Last week, online dating was in the news as Spreadsheet guy’s story went viral. He’s since apologized for the embarrassment it caused the women, and himself in the process.

This week, the official launch of MissTravel.com, whose tagline is “Travel Dating for Generous and Attractive People” is spreading like wildfire. In my opinion, this site goes beyond the old-fashioned “Mile High Club” membership. Adamant about not being an escort service, founder Brandon Wade tells ABC News, “There’s 2.6 attractive women for every one generous man.”

Does this mean there’s so much of the world to see, with so very few men to share the experience with?

What happens when you arrive in Paris and your man gets abusive? Are you stuck at Charles de Gaulle Airport without a return ticket home? Could you insist on having your own room if it’s truly for plain companionship, with no benefits associated?

Here’s their one-minute video that describes the service. Already over 10,000 people have signed up.

Do you think this is an escort service disguised as a dating site or a terrific site to find a travel companion? Is it a marketing gimmick? Would you sign up?

Your comments are welcome.

Julie Spira is an online dating and cyber-relations expert. She’s the Editor-in-Chief at CyberDatingExpert.com and author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. For online dating advice, like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert, follow @JulieSpira on Twitter, and sign up for our Weekly Flirt newsletter.

After 15 years of marriage, Dabney was ready to start dating again. She created a profile on Match.com and went on just five lunch dates.

When she first spoke to Vic, the two had instant phone chemistry. Vic had his list of questions that he asked all prospective dates. Dabney passed the test with flying colors.

When the two finally met in person, they were both delighted that the phone chemistry matched their feelings in-real-life. Vic went to hold Dabney’s hand and she pulled back in surprise. Vic asked Dabney, “Did you feel that?” Dabney tells us, “It was electric.”

Dabney and Vic were fortunate to have felt a spiritual and soulful connection on their first date. Five years later, during a vacation in the Florida Keys, Vic proposed to Dabney. Dabney, of course said “Yes!”

Congratulations to Dabney and Vic, who prove that you can have a second chance at love while looking for love online.

Do you have an online dating story to share?

Julie Spira is an online dating, netiquette and cyber-relations expert. Visit CyberDatingExpert.com for dating advice and where you can sign up for the Weekly Flirt. Like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert and follow @JulieSpira on Twitter.

Wondering how to find a date for Valentine’s? The good news is an overwhelming number of singles polled this year say they feel good about going on a first date on Valentine’s Day.

We know that both men and women are feeling a bit of pressure now and so do our friends at Chemistry.com.  They’ll make it easier for you to find a date this weekend with the Chemistry.com FREE Communication Weekend 2/10-2/12.

Sign up and enjoy the features on their online dating site. If you get lucky in love, you just might get featured in our Cyber Love Story of the Week.

Click here to get started, but don’t wait. This offer ends on Sunday night 2/12 at midnight..

If you need help with your online dating profile, let us know. We’ll create an irresistible dating profile guaranteed to attract more quality dates.

Chemistry is one of the recommended dating sites on CyberDatingExpert.com. We we may receive a commission if you click on this link.

Who says you can’t fall in love online during Valentine’s season? Meet Jamie and Howie, who met on JDate.

Jamie joined the Jewish singles online dating site upon a New Year as one of her dating resolutions. Shortly thereafter, she started chatting with Howie, who had never been married.  Howie and his dog Spot had been on-and-off JDate for 12 years.  His profile said, “Love me, love my pet.”

The two met in-real-life just two weeks before Valentine’s Day. Jamie said Howie put her through a rigorous test and she passed with flying colors.

Both having a passion for travel, they went on several cruises together. After a romantic trip to Hawaii, Howie proposed and the two became engaged. Together, they built their dream home and just celebrated their four-year anniversary. Jamie is the founder of LA Girl Secrets.

Congratulations to Jamie and Howie on finding love just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Do you have an online dating story to share?

Julie Spira is a leading online dating expert and the author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit CyberDatingExpert.com for dating advice and to share your online dating stories. Follow Julie on twitter @JulieSpira and like her at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert

I received an email on Facebook from a former radio colleague of mine telling me that he was getting divorced at 60. He was petrified about dating after being married for 25 years.  He bought my book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating and joined a boomer online dating site.

Within a week, he submitted his first story for The Peril of the Week.

“I was just putting my toe in the dating water when I met a woman who had already gone off the deep end. “Rita” had a profile that reflected that she was smart, sassy, and had movie star looks. She messaged me about getting together for a glass of wine, and I said to myself “self, why not?” First bad sign for someone like me looking for honesty and trust in a relationship – she arrived looking much older than her picture, which was a glamour shot taken 15 years ago. The years had not been that kind to Rita, with a big weight gain and much sadder eyes.

By her 3rd glass of wine, Rita was getting very loud and in full party mode. By her 5th, she was talking about how great a lover she was, in graphic detail. After her 6th glass, I was able to pry her away from the bar and out to her car. Rita proceeded to pounce, with aggressive kisses and that extra hand women always complain about men having that seems to go right for the privates. I decided I really didn’t want my privates to go public with this woman.

I guess I have matured a little bit since the hormone raging days where I would have hit on her in a second (and probably lasted that long, too). I followed Rita home to make sure she was able to drive OK, and took off, telling her I just wasn’t ready to get intimate with anyone again. I don’t mean to make light of anyone with a drinking problem, but I have decided that coffee dates are better first dates than wine dates. Coffee opens your eyes to what she’s like, while drinking clouds your feelings and potentially your judgment. Note to self: Self, if you are not ready to swim, don’t dive into the deep end of the dating pool.”

The Peril of the Week was contributed by Suddenly Single at 60. Photo credit: Fotolia.

Do you have a dating disaster story to share?

Julie Spira is a leading online dating expert and the author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit CyberDatingExpert.com for dating advice and share your online dating stories. Follow Julie on twitter @JulieSpira and like her at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert

Do you believe that LinkedIn profiles are more accurate than most online dating profiles? If so, you’re not alone. On Friday the 13th, Hitch.me was officially launched using LinkedIn profiles as the basis for their site’s algorithms.

I had the opportunity to interview Hitch.me founder Navid Nadir, who is happily married with two children.  Nadir has a degree in computer engineering from Queens University in Kingston, Canada and although he isn’t interested in finding love online, both he and his wife have single friends who were frustrated with the process.

Nadir believes that over 50% of online dating profiles are fabricated. Nadir said,  “If you want to date someone, why lie?” That’s a question that many single daters struggle with as they hope there’s truth-in-advertising when viewing online dating profiles.

Nadir added, “It’s not just another niche site. It’s a niche site that is in demand. This is something we have been waiting for a long time. You can actually search for a profile based upon a skill-set, find someone based on specific industries, and search within groups that you are a member of on LinkedIn.”

The site is simple to use and there are no monthly fees.

Hitch.me members purchase credits in a pay-as-you-go format. Their 3 levels are:

• Beginner: $10 for 500 credits
• So Much for So Less: $25 for 2000 credits
• Guaranteed Satisfaction: $50 for 4000 credits

So how does the credit system work?

For 20 credits, you get just a “smile.” It’s their way of flirting.

For 50 credits, you get a “pitch,” the opportunity to send a 200 word email to the object-of-your-affection.

For 100 credits, Private Presentation: 100 credits. Can add youtube videos and images, 500 words and can add 3 images and one youtube video.

Does the site mix business with pleasure? Only if you want it to. You can select from finding a casual date, soulmate, friend, or a business partner.

For a limited time period, they are offering 200 free credits as they build their membership base. Click here to get started on Hitch.me

Do you believe LinkedIn profiles are more accurate than online dating profiles? Your comments are always welcome.

Julie Spira is an online dating expert and bestselling author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit her at CyberDatingExpert.com and Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert for dating advice and follow @JulieSpira on Twitter. 

Are you ready to change your zip code to find love online?

Our friends at Chemistry.com have announced their Top 10 list of cities where you’re more likely to find a sensitive man.

Most of the cities on the list are on the east coast, except for Nashville, Indianapolis, and West Hollywood.

Dr. Helen Fisher, Chemistry’s Chief Scientific Officer and a former featured guest on Ask the Cyber-Dating Expert Radio Show said, ”Men do have a sensitive side.” Fisher added, ‘They want to please. They want to do the “right” thing.

The Top 10 list includes:

1. Popmano Beach, FL

2. Roanoke, VA

3. West Hollywood, CA

4. Nashville, TN

5. Buffalo, NY

6. Sarasota, FL

7. Greenville, SC

8. Wilmington, NC

9. Indianapolis, IN

10. Staten Island, NY

Ready to dive in and find a sensitive man? Click here to sign up and remember to share your online dating stories at CyberDatingExpert.com.

Chemistry.com Free Communication Weekend 1/13 – 1/15

Full article @Chemistry Blog

Just in time for the Jewish New Year, online dating site JDate has published an infographic showing a milestone of almost 1000 marriages since their inception in 2003.

The Jewish online dating site commissioned ResearchNow to survey married Jewish Internet users. The results showed that JDate is responsible for more Jewish marriages than all of the other major online dating sites combined.

Of the 948 who participated in the survey, 52% who married met on JDate.

It makes sense if religion is important to you to visit an online dating site with singles sharing the same belief. Singles appear to be dating up a storm. Five out of 9 Jews who were surveyed and were married since 2008, used an online dating site in their search for love.

Are you a member of a niche online dating site focusing on religion? Comments are welcome and you can sign up for JDate in our Dating Community.

Follow @JulieSpira on Twitter

One of the biggest pluses for OkCupid by their members has been the fact that they are a free online dating site. Singles have enjoyed their features and have been able to save more to actually spend on their dates.

There was speculation when they were acquired by IAC/Match earlier this year that they wouldn’t stay free for long. Their members were promised they would always be free. Well, almost.

If you haven’t logged in lately, you’ll see a big pop-up ad inviting you to become an A-List Member. Regularly priced at $9.95/month, they’re offering a special discount of $4.95/month.

So what will your benefits be if you decide to pay-to-play? Members are being promised that they’ll love OkCupid even more with so many extras.

The new features include:

• Browse anonymously and see visitors
• Ability to change your screen name
• Use the site ad-free
• Attach photos to emails
• Public and private photo albums
• Give unlimited awards
• Store up to 5000 messages
• Send messages to users whose inboxes are full

In addition, you’ll have digital bragging rights that you’re an A-List member, as you’ll be able to show off your swanky elite badge. At the end of the day, with 50% off, signing up for one year will cost less than one typical dinner date. My advice is it might be worth the splurge to stand out in the crowded digital playing field for less than $60/year.

For more information on their features, click here.

Julie Spira is a bestselling author and online dating expert. Visit her at CyberDatingExpert.com for dating advice and to learn how to create an irresistible online dating profile. Follow her on Twitter @JulieSpira and like her at facebook.com/cyberdatingexpert

Just in time for Father’s Day, our friends at Match.com have come up with their Top 10 list of single dads looking for love online in three popular categories. [See infographic below]

Foodie-Dads: The online dating site polled their members and found that those men who are happy in the kitchen can be found in Scottsdale, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and Boise.

Do-It-Yourself Dads: You won’t have to head to Home Depot alone if you’re in Spokane, Boise, Vancouver, Sarasota, or Toledo.

Sports-Crazed Dads: If you’re ready to fall for a sports fanatic or at least cheer him on, you’ll be the most successful in two cities in Arizona, Milwaukee, and Charlotte, to name a few.

When’s the most popular time for single dads to log on to look for love? According to Match’s members, early in the morning. Most men sign on from 6am – 9am, over coffee and a newspaper before they get ready for their busy day. Whitney Casey, Match.com’s relationship insider and author of The Man Plan says it’s because their testosterone level is the highest when they wake up.

The best news is that single dads are really interested in meeting women with children. With 30% of Match’s male members being single dads, newly divorced and single women with children should be able to fill their date card. Match reports that single dads are 56% more likely to email single moms than men without children. How are you planning on celebrating Father’s Day this year?

Julie Spira is an online dating expert and author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. She creates irresistible profiles and coaches singles on the dating scene. Like her at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert.