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...
Changing a return flight on a round-trip ticket can trigger massive additional costs. Whatever they say and however they explain it, increased return flight costs are often pure gravy for the airlines. Indeed, if passengers change from primarily empty to full flights,...
Cruise travel insurance can be a lifesaver or at least a trip-saver, but extra time before a cruise is the best self-insurance. Beyond insurance, travelers can help themselves by not cutting things too close for arrival before a cruise or a tour departs. Extra time...
When faced with an uncooperative airline agent, call the airline again. When there are problems with airline tickets, humans are often the best solution. As much as carriers tout their automatic rebooking programs, those programs are limited and not very creative....
Among all the confusing airline rules, ticket expiration dates are one of the worst. Many major domestic airlines have reduced or eliminated change fees on nonrefundable tickets, although travelers often discover when they change that the new fare may be much higher....
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.
