Communication makes all the difference in airline travel. As the airline industry returns towards what we all hope will be SOME sort of standard, many travelers are nostalgic for what now feels like the good old days of even a mediocre flying experience. It seems that...
To reduce hotel problems, I have 17 check-in errors and others during your stay. Do you think your hotel room is private, or at least mostly private? It may be somewhat private during your stay, especially if you request no housekeeping, but in reality, hundreds of...
I’m sorry Sec. Buttigieg. You have done almost nothing for passengers so far. Few have been traveling for the past two years. But, that is no reason for the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to forget about passengers. President Trump’s Secretary of...
The health pandemic continues infecting thousands of Americans daily. A severe flu season is predicted. Flu vaccinations and COVID shots are proven to keep you safe. While many have had a great summer traveling, everyone knows other travelers whose trips were ruined...
Many travelers have hidden, invisible disabilities. It’s time that the travel and hospitality industry recognizes this and helps these travelers just like they already do for travelers with disabilities they can see. When we see someone in a wheel chair, using a...
Real change means making these amenities part of the contracts of carriage. Now, amenities for canceled flights may include meals and hotel overnights rather than only “Tough luck.” It is almost like magic, but airlines are now paying attention to...
Sometimes there are benefits to early booking. Other times the benefits are not a sure thing. Especially for holiday and special event travel, there have long been benefits to early booking — better prices, better seat assignment availability, and more choices. And...
Rental car problems cost travelers dearly. It has been great to travel again this summer. For each of my trips, I’ve needed a rental car to efficiently get around at my destinations. Unfortunately, many of the rental car problems from before the pandemic remain...
An airline study calls for the elimination of travel uncertainty — wouldn’t that be nice. A friend of mine, Jay Sorensen, runs a consulting firm, IdeaWorksCompany.com. He is perhaps the most knowledgeable aviation expert on ancillary fees. And yes, we have...
Sometimes passengers need to get paid seat assignments Whether you don’t have status with a particular carrier, or you’re just flying on a fare or an airline that doesn’t allow for free seat assignments, there are times when paid seat assignments are...
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.
