Checked bag fees match is the latest airline behavior. Herd instinct? Or oligopoly?
Nobody likes airline fees match, especially when it involves checked bag fees. Frequent fliers and travelers with expensive credit cards can avoid airline fees match. Perhaps they don't get outraged as much with changes to baggage fees as with other airline fees. It...
Fourteen airport security dos and don’ts at security checkpoints
These airport security dos and don'ts will help with problems at security checkpoints. Often, air travel isn't easy. Getting through TSA security or airport security internationally can be challenging, with different rules in different countries and different...
CEO says United Airlines planes are safe
After a series of mishaps, United Airlines CEO Kirby claims, "planes are safe." United Airlines planes are safe, according to Scott Kirby, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline. He told customers, pilots, and investors after a series of safety incidents....
When airline passengers can get refunds on non-refundable tickets
Here’s when you can get refunds on non-refundable tickets today. If you cancel within 24 hours of booking If you’ve booked a ticket in the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires U.S. and foreign air carriers to hold a reservation at the quoted...
Airline customer service commitments — are they worthless?
Every airline has a customer service commitment. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires it. But, DOT refrained from making these customer service commitments a part of the contract of carriage. In other words, an airline customer service commitment does not have the force of law. Airlines cannot be held liable for any violation of their printed “commitment.”
Even smart travelers make these 8 passport mistakes
People who travel internationally are generally among the savviest travelers. But they can still make passport mistakes — and some of the most common ones involve passports. Learn about 8 of the worst and most common passport mistakes.
Don’t forget to secure carry-on bags overhead
It's critical to secure carry-on bags overhead. They especially need protecting when you're not seated or asleep. Last week, my column was devoted to securing checked luggage during air travel. Unfortunately, it's not just checked luggage security that passengers must...
The 24-hour rule: Passengers have a full day to correct airline ticketing mistakes
The 24-hour rule requires airlines to provide travelers booking flights 24 hours to cancel their trip or correct errors in the booking of any kind of ticket without any charge or fee from airlines.
Can travelers avoid unjust rental car damage charges?
Amazingly, 1 out of 4 car rental travelers is wrongly accused of unjust rental car damage charges. A recent poll of Travelers United subscribers found that 25 percent of members have experienced unjust rental car damage charges. The surprising results come from a...
Know these four international air travel rights and save
When traveling in Europe, airline travelers have more rights than in the USA. Unfortunately, most Americans are not aware of the rights, or are too lazy to force the airlines to respect their rights.