If you’re thinking of visiting a faraway place, a tour may be an ideal choice. But don’t go anywhere without this ultimate guide for booking and taking a tour. Read more “The ultimate guide for booking and taking a tour”
Answers
These are the answers to the most troubling and often shocking problems consumers have asked our mediation team. The Elliott Advocacy team covers airline, cruise line, hotel, and vacation rental problems among other topics.
These are the answers to the most troubling and often shocking problems consumers have asked our mediation team. The Elliott Advocacy team covers airline, cruise line, hotel, and vacation rental problems among other topics.
Everything you need to know about planning a trip
There are a few basic things you have to know about booking travel. Here’s your ultimate guide to planning a trip. Read more “Everything you need to know about planning a trip”
If coronavirus made your airline cancel your flight, this is how to get a refund
If the coronavirus caused your airline to cancel your upcoming flight, you might be wondering how to get your refund. Well, wonder no more.
Every day, the airline industry is coming up with new, surprising ways to avoid paying those cash refunds. But our team is here to make sure you know what your airline does — and doesn’t owe you during this pandemic. Here is the guidance you need to ensure you won’t miss any refund owed to you.
Here is the guidance you need to ensure you won’t miss out on any refund owed to you. (Last updated Oct. 7) Read more “If coronavirus made your airline cancel your flight, this is how to get a refund”
Will travel insurance protect you during the coronavirus outbreak?
David Klement wants to know if his travel insurance will protect him during the coronavirus outbreak. Specifically, could it get him a full $15,506 refund for his Grand Circle Travel tour of India?
The question — “Will travel insurance protect me during the coronavirus outbreak?” — is driving travelers a little crazy during the pandemic. After all, they bought travel insurance believing it would fully protect them. And by “fully protect,” they mean being made whole if something catastrophic happened.
And then something catastrophic happened. (Reprint) Read more “Will travel insurance protect you during the coronavirus outbreak?”
Do not let coronavirus panic make you cancel your trip right now
Coronavirus panic is at full throttle. In the last week, we’ve received hundreds of requests for assistance from fearful travelers about coronavirus-related cancellations. Our advocacy team has been on call night and day, answering questions and providing help. But many reaching out to us have travel plans several weeks and even months in the future. These troubled travelers want to know if — and how — they should cancel their trips right now.
But for most of these travelers, the answer is simple. Do not cancel your future trip today. (Update/Reprint from March 23) Read more “Do not let coronavirus panic make you cancel your trip right now”
How to fix your own consumer problem
You can fix your own consumer problem. If you’re having trouble with a product or service, there is a way out — and you don’t have to hire an expensive lawyer or call the cops.
Yes, you can do it yourself. Read more “How to fix your own consumer problem”
How long should I wait for my coronavirus refund?
Hang on! That’s what I told Laureen McCluen when she contacted me about her Airbnb reservation in Washington, D.C. She wanted to know how long to wait for her coronavirus refund.
McCluen plunked down $8,457 for her rental. She looked forward to a week in the nation’s capital, enjoying the museums and monuments and the cherry blossoms. And then coronavirus hit. You know the rest. Read more “How long should I wait for my coronavirus refund?”
These cruise itinerary changes ruined my trip! I want a refund
The cruise itinerary changes on Iris Fennel’s recent Baltic Sea journey completely ruined her trip. She says Norwegian’s Breakaway sailed right past three out of five of its scheduled ports of call. Based on that ratio, Fennel has calculated NCL should give her a 60 percent cash refund.
But does the cruise line owe Fennel anything for these changes to the itinerary? Read more “These cruise itinerary changes ruined my trip! I want a refund”
This is what happens when you don’t want to tip on your cruise
What if you don’t want to tip on your cruise? Or maybe you’re not against cruise gratuities, but prefer to give on a person by person basis. Can the cruise line force you to pay a set amount for the crew’s bonus?
That’s the question Laurie May wants answered. She says Oceania recently blindsided her by adding $320 to the cost of her 10-day European cruise. The reason? Automatically added gratuities.
Now she wants the Elliott Advocacy team to retrieve the crew bonus and put it back in her wallet. But is that something we can do? (Reprint/Sept. 2019/updated June 2020)
Read more “This is what happens when you don’t want to tip on your cruise”
You should never skip parts of your flight. This is why
What happens if you skip parts of your flight itinerary? Charlie Williams will tell you — nothing good.
On the way to their Hawaiian getaway, Williams and his wife missed their connecting flight to the islands. Hawaiian Airlines moved the couple to the next available flight. But the duo decided to skip that flight and book a more convenient one — without informing the airline. That mistake ended up creating a travel fiasco that cost the Williams over $1,200. However, the couple wouldn’t find out anything was wrong until they tried to fly home.
Read more “You should never skip parts of your flight. This is why”