New Southwest changes will not affect me personally. They are a mistake and will change the airline. True confessions up front. As a travel agent, I almost never booked flights on Southwest since they finally ended all commissions in 2007. Nor do I fly them. These...
Once upon a time, we didn’t have electronic tickets — paper was king. The ticket number mattered then and still does. It was one of those calls, more than a decade ago, that we laugh about now. My travel agency client, who is also a friend, was traveling to...
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....
Travel today means crowds of first-time travelers, the older and slower passengers, and the inexperienced — just like the old holiday travel days. Over the years I’ve written more than one post about the difficulties of holiday air travel — the crowds, airport...
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.
