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LATEST STORIES
Even smart travelers make these 8 passport mistakes
People who travel internationally are generally among the savviest travelers. But they can still make passport mistakes — and some of the most common ones involve passports. Learn about 8 of the worst and most common passport mistakes.
Don’t forget to secure carry-on bags overhead
It's critical to secure carry-on bags overhead. They especially need protecting when you're not seated or asleep. Last week, my column was devoted to securing checked luggage during air travel. Unfortunately, it's not just checked luggage security that passengers must...
POLICY
The 24-hour rule: Passengers have a full day to correct airline ticketing mistakes
The 24-hour rule requires airlines to provide travelers booking flights 24 hours to cancel their trip or correct errors in the booking of any kind of ticket without any charge or fee from airlines.
How to file airline complaints and get compensation
Consumer protection notification and DOT airline complaint systems need improvement. Improving the Department of Transportation (DOT) processes to help passengers is a Travelers United goal. DOT has enhanced its website and provides better customer service...
Travelers United works with aviation industry on sustainable aviation fuel
The Sustainable Skies Act has been almost a decade coming. Years ago when environmental groups were battling airlines, Travelers United met with them to show how economic reality was matching environmental needs. The carbon emissions reduction, resulted in an increase in the industry’s bottom line. The goals of environmental carbon reduction and aviation profits fit together.
You may receive $10,000 for denied boarding compensation, but don’t count on it
Since the pandemic, overall involuntary bumping has dropped more than 77 percent. The airlines are far more astute at denied boarding compensation. The airlines by law are required to pay passengers $1,550 denied boarding compensation. Some airlines have allowed gate...
TRAVEL ADVICE
Can travelers avoid unjust rental car damage charges?
Amazingly, 1 out of 4 car rental travelers is wrongly accused of unjust rental car damage charges. A recent poll of Travelers United subscribers found that 25 percent of members have experienced unjust rental car damage charges. The surprising results come from a...
As summer weather delays start to rival a bad winter, a few tips for travelers
In the winter travelers expect delays and cancellations. In the summer they are supposed to ease up. This summer there may be more storms and a shortage of workers to keep the aviation system running. Many travel agents I know have long hated booking travel in winter....
Do you lock checked luggage? It’s a smart question to ask.
Should you lock checked luggage when you fly? If you do, should you use a TSA approved lock or some other method like seals or zip ties? A number of years ago, my wife and I flew home from Los Angeles with one checked bag that we shared, along with our carry-ons and...
Here come airlines’ baggage fees increases again
The normal increased round-trip airlines baggage fees now cost between $70 and $80 per checked bag. Baggage fees, one of the most hated in the industry, have increased again during the last two weeks. Virtually all the airlines, from American Airlines to United...
CORONAVIRUS
Should we mask again to prevent Covid, flu, and RSV while traveling?
Covid and influenza cases are spiking. RSV cases remain strong. Many travelers are masking again and unvaccinated travelers are seriously considering becoming vaccinated before their next journey. As the new year starts, it's impossible to miss the news about...
Why passengers need common airline flight credit rules
We need common airline flight credit rules for airfare refunds and flight credit protection. The pandemic refund issue has been screwed up for consumers since the beginning. It is a major issue with more than $10 billion in outstanding flight credits, estimated by the...
Five ways travel may never go back to pre-COVID days — get ready for a “new normal”
After three years American travelers yearn for a "new normal" for vacation and business travel reality. Many Americans and travelers worldwide may feel as if the pandemic is over. Indeed, after almost three years, everyone wanted to return to normal. But the "new...
How COVID still affects travel even if the virus is weaker
COVID still affects travel. Don't fool with the coronavirus. Respect it. As a travel agent and someone who loves to travel, it's been great to see COVID restrictions loosening on travel worldwide. But COVID still affects travel even if the virus is weaker. Loosened...