Don’t get scammed! 4 cons that target travelers – and how to spot them
Nancy Miller considers herself an experienced traveler, so on a recent trip to Bangkok, the last thing she thought she’d get suckered by was a scam aimed at gullible tourists.
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.
Do the TSA’s new body scanners solve our screening problems?
The TSA is at it again. Earlier this week, it announced that in an effort to “enhance security while strengthening privacy protection” it had begun testing new scanning technology that doesn’t show screeners naked images of passengers.
That’s ridiculous! What’s with this $150 fee to redeposit my frequent flier miles?
If you’re a card-carrying frequent flier, you probably already know that several airlines – including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways – charge $150 to redeposit frequent flier miles into your account.
Is this enough compensation? My wife broke her neck, but my cruise line will only give me a 25 percent refund
Jerry McClure and his wife were looking forward to a seven-day western Caribbean cruise on the Holland America Ryndam late last year, when disaster struck. McClure’s wife fell and broke her neck less than a month before they were scheduled to fly to Tampa to board the ship.
TSA backtracks on private screeners amid lawsuits
It’s not hard to image how much louder the public outcry would have been during the pat-down controversy last year if the Transportation Security Administration had also shut down it Screening Partnership Program, which allowed airports to privatize their security.
Southwest Airlines pilot holds plane for murder victim’s family
It’s easy to be an airline industry critic in an era of “no waivers, no favors” and fees on top of fees. It’s easy to paint airlines as heartless corporations that treat us like self-loading cargo.
Did TSA turn off its scanners again to keep things moving during the 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.
Tarmac delay hall of shame: holiday edition
Anyone who thinks tarmac delays are dead was in for a litte shock this week. Hundreds of flights were delayed in a series of powerful blizzards, and a few sat between the runway and the terminal for hours, waiting for the weather to clear.
Spirit Airlines tells passenger who can’t fit into seat to stand
Katie Anderson’s son is 6′ 7″. The average economy class seat “pitch” on a Spirit Airlines Airbus A321 — the distance between seats on an aircraft — is between 30 and 31 inches, hardly enough room for a big guy.
Is this too much compensation? Men’s room mixup nets guest $200 gift card from Marriott
This column is usually called, “Is this enough compensation?” because frankly, the travel industry often doesn’t have a clue about customer service.