$351,796 Awarded to Travel Consumers
Californians have won $351,796 from the Travel Consumer Restitution Corp. since the state last year set up the program, said to be the only one in the country, the TCRC reported.
The private, nonprofit TCRC board oversees the Seller of Travel law, which lets California residents make claims of up to $15,000 each against travel agents, tour operators and airline ticket brokers who fail to deliver paid-for travel services. The industry funds the program.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 31, 1997 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday August 31, 1997 Home Edition Travel Part L Page 5 Travel Desk 2 inches; 54 words Type of Material: Correction
Consumer Restitution--Due to an editing error, the payouts made by California’s Travel Consumer Restitution Corp. were misstated in a news item (News, Tips & Bargains, Aug. 24). Modern Pilgrimages and Club Universe Inc. accounted for most of the payouts as of June 30. Queen of Peace Pilgrimages Inc. payouts will be reflected in 1997-98 fiscal year figures, the TCRC board reported.
As of June 30, the TCRC had granted 185 claims out of 757 filed since April 1996; 306 were denied or withdrawn; the balance were pending. Two Southern California firms--Queen of Peace Pilgrimages Inc. of Huntington Beach and Club Universe Inc. of Carlsbad--accounted for most of the paid-out claims. Deputy Atty. Gen. Christopher Ames said he is satisfied with the processing of claims but that an unknown number of firms remain unregistered. The phone number to request a claim form was recently changed to (415) 924-1881.
