In recent weeks, I’ve written about the massive Marriott data breach in which the accounts of 500 million of its guests were compromised. I’ve written about what actions affected guests should take and about how and why the U.S. should create a...
Like Medieval serfs, airline passengers cannot access full legal system America’s airline consumers rights litigation is strictly limited in the state and local U.S. court system. Passengers must take a case to the federal courts, which costs great amounts of...
U.S. needs a comprehensive data-protection plan for the nation Last week, I discussed the massive Marriott International, Inc. data breach of its Starwood reservation system, which might affect as many as 500 million Marriott guests. In the article I discussed what...
The Marriott data breach: Take action whether or not you’re affected Last week, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, Marriott International, Inc., announced that a massive data breach of its Starwood reservation system exposed the personal information...
Consumer groups: DOT’s aviation consumer protection advisory committee tilted in favor of industry Washington, DC—America’s leading consumer and passenger rights organizations today expressed deep concern at the lack of appropriate balance in the new membership of the...
Facial recognition is not a violation of privacy. Passport and visa photos already exist to allow the system to work. I was just reading a fundraising letter for a progressive organization that was sent to me by a friend. The letter excoriated the Transportation...
In 2014 I first wrote here about the issue of incredibly shrinking aircraft accommodations with “Think airline seats have gotten smaller? They have.” Using archived data, I detailed how both legroom (as measured in seat pitch) and comfort (as measured in seat width)...
Every traveler makes mistakes. Excellent travelers learn from their errors. Over the years, I’ve been collecting a list of the travel mistakes I’ve made and ways to avoid them, when planning for a trip and while traveling. I’ve also saved a list of...
Check any cruise ship upgrade carefully. It may be what you really want. Recently, during lunch with a friend, he received a call from his travel agent telling him his cruise line was offering him the opportunity to buy a heavily discounted cabin upgrade to a...
17 years later: 9/11 flight attendants still unsung heroes There have been many ceremonies, new memorials, a giant museum, congressional plaudits, a new World Trade Center and remembrances for those who died in that day’s tragic events. This year there will be more....
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.
