The government hasn’t fined a single airline this year
And that’s not all. Since December, the Department of Transportation has forgiven nearly $28 million in penalties owed by three airlines. What happened to airline enforcement?
🔓 PLUS: The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on ticket scalpers (finally!). And an exclusive story about when to cancel your vacation because of the wildfires. Details in our Members Only section. Scroll down for more.
OUR UNDERWRITER
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🎤 This week’s podcast
Kim’s superpower has a price. I still can’t believe we advocated this case.
We dissected the case of Schrödinger’s seat reservation in our latest podcast. Find out what kind of trouble the boys got themselves into.
ELLIOTT CONFIDENTIAL
Kim's Super Power Cost Her $2,300
OUR UNDERWRITER
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📌 Here’s what you missed this week
Catch up on the latest stories from the Elliott Report
A stunning reversal for airline consumer rights
The government hasn't assessed a single civil penalty against an airline for violating consumer protection rules this year.
More travelers are losing their insurance claims because of this. Don't be one of them.
When something goes wrong on the road — a flight delay, vanishing luggage, illness — you file a travel insurance claim, expecting a quick reimbursement.
My hotel reservation disappeared. Why won’t Booking.com refund me for my new room?
A missing hotel reservation left him booking two rooms at his own expense. What to do when a hotel cannot find you, and how to get the difference back.
Viva Aerobus canceled my flight. Why did it send my $844 refund to the wrong bank?
Viva Aerobus cancels Carol Bartell’s flight to Mexico and insists on wiring her refund to a U.S. bank account. But the money disappears after a SWIFT code error sends the cash to the wrong credit union.
The laws of physics say you can’t be in two places at once—unless you have a Capital One card
Kim Calla has a superpower. According to her credit card issuer, she can sit in two airline seats at the same time.
Coolcations aren’t cool anymore. Why you should book a trip to a hot place
Is the rush to the Arctic Circle really the smartest way to beat the summer heat, or is it just the fastest way to burn through your savings?
Should airlines ban robots?
Three of the big four carriers already have. Does their reasoning hold up?
This summer’s biggest points swindle
Travel sites are asking their readers to fight a bill that could make prices more affordable. But why?
OUR UNDERWRITER
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💬 What you’re talking about
Ballooning in the Serengeti and insurance requirements
Has anyone taken a hot air balloon ride in the Serengeti? Ellen, one of our Backchannel Founding Members, wants to know. Join the discussion on Backchannel now. (Thanks for signing up early as a founder, Ellen!) Also, join our discussion about insurance documentation—an important topic, believe me—on our site.
🔒 MEMBERS ONLY: Government cracks down on ticket scalpers
The Federal Trade Commission, unlike the Department of Transportation, still believes in fines. Details are in today’s Members Only section.
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