Articles

Air Travel

Article / Miscellaneous

Hacking into Airport Lounges, the Flintstones' Bedrock For Sale, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

A roundup of travel news from all over

Article / Air Travel

Flying One of the World's Longest Flights—in Economy

If there’s a long-haul flight in your travel plans, this account of a 15-hour flight I recently made in economy class will give you an idea of what’s in store. (Teaser:…

Article / Air Travel

A Passenger's Warning About Ryanair—And Three Things Every Ryanair Customer Must Know

An American traveler learns the hard way about why European airline Ryanair has such cheap fares—let her experience be your lesson.

Article / Air Travel

America’s Best Airline Is Crowned, But Is It About to Sink Soon?

On the same day that Virgin America took the crown as the United States' best airline, it was purchased and its future became uncertain. And which airline was jeered as the worst in…

Article / Air Travel

Gotcha! What Delta Doesn't Tell You About Its Late-Bag Delivery Fees

When a bag doesn't make it onto a flight and has to be delivered to a hotel, passengers are charged—but no one at the airline is warning them how much it will cost.

Article / Air Travel

How to Complain to American Airlines

Flying is hard as it is, but your experience with certain airlines can make it harder. If that happens with American, here's how to file a complaint.

Article / Air Travel

How to Complain to U.S. Airways

Want to report an issue to U.S. Airways? To complain to this subsidiary airline of American Airlines, follow the instructions below.

Article / Air Travel

How to Complain to United Airlines

Use the following instructions and information to report your issue to United Airlines.

Article / Air Travel

The New "Big Three" of Travel Search Engines: Competition Dies

As America's wide field of airline competitors has consolidated down to just three major players, consumers also have less choice when it comes to which companies are controlling the…

Article / Air Travel

Why Airlines Can Bump You—And What They Owe You in Return

Know your rights! Here's what you're owed when airlines bump you involuntarily—and how they might compensate you when you volunteer your seat.

Article / Air Travel

Hurricane Travel Tips: What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance, Hotel Guarantees & More

Tempted by all those Caribbean travel deals during hurricane season? Go ahead and book -- if you understand what travel insurance covers, and if you know what to do if an oncoming…

Article / Money and Fees

The Ins and Outs of Package Vacation Deals

When does it pay to bundle together airfare and hotel costs and when should you try other methods of saving money?

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! A Fond Farewell to the Jerks that Make Travel Intolerable

It's all I really want to say in my final 'That's Ridiculous!' column. Don't. Be. A. Jerk.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: A Long, Bumpy Ride to Denied-Boarding Compensation

After being denied boarding on an overbooked flight, this passenger dug into federal regulations to reveal that passenger rights are never a sure thing.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Want Better Airline Service? Power Up Your Smartphone

New Internet-based technologies that some travel companies are embracing promise an almost instant response. If you carry a smartphone, these tools can lead to a better experience --…

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! The Irrational Passengers Irrational Airlines Carry

The problem with air travel, both from a passenger and an airline perspective, is that we've disengaged our brains almost completely from the process.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Is Your Credit Card Safe at Cruising Altitude?

This passenger's problem raises two bigger questions for air travelers who want to buy something on board: Is it safe? And is there a way to protect your card?

Article / Air Travel

'Tis the Season for Fabulous Family Vacation Freebies

Cheap is good, but free is better -- especially when it comes to family vacation deals. Here are seven freebies to help you plan an affordable winter getaway with the kids.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: After the Storm, Who has Your Refund?

The recent superstorm and series of nor'easters that slammed into the East Coast grounded tens of thousands of travelers. Fortunately, most travel companies waived their usual rules,…

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Bad Holiday Travel Advice and the Bad Pundits Who Give It

I'm done with offering the same dry travel advice every year at about this time. Finished!

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: The Great Airline Fee Grab

The domestic airline industry as a whole is in the process of re-imagining its business model, moving away from one in which the price of a ticket covers the basic cost of air…

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Are Lax Rules Slowing Down Airline Ticket Refunds?

Passengers have complained about the slow pace of airline ticket refunds ever since there have been airline tickets to complain about. Like other businesses, air carriers are reluctant…

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Leaning Leaners (And the Airlines That Let 'Em)

I need to work on my laptop during a flight, he needs to lean his seat back. Where do we find the point of compromise, and how do the airlines take part in the final decision?

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Why Did My Ticket Refund Take Forever and a Day?

Gripes about lengthy refunds are not unique to the travel industry, or even to airlines. But if you want your money back for a ticket, you should probably be prepared for a long wait.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Help, My Canceled Hotel Room is Un-Canceled

After discovering the star-rating for the hotel one reader reserved didn't bear out, he called to get a confirmed cancellation from Expedia. Or, did he?