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.
G Adventures cancels Shelley Piontek’s Antarctic cruise after its ship breaks down. But neither the tour operator nor Piontek’s travel-insurance company will refund her transportation expenses. Why not?
Marlene Eckert was looking forward to a spring river cruise in southern France, which included planned ports of call in scenic Lyon, Beaujolais, Arles and Avignon, along with an extension to Nice. But in January, her husband suffered a massive heart attack and died.
Dorothy Dittmar reserves a room in Paris with two twin beds. But then the hotel backs out of the deal. Does she deserve a refund?
Stephanie Merck is told she needs a passport to fly to Puerto Rico. It’s not true. Who should pay for the passport?
Shawna Amella gets a bill from Hertz more than a year after her rental, even though the car she damaged has already been fixed. Does she still have to pay?
When Alan Estrebou is delayed by almost a day on American Airlines, the company promises him compensation. Then it backs out. Should American honor its word?
Why is Stacey Sproul’s rental car covered with dings? And why is she now being charged for the damage?
Alex Silverstein’s rental car is damaged before he picks it up. It’s still damaged, but now Enterprise wants him to pay for it. Should he?
Recently received a $50 “other” charge when I rented a car. Trying to find out why the charge, I received no reply from Hertz.
Beth Graham’s daughter’s luggage is pilfered, but it’s not clear who is responsible — the TSA or her airline.
