Travel Week in Review – February 24th, 2023

United Airlines said Monday that new technology will open up more seats on its flights so children can sit with an adult in their party without paying a fee, a type of charge that’s drawn scrutiny from the Biden administration in recent months. United will show parents or other adult travelers accompanying a child younger than 12 to access “preferred” seats as well as regular economy seats, if needed, at the time of booking so they can sit together. The change applies to travelers with standard and basic economy tickets. Read More…

You get to the airport early. Your luggage is checked, you have your boarding pass in hang – and you find out that your flight is overbooked. While airlines can usually find passengers willing to take a different flight in exchange for compensation, it’s the unfortunate truth that the act of involuntary bumping passengers is pretty commonplace. Most people go calmly, if not happily. But legally, if the airline tells you to go, you have to go. Fortunately, you have rights when you are involuntarily bumped. Read More…

JetBlue Airways has one big bargaining chip that it can offer the U.S. Department of Justice in exchange for approval of its proposed merger with Spirit Airlines. That chip? Its alliance with American Airlines. The alliance card, which until now JetBlue executives have said is off the table, may need to be played following reports that the DOJ is preparing to sue to block the $3.8 billion JetBlue-Spirit merger. Because, frankly, it’s a good trump card to sway the firmly anti-consolidation, pro-competition regulator. Read More…

No matter how frequent a flier you are, chances are you’ve had your wings clipped by the COVID-19 pandemic. But just because you’re not earning or redeeming airline miles for flights right now doesn’t mean you won’t be back in the skies in the future. In the meantime, you can continue racking up rewards by using an airline credit card for everyday purchases, shopping through various airlines’ online portals, and other activities. When you’re ready to board again, here are 12 common mistakes to avoid. Read More…

It seems like every week, there is a new story about how Airbnb prices are getting out of control. But now, the proof is in the pudding. In an investor call last week, Airbnb’s chief financial officer, Dave Stephenson, revealed that the average price to rent an Airbnb has jumped by 36% since 2019. The company defended the rising prices and claims that Airbnbs offer more value to travelers than traditional hotel stays. While that could be true, it’s a way bigger jump than hotel brands are seeing. Read More…