by Christopher Elliott | May 11, 2018 | Getting there
Travel fakers take advantage of policies to help the handicapped Let’s talk about travelers who feign injury, illness and even death to get preferential treatment: the travel fakers. When travel companies, and particularly airlines, announce restrictive new...
by Charlie Leocha | May 10, 2018 | Policy, Privacy
Travel privacy should be a concern of every traveler. When I talk about travel privacy, most travelers look at me blankly. I get the “What-me-worry?” stare. But, travel records tell a lot about travelers and privacy rules and regulations are few and far...
by Charlie Leocha | May 9, 2018 | Getting there, Policy
Denied boarding rules can work for passengers about to be bumped Planes are flying at capacity levels these days and the incidents of denied boarding compensation can be expected to be increasing. Knowing your rights can make a big difference whenever a passenger is...
by Janice Hough | May 8, 2018 | travel agents
Travelers trying to ensure a great vacation should check for travel agent benefits One of my clients, a local doctor, comments to me that when she mentions using a travel agent, some of her colleagues and friends often react with surprise — “You still use a...
by Ned Levi | May 7, 2018 | Getting there
Last month, Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General (IG) issued a report about safety and security issues at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station complex. The partly redacted 35 page report speaks about significant continued security weaknesses. According to...
by Charlie Leocha | May 6, 2018 | Musings
This Sunday we muse about new citymapper bus service ideas from a tech startup that studied bus routes and schedules. We chuckle at the ironic state of Karl Marx funny money. And, we join with airlines lamenting the theft of their upscale amenities from business class...
by Guest Post | May 5, 2018 | France, Traveler
Save money at the markets and beyond with a few simple French phrases. By Bryan Pirolli, Published in EuroCheapo So, you’re feeling like you’ve mastered the “bonjours” and “mercis”? Maybe it’s time to kick it up a notch with some French phrases here and there....
by Charlie Leocha | May 4, 2018 | Airline, customer service
The Department of Transportation (DOT) keeps track of the airline industry. Every month it releases a report the Air Travel Consumer Report about airline service. The statistics report covers subjects including on-time performance to oversales (denied boarding and...
by Charlie Leocha | May 3, 2018 | comparison shopping, competition, Policy
Travel agents hold airlines in check through airfare comparison shopping Competition nourished by travel agencies — online travel agents (OTAs), brick-and-mortar neighborhood agencies, and corporate travel agencies — keep the free market functioning. Travel agency...
by Christopher Elliott | May 2, 2018 | car rentals, ride sharing
New options have consumers rethinking rental cars If you’re planning a vacation, then rethinking rental cars may be a change in your routine. It shouldn’t be as automatic as making hotel or restaurant reservations. New ground transportation options are...
