Air traveler appalling behavior since the pandemic ended doesn’t seem to be diminishing — in fact, it seems to be getting more bizarre than ever. In the past, I’ve discussed my air traveler appalling behavior committed by travelers on flights that...
When you are involuntarily bumped from a flight, you can get cash (a check or credit on your credit card) from airlines. Those are the rules. If passengers choose to bargain with the airlines at the gate, that’s their choice. But, travelers involuntarily bumped...
A passenger flew from Dallas to Denver last summer; her baggage did not. She filed a claim. Frontier denied it as an overdue baggage claim. Why? Frontier says she waited too long. Collins says Frontier Airlines never gave her a chance to file a claim. Is it an overdue...
Amazing savings come with European low-cost air travel. Here’s where to find those bargains The biggest bargains in Europe aren’t found by buying a Eurailpass — try European low-cost airlines. Rail travel for long distances is old news leftover from the...
Seven times able-bodied passengers might not want an exit-row seat For many economy-class travelers, an exit-row seat is the holy grail of seating. And generally, everyone wants to sit in one. As a travel agent, I’ve had several families with young children or...
Most adult Americans may now use online passport renewal. The online renewal application process is easier than the mail-in process. For expedited service, mail-in renewals remain required. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that the...
Flying with a 2-year-old is taking an injury chance. But parents often take that chance to save money. On a flight not that long ago, a family was sitting not far from me. The mother sat next to her son, who was about four or five years old, and the father had their...
Enterprise charges $515 for damage to a rental car when it discovers a missing head restraint in a rental vehicle. But was it her rental vehicle? Question Enterprise Rental Car in Munich charged me for damage to a rental car I rented last year, even though I returned...
Don’t let yourself be deceived by airline seating games of hide and seek. As the airlines have begun unbundling their airfares, many seats now require paid reservations. On some flights, I have seen every aisle seat and every window seat tagged with an extra...
Why there isn’t a “best hotel” in town — or most anywhere. As a travel agent, there are many times I get asked, “What’s the best hotel?” No agent knows every city or resort area in the world personally. But even with main tourist...
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.
