Travel: Delayed, Damaged, or Lost Bags

Travel -Delayed, Damaged, or Lost Bags
Delayed or Damaged Bags
If your bags aren't on the conveyor belt when you arrive, file a report with the airline before you leave the airport.
***Insist that they fill out a form and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be on the next flight.

***Get the name of the person who filled out the form and a phone number for follow up.
***Confirm that the airline will deliver the bag to you without charge when it's found. Some airlines will give you money to purchase a few necessities. If they don't provide you with cash, ask what types of articles would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts.
If a suitcase arrives damaged, the airline will usually pay for repairs. If an item can't be fixed, they will negotiate to pay you its depreciated value. The same is true for belongings packed inside. Of course, airlines may refuse to pay for damage if it was caused by your failure to pack something properly rather than the airline's handling.
Lost Bags
If your bag is declared officially lost, you will have to submit a second, more detailed form within a time period set by the airline. The information on the form is used to estimate the value of your lost belongings. Airlines can limit their liability for delayed, lost and damaged baggage, however, they must prominently display a sign that explains the limit. Generally, the maximum an airline pays on lost bags and their contents is limited to $2,800 per passenger on domestic flights, and $1,000 per passenger for checked baggage on international flights.
If the airline's offer doesn't fully cover your loss, check your homeowner's or renter's insurance to see if it covers losses away from home. Some credit card companies and travel agencies also offer optional or even automatic supplemental baggage coverage.
On those trips when you know you're carrying more than the liability limits, you may want to ask about purchasing "excess valuation" from the airline when you check in. Of course, there is no guarantee the airline will sell you this protection. The airline may refuse, especially if the item is valuable or breakable.
Protect Your Valuables
The only way to be sure your valuable possessions are not damaged or lost is to carry them onboard and keep them with you. Items you should plan to pack in your carry-on luggage include:
***Small valuables (such as cash, credit cards, jewelry, cameras, personal computers)
***Critical items (medicine, keys, passport, business papers)
***Irreplaceable items (manuscripts, heirlooms)
***Fragile items (eyeglasses, glass containers)
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Travel: Delayed, Cancelled, or Overbooked Flights

Travel -Delayed, Cancelled, or Overbooked Flights
Delayed and Cancelled Flights
Airline delays caused by bad weather, traffic control problems, and mechanical repairs are hard to predict. If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on the earliest flight possible to your destination, at no additional charge. If you're able to find a flight on another airline, ask the first airline to endorse your ticket to the new carrier. This could save you a fare increase, but there is no rule requiring them to do this.
Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers; there are no federal requirements. If your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the airline if it will pay for meals or a phone call. Contrary to what many people believe, airlines are not required to do so.
Be Wise While You Wait
While waiting for your flight, remember to follow these important recommendations:
***Watch your luggage and belongings at all times
***Do NOT accept packages from strangers
***If you see unattended baggage or packages anywhere in the airport terminal or parking area, report them immediately to a security officer or authority
***Report any suspicious activities to airport security
***Do NOT joke about having a bomb or firearm
***Do NOT discuss terrorism, weapons, explosives or threats while going through the security checkpoint
Overbooked Flights
Selling more tickets than there are seats is not illegal. Most airlines overbook their flights to compensate for "no-shows." If there are more passengers than seats just before a plane is scheduled to depart, you could be "bumped" or left behind against your will. Whether you are bumped or not may depend on when you officially check-in for your flight, so try to arrive early. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to ask people to give up their seats voluntarily, in exchange for compensation. Airlines decide what to offer volunteers, such as money, a free trip, food or lodging.
Federal rules protect you if you are "bumped" on most flights within the United States and on outbound international flights. The airline must give you a written statement describing your rights, as well as the airline's boarding priority rules and criteria.
If the airline is not able to get you to your final destination within one hour of your original arrival time, you may be entitled to an on-the-spot payment as compensation. The amount depends on the price of the ticket and the length of the delay.
To receive this payment, you must have a confirmed reservation. You must also meet the airline's deadlines for ticketing and check-in. An airline may offer you a free ticket on a future flight in place of a check, but you have the right to insist on a check.
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Jokes : Miraculous

Husband - You always carry my photo in your handbag to the office. Why?
Wife - When there is a problem, no matter how impossible, I look at your picture and the problem disappears.
Husband - You see, how miraculous and powerful I am for you?
Wife - Yes, I see your picture and say to myself, "What other problems can there be greater than this one?"
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Travel: General Tips

Travel - General Tips
Whether reserving a hotel room, buying plane tickets or making other travel arrangements, these tips will help you get a deal that delivers what you are promised.
***Plan as far ahead as you can. Special deals on hotel rooms and airline seats often sell out very quickly.
***Be flexible in your travel plans. Hotels often offer better rates on days when they expect fewer people. After you get a fare quote from an airline, ask if you could save money by leaving a day earlier or later, by taking a different flight on the same day, or using a different airport. Changing planes during your trip is sometimes cheaper than a nonstop flight.
***Check out the seller. Ask tour operators and travel agents whether they belong to a professional association, then check to see if they are a member in good standing. Contact your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau to find their complaint history.
***Comparison shop. Determine the complete cost of the trip in dollars, including all service charges, taxes, processing fees, etc.
***Beware of unusually cheap prices and freebies. It could be a scam and you could end up paying more than the cost of a regular package tour.
***Make sure you understand the terms of the deal.. If you're told that you've won a free vacation, ask if you have to buy something else in order to get it. If the destination is a beach resort, ask the seller how far the hotel is from the beach. Then ask the hotel.
***Ask about cancellation policies. You may want to look into trip insurance for added protection. InsureMyTrip.com offers pricing and policy information on plans from different companies and describes the different forms of policies available.
***Insist on written confirmations. Ask for written proof of reservations and dates.
***Pay by credit card. It's not unusual to make a deposit or even pay in full for travel services before the trip. A credit card gives you the right to dispute charges for services that were misrepresented or never delivered. If a travel agent or service provider tells you that you can't leave for at least two months, be very cautious-the deadline for disputing a credit card charge is 60 days and most scam artists know this.
In some states, travel sellers have to be registered and insured. Advance payments for travel must be placed in an escrow account until the services are provided. Prizes or "free" gifts may also be regulated. Contact your state or local consumer protection agency to find out about your rights and how to file complaints. The American Society of Travel Agents will also help resolve disputes with member agents.
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Banking: Gift Cards

Banking - Gift Cards
Tips for Buying Gift Cards:
***Read the fine print before you buy. If you don't like the terms and conditions, buy elsewhere.
***Ask about expiration dates and fees. The information may appear on the card itself, the accompanying sleeve or envelope, or on the issuer's website or another custom website. If you don't see it, ask for it in writing. Give the information to the recipient to help protect the value of the card. It's also a good idea to give the recipient the original receipt to verify the card's purchase in case it is lost or stolen.
***Consider purchase fees. Is there a fee to buy or activate the card? If you buy the card online or on the phone, is there a fee for shipping and handling? Does expedited delivery cost more?
***Consider fees for the recipient. It might be embarrassing to give a $50 gift card to someone if the fees significantly reduce its value.
***Check where and how the card may be used. For example, can the card be used to get cash from ATMs? Can it be used at merchants outside the U.S.?
Tips for Using Gift Cards:
***Read the terms and conditions as soon as you get the card and check the expiration date.
***Record the card's ID number and the customer service telephone number, and keep the information in a safe place until you've spent all of the money on the card.
***If you didn't get the card's terms and conditions or original receipt, ask for them from the person who gave you the card.
***Take care to safeguard your card. If it is lost or stolen, report it to the customer service number immediately, supply the ID number, and request a replacement.
***Spend the value on your card before the maintenance fees start. If your card expires before you've had the chance to exhaust its value, contact the customer service number. It might be possible to extend the date, although you may be charged a fee.
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Banking: Prepaid Cards

Banking - Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards issued by banks and other government-regulated organizations are a new way for consumers to make payments and conduct other financial transactions. There are plenty of situations where a prepaid card might be the most convenient choice, but be sure you understand the key terms and conditions BEFORE you buy.
Ask these questions when you are considering a prepaid card:
***What are the possible fees associated with using the card?
***Where can the card be used (online, at ATMs, outside the U.S.)?
Reputable distributors of prepaid cards will give you the terms and conditions in writing or have them available on their website. If you don't understand how your card works, ask for help where you purchased it, from your employer (if it's a payroll card), or by contacting the customer service number on the card.
Payroll and General Purpose Spending Cards
Payroll and General Purpose Spending Cards can be very useful for those who want to budget their money and for those who don't have a checking account or credit card.
General Purpose Spending Cards, which may be purchased by consumers, typically charge a monthly maintenance fee and could charge additional fees for adding funds to the card and/or making purchases or getting cash.
Payroll Cards are similar to General Purpose Spending Cards except that they are provided by employers in place of paychecks. Payroll Cards typically allow a certain number of ATM withdrawals without charge to the cardholder and usually do not assess fees for purchases.
While the federal government does not guarantee the same protections for all prepaid cards, many "branded" cards voluntarily carry protections that are the same as credit and debit cards. Cards with a major credit card brand logo provide consumer protections, such as replacing lost or stolen cards and re-crediting money after unauthorized use of the card. To obtain these benefits, you must follow the instructions for registering and activating your card.
Be sure to record your card information, including the customer service telephone number on the back of the card, so you can get a replacement if yours is lost or stolen.
If you have a problem with a prepaid card, first contact the customer service number. If the problem still isn't resolved, you may want to file a complaint with the proper authorities:
***For cards issued by retailers, contact the FTC. You may also file a complaint with your local consumer protection office.
***For cards issued by national banks, contact the Comptroller of the Currency.
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