[Travelandtourism] Another reason to use a real travel agent over one of those booking engines like Orbitz

[cheryl echevarria]

Orbitz fined for deceptive advertising

This was posted yesterday in Travel Weekly by Jerry Limone:

The Department of Transportation fined Orbitz $60,000 for what the department called "unfair and deceptive" advertising. 

For a period of time in early 2011, Orbitz's homepage displayed fare ads that did not provide any information on additional taxes and fees, as required by federal regulations, the DOT said in the consent order. 

When consumers clicked on the ad, they were taken to a landing page where the ads were again displayed, but consumers had to scroll to the bottom of the page to find an explanation of the nature and exact amounts of fees, the DOT claimed. 

Also, the DOT claimed Orbitz advertised fares that were no longer available; when website users selected a special fare on Orbitz's "Dynamo" page, they were taken to a landing page where a different fare was displayed. 

Orbitz admitted that its practices did not conform with the DOT's requirements, and agreed to the $60,000 penalty.

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As travel agents, we put our necks on the line.  We deal directly with the suppliers such as cruise lines, all inclusive resorts, disney, escort and not escorted tour operators, car rental companies, etc.

So when we offer something it has to be legit.

I am a home based agency, that has her own website, please do not get this confused with a booking engine.

Also, 9 out of 10 times, when you can the help desk at these companies, you are dealing with someone who isn't even a travel professional. They are just the person at the end of the phone read a script or some thing, beware!!!
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com<http://www.superiortravel.com/>