EU cracks down on ’serious and persistent’ problems at travel sites while US authorities snooze
The European Union is aggressively pursuing online travel agencies that sell airline tickets under false pretenses. A new report by EU authorities reveals that 1 in 3 Web sites have been written up for “misleading advertising and unfair practices” since last fall. You don’t need me to tell you we have the same problem over here. But where’s our government?
Extreme parks: how to survive four Disney resorts in a day
Four theme parks. Three kids. Two adults. And one seemingly impossible assignment: to visit every Disney World resort on the same day.
Flying sick? 4 tips for surviving your trip
Why would anyone get on an aircraft while in the throes of a contagious, debilitating viral infection? Maybe the question should be: Why not?
Help! Princess confiscated my Cognac
When Jerry Leonard and his wife transfer from their cruise ship to a train, they give Princess their luggage, which includes a bottle of Cognac. The luggage is lost and later found, but the cruise line confiscates the Cognac. Should it replace the bottle - or is he out of luck?
Travel like Indiana Jones? You’ve gotta be kidding
I’m baffled by Expedia’s latest marketing campaign, a tie-in to the upcoming film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The other day, my friends over at the online travel agency sent me a fedora in a box along with a note that promised I could “Travel like Indiana Jones, starting today.”
Renting a car? Beware of the fuel reclamation rip-off
With fuel prices near $4 a gallon, car rental companies are turning to a little-known practice called gas reclamation to squeeze every last penny from their vehicles. In the process, they may be squeezing their customers too, according to a car rental insider who has performed degassing services for a major agency.
Elliott’s E-Mail/May 7, 2008
Given the current state of the travel industry, no one should be surprised, that more people are heading to court to settle their differences with an airline, car rental company or hotel. In this week’s MSNBC column, I break it down for you. Don’t forget to check out the blog posts on a wide range of fascinating topics, from fax scams in Cancun to Yellow Fever-induced paperwork problems.
Yellow fever, red light: paperwork problem sinks Costa Rica vacation
Whose responsibility is your travel-related paperwork, like visas and vaccinations? If you said “mine” — you’re right.
5 most common ticketing mistakes — and how to avoid them
You don’t have to look far for ticketing mistakes in an age of do-it-yourself booking. Here are the five biggest booking blunders — and tips for how to avoid them on your next flight.
Room with a wrong view
Bob Ledford is promised a room with a two-sided ocean view when he books through Expedia. But when he arrives, the view isn’t what he expected, the hotel doesn’t seem to care, and Expedia won’t post the negative review of the resort. What’s wrong with this picture?
Pirates!
Aren made a new friend this weekend — Captain Blackbeard. He was in town to promote the Gaylord Treasure Hunt.
Nice hotel!
Iden admires the glass ceiling at the Gaylord Palms. He spent a weekend at the resort being chased by pirates.
Beware of this Cancun all-inclusive fax scam
You already know that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. But clever scammers also know that you have an “override” button. Like invoking a well-known travel brand. Or using the name of a trusted media outlet.
Point taken: how hotels deny your hard-earned awards
Poof! There go your hard-earned points. Employees at budget hotels are using a variety of strategies to deny travelers their rewards, including typing the wrong name in a guest’s reservation or failing to include important frequent-stayer information.