One of the benefits of being retired, or close to it, is having more time to travel. Sadly, the travel industry finds itself on a topsy-turvy journey due to recent international developments.
The collapse of Spirit Airlines is just one example, and there may be more turbulence on the horizon.
There is an organization in Washington, D.C., that monitors developments in the travel industry on behalf of consumers. Travelers United is a consumer advocacy organization that provides user-friendly information to travel enthusiasts on a wide variety of topics. It also lobbies on behalf of travelers and maintains contacts with businesses involved in the travel industry, including hotel and restaurant operators, airlines, government officials, and more.
The founder and president of Travelers United, Charlie Leocha, was a sought-after speaker when the Delmarva Travel Club existed.
A recent article on the organization’s website reviewed the possibility of other airlines following in the footsteps of Spirit and identified those considered “safe.” The article also offered several suggestions for those booking airfare for a getaway.
Monitor the news. If an airline asks for a “liquidity pool” or “fuel tax suspension,” it is considered a red flag.
Book with a credit card. Under federal law, if an airline stops flying and does not provide the service, you can file a chargeback. Debit cards do not offer this protection.
Avoid long-term bookings. Try to keep your travel window small. Booking a Christmas flight in May on an at-risk carrier such as JetBlue can be a high-stakes gamble in this economy.
Stay away from an OTA. Book directly with the airline rather than through an online travel agent (OTA). That way, you can avoid the runaround if you need to request a refund. Refunds through third parties can take months, and sometimes even years.
Check other carriers. If you are stranded by the Spirit shutdown, look at legacy carriers such as Delta or United. They are currently offering distress fares to help affected passengers, although these are voluntary and not guaranteed.
It may not come as a surprise to learn that airlines are looking for creative ways to thrive in the current marketplace. For example, JetBlue and United recently announced a partnership that allows elite travelers — TrueBlue and United MileagePlus Premier customers — to share access to perks such as priority check-in, priority boarding, a free first checked bag, and more.
Travelers United also delves into many other topics that should interest both occasional and seasoned travelers, including the pros and cons of TSA (Transportation Security Administration) Touchless ID.
Here is one example:
“TSA PreCheck Touchless ID can help you quickly identify yourself at TSA security checkpoints at U.S. airports nationwide, but it is not available at every U.S. airport. There are also potential privacy concerns because TSA PreCheck Touchless ID uses facial recognition technology to verify identity.”
The organization also offers behind-the-scenes information that may not be known by the average consumer, but should be of interest. For example, beyond fuel surcharges related to tensions involving Iran, airlines have also raised checked baggage fees. In addition, major airlines now make much of their money from credit card partnerships rather than from flying passengers.
There is always a question on the Travelers United website asking for opinions from travelers. It not only gives members an opportunity to learn what fellow travelers think, but it also provides feedback about what issues travelers consider most important.
The organization is worth investigating if you enjoy travel. Draw your own conclusions.
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
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