The Navigator Archives

Three months after Joan rented a Ford Fusion rental car in Orlando last summer, a surprise bill from Thrifty Car Rental landed in her mailbox.

Cashless toll roads, another hazard for car renters

January 22, 2024December 3, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

Think of it as an invisible road hazard.

One moment, 8-year-old Brent Midlock was swimming in a shallow saltwater pool at an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Do we need an International Travelers Bill of Rights?

January 22, 2024November 26, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

One moment, 8-year-old Brent Midlock was swimming in a shallow saltwater pool at an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The next, he was gone.

The tarmac delay activists are out in full force again, pushing for new laws that they claim would prevent lengthy ground delays.

Hartford tarmac stranding doesn’t justify new laws

January 22, 2024November 19, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

The Halloween weekend stranding of more than 1,000 airline passengers at Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Conn., brought the tarmac delay activists out in full force again, pushing for new laws that they claim would prevent lengthy ground delays.

Rochelle Peachey is no stranger to high taxes and fees on airline tickets. A frequent flier between Miami and London.

Another tax on air travelers? It’s nonsense

January 22, 2024October 23, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

Rochelle Peachey is no stranger to high taxes and fees on airline tickets. A frequent flier between Miami and London, she routinely sees government charges that double the price of her ticket.

Flight between Washington and LA on United.com and you’ll find a notice posted , “Additional baggage charges may apply.”

Are new fee disclosure rules any good?

January 22, 2024September 24, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

Search for a flight between Washington and Los Angeles on United.com and you’ll find a notice posted high above the fares saying, “Additional baggage charges may apply.”

Western Caribbean cruise was delayed because of dense fog in Galveston, Tex., earlier this year, Carnival offered two possible resolutions.

The travel industry moves to preempt customer complaints

January 20, 2024April 3, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

When Jason Plott’s Western Caribbean cruise was delayed because of dense fog in Galveston, Tex., earlier this year, Carnival offered two possible resolutions before casting off: Either a full refund or an abridged cruise, which included an onboard credit and a discount off a future vacation.