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LATEST STORIES
Mr. President, international COVID rules for travelers are primed to fail
President Biden signed an executive order mandating new international COVID rules for travelers entering the US, including citizens. That's a potential problem. On January 21, newly sworn-in President Joe Biden signed an “Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety...
Sunday musings: A220 joins JetBlue, Layovers vs. Non-stop, No CNN airport TV, Mask mandate poll
This Sunday, we look at one of the most consumer-friendly planes in the sky. The Airbus A220 is being introduced by JetBlue this year. Doctors analyze the differences between flying non-stop instead of with layovers. CNN scraps their airport TV channel. And Travelers United readers let us know if they will honor President Biden’s face mask mandate.
POLICY
Mr. President, international COVID rules for travelers are primed to fail
President Biden signed an executive order mandating new international COVID rules for travelers entering the US, including citizens. That's a potential problem. On January 21, newly sworn-in President Joe Biden signed an “Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety...
TRAVEL
Food trails secrets across America that will make you smile
Food trails are a wonderful way to publicize a state or a region. Across the country, they are used by local tourism groups to create a local buzz and provide travelers a reason to stop by the local establishments. These are just a sample of tourist food trails that have been created.
Today, honesty in airline advertising is more important than ever
A year after the airlines’ began this epic struggle to stay in business during the pandemic, they are suffering financially. After 9/11 and the recession downturns, this is another financial pummeling being taken by airlines. And, consumers are not getting any honesty in advertising.
New denied boarding compensation and mishandled baggage compensation
There are new compensation levels mandated by DOT. Every time that an airline bumps a passenger, denied boarding compensation should be paid. And every time an airline loses, delays, or damages a passenger’s baggage they should provide mishandled baggage compensation up to $3,800 for domestic travel.
Why proof of vaccination and virus tests are too easy to fake
The world will need proof of vaccination records. The proposed new digital vaccine passports have obvious privacy problems. We’re hurtling toward a summer travel season where people may routinely lie about their vaccine status or COVID-19 test results. It’s all the more reason to get your shots ASAP.
Plan a Martin Luther King historical journey on his memorial service day
Today we remember and honor the life of Dr.Martin Luther King. This day has become a national day of service. Across the U.S., following the lead of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the first “Martin Luther King Day of Service” was organized, millions of volunteers, are now “turning their community concerns into volunteer service…”
Weird festivals that honor UFOs, garlic, bugs and more
In Gilroy, California, people line up to purchase watermelon, ice cream and chocolate laced with fresh, pungent garlic. In an area of Wisconsin men and women vie to see who can throw a “cow chip” furthest. In New Orleans roller derby queens whack their running participants with foam bats. Only in America seems to apply.
Travelers need to learn reasonable airline etiquette
As the airlines squeeze more and more people into less and less space, airline etiquette is more important than ever. Airline passengers need to think about those around them and adjust their actions accordingly. In other words, since the airlines aren’t doing it, passengers should.
TRAVEL SAFETY
What are 2021 travel fears? Should travelers actually worry?
There are many travelers who have 2021 travel fears. Some should induce worry, but many can be ignored. Christopher Elliott takes a look at real fears vs. fake fears. Having a vaccine is only the beginning of getting the public to travel again.
TRAVEL TIPS
Is tipping too much a good thing? Are you an overtipper?
The problem is simple: If there’s an expectation of a tip — or an overtip — then what’s the real cost of the meal or hotel room? And what about those automatic tips on cruises? We’ve had that discussion before.
How self-insurance can help with COVID-19 travel problems
How can trip insurance protect from the COVID-19 virus cancellations? Travelers can purchase travel insurance or they can self-insure. When buying insurance, make sure that it will cover you for pandemics or epidemics. If planning on self-insuring, follow these rules.
Singapore’s cruise safety model won’t work in the U.S. during pandemic
In March, after too many cruise ships reported multiple cases and deaths of COVID, the cruise industry shutdown worldwide. New cruise safety models began to take shape. They included Singapore’s cruise safety.
Can we answer this question: Is it safe to travel?
Travel advisors sell something they don’t actually control. A big issue is whether it is safe to travel and other products over which they have no control. No matter what the Centers for Disease control says,
Another loss for travelers — goodbye to duty-free and UK VAT refund
The end of UK VAT refund, as of January 20, 2021 has received little press. Though, we will see that only a few travelers to the United Kingdom even thought about issue. However, I’ll miss traveling and happily paying the Value Added Tax with a big smile on my face.
Your passport application or renewal deadline may have already passed
With US passport processing times at almost three months, travelers should consider applying or renewing their passport now. Whether you need a new passport or a passport renewal you need to think ahead. For international travel Real ID identification doesn’t doesn’t apply. You need to follow the US and other national passport rules.
Why isn’t there a “best hotel” in town for me?
As a travel agent, there are many times I get asked “what’s the best hotel?” in a given place. No agent knows every city or resort area in the world personally. But even with places I know very well indeed, there really isn’t “best hotel” answer. Because the answer can be completely different for different travelers.
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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.
