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LATEST STORIES
Revel in flower bathing in colorful springtime public gardens
Public gardens have become centers of natural respite for visitors. Now, with Spring here, they have become blooming centers of color. Here are the eight gardens mentioned in the article.
No paper boarding passes — United’s latest consumer unfriendly move
It's no secret that airlines want no paper boarding passes. They want things as automated and digital as possible. In a perfect world they wouldn't pay any airport staff, reservationists or have bookings made through travel agents. Airlines don't like paper either. ...
POLICY
Stop costly missed airline connections caused by the aviation system
While airlines in their contracts of carriage assume no responsibility for arrival and departure on schedule, their delayed flights have big financial consequences for passengers who face change fees and cancellation fees in addition to extra airfare for missed airline connections must deal with through no fault of their own.
Airline consumers really want to know the full cost of travel
Two recent stories distorted what consumers want when they buy airline tickets. Passengers really don’t care how many fees there are. Nor, do they hate ancillary fees. Consumers just want a way to see the full cost of travel prior to purchasing a ticket.
Why can foreign transaction fees apply here in the USA?
US consumers waste millions of dollars each year paying foreign transaction fees on credit cards. In many cases don’t even know they are paying these fees. Half of all credit card users don’t know whether their card has a foreign fee. But that is only part of the problem.
Flight Delay Compensation Rule is DOA
Flight delay compensation and checked baggage delay refund rules are DOA. More than three years after it was first proposed, the Department of Transportation announced a new flight delay compensation rule. This would have triggered automatic refunds if flights were...
TRAVEL ADVICE
No paper boarding passes — United’s latest consumer unfriendly move
It's no secret that airlines want no paper boarding passes. They want things as automated and digital as possible. In a perfect world they wouldn't pay any airport staff, reservationists or have bookings made through travel agents. Airlines don't like paper either. ...
Here come airlines’ baggage fees increases again
The normal increased round-trip airlines baggage fees now cost between $70 and $80 per checked bag. Baggage fees, one of the most hated in the industry, have increased again during the last year. All the airlines, from American Airlines to United Airlines, have...
Yes, for an important event you SHOULD fly in a day early
Sometimes an important event is impossible to get to by air. First, due to work, finances, family, or other issues, getting to a really important event early isn't possible, I get it. But often as a travel agent, I will have clients try to cut it close. Maybe they...
Ten costly cruise mistakes to avoid!
I have 10 costly cruise mistakes every passenger must avoid. If you've never cruised before, there are serious potential problems to avoid. Prevent expensive mistakes when cruising, particularly for a cruise that visits international ports. Poor weather may delay...
CORONAVIRUS
Why passengers need common airline flight credit rules
We need common airline flight credit rules for airfare refunds and flight credit protection. The refund issue has been screwed up for consumers since the beginning. It is a major issue with more than $10 billion in outstanding flight credits, estimated by the Wall...
Why airlines need to fix a major sick-passenger change fee issue
Major US carriers getting rid of change fees was a welcome change for travelers, even if we weren’t in a pandemic. However, airlines still have no consistent sick-passenger rule for allowing changes due to illness.
Five ways travel may never go back to pre-COVID days — get ready for a “new normal”
After three years American travelers yearn for a "new normal" for vacation and business travel reality. Many Americans and travelers worldwide may feel as if the pandemic is over. Indeed, after almost three years, everyone wanted to return to normal. But the "new...
How COVID still affects travel even if the virus is weaker
COVID still affects travel. Don't fool with the coronavirus. Respect it. As a travel agent and someone who loves to travel, it's been great to see COVID restrictions loosening on travel worldwide. But COVID still affects travel even if the virus is weaker. Loosened...
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Accomplishments
These accomplishments have been achieved by working closely with our members, national media, the travel industry, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Congress and many other agencies.
- Bi-partisan bill to eliminate hotel resort fees introduced into House of Representatives
- Creation of the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections
- Advertised airfares now include airfare plus, mandatory taxes and fees
- Lost/damaged/delayed luggage compensation limit increased to $3,500
- Passengers have 24 hours to change or cancel their nonrefundable tickets without penalty
- Once an airfare is purchased, that airfare and ancillary fees cannot be increased
- Families flying together act passed by Congress that requires family members 13 years of age and younger to sit with other family members at no additional cost.
