Air travelers in Europe have important international air travel rights unknown in the US regarding airline delays and damaged baggage contents. However, if passengers don’t know their rights, they don’t even know enough to ask. When flying between Europe...
In the winter travelers expect delays and cancellations. In the summer they are supposed to ease up. This summer there may be more storms and a shortage of workers to keep the aviation system running. Many travel agents I know have long hated booking travel in winter....
Should you lock checked luggage when you fly? If you do, should you use a TSA approved lock or some other method like seals or zip ties? A number of years ago, my wife and I flew home from Los Angeles with one checked bag that we shared, along with our carry-ons and...
The normal increased round-trip airlines baggage fees now cost between $70 and $80 per checked bag. Baggage fees, one of the most hated in the industry, have increased again during the last two weeks. Virtually all the airlines, from American Airlines to United...
States have electronic toll collection systems with no human collecting tolls and no way to use a credit card to pay a toll. If a traveler finds paying an electronic toll collection impossible, keep reading. Many travelers decide to travel by car. Unfortunately, they...
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...
However airlines spin it, when a mileage program changes its frequent flier rules it’s usually not good news for consumers. The most recent mileage program changes by American Airlines, scheduled to take effect in May, could be the worst yet for many travelers....
The problems of pets on planes have severe consequences for others caused by passengers breaking the rules. Last month, a passenger was flying with her chihuahua on United Airlines. She was traveling from Denver to Portland. United’s pet rules state, “Once...
It’s not your imagination. Airline passengers suffer from exit envy — they do almost anything to get off the aircraft as soon as it arrives. I saw it after my recent flight from Los Angeles to Houston landed. I opened the overhead bin to grab my carry-on bag,...
Consumer protection notification and DOT airline complaint systems need improvement. Improving the Department of Transportation (DOT) processes to help passengers is a Travelers United goal. DOT has enhanced its website and provides better customer service...
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.
