Articles

Trends & Hacks

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

That's Ridiculous! The Gas Price Bait and Switch

On a recent trip to Bend, Ore., I discovered that cheaper can actually mean more expensive. The scam was perpetrated by a service station selling unleaded gas that's 10 cents cheaper…

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 / Hotels

That's Ridiculous! What to Do When You Fall for a Fake Star

What do you do when a 3-star hotel is really a 2.5-star hotel -- or worse? And what do those star ratings mean, anyway?

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 / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: Can You Trust a Vacation Rental?

A vacation rental through Airbnb turns out to be less than expected. Here's what you need to know when you take the alternate route for your accommodations.

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

That's Ridiculous! What's Your Hurry?

Every now and then you'll see signs that say, 'What's your hurry?' which are nothing more than oblique warnings of an approaching speed trap. But after last week's road trip, I read…

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

The Able Traveler: Through Redwoods on a Wheelchair-Accessible Train

This historic Santa Cruz County railway offers a nicely accessible day excursion -- appropriate for wheelchair-users and slow walkers alike -- through the majestic California redwoods.

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Travel Troubleshooter: Is Car Rental Insurance a Scam?

After declining the optional insurance on a rental car, the renter is surprised to see an extra $215 for insurance and $53 for 'roadside assistance' added to his bill.

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?

Article / Air Travel

Six Nights in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest from $1,219 with Rail and Air

Visit Central Europe's ancient cities in late fall and save $199 per person.

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

That's Ridiculous! Is There a Car Rental Toll Conspiracy?

A customer pays a toll twice on a highway, once going each way in her rental car over a six day trip. However, the rental company charges her a toll for each day of rental period. How…

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: A Runaround for an Airline Ticket Refund

When John King's mother dies, he asks American Airlines to refund her ticket. Instead of sending the money, it emails him a series of form letters. What should he do?

Article / Air Travel

Family Travel: The New Rules of Holiday Flying

Spending the holidays with loved ones is a time-honored tradition, but it's become much harder in recent years to get to Grandma's house without going broke. We give you the tools to…

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Can Breastfeeding Activists Have It Both Ways on a Plane?

Does refusing to cover up while breastfeeding also waive a mother's right to privacy?

Article / Air Travel

Is it Safe to Fly American Airlines?

Given the uncertain future of American Airlines, here's what travelers should know about upcoming flights and their frequent-flier miles.

Article / Air Travel

Three Nights in Sonoma Wine Country, from $620 with Air

Relax on this three-night getaway to wine country, which saves you more than $100 per person.

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! How Passengers Exact Revenge on Fee-Happy Airlines

When disputes regarding airline fees go unresolved, some resourceful passengers take up matters with the credit card company or in the court of public opinion.

Article / Cruise

Cruise Travel Tips: Why All Cruisers Should Carry Valid Passports

First-time cruisers are left behind when one of the passengers lacks official travel documents. Find out why having a valid passport might protect you from getting stranded on the dock.

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Should a European Law Protect American Air Travelers?

A lawsuit seeks broader compensation from American carriers for passengers who are delayed on U.S.-bound flights from Europe. Will airlines find a loophole, or will passengers get more…

Article / Hotels

Travel Troubleshooter: What Should I Do About This $50 Hotel Phone Bill?

A traveler turns to his hotel's landline to make long-distance calls and is shocked when the so-called complimentary service doesn't cover the bill. What's the deal with the misleading…

Article / Air Travel

That's Ridiculous! Whatever Happened to the Journey?

If you find yourself dreading the journey before you're able to enjoy the destination, perhaps it's time for travelers to stop accepting inadequate service from airlines, hotels,…

Article / Air Travel

Travel Troubleshooter: Hey, Where's the Rest of my Refund?

A traveler is forced to miss her brother's wedding after the airline cancels her flight. To make matters worse, why is it taking months for the online travel agency to cough up the…

Article / Hotels

That's Ridiculous! When a Confirmation Isn't Really a Confirmation

Do travelers really need to call the online travel agency or check the website to confirm a booking, or should e-mails (or the lack of an e-mail) be enough?