BE HEARD: TRAVELERS UNITED GIVES YOU A VOICE IN TRAVEL
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LATEST STORIES
Can European river cruise lines increase tourism with vaccinations?
Can required vaccinations help travel? Will European river cruise lines increase tourism with required vaccinations? Today I explore this worthwhile question. However, we all in the travel industry know the battles raging over required COVID vaccinations. The vaccine...
How to travel as a pedestrian during lockdown
Amid the restrictions of quarantine, I’m sustained by my favorite form of travel – walking. It’s still safe for most people to spend time outside getting exercise. And as experts affirm, the outdoors may preserve your sanity during a lockdown. When I travel as a pedestrian in my home city of Washington, DC it is my daily salvation.
POLICY
Why doesn’t the US have flight delay rules to protect passengers?
The European Union (EU) has strict rules and Canada just instituted airline flight delay rules. However, the US has not even started the processes to begin the bureaucratic path to instituting any such rules.
TRAVEL
How to travel as a pedestrian during lockdown
Amid the restrictions of quarantine, I’m sustained by my favorite form of travel – walking. It’s still safe for most people to spend time outside getting exercise. And as experts affirm, the outdoors may preserve your sanity during a lockdown. When I travel as a pedestrian in my home city of Washington, DC it is my daily salvation.
What makes false advertising so misleading for travelers
The problem of false advertising in the travel world has gotten worse over the past four years. Both the airlines and the hotel world have created new pricing structures or expanded old ones that deceive consumers. Even after years of hard work behind the scenes, when this administration leaves, consumers will be left in the lurch.
How US government and US stakeholders can restart international travel
Public health measures that save lives and allow international travel and economic growth to safely resume are the basis for any post-pandemic return to normalcy. Travelers United joins together with other travel industry stakeholders to urge the US to lead the way.
Why do DOT changes move slowly? Consumer advocates want to know
DOT changes move slowly, very slowly. I was the first consumer on the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections. Most of our suggestions to DOT are still only suggestions. DOT only considers them when pestered regularly.
Discover where you live. It can add local color to your life.
The lock-down protocols that have curtailed far-flung excursions don’t mean you have to hide the car keys, stash walking shoes and postpone thoughts of seeing things, and taking part in activities, that give you pleasure. Discover where you live may seem foolish, but it makes travel a local experience.
How to master history and tourism in Oahu, Hawaii
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.
Revel in flower bathing in colorful springtime public gardens
Public gardens have become centers of natural respite for visitors. Now, with Spring here, they have become blooming centers of color. Here are the eight gardens mentioned in the article.
TRAVEL SAFETY
Is rapid virus testing as good as a vaccine for control?
The advent of COVID-19 rapid testing is allowing many airlines to dream of opening flights prior to the introduction of a vaccine. Travelers United travel to begin again. Ultimately, we want to get a vaccine. However, until then, knowing who is sick and contagious and who is not may be the best we can do.
TRAVEL TIPS
How to avoid electronic toll collection penalties
More and more travelers on the nation’s highways during this pandemic are finding tolls on roads that have no system for manual toll collection — only electronic toll collection systems. Out-of-state traveler without a local FastPass, EZ-Pass, SunPass, or other local toll-collection passes should not be penalized.
Why the Boeing 737 MAX can soar again, and soon
National Public Radio (NPR) released a damning report about Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA). However, searing the findings, the report was a rehash of old news, dating back almost two years. The subsequent FAA and Boeing actions have resulted in a good and safe aircraft. The Boeing 737 MAX can soar again.
Did you know auto insurance may pay for a meteor strike?
Did you know auto insurance covers rodents? It’s true. Damage by mice or squirrels is one of the things car insurance routinely includes. However, most drivers don’t know about the coverage. Take a look at your policy. It probably has an “other than collision” clause.
Mommy, where is the restroom? I have to go!
Finding a place to go to the bathroom has always been a problem for tourists. For years fast-food restaurants and coffee houses were the only places with public restrooms. And, today, many are not open to the public during the uncertainty of the pandemic. Regular restaurants are closed in many cities and states, except for take out. And that means far fewer toilets for the traveling public.
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.
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.
Why the “Don’t ASSUME” rule will be important now for travelers.
Post-pandemic, we find ourselves subjected to ever more complex rules and restrictions for travel. When purchasing airline tickets or when booking hotels and cruises, change constantly comes at us from every angle.
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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.
