Creating the perfect Hawaiian vacation means asking questions Hawaii’s a dream destination for many people, and as a travel agent, one of my favorite places to sell. But, as I’ve learned from dealing with a lot of first-timers, and even repeat travelers,...
The FAA’s emergency evacuation tests for aircraft certification need to reflect real-world conditions. Red Air flight 203 had flown for about two hours on the 848-mile route from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when it began to descend toward Miami...
Finally, I am in Italy. Now with COVID, my family has canceled. Air travel hassles abound. No fun! Our family vacation, planned for more than two years, started well. But I was nervous when I received nearly hourly emails from United offering to “buy” my...
After a series of postponements, REAL ID 2023 goes into effect on May 3. Then, Americans will need a REAL ID to fly domestically. As we head into summer, domestic air travel has significantly recovered from its pandemic low. Overwhelmed with over-scheduling, staff...
Passengers with food allergies on a cruise can sail safely. However, they must inform their cruise line of their dietary restrictions. Several years ago, I went to the breakfast buffet on a Baltic cruise and saw golden pancakes. All the placards in front of them said,...
Congress is working on airline passenger change right now. Bills in DC take a few years to develop, and consumer groups are currently working on the 2023 FAA Reauthorization Bill. Travelers United is working with House and Senate congressional committees, airlines,...
It’s time for the cruise industry to begin installing “man overboard” systems on all cruise ships immediately so they can detect incidents in real-time to better ensure rescues. According to news reports, at about 3 am on May 17, while traveling from...
Business to business study helps consumer groups understand how baggage fees change. Whenever adversaries battle over travel policy changes, there is a long-held rule — know your enemy. The recent IdeaWorks study, Baggage Belts Deliver Cash for Smart Airlines, reviews...
Before Travelers United, travelers had no focused advocate in Washington. Today, travel has changed for the better and it is still changing. These traveler protections are in place because of Traveler United’s work. Our consumer organization was instrumental in each...
On Memorial Day, let’s rededicate ourselves to the American ideal at home and abroad. Today is Memorial Day. It’s the day America set aside to honor those who sacrificed themselves for the American ideal. They sacrificed their lives for the nation’s...
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.
