That’s some cleaning charge
Bart Everson’s bill at an Alabama resort includes a big surprise: a $166 “cleaning fee.” No, Everson didn’t trash the room; in fact, the charge hits his credit card before he even checks in. The fine print in his reservation does mention a cleaning fee, but doesn’t say how much he’ll be charged. Does he still have to pay?
Where are my vouchers?
After Myron Sigal’s wife is injured on a Mediterranean cruise, the Sigals can’t make their return flight from Venice to Philadelphia. US Airways promises them a voucher for the unused portion, but months later, there’s no sign of it. Is the money lost?
5 travel traps lurking in the fine print
Your cruise ship may not be seaworthy. Your airline isn’t responsible for your checked luggage, and if something’s stolen from your room, good luck getting the hotel to cover your losses. Surprised? Don’t be. It’s all in the fine print. Christopher Elliott takes a look at some travel contracts.
Rome will have to wait
When Allison Fagerness’ flight to Rome is canceled, she’s forced to call off her vacation and return home to Minneapolis. Her online travel agent, Expedia, promises a refund, but her airline, Alitalia, won’t pay. What should she do?
What a deal! Half the car for twice the price
Douglas Hawkins and his wife reserve a Budget rental car in Naples, Italy, but when they arrive at the car rental counter, the company downgrades his car and nearly doubles its rate. Six months later, Budget hasn’t refunded the money Hawkins says it owes him. What now?
One year later, where’s my refund?
Cameron Etezadi and his girlfriend are on their way from Seattle to Casablanca, Morocco, when their flight is delayed in London by weather. British Airways agrees to refund the couple’s money, but one year later, there’s no sign of a check. Is the airline pocketing their fare, or is something else going on?
Not so comfortable at the Comfort Inn
A recent stay at a Comfort Inn in Vancouver does not impress Richard Simms. His room is filthy, the shower runs lukewarm, and the coffee maker is busted. But when he tries to invoke the hotel chain’s “100 Percent Satisfaction Guarantee,” Simms is offered nothing more than an apology. Is he out of luck?
Remember my Alamo rate!
When Alamo runs out of the kind of car Steve Chan has reserved in Ireland, it offers to set him up with a car from another company. Chan is led to believe that he’ll pay the same rate, but when his credit card bill arrives, he discovers he’s been billed more than twice the price he was first quoted. Now Alamo won’t refund the difference. Does Chan have a case? Christopher Elliott looks into the problem.
AirTran, where is my refund?
When AirTran cancels Daniel Richards’ flight from Savannah, Ga., to Atlanta, a supervisor offers him two options: either rebook on a flight the next day or rent a car at the airline’s expense. Richards accepts the second offer, but now AirTran isn’t processing the reimbursement as promised. What can he do? Christopher Elliott gives some advice.
Mexicana can cancel your ticket for any reason
Vicky Fligel’s ticket from Chicago to Acapulco is canceled, but no one can tell her why. The only thing her airline, Mexicana, is clear about is that she has to buy a new, more expensive ticket. Mexicana gives her a refund on the canceled ticket, but shouldn’t the airline honor its first price? Christopher Elliott sorts things out.