I would like to investigate insurance outside of what my travel company offers. Do you have any suggestions?

We'll be flying back from Toulouse in mid-September to Boston via Amsterdam. We have a 1:15 layover in Amsterdam, and I'm a little worried about what we need to go through to get to our connecting flight back to Boston. Do we exit EES in Toulouse or Amsterdam? Is there another passport check in Amsterdam?

We're sharing storm stories today. Here's mine: I moved to Central Florida in 2004. We'd left Key Largo for Winter Springs because the Keys had gotten too small and too expensive to raise kids, but also because it was less likely to get hit by a hurricane—or so we thought.

Hurricane Charley came through in August like a locomotive. We sat in the hallway and listened to it. When we came out, the oak trees were snapped and the fences were flattened.

Frances arrived a few weeks later and parked on top of us. We lost power, then water. We were without power for more than a week.

Jeanne followed almost the same track in September. By then it felt personal.

I was trying to keep a career alive through all of it, mailing my new Travel Troubleshooter column to newspaper editors who mostly didn't write back. Travel sections were shrinking even back then. Nobody was looking for new content. I kept sending them anyway. Three hurricanes in six weeks will either flatten you or make you stubborn.

So that's my story. Tell me yours! Were you at home or on the road? And if you were traveling, did the airline, hotel or cruise line do right by you, or did you end up on your own?

Two readers go on a road trip, but Avis has a surprise for them when they return their car.

What is recourse with Delta airlines? My daughter paid for window seats on round trip tickets from Boston to San Antonio. Both times she got a wall instead of a window!! 

Recently went to a Ramada by Wyndham in Eureka CA. I was met by an ATM like machine with a Meme on the screen offering to check me in. I doubt this device meets ADA requirements for disabled people. I was a bit flustered by the device due reading without computer glasses (they were in suitcase). There was a human check in desk but no body there. There was no help button to call a human. But being resourceful I knocked on manager's door. He was able to offer basic info about the device and tell me what button to push. But was unable to check me in. Not in his job description I guess. Some of the instructions were not clear and the meme could not answer a basic question. Like can I stay 2 hours after check out? It just said no, not there will be a charge. Or can I talk to an agent. NO

Then the meme on check out the next day billed me for a soiled pillow case and towel (my daughter has colored hair). Never seen that charge before. Anybody else?

I guess they charged me $20 for having to use bleach in the wash.

Chris put this down as the latest way to add charges to your bill.

John

I need help with what you just posted about Amazon.

Last year a caregiver got my credit card number. She attached it to her Amazon account and has been using it. Whenever I see the charges on my credit card, I tried to dispute them. I finally called up Amazon and found out that the card was attached to another Amazon account. I tried to have the card removed, but they told me I could not do that that she had to do that. I asked them to give me a list of everything she bought and to screeshot or otherwise give me something that shows that this card is attached to her account. They refused. I need all this stuff because I am legally going after her.

How do I get what I need?

I just purchased an expensive package to see the Eagles at Sphere through Vibee. After the fact I have heard of purchasers getting unexpected charges and shoddy customer service from Vibee. Not a problem for me yet, just being cautious. Anyone had problems and how were they handled?

We stopped by PP Coffee in Mangwon yesterday, a small corner shop a few blocks off the Han River. James, the owner, gave us a tour of the basement, which is where he roasts his beans over charcoal, an old method that's nearly gone in Seoul.

In the same room he makes chocolate and repairs espresso machines. The coffee alone justifies the trip. The charcoal roast comes through dark and clean, with none of the scorched bitterness you'd brace for. Go early if you want a seat. It's a tiny space, and he's usually working the whole thing himself.

What to order: PP Coffee is known for nel drip, the cloth filter method, which leaves more body in the cup than paper.

Flying in 2 weeks from SFO to Nice via Frankfort. How has the E/ES been working out in Frankfort, where we switch from United to Lufthansa?

My wife and I are 80+ years old, and we want/need to "Exit" or "Cancel" our timeshares. We've struggled off/on for many years to rid ourselves of our timeshares. We've tried this with an attorney back in 1970 and they scammed us. We've tried with the Timeshare Company, but they were reluctant to help us. We heard there is a new "Law" that makes it easier to get rid of our timeshares. We do not want our kids to inherit these timeshares. Can you help guide us with the experience and knowledge you and your team have so we can be rid of our two timeshares? Thanks, in advance, for your response.🙏

It has been my experience that travel insurance companies exist to deny claims. I'm planning a 2-week trip to Costa Rica for January 2027, and it is (for me) an expensive trip. I will buy refundable airline tickets and am considering arriving a day early in case of weather delays in the U.S. I'm also considering an annual medical evacuation policy rather than paying for travel insurance that the company will probably deny any claims on. Are there any reputable travel insurance companies? Has anyone ever gotten a payout?

I have an early morning flight out of LIN in mid September. Does anyone know if passengers are experiencing processing/flight delays when departing? I have a connection in London that has not been an issue in the past but these are different times.

Invest in some merino wool long underwear. It’s attractive, lightweight, doesn’t hold odors and doesn’t take up much space in luggage.

I am concerned about a one hour layover in Iceland on our flight from Minneapolis to Berlin in late September. With the new EES rules entering the Schengen countries I am seeing on the internet that we should be allowing 2.5-3 hours for this layover. My travel agent tried, then I tried to change our flight to leave 3 hours earlier but Iceland Air wouldn’t budge on our economy tickets even with these unusual circumstances. Do you know anything about delays entering the EU countries and what recourse do we have if we miss our connection? We have hotel and other reservations we would be penalized for not canceling ahead as the next flight isn’t until the next day. Also would Iceland Air have to pay for our overnight lodging, food and transportation?

It's Friday and we're staring a new tradition on Backchannel. You can ask me anything, and I will try my best to answer. (Hat tip to Reddit for the concept.)