READERS' CHOICE: Which Airline Is The Most Reliable?

Most airline tickets are nonrefundable. But would you buy an airline ticket knowing that you couldn't change the date or flight time, even with a fee? How about the idea of buying a ticket in which you couldn't get a seat assignment, even by paying extra? Delta has just introduced a new "Basic Economy" fare on certain routes, and the tradeoffs for slightly cheaper fares are just that: no changes allowed, and seats are only assigned randomly at check-in. In other words, whoever buys these tickets has the best likelihood of winding up in the dreaded middle seat. How much cheaper are the fares? Delta doesn't say explicitly. For a sample Detroit-Fort Lauderdale round trip in June, the "Basic Economy" ticket cost $229.60, compared to $248.60 for a standard Economy round trip in which seat assignments are guaranteed at the time of booking at no extra charge and changes are allowed for a fee of $150. All things considered, a traveler sure does seem to be giving up a lot, all to save a little money. In this case, a mere $19. The Detroit Free Press categorized "Basic Economy" in a less-than-flattering way as a "new fair scheme." In Delta's press release, by contrast, the airline described the new class of service as "ideal for travelers who seek the lowest fare option, do not intend to make changes and do not consider seat choice an important part of their travel experience." So far, Delta is only offering the new "Basic Economy" option on a few routes connecting Detroit to gateways in Florida (specifically, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, and Tampa). Airlines have been "unbundling" tickets for years now, and each new change brings with it less inclusions and more restrictions. What's somewhat curious is that Delta's new "Basic Economy" option seems like it would rule out the possibility of the airline collecting some other fees from travelers who fly in this class of service. Delta notes of Basic Economy: Advance seat assignments are not permitted. Seats will be assigned by Delta at the time of customer check-in, and once assigned, no changes will be allowed. This seems to indicate that Delta isn't selling seat assignments, as carriers such as Spirit Airlines do. Also, because a traveler cannot change a Basic Economy ticket, there is no possibility of travelers with these tickets getting a chance to pay $150 change fees. There is also no incentive whatsoever for travelers to give Delta a head's up if the case arises in which they can't make their flights. If Delta were alerted early enough about someone having to miss a flight, the airline could sell the seat in advance. Delta may get lucky and wind up filling such a seat on the day of travel on a standby basis, but there's no guarantee that'll happen. "Basic Economy" doesn't seem like a good deal for travelers, and it might not even be a good deal for Delta. Nonetheless, the airline announced that, "Basic Economy may be expanded to other markets in the future as determined by Delta." MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: Tips on When to Book Summer Flights Amid Rising Fares READERS' CHOICE: The Best Airports to Get Stuck In How to Get a Free Upgrade

Cruise lovers who hate being stuck with the expensive shore excursions offered by their cruise line can now find better value alternatives, thanks to a website launching today: Viator Shore Excursions. The site, run by activity booking engine Viator, pledges discounts of up to 60 percent off the price of more than 500 comparable ship-arranged excursions. Until now, cruise lines have had a near monopoly on the sale of shore excursions, which make up about 25 percent of a typical cruise line's profits. Viator's service amps up the price competition. There are other sources for deals out there worth trying, too, especially ShoreTrips.com and ShoreExcursionsGroup.com. Searching for a shore excursion is straightforward. Enter your cruise ship name and sailing dates, and check the types of activities you prefer, such as jungle safari, privately led shopping tour, or a photography masterclass. The site then shows you tours that sync up with your ship's itinerary. It works at more than 80 ports for all of the major cruise lines, such as Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess, and Royal Caribbean. For instance, the site is touting a Hilo, Hawaii, shore excursion to Volcanoes National Park to see active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea as well as the gorgeous Rainbow Falls, from $59 a person. The comparable tour on (NCL) is currently $89 a person. Viator's new site guarantees an on-time return to your ship or else it will pay the full costs of transporting you to the next port in time to catch up with your ship. In another perk, the company pledges that if you find a lower price for the tour elsewhere, it will refund the difference. Tours are typically available to book up to a day in advance of arrival in port. In many cases there are no penalties if an excursion is cancelled days ahead, though travelers should read the fine print on any offer before booking. In comparison, most cruise-arranged excursions can be canceled for a refund up to 36 hours in advance. Through April 30, 2012, bookings on Viator Shore Excursions that use the code SHOREX10 receive a 10 percent discount. We hope the launch of the new site leads to a price war on shore excursions, which would be good news for anyone who likes to cruise affordably. SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Secrets to the 10 Most Popular Cruise Ports 12 Top Tips from the World's Best Cruisers Some Cruise Lines Take the "All" Out of "All-inclusive"

Heading to New Orleans for the NCAA Final Four men's basketball championships? Well, while you're in the Big Easy, there's plenty to see, do and eat in between games. First and foremost, no trip to New Orleans is complete without a proper po’ boy. Opinions vary widely as to where to go for the best heaping submarine sandwiches, but if you're in the French Quarter, pop into Johnny's Po-Boys for an authentic po' boy experience. For those who want to catch some good jazz while they're in town, head to the legendary Preservation Hall for live jazz nightly from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Not far from the quarter is Frenchmen Street, home to several bars, restaurants and music clubs where an eclectic mix of bands compete for crowds. For a bite to eat on Frenchman Street, head to The Three Muses, where innovative bar snacks and entrees are served with a big side of live music. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Jeremy Davenport plays at the Ritz-Carlton’s Davenport Lounge. Cozy up with a cocktail on one of the lounge's plush couches and enjoy Davenport's horn and vocal sounds. Breakfast of champions? Well, you can't go wrong with beignets and a café au lait at the Café Du Monde. For something more substantial, opt for the jazz brunch at Commander's Palace, then take a stroll through Lafayette Cemetery across the street, and gawk at the amazing mansions in the surrounding Garden District. Take the St. Charles Line streetcar back to the French Quarter. For an off-the-beaten track experience, head to the Backstreet Cultural Museum for a kitschy glimpse into New Orleans’ vibrant African American culture. Not far is the New Orleans African American Museum, which delves even deeper in the city's African American history. Want to get out of the city? Take a Cajun Pride swamp tour for a boat ride through nearby bayous and for some live gator sightings. To experience the Mississippi River, take a dinner and jazz cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. Need a place to stay? Check out these affordable hotels in NOLA. More from Budget Travel: America's Top College Football Towns 15 Things You Didn't Know About New Orleans A Handful of America's Nicest Easter Egg Events