Rental car prices are soaring It’s not a secret to anyone in the travel industry that car rental prices have been going straight up. Before the pandemic hit, an increasing number of travelers had gone without car rentals in favor of public transit and/or...
America needs clear do-not-travel standards, not random pronouncements. The country needs clear State Department “do not travel standards.” Travelers United has joined with Airlines for America in urging the federal government to transparently establish...
Fully vaccinated travelers cannot return to the US with only a vaccination. They need a COVID test as well. Since the early days of vaccines I engaged in a spirited discussion about the efficacy of the vaccines being used in the United States. I was certain that the...
A COVID vaccine passport would only show a person’s vaccine status. It would not reveal any other health information. Would revealing that actually deny anyone their liberty or privacy? The world is in a race to become vaccinated against COVID-19 as quickly as...
Can required vaccinations help travel? Will European river cruise lines increase tourism with required vaccinations? Today I explore this worthwhile question. However, we all in the travel industry know the battles raging over required COVID vaccinations. The vaccine...
Some PCR COVID test effectiveness is compromised. The gold-standard PCR COVID test effectiveness may be foiled by the UK variant. New troubling reports are emerging about at least one of the most effective molecular COVID tests. These PCR tests are having problems...
The CDC says fully vaccinated people can travel. If you’re flying, you need to be aware of and comply with TSA’s COVID-19 pandemic rule changes put into place at their airport security checkpoints. Since early last year, while some Americans continued to...
Yes, you can travel with a COVID vaccine certificate, but take precautions. Today, I get my second dose of the Moderna vaccine. And, I am ready to travel. This COVID vaccine certificate is my ticket to travel. Some say I should. Others disagree. But, I’m heading...
Never assume that post-pandemic rules are anything like 2019 There’s an old catchphrase that anyone in the travel industry knows well. “Don’t assume — it makes an a** out of U and Me.” Today, this saying becomes increasingly true for travelers....
The cruise industry is demanding the CDC open US cruise line ports. The cruise industry is demanding authorities open US cruise line ports. This defies logic. Immediately, fully open US ports to cruise ships, Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines...
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.
