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LATEST STORIES
How to not be deceived by airline seating hanky-panky
Airline seating rules vis a vis reservation fees are a mess. Some airlines have no reservations, others seem to want to keep passengers in the dark. Why? When should airlines release their unassigned seats to the public?
How to fight back against the assault on passenger rights
What you do next matters, but collective power is a long game. Here’s how to vote with your wallet — and at the ballot box. You can almost feel it when you fly these days. It's that sense that you're a second-class citizen with limited rights — or none at all. It...
POLICY
How to not be deceived by airline seating hanky-panky
Airline seating rules vis a vis reservation fees are a mess. Some airlines have no reservations, others seem to want to keep passengers in the dark. Why? When should airlines release their unassigned seats to the public?
Airports love money from passengers. They hate taxing locals
Airports and local Chambers of Commerce are trying to raise airport taxes. Simply stated, they want more money for themselves without asking their local taxpayers to foot the bill. They fear local taxpayers so passengers pay more.
Why do DOT changes move slowly? Consumer advocates want to know
DOT changes move slowly, very slowly. I was the first consumer on the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections. Most of our suggestions to DOT are still only suggestions. DOT only considers them when pestered regularly.
DOT is creating anti-consumer rules through inaction
The Department of Transportation and the FAA have made rules over the years that were designed to help the struggling airline industry. Keeping the industry operating was a part of keeping our economy healthy. However, today, with dramatic consolidation in the industry, those rules are becoming anti-consumer rules.
TRAVEL ADVICE
How to fight back against the assault on passenger rights
What you do next matters, but collective power is a long game. Here’s how to vote with your wallet — and at the ballot box. You can almost feel it when you fly these days. It's that sense that you're a second-class citizen with limited rights — or none at all. It...
Twelve essentials to stay safe at events with crowds
Safety at events with crowds takes planning, street smarts, and reasonable precautions at the event. Many of us will travel to view parades, sporting events, concerts, etc., in the months to come. Use my 12 essential safety tips at events with crowds. Generally, we...
Scores of passengers suffer illness on airlines
Airline sick passenger rules force many sick passengers (even with doctor notes) to fly and allow the spread of contagious diseases. We need some common sense. And, some new, clear rules and procedures for controlling those with communicable diseases from flying.
The right time for a hotel room complaint is when you arrive
One of my least favorite hotel commercials is about two people checking out. It turns out they paid different rates at the same hotel. Obviously, it seems they had a hotel room complaint. It doesn't say what kind of rooms they each had. Sometimes, it is just about a...
CORONAVIRUS
Why passengers need common airline flight credit rules
We need common airline flight credit rules for airfare refunds and flight credit protection. The 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 Wall...
Why airlines need to fix a major sick-passenger change fee issue
Major US carriers getting rid of change fees was a welcome change for travelers, even if we weren’t in a pandemic. However, airlines still have no consistent sick-passenger rule for allowing changes due to illness.
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...
DESTINATIONS
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Accomplishments
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.
- 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 $3,500
- 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.
