Scam alert! In this hyperactive hurricane season, the worst may not be over
Harvey. Irma. Maria.
In a hyperactive hurricane season, the mere mention of these storms evokes fear, dread — and regret.
Commentary
Elliott Advocacy is a nonprofit organization that mediates cases between consumers and businesses. These are commentary articles that detail our efforts and provide educational information for consumers.
Travel blacklists: Turning tables on the industry
Maybe you’ve heard about Jason Puerner, or someone like him. Puerner, a transportation planner from Lakewood, Colo., says he recently rented a Chevrolet Cruze with a pre-existing scratch from Enterprise. After returning the vehicle, he refused to cough up $412 for repairs and ended up on the company’s infamous “Do Not Rent” list.
How to survive a road trip with your kids
About halfway through a 3,755-mile road trip from Orlando to Seattle, I had a little reality check. It happened a few minutes into an hour-long interview with an NPR show in Madison, Wis., when the topic swerved toward unruly kids in a car.
Thinking of visiting that hot new popular destination? Think again.
Daniel Threlfall remembers his visit to Chichen Itza, Mexico, a destination billed as one of the wonders of the world. It isn’t a good memory.
The worst road trip annoyances, and what to do about them
It’s the little things that inflict big headaches when you’re driving during the summer, like poor road conditions, cellular dead spots and pretty much anything to do with bathrooms.
What to do when your travel insurance doesn’t work
Travel insurance doesn’t always work. There, I said it.
How to find the perfect rental car for your next vacation
When it comes to rental cars, I’m picky. I like mine newish, but not brand new, roomy but not oversized, and stylish without being ostentatious.
You don’t know these consumer laws, but you probably should
It might be a stretch to say that American consumers are legally illiterate. After all, don’t we watch Law & Order?
How to practice safe internet on the road
Somewhere along the Kenya-Tanzania border, 8,000 miles and eight time zones from home, I got the news no traveler wants to hear: My email account had been compromised.
As summer draws to a close, a primer on beating the post-vacation blues
Welcome back. What’s that? You didn’t want to come home? You might have a touch of the post-vacation blues.