The Marriott data breach: Take action whether or not you’re affected Last week, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, Marriott International, Inc., announced that a massive data breach of its Starwood reservation system exposed the personal information...
Every traveler makes mistakes. Excellent travelers learn from their errors. Over the years, I’ve been collecting a list of the travel mistakes I’ve made and ways to avoid them, when planning for a trip and while traveling. I’ve also saved a list of...
Check any cruise ship upgrade carefully. It may be what you really want. Recently, during lunch with a friend, he received a call from his travel agent telling him his cruise line was offering him the opportunity to buy a heavily discounted cabin upgrade to a...
6 rules to survive an emergency landing Always take these steps to survive an emergency landing. Earlier this month, Aeromexico Flight 2431, flying from Durango International Airport to Mexico City, crashed shortly after takeoff during a storm. The Embraer E190 went...
Airline water is often polluted. I don’t know about you, but while flying, I like to stay hydrated with cold bottled water plus, occasionally, tomato juice. If I eat on a flight, usually food brought from home or prepared at my hotel, while I’d love to...
Travel insurance can be a lifesaver but not always. Some years ago, one of my friends was traveling on a cruise when his traveling companion had a heart attack off the coast of South America. His friend was transferred to a hospital ashore. Later, he needed to be...
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.
