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Senator Introduces Bill To Reveal Travel Add-Ons


We senior roamers are all too familiar with the rip-off practice. The ads tout hotel room rates at $99.99. Then, when you check out, the out-of-pocket price is actually up to $159.99. Of course, says the sneering-at-your-stupidity desk clerk, there’s the resort fee, wi-fi fee, turn-down fee, honor bar fee, state/city tax and several other add-ons you shoulda expected.

Maybe there will be some relief, or at least exposure to the rip-off tactics if Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill succeeds in getting a national bill passed. The proposed law is that all charges are stated up front when customers reserve rooms.

It may not lower the actual out-of-pocket cost, but at least you’ll know exactly what the room price is when booking. Now, if the good Senator can apply the law to airline add-ons and gas station signs, we senior travelers may benefit from something rare in the travel business: truth in advertising.

Beware: Robo Call Crooks Prey On Kindly Seniors PDF Print E-mail


Most seniors have heard the phone pitch, and the smartest just immediately hang up. If you keep listening, you may hear a live or recorded voice promising store discounts, free cruises, cheap resort stays and other enticing deals when you send money. Without exception, treat all the offers as phony.

The most persuasive ones use charity as their bait. Understand that even legit commercial call centers keep up to 80% of contributions. Also, once you send money to them, you’re put on a list sucker donors, and that info will be open to other phony sources. When you want to contribute to a charity, contact the official site directly. And if you want to travel for free, contact your nearest military recruiting office.

 
 
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