BE HEARD: TRAVELERS UNITED GIVES YOU A VOICE IN TRAVEL
Travelers United is the #1 advocacy group in travel. Your Support Helps Us Continue Our Education, Research, and Advocacy. Be heard!
LATEST STORIES
Do vacation rental managers really protect you?
If you think vacation rental management companies aren't worth using, then I have a story for you. Two, actually. Using a vacation rental management company, as opposed to dealing directly with the owner, may not save you money (it's usually more expensive), but it...
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Ways airlines squeeze extra money from you today
Airlines squeeze extra money every step of the way. Not only was there a fee for every kind of issue from seating to early boarding, to baggage checks, but there were just as many exemptions to the fees listed for different levels of frequent flier programs and even more depending on the credit card that was used to pay for the flight.
read morePOLICY
Ways airlines squeeze extra money from you today
Airlines squeeze extra money every step of the way. Not only was there a fee for every kind of issue from seating to early boarding, to baggage checks, but there were just as many exemptions to the fees listed for different levels of frequent flier programs and even more depending on the credit card that was used to pay for the flight.
TRAVEL
Do vacation rental managers really protect you?
If you think vacation rental management companies aren't worth using, then I have a story for you. Two, actually. Using a vacation rental management company, as opposed to dealing directly with the owner, may not save you money (it's usually more expensive), but it...
Aviation industry unifies to get the government working again
We write to urge you to act now to prevent the negative impacts currently being experienced by the U.S. aviation industry that supports the traveling and shipping public. As the partial government shutdown continues, the human and economic consequences are increasing and doing greater harm. Civil aviation supports more than 7 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and $1.5 trillion of economic impact, creating over 11.5 million jobs, but this shutdown is hampering our ability to function effectively.
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Government shutdown hurts day-to-day travel and tourism
The government shutdown is affecting travelers more and more every day. During the first few days, the effects were limited, but now the effects of the shutdown are affecting everyday travelers.
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FAA needs a flying-cars vision
Everywhere in the world, it seems that governments are experimenting and rolling out unmanned aerial systems or drones. But in the USA, we seem to be as a regulatory impasse. When will the FAA say that every drone needs a license and should be regulated? When will the FAA come up with an overall vision for the National Airspace System?
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International language apps allow you to communicate
The last few years have seen a proliferation of language-learning software. These programs — many of which have popular mobile apps — use such techniques as gamification, crowdsourcing and adaptive algorithms to help beginners learn language basics.
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A unique view of Irish history at Trinity College
In Dublin, a surprise visit to Trinity College proved to be fascinating and far more than simply the Old Library and the Book of Kells.
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The Czech Republic: From castles to countryside
Most people who visit the Czech Republic confine their stay to Prague, its majestic capital – and with good reason. “The city of a hundred spires” not only challenges the likes of Paris in its beauty, it also boasts a history that stretches back over a millennium, along with one of the most vibrant cultural settings in all of Europe. But, there is far more.
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TRAVEL SAFETY
10 Dos and don’ts for holiday air travel
By now, I hope you've completed all your last minute shopping and you're fully set for your holiday air travel. Even so, you may have questions about holiday air travel about gifts, foods and other items. If you don't fly often, you may also have other questions about...
TRAVEL TIPS
“Preferred seats” — How airlines get more money from you
Preferred seats are just another airline money grab Even at 5'3" I admit I like economy-class seats with extra legroom. It's less about the room for my actual legs, as much as feeling a little less squeezed into the seats. And anyone who tries to work or use a tray...
9 important ways to make your holiday travel better
Don't forget these 9 tips when planning for better holiday travel With Thanksgiving later this week, we're entering the holiday travel season in the U.S. For many others across the globe, the countdown to Christmas holiday travel has begun. For frequent travelers and...
read moreHow secure worldwide WiFi can protect you at home and abroad
Help Travelers United keep working for you with Congress and DOT in Washington, enjoy cyber-security every day of the year, download Travel Rights, and save with restaurant certificates every month.Plus, you will be invited to take surveys and polls that make a difference in Washington.
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Top 10 travel mistakes and how to avoid them
Over the years, I’ve been collecting a list of the travel mistakes I’ve made and ways to avoid them, when planning for a trip and while traveling. I’ve also saved a list of the advice that readers have taken the time to send me over the years. I’m very grateful for that advice.
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Your passport — 5 major myths exposed
it’s critical to separate passport myths from passport reality. Not understanding passport rules and regulations can cause passport applicants to not get their passports on time to travel, strand cruise passengers in case of an emergency or end a trip before it starts.
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Timely complaints while traveling can be fixed now
Nobody in the travel industry likes complaints. On the other hand, everybody likes getting complaints fixed. Problems that arise on vacation are only solved with good travel complaint timing.
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Don’t make the minimum connection time mistake
If you have a tight flight connection — but one that adheres to the published minimum connection time — will your airline take care of you if you still miss your flight? For Stephanie Mendenhall, the answer was “no.”
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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.
CURRENT TRAVEL POLL
Do you think airlines have gone too far with adding more seats and reducing their size?
- No, they don’t bother me 3%
- Yes, I’m tall and/or overweight so seating is cramped and painful 22.6%
- Yes, I’m short but still find it difficult to get comfortable 28%
- Yes, when the passenger reclines it is almost claustrophobic 46.4%
