An Oct. 7 “On the Spot” column reported that the International Air Transport Assn., or IATA,  was working on some changes that could affect the way you or your travel agent see airfare offerings. The organization referred to this as a “new distribution capability.”

But the American Society of Travel Agents, or ASTA, referred to it as “authenticated shopping” in which one must “authenticate” one’s identity in some way before the fare is shown. For instance, let’s say you are a frequent flier with XYZ airline. You might put in that frequent-flier number, and information about your travel habits might be used as the basis for additional offers, not unlike the websites that say, “You might also like…” giving you other options of things to buy. In this case, it might be a seat upgrade or an airport lounge.

IATA acknowledged that the new model represents an opportunity to do some merchandising of airfares but...

Ted Dougherty is an unassuming Glendale paralegal and classical musician with an overt dark side that reaches its monstrous zenith every October.

Dougherty stumbled upon his twisted passion in 1987 during a visit to Knott's Scary Farm, which ultimately led to a fan website dedicated to the seasonal theme park event, an annual job as an undead werewolf and now a new book, "Knott's Halloween Haunt: A Picture History."

> Photos: The history of Halloween Haunt at Knott's Berry Farm

The authorized but unofficial pictorial compendium traces the history of the "Scariest Place on Earth" and its expansion over the past four decades at Knott's Berry Farm into the "Granddaddy of Halloween Events."

"To be on the inside and witness, first hand, what brings this massive machine to life is something unique and special," Dougherty writes in the book's introduction. "It was there, in the dingy trenches, where I found a renewed love for the event."

As co-founder of the Ultimate Haunt fan website, Dougherty...

Santa Barbara wants visitors to enroll in Culture 101. It's a kind of sightseeing "class" that provides a  guide to parks, museums, galleries and other sites. Now Expedia has an accompanying deal that sweetens the pot: Book a room this winter at selected hotels and receive two-for-one admission to some of the city's most popular attractions. 

The deal: The Culture 101 guide can be downloaded free; there's also additional information on the city's tourism website.

The Expedia Santa Barbara offer works this way: Guests at selected hotels receive two-for-one admission coupons to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (usually $8 per adult), Santa Barbara Maritime Museum ($7), Santa Barbara Museum of Art ($10), Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History ($12), Santa Barbara Zoo ($14) and Ty Warner Sea Center ($8). Depending on the hotel or motel, there may be a two-night requirement to take advantage of the deal.

When: The offer is good for stays between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31.

Tested: To really cash in on...

Resorts come and go in Las Vegas, but much of the colorful signage from years past now resides at the city’s newest attraction.

With their countless bulbs and seemingly endless strands of gas-filled tubing, 150 glitzy signs take center stage at the Neon Museum, set to open Saturday in downtown Las Vegas.

You can see more photos of the gallery here.

During guided walks through the outdoor exhibit, guests come face-to-face with iconic signs from long-gone hotels that helped shape the city’s colorful history.

Signs saved from the scrap heap include those from the Desert Inn, Frontier, Moulin Rouge, Silver Slipper and Stardust. Although the signs aren’t electrified, guides promise tours full of anecdotes and trivia.

Info: The museum, at 770 Las Vegas Blvd. N., is closed on Sundays, and admission is offered only to those who’ve pre-purchased tickets online; walk-ups will not be accommodated at the visitor center, which is inside the futuristic lobby of the former La...

Mammoth is reporting up to a foot of new snow, as the season gets off to a promising start. Opening day is set for Nov. 8 . . . . For the first time, Arlington National Cemetery is releasing a massive electronic database detailing the gravesites of the roughly 400,000 people buried there. Before 2010, the cemetery used paper records and maps. The smartphone app and map can be accessed through the cemetery's website, www.arlingtoncemetery.mil . . . . Vegas’ McCarran Airport will conduct an emergency drill Wednesday morning, with an exercise simulating an incident using a Boeing 767 passenger jet . . . . . For the second year,  the Venetian and the Palazzo Las Vegas will stage  Winter in Venice, a 50-day celebration starting Nov. 18 that includes  a nightly parade, tree-lighting ceremonies and picturesque skating rink above the Venetian’s outdoor Grand Canal . . . . The San Luis Obispo Wine Country Assn.'s 22nd Annual Rockin’ Harvest Celebration is set for Nov. 2-4.  ...

Cool casitas, gourmet meals and surf lessons ratchet up the outdoorsy factor for women who want to learn how to ride the waves in Mexico's Baja California. Outfitter Mountain Travel Sobek offers a week-long "girls-only" surf trip that's based in the town of Todos Santos on Baja's west coast.

The Baja Surf Retreat for Women spends mornings with a yoga class before hitting the water at Los Cerritos Beach and taking lessons from veteran local instructor Mario Beceril. The trip is good for beginners and moderately proficient surfers.

But the trip isn't just about riding waves either. Afternoon excursions include exploring the town of Todos Santos, horseback rides on the beach, a  massage, snorkeling and a visit to a sea lion colony too.

Date: Trips depart Feb. 3 and April 7.

Price: $2,595 a person for larger groups; $2,795 a person for groups of four to five; $500 extra for single supplement. It includes surf teacher/guide, most meals, airport transfers, ground transportation, basic medical...

Luxury cruise line Cunard launched a one-week sale Monday that offers a nice upgrade on selected 2013 trips: a cabin with balcony for the price of an ocean-view room.

And some spending money is thrown in too in the form of on-board credit. One example: The classic transatlantic crossing from England to New York in spring aboard the Queen Mary 2 starts at $1,345 per person. 

The deal: The Cunard sale applies to transatlantic crossings as well as cruises to the Baltic, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Iceland and other destinations. (Click to see the list of selected cruises on sale.) Prices for the free balcony upgrade and the on-board credits vary by cruise.

When: The offer is good through Oct. 29 for selected cruises.

Tested: I checked online and found availability for an April 26 departure from England for the $1,345 per person price. The deal comes with $100 in ship-board credit per cabin (airfare not included). The deal is good for those who can make the dates and the destinations work...