Comments on: 10 questions most frequently asked by travelers

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:03:59 +0000

Obviously, I wouldn’t read the columns if I didn’t respect Chris, but I don’t like seeing things reported that aren’t true.

Everything is a moneymaker for the airlines. They are losing money (still) and will charge for things you want them to do. It is not “very easy” to do a name change on an e-ticketed reservation, and there is no reason to do it for something like a typo or a nickname. You are exactly correct that people can still fly, though an A-hole TSA person can hassle you if they want. The carriage of contract says that tickets are not transferable, yet people sometimes attempt to do this. If they have some sort of valid reason, they might get the ticket changed by paying the fee.

This whole name change thing, for everything I’ve ever seen, gets blown WAY out of proportion here, because it is “fun” to blast airlines for everything.

By: Bodega

Bodega — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:07:43 +0000

@Curious, do you use an TA? I have never booked a hotel for a client where they didn’t know about a resort fee or other fees that they might have to pay for certain services. I have never failed to find fees listed.

@Scott, we can’t reissue without a fee due to a name change, but the airlines can very easily….but it is more than one key stroke as you well know. I agree with Mr Elliott that this is a money maker for the airlines and has been well before the heightened security. On our end, we can put in an OSI regarding the one letter error. I have never had a client not be able to fly due to a letter error in their name. Same with Bob instead of Robert or Sue instead of Susan on a domestic ticket.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:44:59 +0000

You keep spreading this (at least somewhat) erroneous information that airlines can change the name on a reservation with just a keystroke. At least tell us what system or airlines have this capability. I guarantee you this “ability” does not exist on the Apollo CRS.

By: Curious

Curious — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:02:55 +0000

@Bodega. If all the hotel chains disclosed the mandatory ‘resort fee’ that would be honest. Charging and not disclosing the mandatory ‘resort fee’ is dishonest. Just as dishonest as not disclosing the mandatory “telecommunications fee” being charged by hotels–until you arrive at the desk.

By: laura townsend elion

laura townsend elion — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:29:49 +0000

Its possible that, if used extensively, this won’t work, but when I pick up a rental car and do the damage inventory, I mark every panel of the car with and X and state in writing on the card that the car has ‘minor dents and scratches covering the entire exterior.’ (This, in addition to noting other, obvious, major damage). Most clerks are too lazy to then go out and walk the car with me, and just sign off on it.

By: Linder

Linder — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:11:10 +0000

Berevement/medical emergency fares are alive and well! I use them frequently for my clients, and typically the fare will be brought down to the cost of what the advance purchase fare would have been. In order to qualify for this fare, passengers must provide information about the ill or dead person, such as their name, the relationship (must be a close relative), and the name and phone number of the hospital or hospice. Northwest has been the most generous with their fares, and I was happy to hear that Delta has adopted their berevement fare policy.

By: Bodega

Bodega — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:39:10 +0000

Regarding travel insurance and pre-exisiting conditions. Many travel insurance companies offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. A traveler must take out the coverage anywhere within 7 to 21 days, time period varies from on insurance company to another, after paying for their travel arrangements. Note the word ‘Within’.

Regarding rental cars, an important note should be to use your ditigal camera or cell phone to record the condition of the car prior to driving it. Some car companies will walk the car with you and make notes on the contract, others will provide a form that you, the renter, make notes on that you give to the rental desk prior to driving off with the car and keep a copy for yourself.

As for the dreaded resort fee, I think as a journalist Mr Elliott, calling a hotel chain dishonest wasn’t the best word to use. The fee isn’t any different than the luggage fees the airlines charge. Annoying, stupid, insulting, would be my choice of better terms to use, but not dishonest.