Ten clever packing tips for medications to ensure you don’t run afoul of the medicines’ laws and regulations. Many travelers must carry medications with them any time they travel — internationally or domestically. Bringing medicines always takes some...
The elimination of the national transportation mask mandate, rising COVID cases and changing COVID standards are confusling travelers. For many Americans, this past week was one of the most confusing times since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Across the nation, while...
It’s safe to fly … I think. But others don’t. And cancellations are a mess. Just when I’ve decided it’s SAFE to fly, other NIGHTMARES have emerged. And the stories are anything but funny. Frequent fliers, who are used to dealing with...
Note — this is not a partisan post, though it involves politics. In this example of last-minute planning, all worked out for the passenger, California Senator Alex Padilla. Chairman Dick Durbin of the Senate Judiciary Committee was able to delay the hearing by several...
To fulfill its promise of equality for all citizens, the U.S. State Department should drop gender altogether from U.S. passports. Last year, the U.S. Department of State announced that it would add a new gender specification, “X,” for U.S. passports. The “X” is a...
Bad airline behavior is rampant but it results in no fines. Passenger fines are $1 million records. Domestic aviation fines are at an all-time low. This, even as airlines lie to customers and withhold refunds. Plus, the airlines make schedule changes at the last...
The cruise industry hailed the CDC for dropping their COVID cruise travel alerts, saying it shows cruising is safe. Does it really mean that? Lately, the travel question I’m asked the most is, “Now that the CDC dropped cruise travel alerts, is it safe to take a...
Safely pay your bills while traveling and manage finances while traveling. Here are 20 tips to help keep your finances safe. Travel has a common denominator for everyone. It doesn’t matter where we travel, domestically or internationally, for business or...
At DOT changes move slowly — 2015 Advisory Committee recommendations still are ignored Earlier this week, I wrote about laws that were passed in 2016 and 2018 but are still not acted on by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This is not an isolated event. DOT...
Severe air turbulence occurs during air travel. It has severely injured passengers. Prevent it by wearing your seatbelt. Last month, a WestJet Encore de Havilland Dash 8–400 was descending toward landing in Calgary on a flight from Seattle, Washington when it hit...
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.
