More $10 fares! Skybus adds cities

USA Today is reporting that starting in early November, Southwest is going to automatically give passengers an assigned number within in its current boarding groups: A, B and C. They'll get the number and the group when they check in, which can be done within 24 hours of a flight. Another change: A and B groups will also be expanded to 60 passengers. The new policy means you don't have to squat a place in line to have a chance to grab your preferred seat. [Via USA Today.] More disturbingly, Southwest is also ending its policy of allowing families with children to pre-board. Details, here.

This week, Charlie Suisman, who runs the excellent ManhattanUsersGuide.com, answered reader questions about New York City travel in a live chat at our website. Here are some of his tips. Q: Where are the cheapest hotels to stay in New York City? Charlie Suisman: Many of New York's hotels have just gone nuts with their pricing. It's ridiculous. But you don't have to spend a fortune—however, it's still going to be more expensive than most other American cities to sleep. Here are a few picks that, depending on the time of year, should have rooms between $100 to $250: The Pod Hotel, Rooms to Let, Second Home on Second Ave, Country Inn the City, Mayfair New York, Broadway Inn, Abingdon Guest House, and The Larchmont. Q. What's a good neighborhood to stay in? Somewhere besides the usual Times Square? Charlie Suisman: Definitely! Whenever my friends and family come to visit, I suggest they stay anywhere but Times Square and midtown. Nothing wrong with it, but you'll get a visitor's view of the city, rather than an insider's. And so many great chefs, and shops, and nightlife is now below 34th Street. So, I'd suggest staying in the West or East Village. If you want to get a *really* different angle on the city, try the Lower East Side. It's far from bucolic, but there's so much history there, not to mention a definite hipster scene. The Hotel on Rivington caters to the neighborhood's new-found vibe. Q.What's your advice for visiting Manhattan during Christmastime? Charlie Suisman:There are so many things to do at holiday time, it's hard to select just a few -- there are annual holiday markets at Grand Central and Bryant Park, Paul Winter's annual (number 28, I think) Winter Solstice Celebration at Cathedral of St. John the Divine, is great. There are many Messiah performances -- of all kinds. There's a tradition at the 21 Club of the Salvation Army doing these boisterous singalongs at lunchtime -- there's nothing like those anywhere. There's Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center (Rock Center is the city's unofficial Christmas center, with its mega-tree and ice-skating rink). Q: We only have two nights in NYC. What should we see? Charlie Suisman: The first thing I'd do is go up to one of the observation decks, either the Empire State Building or the one at Rockefeller Center. I'd go with the latter because it's likely to be less crowded. Get an overview of the city, to see how it's laid out. The best thing to do in New York is walk -- it's the best way to get a feel for the city. I'd get out of midtown, too -- go to the Flatiron district, Greenwich Village -- that's where a lot of the action is these days. But since you're here for a very short time, you'll probably want to check out a few of the must-sees. For museums, choose from the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (I feel terrible leaving out so many other amazing museums!). If the weather's nice, I'd go down to Battery Park and see the Statue of Liberty from afar (rather than spending the time getting there and back). See a Broadway show. Central Park has never looked better and an afternoon stroll there would be memorable -- you could also hire a horse and carriage from the area of 5th Avenue and 59th to give you a tour of the park. Great shopping is always there for you -- Saks, Bloomingdales, and every small shop you can imagine. Or just wander. That sense of discovery can be the most fun of all. Q: My daughters and I would like to visit NYC and would like to know what time of year to come to get the best hotel prices. Thank you. Charlie Suisman: You can generally find the lowest rates in January, February, and March. Some hotels will offer weekend packages, which can bring the rate down further. And don't just assume that a rate you see on the website is the lowest price you can get. Call the hotel and chat with someone from reservations. A little luck may be involved, but you may be surprised to get a lower rate -- with some polite persistence -- if the hotel isn't that busy. (See full the transcript here.) EARLIER: Most popular blog posts. Find more tips at ManhattanUsersGuide.com.

You can enter The Great Las Vegas Giveaway for a chance to win round-trip airfare, three nights at the Bellagio, two spa treatments, two Cirque du Soleil tickets, and dinner for two. Click here for details from United Vacations. RELATED: United and Southwest are offering discounts to Vegas: Air/Hotel, From $159.

Andy Gates of Jacksonville, Fla., is suing US Airways for not allowing him to fly because he was deemed unable to assist in his own evacuation in the event of an emergency. [Story via Channel 4 News in Jacksonville.] Gates has dystonia, which is a neuro-muscular disease that impairs his movement. He says he can get in and out of his wheelchair, controlling his legs and arms. He also says that he has flown several times before without a problem or an objection by flight crews. U.S airlines are required by federal law to deny flights to any person with mobility impairment so severe that they are unable to assist in their own evacuation. But making that judgment call can be tricky. If you have thoughts, feel free to post a comment below.