A common flight credit rule should replace all “secret” workarounds to get your money from airlines Recently, Christopher Elliott, on his non-profit site, steers consumers through the many “flavors” of airline ticket credits. The thought of...
I’ve got 18 tips of what you should or shouldn’t do on cruise ship days at sea to make the most out of them while recharging yourself. Most cruises have scheduled days at sea in their itinerary. They’re scheduled to enable ships to travel long...
As travel season kicks into high gear, plan your trip insurance. Travel season is kicking into high gear. Have you also considered travel insurance if you plan any significant trips, especially international ones? If you don’t think it is important or necessary, you...
Top tips to take spectacular photos of July 4th fireworks with your digital camera and smartphone. Tomorrow is US Independence Day, the time to take spectacular photos of July 4th fireworks that are part of the celebrations. It commemorates the ratification of the...
Keep an eye on your luggage. Airlines appear to be getting stricter about carry-on rules. Brad Ritter has seen the confrontations: gate agents rigidly enforcing weight and size limits on cabin luggage — and making travelers fork over an extra fee to gate-check their...
In an ideal travel world, all fights would be non-stop. But realistically, that isn’t going to happen. During the post-pandemic, these connecting flight tips are more important than ever. Domestic travel has more connections than ever. International travel has...
I’ve got 10 costly cruise mistakes to avoid when you book, plan and taking a cruise. Whenever we travel, many problems can occur without adding more problems ourselves. First-time cruisers often make cruise mistakes because they’re new to cruising....
Airline seat selection fees are one of the most hated surcharges in the travel industry — and they should be illegal. It costs an airline nothing to reserve your seat. Yet passengers shell out anywhere from $25 to more than $100 for a confirmed seat assignment or to...
Airlines need a consistent sick-passenger rule. Haven’t we learned anything from the pandemic? Major US carriers getting rid of change fees was a welcome change for travelers, even if we weren’t in a pandemic. However, airlines still have no consistent...
Personal observation and your smartphone can help you get essential flight delay and cancellation data to help you prevent travel meltdowns. I often fly between Philadelphia and Los Angeles. A few years ago, when I went to the gate for my flight, I saw that the plane...
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.
