Tagged: united-airlines

United Airlines Called Out for Hurricane Irma Price Gouging

Hurricane Irma is the most severe hurricane ever measured in the Atlantic Ocean, and millions of people are being told to get out of its way.Amid the pre-storm scramble on Wednesday,…

The Travel Industry Steps Up for Hurricane Harvey—And Rewards Those Who Help

As Biblical flood scenes flash across T.V. screens, and the battered residents of Texas brace for a clean-up of massive proportions, help is on its way from the travel industry. We’ve…

The Case of the Missing Gift Certificate: Flying in the Age of Monopolies

An airplane aisle separated the haves from the have nots. I’m not writing about the aisle separating business class and economy. No, in this case, the left-side of the plane, on a six…

Is This the End of Air Passenger Bumping?

This week, United Airlines rolled out a new experiement that could simultaneously result in increased profits for the airlines and decreased stress for passengers. Called the…

Media Stories About the Violent Removal of a Passenger from His Flight Have Overlooked Important Considerations

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you have heard, seen, or read the vast output of media coverage about the doctor who was forcibly ejected from the seat he had purchased on a…

Europe's Fastest Roller Coaster, United's PR Disaster, and Britney's Leaving Vegas: Today's Travel Briefing

APRIL 12, 2017 — Good morning, everybody! Each of today's news items comes with a video. We'll start with the most unpleasant. UNITED HAS PASSENGER DRAGGED OFF PLANE; VIDEO SPARKS…

Everything You Need to Know About 'Basic Economy' Fares

All three of the biggest U.S. airlines—Delta, United, and American—have rolled out what they’re calling “basic economy” fares. The word “basic” here is meant to connote no-frills,…

Amazing Northern Lights Video, a Senator Takes on New Airline Fees, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's museums and airplane cabins.* NY SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER TAKES ON OVERHEAD-BIN FEES (UPI)Following an example set earlier by…

Basic Fares Come to United Airlines: You Must Pay to Use Overhead Bins

Hello Middle Seat!United Airlines announced today that they were following Delta's lead and would be offerring so-called "Basic Economy Fares". When Delta started offering similar…

Priceline Ditches Its "Name Your Own Price" Program for Airfares. What's the Real Meaning of This Move for Consumers?

When Priceline launched its “Name Your Own Price” feature for airfare some 15 years ago, the effect was electric. A major company had pulled back the curtain, letting the public in…

Good News in Air Travel, Bad News in Air Travel, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

Good morning! Hope you had a nice holiday weekend. In today's travel roundup, we've got good news and bad news related to air travel. Let's start with the good . . . * COFFEE UPGRADE…

Istanbul Airport Attack, Cuban Tourism, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

Here's what's happening today in the world of travel.* DEADLY SUICIDE BOMBINGS AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT (Huffington Post). Three suicide bombers attacked Istanbul Ataturk Airport last…

Beware! A New Airfare Gotcha Penalizes Travelers on Multi-Stop Itineraries

TimDorr/FlickrThe majority of travelers buy non-refundable airfares for a simple reason: They're vastly less expensive than refundable fares. But those who try to book…

Snacks Are Back On United Airlines

Well here's some news that may put a smile on your face (just as it's moving your belt buckle an inch more towards your hips). United Airlines has announced that it will be bringing…

The Department of Transportation Is Getting Serious About Airlines Compensating Passengers for Damaged Luggage

If you think passengers are being treated disrespectfully by the airlines—what with ever shrinking seats and ever growing fees—consider what their luggage is going through. Recently,…

American Airlines Changes Its Frequent Flyer Program, Making It Near Impossible for Average Joes to Earn Miles Just from Flying Any Longer

And then there were none.Did you hear a loud groan last week? That was the members of American Airlines' frequent flyer program—well, all but the business travelers—reacting to…

Airfares Are Dipping Once Again (and Two Other Pieces of Good News for Flyers)

Overly chatty seatmates, cramped seating and long security lines: these unhappy byproducts of airline travel aren’t going away anytime soon. But this week, several news events…

How to Complain to United Airlines

To complain to United, email Customer Care through the compliments/complaints form, or call and leave a message at 877/624-2660. Prefer to write strongly worded letter? Write…

The Time Has Come to Consider Re-Regulation of the Airline Industry

In a modern democracy, "regulation" is no longer a dirty word. Unregulated medications can hurt or kill you, unregulated monopolists can destroy competition, and unregulated…

American Airlines Goes Its Own Way on Frequent Flyer Miles….For Now. And Travelers Should Be Grateful

Loyalty doesn’t always go both ways. That’s the sad truth that members of the frequent flyer programs for most of the major North American carriers found out this fall when two of…

Evil Twins: The Two Worst New Developments in Travel

I’m mad as hell and I don’t want to vacation anymore!Scratch that.  I still want to vacation.But relaxing is going to be more difficult, thanks to a pair of ugly…

Frequent Changes for Frequent Flyer Programs: Another Consumer Unfriendly Switcheroo Is on the Horizon

Lassie may be loyal. But flyers—at least those who aren’t business travelers—may want to ditch that strategy.That’s the only conclusion to come to after the latest announcement…

Power Outlets Coming to An Airport Near You Thanks to a New Initiative From United Airlines

The hunt for power outlets at the airport is about to get easier, at least for the passengers of United Airlines (the second largest carrier in the US). Last week it announced…

Delta's Big Announcement: Mileage Awards Will Soon Be Tied to Money Spent Rather Than Miles Flown

Delta Airlines announced a game-changing move today: instead of giving award miles based on the number of miles a passenger has flown, it will link mileage to the cost of the ticket.…

A Round-Up of the Small Improvements That Are Making Traveling More Enjoyable

We may travel to see the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal—big experiences all. But sometimes it’s the small touches that can make the difference between a happy…