TRAVEL TIPS Archives

Leigh Roberts and her wife purchased an extra seat on a flight from Orlando to Venice, only to find out that United Airlines resold it to another passenger. Despite multiple attempts to get a refund, United initially refused, citing nonrefundable ticket policies. However, a missed boarding pass scan and a lack of proper follow-up led to this costly mistake. After escalating the issue and persistence, United finally agreed to process a refund for the extra seat. This story highlights the importance of ensuring your extra seat is properly scanned.

If you reserve an extra seat on United Airlines, don’t forget to do this

September 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Leigh Roberts and her wife book an extra seat on a trip from Orlando, Fla., to Venice, Italy. But United resells the seat to another passenger. Can Roberts get a refund?

When traveling, saying the wrong thing can quickly lead to poor service. Businesses claim to offer excellent customer care, but their employees, being human, may react negatively if you disrespect them. Say something like "Do you know who I am?" or "I'll sue," and you might find yourself with the worst seat or service available. To avoid this, it’s crucial to say things calmly, stick to the facts, and treat employees with respect. A friendly word can go a long way in ensuring a better travel experience.

Traveling? Here’s what to say if you want to get the worst treatment — guaranteed!

September 8, 2024September 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

It’s easy to get treated like a second-class citizen when you travel: Just say the wrong thing. That’s an undeniable fact that people are rediscovering during the busiest year in the history of modern travel.

For seasoned travelers like Rasa Urbonaite, safety comes first. Rasa relies on her iPhone, not just for directions or social media updates, but for something far more crucial: the Allianz travel insurance app. With real-time alerts and emergency assistance at her fingertips, her travel insurance app becomes a lifeline. These apps, including popular ones like Faye and Allianz's Allyz, offer everything from medical help to local safety warnings. Could your travel insurance app be your next essential travel companion?

Can a travel insurance app really keep you safer? Here’s the surprising answer

September 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

A travel insurance app may be the last place you’d look when you’re concerned about safety. But for experienced travelers, it is becoming a first stop.

Jim Hutslar faced a challenging situation after a scooter accident forced him to cancel his British Airways flight. Despite receiving a promise from Expedia for a $1,987 ticket credit, he hit a roadblock when British Airways marked him as a "no-show" and canceled his entire trip. As a result, he was caught in a frustrating loop between Expedia and British Airways, each pointing the finger at the other. Discover how Jim navigated this complex issue and whether he managed to secure his ticket credit or lost his money for good.

Expedia says I have a $1,987 credit, but British Airways says I was a “no-show”

September 9, 2024September 4, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After a scooter accident, Jim Hutslar cancels his British Airways flight. Expedia offers him a $1,987 ticket credit. But British Airways refuses, claiming he was a “no show” for his flight. Is the money lost?

Tracy Pruss lost her iPhone 13 while boarding an American Airlines flight from Raleigh-Durham to Cincinnati. Despite using the Find My app to locate the phone near the gate desk, her attempts to retrieve it were met with delays and unhelpful responses from both the airport and the airline. As days passed and the battery dwindled, Pruss feared losing the phone—and its irreplaceable contents—forever. Desperate, she drove to the airport in Cincinnati for help. Will American Airlines find her phone before it's too late, or are these precious memories lost forever?

Can American Airlines find my irreplaceable iPhone before it’s too late?

September 5, 2024September 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Tracy Pruss lost her iPhone 13 as she boarded an American Airlines flight from Raleigh-Durham to Cincinnati. The device slipped out of her pocket on the jetway.

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.

Overpacking is a common issue for many travelers, driven by insecurities, stress, and inexperience. With airlines raking in billions from luggage fees, it's time to rethink how much you really need to bring on your trips. From witnessing tourists struggling with oversized bags in destinations like Interlaken, Rio de Janeiro, and Bangkok, to hearing experts explain why we pack too much, this article offers insights and practical tips to help you pack smarter. Embrace minimalism, adjust your travel expectations, and avoid unnecessary fees on your next adventure.

You’re overpacking! Here’s how to lighten up when you travel

September 5, 2024August 25, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

You’re carrying too much luggage. Here’s how to lighten up.

Catriona Garry missed her flight from Edinburgh to Dublin due to Aer Lingus' staffing issues, which led to a three-hour wait with only one ticket agent. Consequently, she missed her connecting flight to Boston and was wrongly charged $1,200 in rebooking fees. Despite contacting Aer Lingus for six months and escalating the issue to their CEO, she faced delays and unhelpful responses. After a thorough review of her case, highlighting the responsibilities of Aer Lingus and their third-party partner, Swissport, the airline finally refunded her rebooking fees nearly seven months after her trip.

Aer Lingus made me miss my flight. Then it charged me these booking fees!

September 5, 2024August 21, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Catriona Garry misses her flight from Edinburgh to Boston because there’s only one ticket agent at the airport. Can she get $1,200 in rebooking fees refunded?

When Lesle Collins flew from Dallas to Denver, her luggage didn’t make the trip. Despite promptly reporting it to Frontier Airlines, she faced repeated delays and ultimately a denial of her claim due to a missed deadline. Collins insists she never received the necessary forms from Frontier, highlighting the importance of immediately filing a claim at the airport and keeping thorough documentation. While airlines like Frontier have strict timelines, they can make exceptions. After advocacy, Frontier reopened Collins' case, underscoring the need for persistence in resolving lost luggage issues.

Problem with luggage: I waited too long to file a claim with my airline!

September 5, 2024August 19, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Lesle Collins flew from Dallas to Denver last summer, her baggage did not. She tried to file a luggage claim — but she could not.

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

September 4, 2024August 18, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

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

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