AARP Peter Greenberg Travel Articles

Peter Greenberg Archive

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Visiting Central America

Q: We recently retired, spent a couple of months in Florida, and recently returned from Hawaii. We do not like the heavy traffic in Florida, nor the 12 to 13 hours’ flying time to Hawaii. Where are Americans going in Central America or the Caribbean that is reasonably economical? We are looking for somewhere that is safe.

June 10, 2009

Peter Greenberg: A Misleading Travel Policy

My parents spent over $9,000 on a trip to Europe and also paid $1,000 for travel insurance. The company told them that even if they canceled, their full value would be protected if they bought the insurance. A few weeks before departure, my dad had a serious heart attack, which left him unable to take the trip then or any time after. When we tried to get a refund, the company provided a credit for a future trip. We offered medical documentation, but the company says the credit is all it's required to provide. Can my parents get their money back?

August 3, 2009

Peter Greenberg: Recovering a Cruise Deposit

I booked a cruise on Holland America through Expedia.com and put down a $600 deposit. HA's "rules and advisories," as posted on Expedia, state that customers can get a full refund if canceling 76 days before the cruise date. When I tried to cancel 85 days beforehand, I was told by HA that I wasn't entitled to a refund because the 76-day policy listed on Expedia was wrong. It should have said 120 days. How do I get my $600 deposit back?

August 4, 2009

Peter Greenberg: International Student Identification Cards

Peter, I'm taking my 15-year-old grandson to London in July. Should I get an international student identification card for him? If so, what is the process for obtaining one? –Diane, Salem, N.H.

August 5, 2009

Peter Greenberg: Is My Travel Agency Reputable?

Peter Greenberg answers a reader's question about the travel agency she is planning to use for her trip to China. The agency has an office in California and is listed as a corporation, but the Chamber of Commerce has no record of a travel agency or business with its name. Does she have a reason for concern? –Maxine, Laguna Woods, Calif.

August 18, 2009

Peter Greenberg: Home Exchanges

Q: I am considering participation in a home-exchange program using my second home to exchange. Have you heard of any pitfalls of such a program? Do you see this as a beneficial idea? What are the legal ramifications of participation? What if the people don't leave at the end of their time due to their choice? Or if someone became ill? Would the same legal-eviction procedures need to be followed? -Linda, Trinity, Fla. -Laverne, Palm Springs, Calif.

June 10, 2009

Peter Greenberg: Cheaper Family Reunion Travel

I am planning a family reunion near Glacier National Park, Mont., and have several relatives from Alabama and Georgia who are now unable to attend because of the high price of airline tickets to Kalispell, Mont. Do you have any suggestion about obtaining cheaper tickets? Perhaps a group rate or some other tactic to reduce the cost of this travel?

June 11, 2009

Peter Greenberg: Best Time to Buy

When is the best time to look for airline tickets, to get the best price to Orlando, Fla., for departure 12/20/08 and return 12/27/08? -Eileen, Orland Park, Ill.

June 11, 2009

Peter Greenberg: Avoiding Sticker Shock

We have a son who is working in Denmark (Aarhus). Last year we visited him in the Netherlands, and the euro conversion made our trip very expensive. What can we do in order to visit him without experiencing "sticker shock”? -Larry, East Northport, N.Y.

June 11, 2009