Tagged: coronavirus

Travel Troubleshooter: Who's Gonna Pay These Overdraft Fees?

When a Hampton Inn hotel charges Alia Naffouj twice for the same room, there are two surprise overdraft fees on Naffouj's credit card. Hampton is dragging its feet on a refund. Is…

Are Travelers Frill-Seekers? No, But Here's What They Really Want

Free drinks. Room upgrades. Better restaurants.That's what the travel industry thinks you want from your next travel experience.American Airlines (www.aa.com) last month announced it…

They Canceled My Hotel Room (And I Can't Get It Back)

Ben Weiss calls Priceline to extend his hotel stay by a day, but a representative misunderstands him and cancels his entire reservation. Now he can't get it back. Did Priceline break…

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: When Kids Fly Alone

Kids fly. Alone. In a nation of far-flung families, kids frequently shuttle between Mom, Dad, and the grandparents. Unfortunately, parents can't always accompany them. But kids can…

Cell Phones on Planes: Time to Rethink the Policy?

How do you know that the rules restricting electronics on planes are impractical? When you see a crewmember openly texting at 36,000 feet.That's what Peter Zapalo says he saw on a…

Lessons Learned From Your Worst Travel Gaffes

Forgetting to read the fine print. Not packing a change of clothes. Confusing a.m. and p.m.In a previous column, I asked you to tell me about your worst travel mistakes. Did you…

Top 9 Ports for Nature Lovers

For those who cruise to get away from civilization and the traffic, crowds, shopping malls, and fast-food joints that go along with it, check out these gorgeous back-to-nature ports…

Travel Troubleshooter: Wait! I Never Bought Flight Insurance

Angie Zimmerman calls United Airlines to fix a seat assignment and ends up with a mysterious $35 fee. The airline says it's for insurance, but she insists she never bought the policy.…

Affordable Spa and Fitness Retreats

Whether you want to be pampered or are hoping to shed a few pounds, escaping to a spa retreat or a boot camp could be just what you need to prep for warm-weather fun. Waynesboro, TN A…

When in Rome, Watch Your Driving

Of all the recurring complaints I get from readers, the one they find by far most vexing has nothing to do with excessive fees, surprise surcharges or surly employees. It's about…

Travel Troubleshooter: An Australia Tour That Wasn't Meant to Be

First her flight is canceled. Then she misses another flight after her bus breaks down. Finally, Rebecca Canter decides to cancel her Australia tour. But her tour operator refuses…

5 Common Travel Mistakes -- and How to Fix Them

Waiting. That's the worst mistake a traveler can make these days.It's what Femi Adenuga did after buying tickets for his parents to fly from Lagos to Pittsburgh through…

Discounted European Airfares and Getaways this Fall

Fall has the seemingly contradictory honor of being both the most economical and most attractive time to visit Europe. Airfares are significantly reduced, hotels offer lower prices,…

How the Travel Industry Can Win You Back

The travel industry wants you back.But before you say "yes," listen to Laura Salisbury, a teacher from San Jose, Calif. She mistakenly typed the wrong return date when she booked…

Travel Troubleshooter: Your Airline Ticket's No Good Here

When Eileen Mather lands in Mexico City on her way to Tapachula, Mexico, she learns her airline ticket isn't valid. Her airline forces her to buy a new one. Mather asks her online…

Travel Troubleshoter: No Ticket, But They Remembered the Bill

Jamie Tuttle's roommate books tickets from Bahrain to Atlanta through Travelocity. But they never arrive, and when she's forced to pay for a second set of tickets, neither her online…

Travel Troubleshooter: Double Trouble on My Honeymoon

Jason Arakelian prepays for his Paris car rental through AutoEurope. So why did his car rental company suck another $368 from his account after he got home from his honeymoon? Does…

Travel Troubleshooter: Where's My Travel Insurance Check?

It's been a year since Anita Isaia's cruise, but the insurance claim she made through a company that offered traveler "protection" is apparently lost at sea. Will she ever get her…

Broadsided! 5 New Car Rental Fees to Avoid

Look out for cancellation penalties. Beware of energy surcharges. And watch for facilities fees.No, not on your airline ticket. Not on your hotel folio. You may find these new…

Our Own Worst Enemy: 5 Types of Travelers That Are Killing Tourism

Are tourists destroying tourism?The ones Bob Menconi saw on the lido deck of the Celebrity Solstice were -- one heaping plateful at a time.At the megaship's all-you-can-eat…

3 Things Travelers Will Lose -- and Gain -- in This Recession

Kiss those little bottles of lotion goodbye.But don't despair. You stand to gain better things, thanks to the ailing economy. That includes free Wi-Fi in more places, better…

Travel Troubleshooter: Right State, Wrong Ramada

Donald Johnson accidentally reserves a nonrefundable room in Oklahoma City instead of Enid, Okla. Now his hotel wants to keep the money. Can he get a refund? Or is he stuck with a…

Airfare Absurdity: 6 Tips for Navigating the New World of Airline Tickets

The round-trip airfare from Madison, Wis., to London is a reasonable $305 on American Airlines -- until you add taxes, fees and fuel surcharges. Then it's $691.Delta Air Lines…

Deal or No Deal? 6 Secrets for Spotting a Bargain

Carol Hodes thought the "special" $209 room rate offered as part of an upcoming convention at the Bellagio Las Vegas was a reasonably good deal -- about $10 a night off the regular…

Travel Troubleshooter: Is My Insurance Claim Lost in Translation?

Suzanne Baxter's husband falls ill on a trip to China, forcing the couple to file a claim on their travel insurance policy. Three months later, there's no sign of the money and the…