Consumer Alert: We need a 24-hour rule for hotel reservations. Here's why.

One of our readers lost $2,416 after making a booking mistake — until we intervened

Christi Richmond almost lost $2,416 on a nonrefundable hotel reservation. If only there'd been a 24-hour rule.

A decade ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation added a common-sense requirement for airlines to offer passengers a full refund on most airline tickets within 24 hours after booking. The rule has saved air travelers billions of dollars.

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