TRAVEL INDUSTRY Archives

Air travelers are paying more for less, and a sense of resignation has set in. Experts say consumers feel they deserve it after years of choosing low fares, but they shouldn't. This trend now extends beyond airlines to hotels and cruises.

Travelers are resigned to paying more and getting less. Do they deserve this?

October 14, 2025October 12, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Don’t look now, but air travelers are paying more and getting less — and they’re fine with it.

Is your trip nonrefundable? Discover why airlines and hotels are tightening refund rules and the strategies you can use to potentially recover your money.

Travel is more “nonrefundable” than ever — here’s how to get around that

September 27, 2025August 24, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Christina Anderson thought her hotel room in Reykjavik, Iceland, was refundable. But when her flight to Iceland was canceled because of bad weather, she made a stunning discovery: It wasn’t.

As summer travel heats up, travelers like Sharmistha Das are facing increased cleaning fees from companies like Lyft. With reports of careless behavior and profit-driven charges, discover the reasons behind this trend and learn how to avoid unexpected fees during your travels this season.

Why are travelers making such a mess this summer?

May 26, 2025May 25, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Sharmistha Das says she didn’t trash her Lyft. But her driver claims she dragged her bicycle helmet along the side of his door, leaving several long scuff marks.

Travelers reached their breaking point this summer. Is loyalty dead?

September 5, 2024September 1, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When it comes to travel, is loyalty dead?
That’s the question many travelers have been asking themselves during a record-breaking summer.

Traveling recently? You're not alone if you've encountered laughably bad customer service. I lost my credit card last week, and my bank botched the replacement, sending it to the wrong address. Now, I'm stuck on endless calls with unhelpful representatives. The travel industry isn't faring any better, with record complaints and declining service quality. Airlines, car rentals, and hotels are scoring low in customer satisfaction. As travel booms, companies are taking customers for granted. Learn why this is happening and what you can do to manage the situation effectively.

Want better customer service when you travel? You must be joking

January 13, 2025August 18, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you think customer service is a joke, you’ve probably been traveling recently.

Vicky Cordes faces a frustrating battle to use her $3,157 airline ticket credit from a canceled Virgin Atlantic flight during the pandemic. Despite booking through GBV Travel Services and payment via Expedia, she's caught in a cycle of finger-pointing between her travel advisor, the wholesaler, and the airline. With her credit set to expire soon, Vicky has spent countless hours on the phone with no resolution. The crux of the problem appears to be her unpaid membership fee with GBV, complicating the situation further. Will Vicky manage to reclaim her flight credit in time?

What happened to my $3,157 flight credit? And how do I use it?

November 24, 2024August 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Vicky Cordes is trying to use a $3,157 airline ticket credit from the pandemic. But her travel advisor, wholesaler and airline are all pointing fingers at each other. Who’s got her money?

Hotels have finally gone too far when it comes to parking fees.

Outrageous! Hotels are charging for parking — whether you have a car or not

September 7, 2025February 3, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Hotels have finally gone too far when it comes to parking fees.

Navigating the world of travel can be complex. Find out how a travel advisor can simplify your journey, especially for unique trips like solo travel or senior travel. We'll explore when to engage a travel advisor, how they can enhance your trip, their costs, and strategies to find the right advisor for your needs.

The ultimate guide to finding a travel advisor

February 18, 2025May 21, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Navigating the world of travel can be complex. Find out how a travel advisor can simplify your journey, especially for unique trips like solo travel or senior travel. We’ll explore when to engage a travel advisor, how they can enhance your trip, their costs, and strategies to find the right advisor for your needs.

Gerry Bauer had high hopes for an easy refund process with Vrbo, but will he be left empty-handed for his canceled vacation home reservation?

He tried to cancel a reservation and receive a refund. Vrbo charged him $31,995 instead

January 19, 2024March 5, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Can a Vrbo take $31,995 from your bank account and leave you with nothing? It happened to Gerry Bauer. Here’s how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

Explore the issue of vacation rental hosts cancelling stays and keeping the paid money through Vrbo. Learn about the dispute resolution process and find out if you qualify for a refund in such a scenario. A must-read for all those planning their next holiday or weekend getaway.

Vrbo took my $1,270! Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money?

January 22, 2024February 13, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Can a vacation rental host cancel your reservation and keep your money? Shannon Jenkins wants to know after her host decided to pocket the money she paid Vrbo for a four-day weekend in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley.

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