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LATEST STORIES
Final-boarding rule — the random airline 10-minute rule
The final-boarding rule is important and random. It still exists while airlines battle this pandemic. While flights have a scheduled departure time, the gate agent will close the door to the plane about ten minutes before departure. Depending on what side of the door you’re on, it means a huge sigh of relief, a delayed, or ruined trip.
Do you stand up or stay seated when the plane arrives at the gate?
Do you believe it's a good idea to stand up or stay seated when the plane arrives at the gate? Some stand, and others sit. On my last flight, as we landed, I heard multiple passengers, including those in the row behind me, unbuckle their seatbelts even though we were...
POLICY
How airline alliance improvements are making international travel worse
Airlines have not mastered the technology to satisfy all business travelers. However, they have found ways to make traveling outside of their alliances more difficult for any traveler attempting to do so or to save money.
Toddlers are vulnerable as recent FBI report shows airline sexual assaults soar
Airlines make kids vulnerable to sexual predators by charging families extra to sit together. Congress, four years ago passed a law requiring DOT to make specific rules to allow family members 13 and younger to sit together with families. DOT has not begun a rulemaking to study the problem.
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.
Why travelers need to know the middle-name rule
When making reservations for a trip to Europe, I had an opportunity to purchase a flash airfare for myself and a friend. The normal price of $1,000 had been reduced to $700 for several hours. I did not know my friend’s middle name but wanted to purchase the tickets. I believed that because of the 24-hour rule, I could always change the middle name. The rule isn’t quite that simple. I learned an important lesson.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Final-boarding rule — the random airline 10-minute rule
The final-boarding rule is important and random. It still exists while airlines battle this pandemic. While flights have a scheduled departure time, the gate agent will close the door to the plane about ten minutes before departure. Depending on what side of the door you’re on, it means a huge sigh of relief, a delayed, or ruined trip.
My rental car broke down! Do I deserve a refund?
Am I owed a refund when my rental car broke down? John Sand’s Enterprise rental car broke down on his first day in Munich, and the company towed it without providing a replacement vehicle, leaving him stranded for 36 hours. After making 30 phone calls, sending...
Because of the Iranian War, TSA security checkpoint lines are long during Spring Break, and flights are being canceled to the Middle East. I have been talking with travel agents whose people are stuck in the Middle East because of the Iranian War. I know this article...
No ticket agent satisfaction? Hang up the phone. Call the airline again.
When there are problems with airline tickets, humans are often the best solution. As much as carriers tout their automatic rebooking programs, those programs are limited and not very creative. Call the airline again.
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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.
