Help Travelers United as it works behind the scenes for travelers. Your support through contributions or membership is needed now more than ever to keep travelers’ needs front and center.
Now is the time to be thankful and support Travelers United’s work in DC — here are just a few of our accomplishments:
- Passengers have 24 hours to change airline reservations with no penalty.
- The DOT complaint system has been updated and improved.
- Pandemic cancellations by airlines mean full refunds and passenger refunds get a full flight credit (even non-refundable tickets).
- A consumer advocate has been appointed at DOT to assist passengers and remind DOT that they are responsible for aviation passenger protections.
- Lost/damaged/delayed luggage results in up to $3,800 compensation.
- Denied boarding for passengers can result in up to $1,550 by DOT regulation and as much as $10,000 based on airline rules.
- Railroad funding has seen big increases.
- Rental car rates are easier to compare across companies.
- Marriott Hotels have agreed to include resort fees in overnight room rates.
- Bus stations stay open 24/7 during freezing weather.
- Today, a team of travel advocates bands together for every consumer travel initiative.
- And much more.
America’s largest travel consumer advocacy group is a tax-deductible non-profit.
We are trusted by the lawmakers and those who form regulations. We testify before and meet with Congressional committees repeatedly. The organization shaped the mergers of airlines for the last decade. We led the fight to get cash refunds for passengers during the rash of coronavirus flight cancellations. Travelers United continues its efforts to make hotel-advertised room rates include all mandatory fees — including resort fees.
Travelers United is respected across the travel industry. We work with all aspects of travel — airlines, airports, hotels, rental cars, buses, trains, travel agents/advisors, travel associations, unions, Congress, and executive offices.
Every donation or membership is tax deductible.
You will be added to our mailing list, receive our weekly newsletter, and become part of our traveler research work.
With your help, Travelers United can keep travelers’ concerns front and center in DC. Congress, DOT, DOJ, FTC, NAAG, and travel industry stakeholders are all part of the decision-making process. Without Travelers United the voice of the consumer would be lost in the many corners of DC.
If you do not have a cybersecurity plan for your travels at home or internationally, join our TravelersUnitedPlus program.
Become a $49 member and get the best and most affordable cybersecurity package and more — next year brings a Travelers Rights App.
TravelersUnitedPlus membership is also tax deductible. Cost is $49 a year. You will save up to $100 yearly over individually sold security programs. Membership benefits include —
- A Virtual Private Network for email security around your neighborhood, at coffee shops or fast food outlets. It will keep your communications secure worldwide at international hotels and airports.
- The Swiss-based lockbox for personal data like medical and travel insurance, passport copies, and bank information can be accessed anywhere and is protected by Swiss Security.
- One of the top password manager programs helps keep track of passwords.
- Plus, receive our weekly newsletter that includes the articles featured in the blog.
- Next year we will be releasing our Travelers Bill of Rights App, included with all new memberships.
Travelers United keeps consumer needs as a part of the travel industry discussions in Washington.
Travelers United regularly works with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Congress, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the National Association of Attorney Generals (NAAG). Our efforts against mandatory hotel resort fees continue with a decade of small successes and larger ones. Finally, Marriott has shown the latest crack in the resort-fee world. Travelers United is the only consumer group working with airlines and other travel stakeholders for change. We also oppose aviation actions that are not good for consumers. We have more than a decade of experience working with the Department of Transportation, Congress, travel associations, and others in travel. Travelers United is also involved with future travel, spaceport development, electric vehicle operations, sustainable jet fuel legislation, unmanned aerial systems, and others. No other organization is dedicated totally to travel.
Travelers United works with donated money. The travel industry has millions of dollars in lobbying funds.
Every donation and membership helps, as consumer needs and passenger protections face millions of dollars in lobbying efforts that attempt to stop traveler-friendly rules and regulations. We need your support. Consider this an opportunity to invest in yourself. Travelers United provides Congress and stakeholder organizations a consumer voice. Add your voice to ours.
Thank you for being so supportive!
Donate, join, or both
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.