Travel Tip: Aviation Consumer Protections
With the busy summer travel season approaching, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your rights as an air traveler. The Aviation Consumer Protection website provides detailed information on the protections available to you during air travel, covering areas like refunds, delays, cancellations, and more.
Key Areas of Protection
- Refunds
- Airlines must refund ticket costs in certain cases, such as flight cancellations or significant delays.
- Flight Delays and Cancellations
- When delays or cancellations are within the airline’s control, they are required to provide assistance and, in some cases, compensation.
- Bumping and Oversales
- Airlines must follow specific rules when overselling flights, including offering voluntary compensation for passengers who agree to take a later flight.
- Disability Accommodations
- Airlines must provide reasonable accommodations for passengers with disabilities and are prohibited from discrimination.
- Tarmac Delays
- Airlines have strict limits on how long they can keep passengers on the tarmac without deplaning.
- Baggage Handling
- Airlines are responsible for checked baggage and must compensate for lost, delayed, or damaged items.
- Discrimination Protections
- Airlines cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or ancestry.
- Additional Protections
- Consumer protections extend to ticket purchases, family seating, frequent flyer programs, charter flights, and privacy concerns.
For more details or to file a complaint, visit Aviation Consumer Protection. Stay informed and travel confidently this summer!
Trip Review: A Deer Valley Ski Adventure
This winter, the Silverstein family—three generations from Florida and North Carolina—gathered at Deer Valley for an unforgettable and annual ski vacation. The group of 10 with 6 adults and 4 children ages 1-6 faced a last-minute challenge when a water leak rendered their original Park City rental unusable. Thankfully, Villas of Distinction and their local rental company swiftly found a new home that met their needs: a spacious retreat in the exclusive Deer Crest Estates in nearby Deer Valley.
Nestled in a gated community, the new rental provided private ski-in/ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort’s slopes, stunning views, and proximity to Main Street. The spacious home featured a hot tub, personal theater, and game room—perfect for unwinding after a day on the slopes. While the property showed minor wear, it offered ample space for everyone to relax and enjoy each other.
The trip focused on skiing, a highlight for the younger generation and excellent ski conditions for the more seasoned adult skiers. The family’s school-aged children, ages 5 and 6, loved their ski school experience so much they were in tears when it was time to leave—a sure sign of a successful adventure and newly honed skills for future trips.
To make the trip more seamless, the family rented SUVs on arrival; so they could easily get around town for dining and visiting an indoor play area with all the children one day. They also relied on Baby Quip rentals to ensure their youngest members had everything they needed. Meanwhile, Ski Butlers provided convenient ski rental delivery, streamlining the preparation for their days on the slopes.
The Silverstein’s Deer Valley getaway showcased the magic of a well-coordinated family vacation, complete with unforgettable memories across generations.
Trip Review: Festive Europe
The Boghosian Family of Swarthmore, PA enjoyed an enchanting winter getaway filled with German and Austrian holiday traditions. Their six-night journey included stops in Munich and Salzburg, with two adults and two children, aged 12 and 15, in tow.
The adventure began with a three-night stay at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich. This historic luxury hotel, established in 1858 and located on the prestigious Maximilianstrasse, offered the family premier accommodations with Virtuoso benefits. They found the rooms impeccably clean, comfortable, and quiet, and especially appreciated unwinding with drinks in the elegant lobby lounge after their daily explorations. Munich’s highlights included breathtaking views from St. Peter’s Church, the grandeur of Nymphenburg Palace, and the enchanting Christmas markets, especially those at Marienplatz and the Munich Residenz.
From Munich, they took a brief two-hour train ride to Salzburg, where they stayed for three nights at the IMLAUER Hotel Pitter. This deluxe, family-owned property, situated across from Mirabell Palace & Gardens, has been welcoming guests since 1864 and recently underwent renovations. The Boghosians stayed in two classic rooms with breakfast included, enjoying the hotel’s central location and modern amenities.
Their Salzburg experience kicked off with a magical Christmas classical music concert and dinner at the historic Fortress Hohensalzburg, a 900-year-old venue accessed by funicular. The family raved about the talented musicians and the delightful dinner, although they noted the lack of ventilation in the concert hall as a slight drawback during peak cold and flu season.
The festive charm of Salzburg captivated them as they explored the bustling Christmas markets on December 24 and 25, complete with pop-up choral performances near the cathedral. Christmas Eve dinner at Pitter Keller impressed them with its delicious cuisine and excellent service. Another highlight was the Hellbrunn Palace Market, which transformed the palace courtyard into a fairy-tale setting adorned with 400 conifers, 13,000 red ornaments, and twinkling lights. The family found this market particularly enchanting. Throughout their trip, they indulged in an array of German delicacies and dined at some exceptional restaurants, with the vibrant atmosphere of the Christmas markets and the stunningly decorated cathedrals standing out as trip highlights. A train back through Munich afforded a non-stop flight home.
Travel Tip: Eurostar VIP Services
Well’Com is a new and premium service designed to elevate your Eurostar train travel experience with VIP Meet & Greet, Luggage Porter services, and private transfers. Available in Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Brussels, this service lets you select any or all options for a stress-free journey.
For departures, a Well’Com team member will meet you curbside to assist with luggage, guide you through check-in, immigration, and security, and escort you to the lounge and from there to the train.
For arrivals, a dedicated greeter will meet you at the train door, handle your luggage, and ensure a smooth transition to your private driver.
Book both departure and arrival VIP services to enjoy an exclusive discount, making seamless travel even more rewarding.
Trip Review: A Galapagos Holiday
The Phillips family from Bethesda, MD—parents and their two children, ages 15 and 13—recently returned from a dream winter vacation to the Galápagos Islands. Their adventure began in Quito, Ecuador, where they spent two nights unwinding at the JW Marriott Hotel. Due to Quito’s high elevation, mom needed oxygen, but it was easily provided.
Next, the family flew to San Cristóbal in the Galápagos and boarded the luxurious Silversea Origin for a round-trip expedition to 12 stunning destinations. The journey offered a variety of experiences, from discovering incredible wildlife to soaking in the islands’ natural beauty. Although mom wasn’t initially keen on cruising, she was pleasantly surprised by Silversea’s outstanding service. Her seasickness patch also came in handy when the seas got a little rough.
The highlight of their trip was the chance to interact with wildlife, including sea turtles, manta rays, stingrays, penguins, and sea lions. Exploring the islands with a naturalist made learning about the Galápagos’ history and ecosystem both educational and enjoyable for everyone in the family. They had a blast with activities like zodiac cruises, hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling at every stop.
Their connecting balcony cabins included butler service, providing comfort and convenience throughout the trip. The Phillips family particularly appreciated the quality and variety of the food, and this holiday sailing was filled with other families on board. They were especially impressed by the Ecuadorian staff, whose pride in their country and commitment to environmental conservation were evident in every interaction.
This unforgettable adventure, planned nearly two years in advance to secure the best cabins and pricing, left the Phillips family with lasting memories they’ll cherish forever.
Travel Tip: Real ID Alert!
The REAL ID enforcement date is May 7, 2025! This means that starting on this date, a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will be required to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.
What does this mean for me?
- If you don’t have a REAL ID by May 7, 2025, you may experience delays when flying.
- You can apply for a REAL ID in person at your state’s DMV.
- You can use an interactive tool to check if you’re REAL ID ready: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
- You can check if your driver’s license or ID has a star (and/or flag) or says “Enhanced”.
- If you’re not sure if your card is REAL ID compliant, contact your state driver’s license agency.
What are acceptable forms of identification? A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, A state-issued identification card, A U.S. passport, A state-issued enhanced driver’s license, and A passport card.
Trip Review: A Southern Africa Adventure
The Kaplan family (parents and college aged children), from outside Philadelphia, embarked on a 13-night Southern African adventure over winter break. Their journey began in Cape Town, an ideal spot to unwind after the long flight. For four nights, they stayed at the Table Bay Hotel on the vibrant Victoria & Albert Waterfront, a convenient location especially for nightly dinners. During their stay, they enjoyed a half-day private city tour that showcased Cape Town’s highlights, diverse neighborhoods, and breathtaking views from Table Mountain via the Aerial Cableway. The next day, they embarked on a full-day private tour to Cape Point, visiting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, the Cape Point Nature Reserve, and charming towns along the route. They also ferried to Robben Island to learn about Nelson Mandela’s inspiring story and struggles.
From Cape Town, the Kaplans flew to Hoedspruit, transferring to the luxurious Ngala Tented Camp, a private safari retreat near Kruger National Park overlooking the Timbavati Riverbed. During their three-night stay, they enjoyed multiple game drives and were thrilled by the abundance of wildlife. Next, they flew from Kruger Airport to Victoria Falls for a three-night stay at the Old Drift Lodge on the Zimbabwe side of the falls. Their time here included a guided tour of the iconic falls, thrilling game drives, zip lining and a peaceful sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
The final leg of their journey brought the Kaplans to Botswana, offering a starkly different landscape and environment. A charter plane from Kasane brought them to Gomoti Plains Camp in the Okavango Delta for a three-night stay. Here, they experienced unforgettable game drives and explored the delta’s waterways by mokoro canoe.
At both camps. the family was awestruck by the stupendous animal sightings, including all of the Big Five, countless other species, and even some elusive animals. Both private, tented camps impressed the Kaplans with their exceptional food, hospitality, and top-notch accommodations. They were especially touched by the warmth and graciousness of the local staff and guides, who eagerly shared their culture, natural environment, and deep pride for their countries. The Kaplan family declared everything about their trip to be perfect and cannot wait to return to Africa!
Travel Trip: Family Treasure Hunt
Before your next family trip, create a simple treasure hunt list tailored to your destination for a fun way to explore a new destination. Include items like “Find a street performer,” “Try a local snack,” or “Spot a unique souvenir.” Your children and grandchildren will love the sense of adventure, and it keeps them engaged while exploring. Bonus: it’s a great way for the whole family to connect with the culture and environment of the place you’re visiting!
Trip Review: Southern France Soujourn
Lauren and her daughter Anna explored Southern France over the recent winter festive period. We began our adventure in the stunning Côte d’Azur, staying at the charming 1932 Hotel & Spa Cap d’Antibes, a boutique MGallery property in Juan les Pins. Our junior suite came with a delightful balcony, and we loved the breathtaking mountain-to-sea views from the rooftop terrace. We enjoyed our leisurely 30-minute walk to Antibes, where we immersed ourselves in the festive Christmas markets, soaking in the holiday atmosphere.
From Antibes, we traveled by train to Arles, spending a night at the Jules César Arles Hotel & Spa, another MGallery property. We were captivated by the city’s incredible Roman ruins and the rich artistic history of Vincent van Gogh. The narrow, winding streets seemed to tell stories at every turn. Our real adventure began when we boarded the AMA Kristina for a seven-night river cruise along the Rhône, sailing north from Arles to Lyon. We made a smart choice by upgrading to two connecting balcony cabins, which gave us extra space and flexibility. The ship was totally decked out for the holidays, creating a very festive atmosphere.
The cruise was a winter wonderland of experiences with glorious sunshine for most of the sailing. In Avignon, we explored the Palace of the Popes on our own and wandered through vibrant street markets, food halls, shops and ate some crepes. A particularly memorable cruise excursion took us to the fairytale-like town of Les Baux and the charming village of St. Remy. Each additional stop offered something unique – from exploring the walled town of Viviers to a delightful wine and chocolate tasting in Tournon. On a chilly and cloudy day in Vienne, we stayed on board and enjoyed a cozy day watching movies and taking a fitness class.
Our journey along the Rhone and its many locks reached its pinnacle in Lyon, where we hiked up to the spectacular Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviere. It was a spectacular site inside and out, and the city views were expansive. We couldn’t resist shopping at the famous French pharmacies, marveling at their incredible selection of natural products. The AMA cruise was excellent – the staff incredibly welcoming, and our final evening at the Chef’s Table was a culinary highlight. We met many friendly fellow travelers, from families to solo adventurers, all enjoying the holiday season in their own special way. AMA offered an varied selection of excursions to fit every passenger’s needs.
Lauren trained up to Paris to fly home while Anna was able to take a short flight from Lyon back to her home in Prague. Overall, a magical way to spend the holidays!
Travel Tip: Gift Card Exchange
Unused gift cards abound. United now lets you convert those cards into frequent flyer miles with their MileagePlus Gift Card Exchange Program. Just visit the airline’s website’s “trade gift card” section to initiate the exchange process. For every $25 in gift card value, members receive 670 United MileagePlus miles. The process is entirely digital, eliminating the need to mail physical gift cards. Just select the merchant’s name from a list of participating retailers and enter the card’s balance. The system then presents an offer detailing the miles available in exchange for the card’s value. Once accepted, the transaction is typically processed immediately, though some may take up to five business days to complete. There are no exchange limits, you can trade an unlimited number of gift cards although it is still important to evaluate the exchange rate. Depending on the gift card’s value, it might be more cost-effective to use it for its original purpose or sell it through other platforms.
