If you want a less-stressful flight, it may be worth a splurge for preferred or premium seats. If you’re an elite level flier already booked for holiday travel you probably have your seat assignments confirmed, so you can disregard this post. Ditto if...
When you have problems during airline travels, find a person to help you rather than depending on technology My client had a business class ticket to Paris from Newark, which meant the trip should have been a pleasure. Even with delays due to bad weather in New York,...
A question I’ve now heard for decades: Are travel agents still in business? It started when airlines started cutting commissions in 1995. And through the rise of the internet, online travel agencies, airline apps, AI, the alternatives to humans keep growing And...
New Southwest changes will not affect me personally. They are a mistake and will change the airline. True confessions up front. As a travel agent, I almost never booked flights on Southwest since they finally ended all commissions in 2007. Nor do I fly them. These...
Once upon a time, we didn’t have electronic tickets — paper was king. The ticket number mattered then and still does. It was one of those calls, more than a decade ago, that we laugh about now. My travel agency client, who is also a friend, was traveling to...
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.
– Removal of restaurant fees from DC area eateries — this is an ongoing project
– Creation of DOT Dashboard to outline consumer rights after cancellation of a flight
– 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 $3,800
– 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.
