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LATEST STORIES
Join Travelers United — Membership includes a top cybersecurity package with a Swiss global data vault
Travelers United membership now provides a Swiss global data vault. Membership in Travelers United now includes one of the country's best cybersecurity packages. For $49 a year Travelers United members receive a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that provides WiFi...
Where you can buy things confiscated by TSA and lost by passengers
These places are where what TSA confiscates and you lose on flights ends up. I have often wondered what happens to lost and confiscated belongings left by passengers on planes and checkpoint lines. The TSA confiscates thousands of small pen knives, AirPods, iPads,...
POLICY
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.
AA’s record $4.1 million tarmac delay fine — not a penny goes to travelers
Not a penny goes to travelers for tarmac delays. Here’s a dirty little secret about the Department of Transportation’s record $4.1 million fine against American Airlines for violating the tarmac delay rule, announced with great fanfare yesterday: Not a penny goes to...
Kids are vulnerable as FBI reports 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.
Airline consumers really want to know the full cost of travel
Two recent stories distorted what consumers want when they buy airline tickets. Passengers really don’t care how many fees there are. Nor, do they hate ancillary fees. Consumers just want a way to see the full cost of travel prior to purchasing a ticket.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Where you can buy things confiscated by TSA and lost by passengers
These places are where what TSA confiscates and you lose on flights ends up. I have often wondered what happens to lost and confiscated belongings left by passengers on planes and checkpoint lines. The TSA confiscates thousands of small pen knives, AirPods, iPads,...
Strategies that can get you home during weather-delay roulette
A client emailed me in a cranky mood. His plane to San Francisco was stuck in a weather delay for two hours, and then was sitting on the tarmac in Newark for over an hour. He was a victim of weather-delay roulette.
Is it actually safe to be on a cruise ship during hurricane season?
With a more active hurricane season than normal, many travelers want to know if cruising during the hurricane season in hurricane belts across the globe is safe. I've got the answers for you here. It is hurricane season. Hurricane Ophelia is bearing down on my...
No pets on planes — here’s why you should leave yours at home
It's time for pets to stop flying. There, I said it: Let's ground Fido and Fluffy for good. There have been too many animal incidents on aircraft this summer, including the Delta Air Lines passenger who lost her dog while traveling from Santo Domingo to San Francisco...
CORONAVIRUS
Why airlines need to fix a major sick-passenger change fee issue
Major US carriers getting rid of change fees was a welcome change for travelers, even if we weren’t in a pandemic. However, airlines still have no consistent sick-passenger rule for allowing changes due to illness.
Five ways travel may never go back to pre-COVID days — get ready for a “new normal”
After three years American travelers yearn for a "new normal" for vacation and business travel reality. Many Americans and travelers worldwide may feel as if the pandemic is over. Indeed, after almost three years, everyone wanted to return to normal. But the "new...
How COVID still affects travel even if the virus is weaker
COVID still affects travel. Don't fool with the coronavirus. Respect it. As a travel agent and someone who loves to travel, it's been great to see COVID restrictions loosening on travel worldwide. But COVID still affects travel even if the virus is weaker. Loosened...
It’s not okay to fly when you’re contagious with COVID
Some air travelers think it's alright to fly while contagious with COVID. They are wrong! I know of several people who recently flew while infectious with COVID. I've heard from angry readers who also know people who have flown while contagious with COVID. Other...
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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.
