Securing credit cards when you travel, as well as debit cards. The experts I spoke with don’t always agree on the perfect solution — banks vary wildly in their fraud response, and technology that protects you in one scenario can create vulnerabilities in another. But...
Eric Finkel thought he’d dodged a bullet on a recent visit to Vietnam. His hotel “accidentally” charged his credit card $1,500 instead of the correct amount of $66. The staff immediately cancelled the erroneous charge right in front of him. Problem solved, right?...
United vs. American Airlines: reducing competition, and the FAA is stepping in. This is one of many problems facing travelers that Congress should address. Brace yourself if you’re flying through O’Hare Airport this summer. United vs. American Airlines at O’Hare...
The Iran War affects ticket prices. Airline travelers are facing sticker shock as rising fuel prices cause higher airfares, especially internationally. The Iran war affects ticket prices. Hidden fuel fees make transatlantic flights more costly than transpacific...
The partial government shutdown continues. TSA agents call in sick or resign due to no pay. I have ways of getting through TSA security quickly. The partial U.S. government shutdown continues to seriously affect the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS)...
A worst enemy would buy drinks from street vendors The coconut smoothie test is hardly a scientific way of determining if you’re a savvy traveler or your own worst enemy. But it’s highly effective. On a recent trip to Malaysia, I used it to measure the aptitude of...
There is no system of standardized marijuana testing for DUI. Ever since marijuana was legalized, I have been concerned about testing for driving under the influence of weed. The first lesson I learned about marijuana was the difference between thumb-sized West Coast...
When passengers pay for an upgrade to extra legroom seats, what do they get? The airlines are taking full advantage of the confusing definitions of extra legroom. Each airline sets its own definitions. They are all now carving up their planes into different sections....
Most frequent airline travelers have been barely on one side or another of the final-boarding rule, or the “10-minute rule.” While flights have a scheduled departure time, there is an unwritten final-boarding rule. The gate agent will often close the door...
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.
