Northwest climbs aboard second-bag-fee bandwagon

Beginning May 5, Northwest Airlines (www.nwa.com or (800) 225-2525) joins Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com or (800) 221-1212), United Airlines (www.united.com or (800) 864-8331) and US Airways (www.usairways.com or (800) 622-1015) in charging $25 for a second checked bag each way.

The new fee won't affect customers who purchased their tickets prior to March 29 for travel before May 5. Besides adding a $25 fee for a second checked bag, fees for checked bags after the second piece have also gone up $20 to $100 each. As with the other airlines, there are exceptions depending on the passenger's frequent-flier status and other factors.

For Northwest's complete rules and restrictions, check www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/checked.html.

JetBlue adds 'first class'

Also in the additional fee category, JetBlue (www.jetblue.com or (800) 538-2583) is now offering extra legroom at the front of its Airbuses and in exit rows of all its jets (including the Embraer 190) for $10 to $20 per flight.

Exit rows on JetBlue used to be free on a first-come basis, but we guess that's history now. We'd gladly pay the extra for a generous 38 inches of pitch (the distance between one point on the seat and the same point on the seat in front or behind).

Because many first-class seats have about the same amount of legroom, essentially JetBlue has added a "first class" section at the front of the plane without calling it as such.

JW Marriott Denver offers $50 gas card

With prices at the pump rapidly skyrocketing, the pet-friendly JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek has created the Easy Escape package, which includes accommodations, a $50 gas card, free valet parking and a complimentary car wash.

And after your weekend, the hotel will send you on your way with a JW Marriott cooler bag stocked with bottled water and snacks. Starting at $235 a night, the package is available Thursday through Sunday nights through Sept. 1. Tax is not included and a two-night minimum stay is required.

For reservations, visit www.jwmarriottdenver.com or call (303) 316-2700. Be sure to use booking code SPJM.

Escape to Philly for a Benjamin

Candlewood Suites Philadelphia-Willow Grove is offering a promotion starting at $95.15 (plus taxes) through June 30.

This promotion is a 35 percent savings, valid Thursday through Sunday, and includes two nights' accommodations in a studio suite with fully equipped kitchen, and two Philadelphia CityPasses, which include admission for Benjamin Franklin Institute Science Museum; Adventure Aquarium; Philadelphia Trolley Works; Philadelphia Zoo; National Constitution Center; and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

This pet-friendly (at an additional fee starting from $75 a night) hotel is in suburban Philadelphia, near Fort Washington, King of Prussia Mall and Valley Forge National Historic Park. Guests will also receive complimentary local calls and use of the fitness center.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.candlewoodsuites.com (use code IJHD1) or call (215) 328-9119.

Resort ranch offers artist workshops

Triple Creek Ranch, the Montana Relais & Chateaux resort known for its extensive collection of Western art, launches A Spectrum of Color & Artistry, a series of artist-led workshop weekends.

Each weekend will introduce three celebrated Western artists to share their talent and inspiration. Workshops are scheduled for Oct. 2-5 (Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, Carol Hagan and Brent Cotton), Oct. 9-12 (Steve Seltzer, Loren Kovich and Sheila Rieman) and Oct. 16-19 (Dawn Emerson, Larry Pirnie and Steve Oiestad).

Priced from $1,725 per person, the four-day/three-night program includes all workshops and activities, as well as all meals and in-house beverages, a guided tour of the resort's private art collection, farewell art exhibit and more.

Several of the artists have painted at workshops or on their own or with the plein-air group of painters who have exhibits in Montana, Wyoming, California, New Mexico and Arizona galleries.

Participants will also learn how, when and where to buy art, and will discover links into the world of art. Instruction will be given in two afternoon sessions for those interested in painting or for those who would like to observe. Instructors will paint new landscapes during the weekend and will display these new works along with a selection of finished pieces and other original art illustrating their respective styles.

Triple Creek Ranch is an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing lodge in the Montana Rockies with 23 Western-styled log cabins (most with outdoor hot tubs), innovative cuisine and an extensive wine cellar.

Other activities include cattle drives, horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, ATV tours and downhill and cross-country skiing.

For information and reservations, visit www.triplecreekranch.com or call (800) 654-2943.

Reach George Hobica at hobica@gmail.com, Kim Liang Tan at KimLiangTan@aol.comor log on to www.airfarewatchdog.com.