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LATEST STORIES
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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The 24-hour rule: You have a full day to correct mistakes
The 24-hour rule requires airlines to provide travelers booking flights 24 hours to cancel their trip or correct errors in the booking of any kind of ticket without any charge or fee from airlines.
read morePOLICY
The 24-hour rule: You have a full day to correct mistakes
The 24-hour rule requires airlines to provide travelers booking flights 24 hours to cancel their trip or correct errors in the booking of any kind of ticket without any charge or fee from airlines.
TRAVEL
Great travel memories — pressed between the pages of my mind
Many people ask, “What are your best travel memories?” Some stand out, but all add magic to my life — skiing in Chile, hiking in Spain’s Val d’Aran, twisting over torturous Alpine mountain passes, circling Ireland after a winter snowstorm, sunny Bali, drunken Pamplona, singing in Moscow, early-morning Venice.
Learn latest DOT rules for improved consumer protection
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has been working on their DOT website consumer protection pages, “Got Flights? Know Your Rights.” The intent is to help travelers better know their travel rights while flying.
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Why the joint Boeing and FAA focus on safety failed
The FAA's delegation of airplane certification has gone too far Boeing's 737 MAX 8 crashed because of design flaws with the aircraft and not because of only pilot errors. After defending the FAA safety system on radio interviews and TV and in print, I have concluded...
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Airlines are common carriers — they should follow the rules
Common carriers laws let consumers know the full cost of flying The largest consumer groups in the United States came together to speak about the need for regulation of the airlines. Part of that discussion concerns the enforcement of common carriers law. This...
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Don’t forget this on your next trip
More than 8 in 10 travelers forgot something while they were on vacation. The most commonly overlooked item? Toothbrushes, followed by clothing and shoes, toothpaste, toiletries, socks, hair appliances and chargers. The good news is that these can, normally, all be purchased wherever you travel.
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New data show big changes in No. 1 airline by state
UpgradedPoints.com, a site developed to maximize airline rewards crunched the numbers for the top domestic airlines from January 2018 through October 2018 in an attempt to figure out which US airlines dominate the country and states in terms of passengers carried. The easy part was getting the full US data. The state-by-state data took more work and was very interesting.
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How to master history and tourism in Oahu
There are two sides to Hawaii — the lush tourism and history. We have all heard about Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, but how many of us have been to Bishop Museum and the Iolani Palace? These sights exemplify the stark differences between tourist Hawaii and natural Hawaii.
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TRAVEL SAFETY
Beware, selfies can be hazardous to your health
More and more travelers are victims of deadly selfies Since March 26, three tourists visiting the Grand Canyon have died in the famous national park. The identities of two of the dead are unknown, as are the full circumstances of their deaths. We know that one fell to...
TRAVEL TIPS
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.
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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Boeing 737 Max fleet grounded in U.S.
US Boeing 737 MAX planes grounded. President Trump issues executive order President Trump issued an executive order this afternoon that declared all Boeing 737 MAX planes grounded. His executive order reversed an earlier decision by the FAA. This followed the...
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15 ways to prevent travel identity theft
My travel to-do list always includes steps to prevent travel identity theft while I’m away from home. Thieves use both tried and true methods to steal your identity and twenty-first century schemes too. It takes planning to say ahead of them.
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What can I do after a car rental accident (with no insurance)
Anyone who rents a car should read this case. It underscores the importance of reading and understanding a contract carefully. It’s also a reminder to think about car rental insurance before you rent any vehicle.
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To choose or not to choose basic economy
While basic economy passengers sit in the same seat type and cabin as other economy passengers, for a reduced fare, basic economy passengers accept a variety of restrictions on seat assignment, boarding, luggage, upgrades, changes, refunds, etc.
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Why a customer service weakest link haunts every business
Suppliers in the travel industry, airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc all care very much about their brands. Every major organization suffers from a customer service weakest link. As a travel agent, I find most clients have, for example, at least one airline they won’t fly and one car rental company they won’t use.
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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.
