Help! I got a rental car bill I don’t think I deserve
After a grill falls off her rental car, Alamo sends her a bill for $669. Does she have to pay?
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.
Why can’t I change the name on my frequent flier award ticket?
Delta won’t make a name change on a mileage ticket, endangering one family’s cruise. Can this trip be saved?
Can I use Cathay Pacific miles to escape from New York?
Felix Chan’s parents are stranded in New York after a storm. They can’t get back to Hong Kong because he used miles to pay for their ticket. Are they stuck?
Bumped, but where’s my voucher?
Delta promises Shirin Vakharia a flight voucher if she volunteers to take another flight. She does — but where’s the scrip?
My ticket credit is gone — can you help me get it back?
Velta Mahon’s airline ticket credit is gone and she says it’s Hotwire’s fault. Is there any hope of a refund?
No refund for a sick passenger?
After Merrill Hakim is diagnosed with lung cancer, she asks her airline for a refund on a non-refundable ticket. But is that allowed?
A shabby vacation rental and a missing refund
When Carol Swartz tries to check in to a condo in New Hampshire, she finds the unit in a state of disrepair. Now the site through which she booked the rental is refusing a refund, despite a written guarantee. Can it do that?
Stranded in China without an airline ticket
Melissa Sigritz is forced to pay $2,450 to get back home after her airline leaves her stranded in China. Is she entitled to a refund?
Charged for insurance I never wanted — or needed
Jenny Tran discovers a mysterious $260 charge on her credit card and discovers she’s been charged for optional car rental insurance she never wanted, or needed. Can she get a refund?
I canceled my vacation rental, but they’re keeping my deposit
Pat Morin’s vacation rental in Aruba is a disaster — and she hasn’t even left yet. She’s trying to get her money back, but the owner refuses. Is there any hope?