It’s not your imagination. Customer service is improving. Janet Heller noticed it when she broke her arm and could no longer drive. She needed a prescription filled and was worried she couldn’t make it to Walgreens. That’s when she discovered that...
It takes intelligent appraisals to sort between fake and honest travel reviews and ratings, but with the help of my tips, it can be done. I need honest travel reviews. Like most travelers, I listen to others about their travel experiences to help me make my travel...
Everyone, except maybe airline, hotel, and other travel industry executives, are irritated by junk fees. In addition to everything else, the fees are often incredibly regressive, especially in the hotel industry, and hurt those who can least afford them the most. Take...
I’ve heard Pamplona stories time after time but I discover new magic in Pamplona each time I return. A great number of stories have formed behind the parapet of Pamplona’s fortress walls. The city’s fiesta of San Fermin, which takes place every summer from July...
Neither am I, but it’s happening — the Fourth of July surge. Americans are gearing up for a record-breaking travel season, according to new data from travel platform Hopper. The upcoming holiday weekend is set to witness a significant uptick in air travel,...
The U.S. is in a heatwave across the nation. Summer travelers need to plan, pack and be careful when outdoors during heat waves wherever they’re vacationing. As I write this article, where I live in the northeastern U.S., it’s 98°F (36.7°C). The humidity...
The mandates in the 2024 FAA reauthorization law are an opportunity to do even more on behalf of the flying public. This consumer letter on FAA rules provides ways to help. The undersigned consumer letter on FAA rules urges the Biden Administration and the Department...
Make international travel easier and less stressful with these customs agents’ tips. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) presents this list of tips for anyone traveling internationally. These tips can be found in the CBP “Know Before You Go” booklet. Knowing...
Get around the major crowds and high prices this summer: Be flexible. Life is full of compromises, and that will never be more true than when you’re traveling this summer. You will be faced with major crowds that require a lot of flexibility. Flights will be...
The entire travel industry has staffing issues — even travel agent shortages as you plan your travels. As travel returns, it’s been a rough staffing year for the travel industry. Are we approaching a travel agent (or advisor) shortage? We all read stories about...
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.
