On the Spot in 2008: A year of your travel questions answered

Does a family deserve a ticket refund when a child dies?

Question: In the spring I booked two sets of flights. One on United Airlines to Europe for my husband, 11-year-old daughter and me and a second trip on AirTran from LAX to Atlanta for the three of us and for my 27-year-old daughter (who was traveling from Denver on the same dates and times to meet us in Atlanta). Both sets of tickets were nonrefundable. My older daughter became ill in May and died eight weeks later. Obviously, losing a child is devastating, and we had and have no desire to travel anywhere. When I contacted United, even though my deceased daughter was not on our itinerary, within two weeks, I received a complete refund. AirTran, on the other hand, refunded my deceased daughter’s airfare but not ours. I was told I had one year to use the tickets and they would not, under any circumstances, give me a refund. Can you help?

--Maggie Jacobs, West Hills

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Los Angeles Times)

Who’s to blame when there’s an unwanted charge for extra frequent flier miles?

I recently traveled round trip from LAX to Washington, D.C., on United. United told me I could print my boarding pass and pay the baggage fee online. I did that, but as I was making my selection, I had to opt out of several costly offers. When I returned from Washington, I asked the hotel concierge to print the boarding pass and pay the baggage fee. When I got home, I noticed that one of the pages the concierge printed was an acceptance of a $137 charge for United’s Award Accelerator, which increases the value of flier miles. I called United’s customer service reps, but they refused to cancel the charge. Can I get my $137 back?

--MaryAnne Smith, Irvine

>> Read more  (Diane Bigda / For The Times)

Space invaders on the plane

Question: One pervasive plane problem is when the person in front of you puts the seat back in the full recline position and leaves it there for the whole flight, which is particularly aggravating on a long intercontinental flight. This happened to us on a return trip from Paris. I asked our cabin attendant to help us. She refused. We paid full price for someone using our space. Shouldn’t passengers have more manners? Can anything be done?

--Helen Porter

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For the Times)

Cruise line’s policies leave customer adrift

Question: We have made a reservation on a Norwegian fiord/Baltic cruise next summer through my alma mater. It is on a small cruise line, and I am worried about the possibility of financial default. Because of our age, the insurance premium quoted for this trip is about 20% of the cost of the trip. Also, the tour operator’s brochure specifies that it does not accept credit cards for the final payment. What options do we have to protect ourselves?

--Alan Johnson, Seal Beach

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

$3,000 Las Vegas promotion turns out to be a dud

I recently received a promotion letter from the Paris/Bally casino in Las Vegas offering me $3,000 in cash or live chips for Jan. 2 to 5. I called the same day (Oct. 16) to make the reservations and was told no rooms were available. Two of my relatives also received the same letter but couldn’t reserve rooms either. I asked for a rain check and was told none was available. Shouldn’t they honor this?

--Francisca Beverly, Harbor City

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Los Angeles Times)

Canceled flights due to pets? Stay, roll over, beg

Question: My husband and I purchased tickets from Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro in June. The trip was scheduled for Nov. 4. About a month ago, Bob, our 27-year-old (that is not a typo) cat was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The vet said he had two weeks. I was not about to lose him without a fight, and the next thing you know, he’s at least 90% of what he used to be. But he requires intensive care. The airline tells me that I have only one year from the date of my ticket purchase to travel. Can anything be done?

-- Monica Hobin, Santa Barbara

>> Read more  (Diane Bigda/ For the Times)

Airplane boarding through one door, not two

Question: I was wondering why airlines load only through one (front) door? Thirty years ago on my first international trip, I flew out of JFK in New York and that was the first and last time I experienced two-door loading of an aircraft. We all know that the backup into the aircraft starts on the jet bridge almost as soon as the second set of rows is called to board the plane. Why not use two doors?

--Ed Mulcahy, Vancouver, Canada

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Times)

Airlines and code shares: A cautionary tale

Question: You recently took my daughter to the airport for an 8:50 a.m. flight. Although you did a good job of getting her there -- she was an hour early -- she missed the flight. Her ticket said US Airways (which is in Terminal 1 at LAX), but she actually was on a United flight (which is in Terminal 7). It was a code share. How were we supposed to know? And don’t you work in the Travel section? Why didn’t you know this? What kind of aunt-sister are you?

--Judith Ramsey, Arnold, Md.

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

Travel websites and fraud: how to know who is legitimate

Question: I am trying to book a trip online for South America; a pretty good package was arranged for me by an online company. How can I check if it is reputable?

--Margaret Cunningham, Marina del Rey

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)

Cruise ships’ built-in tipping fee rubs passenger the wrong way

Question: After booking a cruise with Princess Cruises and paying for it, I learned that $11 a day per person would be added to our stateroom bill for tips. For an 18-day cruise, that adds up to $396 for two of us. I called to object to this and was told I would have to go to the purser’s desk when we are on board. Am I to spend every day in line at the purser’s office to cancel a charge that should not have been there in the first place? When did this way of tipping become the norm? I thought one tipped for good service after receiving it, not before.

--Edna Broman, Redondo Beach

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Los Angeles Times)

Help for crying babies on a plane

Question: Every time I fly, there seem to be lots of crying babies. For the babies near me, I talk to the mothers about feeding the babies, so they swallow and their ears pop, and burping the babies, which pops the ears. Or I recommend throwing a little cold water into the baby’s face. The surprise will cause the baby to take a deep breath and pop the ears. For 90% of mothers to whom I’ve spoken, these techniques work. Why don’t the airlines give parents a pamphlet on baby ear-popping so the babies are not in pain and the rest of us can have a quiet flight?

--Barbara Lewis, Los Angeles

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

Photos taken in airplane leads to interrogation

Question: Last fall, three friends and I flew from Lisbon to Los Angeles by way of Philadelphia. On the flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, I was showing them my new camera and took a few pictures of our surroundings. A flight attendant came to me and told me to show her the pictures, which I did. On our arrival, armed officers escorted us off the plane, separated us and made us wait for the authorities. They asked ridiculous questions (“What’s your eye color?”), and in the end they let us go with no apologies. Why would this happen? Did we do anything wrong?

-- Jose Silva, Lisbon

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)

Why are some airplane cabins so cold?

Question: I traveled to the United States from Frankfurt, Germany, in May. I’ve been on the same flight before, so I knew to be prepared with a sweater. Now, I’m sensitive to the cold, so this time I also brought along a thermometer. It was 51 degrees Fahrenheit (although sometimes it inched up to 53). Many of the passengers were wearing heavy jackets, and people were coughing. Why would they keep it so cold?

--Sophia Lee, Los Angeles

>> Read more  (Diane Bigda / For The Times)

Need refund on airline tickets? Try calling the company president

Question: My wife and I bought two nonrefundable first-class round-trip tickets to Hawaii from Delta for the middle of September. My wife has never flown anywhere, let alone on an 11-hour nonstop flight. She has realized that she physically cannot do the trip. She has tried to recoup some of the $3,800, but Delta told her all we could do is get $3,800 worth of credit to fly someplace else before March 3. This is really not a good choice, because her doctor doesn’t think she will ever be physically able to fly. Are we out that money?

--George Allen, West Stockbridge, Mass.

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Times)

Money stolen while traveling?

Question: I traveled to London for official purposes. Unfortunately all my money was stolen at the hotel. I don’t know what to do or where to go. I didn’t bring my phone, and the hotel telephone line was disconnected during the robbery, so I have access only to e-mails. Please, can you send me 1,500 pounds today so I can return home? As soon as I get home I would refund it immediately. I want you to send it through the Western Union outlet.

--Karin Millilo, Wolverhampton, England

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

Hotels won’t rent to teen traveler

Question: I’m about to send my 17-year-old daughter back to college. She is an experienced traveler and will need to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights. But hotels are telling me that they won’t rent to a 17-year-old. Is that legal? Can anything be done?

--D. Owen, Federal Way, Wash.

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Los Angeles Times)

Maui food prices soar: Ideas to keep costs down

Question: My spouse and I are planning a trip to Maui. We have heard that food prices in markets and restaurants have soared recently in Hawaii because of the increased costs of fuel. What can we expect to pay?

--R. Grimaldi, Los Angeles

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Times)

A travel agent can help you find the best cruise and the best deal

Question: Is it cheaper to book a cruise online through the cruise line or through a travel agent?

--Cindy Gardina

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

Seeking a refund after flight’s cancellation

Question: I was flying on American Airlines from Boston to Chicago when hundreds of flights were grounded for a wiring inspection. My traveling companion, an 80-year-old, and I were told we needed to wait to see an agent, which was about a two- or three-hour wait. Instead, I booked one-way tickets on another airline, which cost me $261.50 for each ticket. American is willing to reimburse me only for the return portion of my ticket, which is $131.50. Shouldn’t I be refunded the difference?

--Claudia Laupmanis, Chicago

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)

Cruise passengers get the hard sell

Question: In May, we took a seven-day cruise to Alaska on the Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl. This was our worst cruising experience. There are numerous restaurants on the ship, but several are specialty restaurants that charge an extra $10 to $20 per person. The food in the nonpremium restaurants was mushy and bland. Also, many activities on the ship began with 15- to 20-minute hard-sell pitches for merchandise or the next cruise. Is this what cruising has come to? We could have had the same experience listening to a time-share pitch, and we would have had nothing out of pocket.

--Aida Resurreccion, San Clemente

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Times)

Some of Turkey’s ATMs offer lira, euros and even dollars

Question: I will be in Istanbul, Turkey, this summer for a few days before a Black Sea cruise. Can I obtain euros from ATMs in Turkey or just Turkish lira?

--Susan Levenberg, Palo Alto

>> Read more  (Diane Bigda / For The Times)

Flier finds bulky bag costs a bundle at check-in

Question: I recently traveled between Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C., on Delta with a single piece of luggage. As I walked away from the curbside check-in in Charlotte, the check-in guy barked, “You have to remove 8 pounds from this bag right now or go inside and pay $50.” Because of a bad back, I said I would pay the $50 rather than hassle with the bag. In flight, I discovered I had been charged $80. I was outraged and want my money back. How can this type of thing be avoided?

--Beverly Walker, Los Angeles

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)

Mexican insurance a good idea when renting a car in Mexico

Question: I’m going to Mexico, and I think if I rent a car in Mexico and use my MasterCard, I get some insurance automatically. But I don’t understand which of the types of insurance I can pass up at the rental agency in Mexico. What do I need?

--Tom Boesiger, Loveland, Colo.

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

British Airways’ staff confuses carry-on issue

Question: We will be flying from LAX on American Airlines and changing planes in Heathrow for a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Friends told me I can have only one piece of carry-on. I have called British Airways, but no one seems to be able to confirm this for me. What’s the situation?

--Barb Urbanski, Tustin

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Times)

Hotel tries to muzzle TripAdvisor reviewer

Question: I stayed at a place in Palm Springs that I didn’t like and posted my review on TripAdvisor. I received a letter from an attorney threatening to sue me for libel if I did not remove my negative review within 14 days. I have contacted others who have written reviews for this establishment and they also received the attorney’s letter. When I contacted TripAdvisor, I received an e-mail that said the site took the threats seriously, but they didn’t even ask for a copy of the attorney’s letter. Shouldn’t TripAdvisor be leading the charge for protecting customers?

--Rob Wilcox, Los Angeles

>> Read more  (Diane Bigda / For The Times)

Senior is denied rental car overseas

Question: My wife and I try to make one major trip abroad a year. This year we thought we would go to Northern Ireland in September, but every auto rental agency I’ve contacted has a maximum age for a car rental. I happen to be 82. Is there any way I can rent a car for this vacation?

--Jerry Gluck, Laguna Woods

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

Travelers: Is it better to insure or not to insure?

Question: We are planning a Mediterranean cruise and can’t seem to find any kind of trip-cancellation insurance only. All insurance seems to be packages, which include medical insurance. We don’t need such an extensive package. Do we have to buy the whole package just to get this coverage?

--Norman Brenner, Los Angeles

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)

Fed up with shared-ride services to LAX

Question: I am fed up with my experiences with shared-ride services to LAX. The most recent involved Prime Time. I returned March 22 from a trip and had a prepaid reservation for the shuttle home. I had even called the day before to confirm. I talked to the dispatcher at the curb when I emerged at 4:50 p.m. At 6:40 p.m., I finally got on a van. When I called to complain, the service rep apologized for the inconvenience and said there was nothing that could be done. What’s a traveler to do?

--Cheryl Caplow, Valley Village

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Times)

Dog’s ID code in passport: Is it ruined?

Question: We are traveling to France with our dog, which was recently “eurochipped” for identification in Europe. We were provided a small bar-coded sticker with the microchip number, which I stuck on the last page of my passport for safekeeping and convenience. I am wondering, however, if I am inadvertently causing potential problems by placing a sticker in my passport. Do you have any advice on this matter?

--R. Zucker, Los Angeles

>> Read more  (Diane Bigda / For The Times)

Having different names lead to travel troubles

Question: My daughter, who is 7, and I are traveling to Paris for spring break. My husband is not joining us, and my daughter and I have different last names. What are the requirements for one parent traveling with a child out of the country?

--Dori McMurtrey, Torrance

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)

Toy guns on planes? Consider travel games instead

Question: My sons, 11 and 13, and I will be traveling to visit friends in Europe this summer with boys the same ages. My sons are very excited and want to take some things to enjoy with their new friends. We were considering taking Nerf guns that shoot soft Nerf darts. Alternatively, Hammacher Schlemmer makes a “gun” that shoots ping-pong balls. Would we be able to pack these in our luggage without a problem?

--Patricia Cavender, San Marino

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)

Add blank pages to your passport to be on the safe side

Question: My adult son, traveling with his wife and child, was recently refused permission to board a flight from England to South Africa because he had only one blank page in his passport. How do you know which country wants more than one blank page?

--Leonard Lubinsky, New York

>> Read more  (Diane Bigda / For The Times)

Limited mobility needn’t keep you from cruises

Question: I have some mobility limitations and use a battery-operated scooter that is somewhat portable. I’d like to consider a cruise, but I have trouble visualizing how I would navigate narrow corridors. Is a cruise even viable for me?

--Jim Gordon, Thousand Oaks

>> Read more  (Scott Garrett / For The Times)

Keeping it clean when aerosoles won’t fly

Question: A friend recently told me that she never travels without a can of Lysol because she does not think that hotels do a thorough job of disinfecting after each guest. Then I began to wonder: Can you take a can of Lysol in your suitcase? If not, what can she do?

--Susan Hasegawa, West Covina

>> Read more  (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)

Flying to Mexico? Keep abreast of changing passport rules

Question: I want to fly from LAX to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in February. I don’t have a passport, but I hear that a certified birth certificate (not a photocopy) and a driver’s license will get me in and out of country. True?

-- William Frohmberg

>> Read more  (Mark Shaver / For The Times)