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LATEST STORIES
Hotel room-rate lies — hiding mandatory hotel fees harms travelers
False hotel advertising is a shameful and dishonest practice and it must stop. Travelers United worked together with other consumer advocates to goad the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into protecting consumers from this kind of false advertising and drip pricing. It is working slowly, too slowly.
Would you pay extra to avoid AI?
The problem with artificial intelligence is simple: When travelers need it most, it is least helpful. Would you pay extra to avoid AI? That's the experience of people like Mark Beales, a retired mortgage banker from Mill Creek, Washington. He said that for simple...
POLICY
Hotel room-rate lies — hiding mandatory hotel fees harms travelers
False hotel advertising is a shameful and dishonest practice and it must stop. Travelers United worked together with other consumer advocates to goad the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into protecting consumers from this kind of false advertising and drip pricing. It is working slowly, too slowly.
Six ways DOT is not delivering passenger protections
The Department of Transportation )DOT) seems to have lost its way when it comes to traveler protections. It doesn’t seem interested in taking care of its real customers, America’s consumers and the airline passengers. The needs of the public seem to be being ignored and the needs of airlines are getting higher billing than those of passengers. The malaise of DOT can be seen in its lackadaisical enforcement of passenger protections rules and its half-hearted efforts at getting rules written to put new laws passed more than a year ago into effect.
Know the DOT real rules for best compensation when you are bumped
Overbooking is not illegal, and most airlines overbook their scheduled flights to a certain extent in order to compensate for “no-shows.” Passengers are sometimes left behind or “bumped” as a result. When an oversale occurs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to ask people who aren’t in a hurry to give up their seats voluntarily in exchange for compensation. Those passengers bumped against their will are, with a few exceptions, entitled to compensation.
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.
TRAVEL ADVICE
How to get about $600 in flight delay compensation with EU rules
International flight delay compensation is unknown to most US travelers. It is covered under the Montreal Convention, an international treaty, and by Europen Union rules (EU air passenger delay compensation rules). A partner organization has taken the DOT to court to require that these international delay compensation rules get more visibility for US travelers.
Why an electronic ticket number still matters even without paper tickets
These days, almost all tickets are electronic, and most agencies don’t even have ticket printers. But while travelers may not need paper tickets, it’s still a good idea to be armed with e-ticket numbers.
United vs. American Airlines fight for supremacy at O’Hare is terrible for travelers
United vs. American Airlines: reducing competition, and the FAA is stepping in. This is one of many problems facing travelers that Congress should address. Brace yourself if you’re flying through O’Hare Airport this summer. United vs. American Airlines at O'Hare...
If you pay for extra-legroom seats, what do you get? It depends on the airline
When passengers pay for an upgrade to extra legroom seats, what do they get? The airlines are taking full advantage of the confusing definitions of extra legroom. Each airline sets its own definitions. They are all now carving up their planes into different sections....
DESTINATIONS
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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.
