Lenore Davies books one night at an Econo Lodge by phone. She’s charged for two. Now, neither her hotel nor her credit card will help her. Is she out of luck?
CHARGE
Peggy Kite’s flights from Washington to Bozeman, Mont., are rescheduled by her airline, leaving her with an abbreviated connection time — and an expanded bill. Specifically, there’s an extra charge of $1,534. How does she get that removed?
Next time you check into the Fairfield Inn in Sandusky, Ohio, mind the safe in your room. They’ll add a $1.07 fee to your confirmed rate for having one — whether you want it or not.
Here’s a tip that’s worth repeating: If you’re waiting for an airfare refund, don’t cancel your credit card.
I never meant to openly challenge American Airlines’ indefensible policy of charging those who can least afford it – budget-conscious leisure travelers – for the first checked bag. I had no intention of making a scene when I boarded a flight to Dallas with my family this morning.
Now it’s gone too far.
Get ready for round two of the online travel agency fee-cutting wars. This spring, the major online travel agencies eliminated their online booking fees. This morning, Expedia will announce that it will do away with its fee to book by phone.
“The number of credit card disputes seems to be on the rise,” says Jason Sarracini, the president of Toronto-based TargetVacations.ca, an online travel agency. “Consumers seem to think they can use their cards as bargaining tools.”
When a blizzard bears in on St. Cloud, Minn., Bonnie Polk asks a manager at the Ramada if she can cancel her reservation. Yes, she’s told. But a few days later, her credit card is billed and the hotel refuses to give her a refund. Is she out of luck?
Can an airline charge you for a ticket it canceled? If you said “not in America” you’re right.
American Airlines recommends you check in two hours before an international flight. But Fran Mingle’s friend showed up two hours and twenty minutes before her flight from Orlando back to Japan, missed the plane and had to pay $2,600 to get home. What gives?
The words “highway robbery” come to mind when hearing the story of John Floss, who was charged about $336 an hour to rent a car from Avis during the holidays. Is that legal?
Elliott is consumer advocate 
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