CONSUMER TIPS:
RESOLVING YOUR TRAVEL COMPLAINTS
This page was last updated 5/97
TRAVEL PROMOTIONS
Travel scams may seem a lot like genuine air fare and vacation package bargains. Consumers who complain about travel promotions are often contacted by a telemarketing firm or by postcard and told that they have won a prize. Vacation certificates, vouchers, club memberships and two-for-one offers are common travel promotions that may be too good to be true. To prevent problems:
Sometimes problems occur even if you are careful. If you have a problem which involves:
In any case, complain to the National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) at 1-800-876-7060. The NFIC, a project of the National Consumers League, collects information and shares it with enforcement agencies. And send a copy of your complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, Correspondence Branch, Washington, DC 20580. They don't handle individual complaints, but your letter might alert them to abuses requiring action.
AIRLINE TRAVEL
Air fares are constantly changing and savvy consumers can find low fares. Remember to:
If you have a problem with an airline because...
CRUISE LINES
If you have a complaint about cruise line services, you may want to contact the Federal Maritime Commission. While the Commission can't require the cruise line to resolve your problem, they will try to help resolve the difficulty. Contact: Office of Informal Inquiries and Complaints, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20573 (202/523-5807).
Passengers with complaints about cruise ship or terminal safety should call the U.S. Coast Guard's consumer hotline at 1-800-368-5647 for information on where to file a complaint. Report unsanitary conditions on cruise ships to the U.S. Public Health Service, Vessel Sanitation Program, 1015 North America Way, Room 107, Miami, FL 33132
(305/536-4307).
RAIL TRAVEL
Complaints about railroad passenger service should be sent to Amtrak Customer Relations, Washington Union Station, 60 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20002 (202/906-2121).
Safety-related complaints should go to the Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety, Programs Division, 400 7th Street, S.W., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20590
(202/632-3310).
BUS TRAVEL
The Federal Highway Administration will handle complaints about interstate bus service. Complaints are handled by writing the Office of Motor Carriers, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, Attention: John F. Grimm. Greyhound Lines complaints are handled by contacting Greyhound Lines, Inc. P.O. Box 660362, Dallas, TX 75266-0362, (214/849-8000). Complaints about interstate service on other bus lines contact by writing the Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carriers, Section of Insurance, HMT-25, Room 4133, 1201 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20423.
If your problem with bus lines is safety related, report it to the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590 (202/366-1790).