Getting to the airport on time doesn’t cut it anymore. Just ask Mayura Hooper, who missed her Spirit Airlines flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands during the holidays.
HOLIDAYS
That’s the question asked by Tom Westerman, who flew from JFK to Atlanta on Dec. 23 and returned the 30th. Both were among the busiest travel days of the year.
This was supposed to be a feel-good column for the holidays, where I asked readers what kind of presents they wanted from the travel industry, and all of the resulting good tidings left us warm and fuzzy. And then I talked with you.
After last Sunday’s Washington Post column, in which I suggested travel companies were being more charitable at this time of year, incredulous readers wanted to see proof. “Where’s your evidence?” one traveler demanded.
Go on, ask your airline for a favor — maybe an upgrade to business class or a waiver on a ticket change fee. While you’re at it, see whether your hotel will offer you a suite for the price of a standard room.
Here’s a holiday travel forecast you probably won’t read anywhere else: look for lower prices on everything from air fares to hotel room rates, smaller crowds and a more pleasant overall experience. Am I nuts? Well, no.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
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