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Money and Fees

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Travel Troubleshooter: Your Airline Ticket's No Good Here

When our reader lands in Mexico City on her way to Tapachula, she's told her airline ticket from Cheapoair.com isn't valid. After paying for a new ticket, she waits in vain for a…

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5 Secrets Travelers Need to Know When Dealing with a Collection Agency

Travel providers are paying attention to every penny, and going after customers who may or may not owe. What should you do if a travel company sends a collection agency after you?

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshoter: No Ticket, But They Remembered the Bill

Travelocity sells but doesn't get tickets to a member of the military looking for a little R&R. The credit card company sides with the soldier, but Travelocity sends a collection…

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Beyond the Buzz: How to Use Twitter for Travel Help

Even if you don't care about Twitter, there are two reasons you need to know about it: it can save you time getting through to customer service and it can save you money.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Double Trouble on My Honeymoon

Our reader 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?

Article / Money and Fees

A Good Summer Travel Mystery: What About Travel?

Are you skipping the vacation or taking advantage of the deals? When it comes to travel, nobody agrees on what's going to happen this summer.

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Travel Troubleshooter: Help! My Online Travel Agent is AWOL

Our reader's online agent promises to help her reuse a canceled ticket, but after hours on the phone and email, there's no action. Are her tickets gone?

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Travel Troubleshooter: Half a Room or Twice the Price

Our reader uses Hotwire.com to get a room in London, but she only gets half -- literally -- of what she's promised. Can the hotel do that?

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: A Not-So-Magical Disney Vacation

Our reader has a disastrous Disney vacation, but his complaints are being ignored. What's he doing wrong that he can't get Mickey's attention?

Article / Money and Fees

Broadsided! 5 New Car Rental Fees to Avoid

Beleaguered auto rental firms are quietly adding new surcharges designed to lift revenues in a recessionary economy. Here are five charges that could sideswipe you on your next trip.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Still Waiting for My Refund

A death in the family leads our traveler to cancel her trip. She may be entitled to a refund, but Lufthansa won't say 'yes' or 'no.' What can she do?

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Uh-Oh! When Optional Car Rental Insurance Isn't

When our reader checks in at the Hertz counter in Zagreb, she's told more insurance is mandatory even though she was fully covered before her trip. Should Hertz provide a refund?

Article / Money and Fees

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

Are lousy tourists sinking an entire industry? Here are five ways bad travelers can ruin the fun for everyone.

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

Despite the losses, you stand to gain better things thanks to the ailing economy, like free Wi-Fi, better customer service, and unbelievable bargains.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: A Canceled Cruise, a Missing Refund

The trip cancellation policy for her European river cruise promises a full refund, but when our reader tries to recover the money from the operator, she's turned down. What are her…

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Travel Troubleshooter: Charged Twice for My Cayman Island Hotel

Our reader's travel agency goes bust without paying her hotel and the resort wants her to pay for her stay -- again. Can't her credit card protect her against a double billing?

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Before You Travel: 4 Crazy Rules You Need to Know

The travel industry loves to 'forget' important facts about its products. Here are the top clauses your company may not disclose -- and what you need to know about them.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Now That's a Change Fee!

The tickets our reader buys for a vacation to Tanzania are refundable with a change fee, but she doesn't know the fee is a quarter of the cost. Is she going to lose thousands of…

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Spring Broke: 6 Secrets for Traveling Free

Free isn't just a legitimate goal for your next trip. It might be a realistic one, too. How do you travel without paying?

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Right State, Wrong Ramada

Our reader accidentally reserves a nonrefundable room in the wrong city. Now his hotel wants to keep the money. Can he get a refund? Or is he stuck with a room he can't use?

Article / Money and Fees

Pick a Card, But Not Any Card: How to Choose the Best Hotel Credit Cards

If your credit card just gives you credit, you're missing out. Hotel credit cards can get you free nights and flights in pretty much any destination you choose. Find the one that's…

Article / Money and Fees

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

Airlines break out their fares in confusing ways because it makes prices look lower. Here are a few tips for seeing your way around surprise fees.

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Deal or No Deal? 6 Secrets for Spotting a Bargain

All across the travel industry, people who thought they were getting deals are discovering that they aren't. But how do you know? Here are a few tips.

Article / Money and Fees

Travel Troubleshooter: Forced to Buy Another Ticket

Our reader is forced to buy a one-way ticket because Expedia made an error. Now it wants him to work for his refund. Can it do that?

Article / Money and Fees

Posting Power: 7 Tips for Blogging Your Way to a Better Trip

Had a problem with your last trip? Fire up your PC and post something online -- you just might change the travel industry.