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LATEST STORIES
Longest-flight-first rule stops most connection problems
Nobody likes connecting flights — well, almost nobody. If a connection is necessary, besides allowing enough time, there is one rule I recommend to all travelers, if possible — take the longest flight first.
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What the DOT Consumer Advocate should do for you (Part 2)
In a previous column, I outlined what the new Department of Transportation (DOT) Consumer Advocate could be doing for the flying public. The DOT Consumer Advocate position was created in the last FAA Reauthorization Bill to enhance consumer protections and received bipartisan support.
read morePOLICY
What the DOT Consumer Advocate should do for you (Part 2)
In a previous column, I outlined what the new Department of Transportation (DOT) Consumer Advocate could be doing for the flying public. The DOT Consumer Advocate position was created in the last FAA Reauthorization Bill to enhance consumer protections and received bipartisan support.
TRAVEL
What happens on the Danube stays on the Danube
Cruising on the Blue Danube is a wonderful experience Of course, the highlights of our Blue Danube River Cruise with Grand Circle Tour Company were the four European capitals we were visiting. Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and...
Stop costly missed connections caused by brazen airlines
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.
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Women ignored in official government crash testing
50 percent of American drivers are ignored in car crash testing An extensive study by Consumer Reports has concluded that just as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is biased toward airlines, the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration...
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Are airlines misleading passengers on flight delays and baggage loss?
The Montreal Convention, a treaty governing international air travel, guarantees passenger compensation on a quasi-no fault basis for events such as flight delays, death, injury, and baggage loss or damage. According to Article 3 of the treaty, the airlines must provide adequate notice that passengers may be entitled to compensation for flight delays.
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How to discover beautiful Danube River cities while cruising
Our Grand Circle Cruise Line trip took us to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, three of the most magnificent cities in Europe, and little Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Their architectural riches and intriguing histories place them high on many travelers’ must-see list.
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Learn how to discover a Spanish Islamic jewel — Granada’s Alhambra
Looming above the tight downtown streets of Granada, the Alhambra dominates the city skyline. This fortress-palace-garden preserves the most complete vestiges of the Moorish occupation of Spain.
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Can travelers still find courtesy in travel?
Respect is a hot topic in travel again. First Uber and then Frontier Airlines started soliciting tips from passengers. A tip is a gesture of respect – an acknowledgment that the customer is happy with the service. But for travel experts, soliciting a tip is a mile marker in the race to the bottom. Airlines and other travel companies have cut services to such an extent that customers no longer feel respected.
read moreTRAVEL SAFETY
How to buy travel insurance that works when you need it
Take a long look at your travel insurance — will it cover you without insurance exclusions? If you think your travel insurance policy will cover you on your next trip, you might want to take another look. Travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. Truth be told, it...
TRAVEL TIPS
Longest-flight-first rule stops most connection problems
Nobody likes connecting flights — well, almost nobody. If a connection is necessary, besides allowing enough time, there is one rule I recommend to all travelers, if possible — take the longest flight first.
8 safety hacks for your fall foliage road trip
When fall comes, I think road trip, jumping in the family car to take long rides through rural America and national parks. Car travel gives us the flexibility to stay longer when we find something special or leave early if our expectations are unrealized.
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Hotel safety is still primarily on the shoulders of guests
Hotel security and hotel safety have been in the news lately. Both Hilton and Disney changed their “Do Not Disturb” policy. While the new policy will help make hotel guests safer, it’s still incumbent on guests to take personal responsibility for their own safety.
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Travelers, beware of measles hotspots in the U.S. and Europe
Think about health issues, like measles hotspots, before traveling even in the US Travel, particularly international travel to many popular, “exotic” locales, can have serious health risks that must be considered before travel there is undertaken. Prevention and...
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5 forbidden words when using a travel agent
Any traveler who uses a travel agent, especially the first time they use a travel agent, should read on. Leaving these 5 forbidden words out of the requests to any travel agent will save both traveler and agent a lot of time.
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5 ways to avoid flight delays
America’s flying public have no protection from airline issues with late arrivals and departures. If a traveler is flying on a single ticket on the same airline alliance, there are some protections. However, if a passenger has booked his ticket on separate airlines and with separate tickets, that traveler is at the mercy of the airlines.
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How to buy travel insurance that works when you need it
Take a long look at your travel insurance — will it cover you without insurance exclusions? If you think your travel insurance policy will cover you on your next trip, you might want to take another look. Travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. Truth be told, it...
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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.
- 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.
