Christopher Elliott
AAA Emergency Roadside Services: Don’t call us — summon us online
It happened this morning. The battery on our Honda Accord died — a battery we bought through AAA less than three years ago. I tried to call AAA Emergency Roadside Services for help, but after navigating my way through a confusing menu, and enduring about five minutes of elevator music, my call was disconnected.
One-way toll surprise leads motorist down windy road
As far as surprises go, the one Michael Benson encountered on his drive from Breezewood, Pa., to the Ohio border was small but annoying: an extra $3.90 charged by the Pennsylvania Turnpike. But what followed was anything but small. When he tried to find out about the mystery toll, he was given the runaround by Turnpike authorities.
Missing infant ticket leads to $1,735 airfare bill
Joshua Davis and his family were looking forward to a weeklong vacation in Cancun. They were not planning to pay twice for their airline tickets, or to be on the receiving end of a frustrating form letter from Delta Air Lines, which cast a long shadow over their family getaway.
Confessions of a frequent-flier program skeptic
Call me a frequent-flier program skeptic. I take a dim view of any scheme that promises you the world in exchange for all your business.
Two change fees, one airline ticket — and no help
Unbeknownst to Janice Sinclair, her sister in Spain is paying British Airways a change fee for the family’s airline tickets at the exact same time she is. It’s a double-billing — sort of. British Airways isn’t offering a refund. But should it?
“Unfortunately the resort fee is a mandatory charge … thank you and have a magical stay”
Sue Allen and her husband, Dale, have been coming to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin for years. “We love the convenience and location,” Sue says of Orlando resort hotel.
Saying “no” to TSA’s full body scan may come at a price
Having second thoughts about those new full-body scanners being used at airports by the Transportation Security Administration? The federal agency charged with protecting the nation’s transportation systems may want to take a second look — at you.
London hotel takes a hard line on stranded air traveler’s refund request
Yotel is a Japanese-style capsule hotel at London’s Heathrow airport. It won the Business Travel World Award for best accommodations — a fact that its managers repeat endlessly in their email signatures. But volcanic eruptions? Not their problem.
