Daniel Oppliger navigated foreign airports, dealt with language barriers, and made it to his hotel in Lushui, China, only to be stumped by the TV remote at the Hilton Garden Inn. “I couldn’t figure out how to work the television,” he says. “I had to ask the concierge...
Is a “guaranteed late arrival” always guaranteed? Always check. Years ago, many hotels would accept reservations without a credit card, but only hold the rooms until, say, 4 or 6 p.m. A credit card guaranteed late arrival, but also meant travelers that...
Online booking mistakes can happen easily and are hard to undo Thanks to technology, travel can be booked with a few quick swipes and clicks. For most people, it means the process is much faster. It also means more online booking mistakes. Any reader of this site will...
New York City is banning hidden hotel fees to lower costs. The upcoming rule means hotels will include mandatory resort and destination fees. This also applies to service fees included in the advertised room price and to disclosing credit card holds and deposits...
The hotel industry doesn’t like short-term rentals. The hotel industry has long opposed competition. The rise of the internet and the rapid growth of short-term rental platforms intensified that opposition. Rather than focusing primarily on expanding hotel...
I completely understand the need to make a profit and extra fees — to a point. As a travel agent/advisor, my colleagues and I talk regularly about cancellation fees. Flights may have been canceled, but little money ends up in the passenger’s pocket. However,...
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.
