for my honeymoon. Sutton Coldfield branch (Birmingham)

We booked with this travel agent to fly out to Bali for our honeymoon. We spent 7k in total and we were promised we did not need to be covid vaccinated as per the gov website. On the day of travel we could not board our flight because we did not have covid passes so we had to get sent home. On top of that we did not get a refund and we were told it was our fault for not checking. Surely we paid extra money so we didn’t need to deal with this and no mistakes to be made. But that was not the case. We also had travel insurance and couldn’t get a refund either because again it was our fault for not checking our documents! So all in all don’t use these travel agent because they scam your money and can’t deliver customer service. We won’t get this money back and it is very unfair!

Date of experience : September 19, 2022

Thank you for your Feedback. Please be advised our records show this matter was resolved with the Tour Operator Gold medal, and that we were able to help with recovering a refund from them. Kind regards, Your Coop Travel, customer services.

I have used the wednesbury branch for…

I have used the wednesbury branch for about 15years the staff are amazingly friendly,helpfull Dawn,lorna and all the girls are lovely, they will go above and beyond to help with any problem I have,

Date of experience : February 06, 2023

Thank you for your feedback I was delighted to read of the outstanding service you received in our Wednesbury travel branch and of the extra touches provided by Dawn and Lorna. Customer satisfaction is our top priority and it is always a pleasure to receive comments from our customers who are happy with the service we provide. I shall ensure that your comments are passed to the members of staff concerned alongside their regional manager. Thank you once again for taking the time to contact us. I hope that we will have the pleasure of assisting you with your travel plans in the future. Kind regards, Customer Services team. Your Coop Travel.

31st September

Like many others we have had our holiday cancelled due to COVID-19. Up until the cancellation Co-Op Travel seemed caring and trustworthy, following the cancellation by TUI they seemed to forget their values: democracy, openness, equality, and social responsibility. We were initially advised that we should expect a refund within 28 days of the date of departure, this was confirmed numerous time. However after several chase emails to Co-Op Travel and eventually a visit in person we started to feel that Co-Op Travel have no regard for their customers, they certainly do not keep to their values. On asking the manager for a date of when we could expect the refund two separate dates were advised on which they had "claimed the refund", when I pressed further, "I need a date of when I can expect to received this," she waved her arms around flippantly and said, "you want a date, 31st September." We all know that doesn't exist... incredibly professional service I do not think not to mention very, very unhelpful! Avoid at all costs, they are as nice as pie until something goes wrong!

Date of experience : August 26, 2020

Avoid Co-Op Travel - appalling customer service

I will be never using Co-Op Travel to book another holiday and I strongly advise everyone else to Also do the same , their customer service is atrocious to say the least. Booked our holiday, paid a sum off at the point of booking via debit card, only to find out later that 2 void transactions had been processed at the same as the authorised transaction sending me overdrawn and unable to access any funds in my account or pay direct debits and bills. Could have been sorted out easily with a simple email but instead Co-Op chose to ignore us until our bank sorted it out 5 days later. A week after our initial complaint email we telephoned the complaints department to be called liars and receive an abject refusal for them do anything about it and blame everyone else for the mistake, including us. That’s the thanks you get for supporting your local high street - I’ll go direct to the tour operator in future.

Date of experience : January 29, 2020

Coop travel kings lynn staff are…

Coop travel kings lynn staff are polite, friendly and VERY experienced. They go above a beyond and help you from the booking stage right up to when u get home. Fab service.

Date of experience : February 05, 2020

Mavericks - Booked a holiday 2019 to Maldives Departing 3rd May 2020.. Very efficient at letting me know when I needed to pay the holiday by and even rang me 1 week before the payment was due to remind me!.. However since the holiday was cancelled due to Covid19, which incidentally was left to the last minute to tell me even though the island we were travelling to had put on their Instagram page the island was closed to at least Until 1st July 2020 a couple of weeks prior I have been fobbed off constantly. They haven’t replied to e-mails. I’ve spoken to various people in customer “service?” 1 said I’d get my refund in a couple of weeks which is now in the fourth week and still waiting!! Another said on the 5th May they had received the money back from Kuoni on the 4th May (Amazingly enough) and said somebody will be in touch shortly, still waiting!! Another said 13th May she understands my frustration and they haven’t had the money from Kuoni. When I said I was told they had she then back tracked and said she didn’t have that information. So who told her they didn’t have the refund off Kuoni? She either here’s voices, has a crystal ball by her phone or likes to dig big holes for herself!.. She did promise to get refunds to ring me in the afternoon it’s now 5.40pm and guess what? Yep,.. Still waiting!! But she understands my frustration! Don’t trust this company at all and I’d seriously avoid at all costs. I’ll keep you informed of this ongoing Saga.

Date of experience : May 13, 2020

USELESS WHEN THINGS WENT WRONG

i have booked and traveled with the coop 5 times now (droylsden branch) without any problems , until the last time, when i got caught up in the volcano ash fiasco, and it is with regret that i say -YOU ONLY FIND OUT HOW GOOD OR BAD A FIRM IS WHEN THINGS GO WRONG-untill then i would have recommended them, but the terrible service and advice that i received in the wake of this disaster shows how you can be deceived, they did absolutely nothing to help me and what they did do they did wrong despite all their talk.. i ended up over a thousand pounds out of pocket.

Date of experience : July 09, 2011

AVOID AVOID!

AVOID AVOID!! Don’t ever enter the Solihull branch!! We were misold a holiday by Lyndsey the MANAGER. She has no idea how to sell a holiday, but instead knows how to get a bonus. She completely lied about our hotel and took no record of our requests (Health conditions). We told them many times my daughter had autism but clearly they must of forgot. We still to this day do not know where all the notes went that she wrote down in front of us, abit strange how they vanished? Or Is that for her benefit because of a complaint going in. All the staff seem to have amnesia!! Our hotel was dirty, old, falling apart and more like a youth hostel. Nothing like the glossy pictures that she showed us. She said it was a quiet hotel- When coach loads of 60 school kids from all over the UK and Spain arrived daily. It’s a pity we weren’t told this was the busiest time for the hotel to be rammed with school parties. Is this what you call being told by a travel agent manger “it’s a good time to go if you don’t mind being around the pool mostly with the elderly” obviously this person doesn’t hold much regard for the elderly as it was completely false and in our case we couldn’t even get in the pool, if you closed your eyes you could easily imagine that you were at a Butlins holiday camp!! Does she even know the hotels shes selling or does it actually matter to her as all she sees is her bonus. Do not come here as you will be told a load of lies and I guarantee you, you will be out of pocket and wished you had walked straight past this particular travel agent. It is disgusting if this is how they treat people and let’s hope for all those that have suffered and have read this review that they either go under ASAP or they stop selling holidays and concentrate on just selling there fruit and veg at their supermarkets!!! This would be a really good one for Rip of Britain!!

Date of experience : May 24, 2019

We always use cooptravel they are…

We always use cooptravel they are fantastic. Great service and they make our holidays special

Date of experience : May 15, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Were delighted to hear of the great service you received! If you could kindly advise what branch you made your booking with, and if there are any particular colleagues you would like to mention for us to share your feedback. Many thanks, Your Coop Travel- Service team.

Went in to book cruise

Went in to book cruise. Very busy in shop. Had to wait a while to be served. Was seen to by Kelley. Took time to explain things and very helpful and informative. Thank you very much Kelley.

Date of experience : May 13, 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback Lynda. We are pleased our colleague Kelley was able to book your cruise and provide you with all the information required. Its great to hear Kelley was helpful and knowledgeable! Should you have any further query, please do not hesitate to contact us. Wishing you a great trip! Your Coop Travel.

great company

went with you to santa ponsa last year, was a great price and good communication from you

Date of experience : February 01, 2012

Can’t trust them any more shop makes…

Can’t trust them any more shop makes massive error and are now asking for 1,200 pounds more

Date of experience : September 29, 2020

Dear Mr. Broome, Our records show your concerns relate to a P&O package. I believe our Walsall travel branch are assisting with you enquires. Should you have any outstanding query, please do not hesitate to contact them. Kind regards, Customer Service Department. Midcounties Co-operative Travel.

Do not take clients money and not…

Do not take clients money and not deliver shortly you will be in the papers - you have a duty of care the money is paid to you, not the supplier that is your supplier, you are an absolute disgrace of an organisation, and need to be closed down ruining peoples holidays Co-op travel, taking money and not providing the services.

Date of experience : May 16, 2023

Our records show this has been dismissed. This is not a Midcounties booking, but was a a package with a third party not Midcounties Coop. Kind regards, Your Coop Travel service team.

The Co-op does not do travel - they pass it on

We booked with Co-op travel because this was a massive holiday to us going to Australia, of which they then contracted it to Gold Medal ? Who did not contact the airlines , of the 4 week holiday booked to Australia to visit our son and with flight confusion and cancellations we lost 5 days including a half way stop off at Singapore of which we paid the Co-op for the hotel- on return to uk and 1 year later, basically tough luck - they all backed each other up with the small print including the airlines , I have now erased it from my mind and in future will just book it all myself, what a huge waste of money. Ref the reply from the Co-op below, please contact us so we can look into it, this is what we actually done on our return and the reply was nothing to do with us and if you take it any further we shall fight you all the way - contact Gold Medal - Gold Medal said take it up with the airlines- airlines said nothing to do with them Snow in Munich caused staff shortages- end of.

Date of experience : December 18, 2022

Thank you for your feedback although i am sorry to reads its content. Midcounties Coop Travel are a travel agency who book holidays with lots of different suppliers. Based on your comments it appears that your holiday was with Gold Medal. Should you like us to look into the matter further, please contact our service team at [email protected] Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you. King regards, Your Coop Travel service team.

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