The Travel Troubleshooter
The Travel Troubleshooter is a weekly consumer column that solves travel problems. Missing cruise refunds, lousy airline service, car rental surcharges — it’s all fair game for this feature. Each story presents a problem and fixes it in a quick Q&A format.
This is a dirty ski resort rental! I want a refund
Anna Weinstein wants a refund for a dirty ski resort rental that she rejected upon arrival. Can Vrbo, the site through which she booked the condo, help her — or does she need a consumer advocate?
Will Norwegian Air ever refund my Eurostar tickets?
When Norwegian Airlines cancels Andrew Brown’s flight to London, it rebooks him to Paris. An airline representative suggests he take a train to his final destination and promises to refund the Eurostar tickets. But now the company changed course and won’t pay. Is he out of luck?
How did I end up banned from Airbnb?!
Anthony Klockenbrink is banned from Airbnb. But the company won’t tell him why, or how to get his account back. Now what?
Why was she denied boarding on EasyJet?
Atif Shabbirdin’s wife is denied boarding on EasyJet because a representative incorrectly believes she doesn’t have the right visa to fly from Spain to England. Even after the airline promises a refund of her airfare and out-of-pocket expenses, EasyJet leaves her waiting. What’s going on?
Viator canceled the tour. I want my money back
After Viator canceled Char Fischer’s walking tour without notice, the company refuses to answer her calls — or issue a refund. What gives?
I canceled my hotel room. Why did Expedia deny the refund?
After Carol McLaughlin cancels her stay at a hotel in Segovia, Spain, she’s sure Expedia will refund her money. But when the hotel claims it never received her cancellation request, who will Expedia believe?
I only stayed at the Marriott one night before my cruise!
Before her recent cruise, Elizabeth Maglione stayed just one night at the Courtyard Marriott Miami Downtown/Brickell. Later she realized the hotel charged her gift card for two nights and she asked for a refund. Now the hotel wants to issue a future travel credit.