I love to travel.  There’s nothing more exciting than planning and enjoying a trip to a new (or favorite) destination.  Whether it’s the anticipation of a new locale, the excitement of the journey, or the splurge of staying in a fancy hotel, travel makes life exciting and gets us out of our comfort zones.

That’s why there’s nothing worse than when the best laid plans are ruined by a bad travel experience.  Let’s be honest – sometimes bad things happen that can’t be anticipated or avoided (like bad weather canceling a flight), but some things are the direct result of corporate greed and the travel industry’s insistence on attempting to turn travelers upside down and shake them until all of the money falls out of their pockets.

Listed below are some common issues with travel caused directly by providers’ attempts to simply make more money (via booking, fees, or cost cutting measures).  Common sense would dictate that all of these indiscretions are unnecessary and stupid, yet we – as customers – continue to put up with them.

 

Overselling of Airline Flights

Honestly airlines, why are you still even doing this?  If the plane holds 180 passengers, why on earth would you sell 195 seats? It’s simple math (although it might pass for a Common Core test question).  The airline industry (and other travel entities such as hotels) will tell you that there are complex mathematical formulas to help them determine how many people will actually show up for any given flight, and that they are just maximizing their revenue (based upon statistical probability), but in the end – isn’t it just “let’s take a chance and try to make $4000 extra on this flight if we can swing it?”  This is why it’s also good to arrive at the airport early and get checked in well before departure time.  You may think you’re putting one over on everyone else by arriving just in time for your flight, but guess who’s gonna get bumped if no one will take whatever sweet deal the airline is offering to give up their seat (like on a Thanksgiving flight?)  That’s right, Mister/Miss “Last to Check-In” – it’s you.

 

The Hotel Room Mini-Bar

Yes, I know it’s tempting.  That tiny fridge in your hotel room, stocked with all of those tasty treats and beverages.  Just one Coke won’t hurt, right?  Wrong.  There’s no bigger rip-off in the travel industry than the hotel mini-bar.  Just check out this chart below, which shows the average mark-up on common mini-bar items:

Make note that this is just the “average” mark-up.  It’s as if the Mafia got out of gambling, prostitution, and drugs and into the snack food business.  If given the option, I ask the front desk to not even give me the key to the darn thing (especially if the kids are along) – just to eliminate any temptation I might have of even looking in that Pandora’s box.

 

Luggage Charges

Hey, I’ve got some good news and bad news.  The good news is I snagged a $59 flight to Orlando from Hagerstown!  The bad news is it will cost my pants, shirts, and underwear $25 extra to go along with me.  Baggage fees have long been the scourge of the airline industry (Southwest being the notable exception – they still allow the first two checked bags for free), and in recent years – more and more airlines are implementing them.  To be fair, I understand this policy.  Look at some of the people standing next to you at the airport check-in.  It’s a week-long trip and they are carting seven large bags, a footlocker with broken hinges wrapped (poorly) in duct tape, golf clubs, an oak treasure chest, and an Egyptian sarcophagus (which they’ll probably try to jam in the overhead bins as a carry-on).  That being said, why do I have to be punished for bringing along just one bag?

 

Room Not Ready at Check-In Time

Look, I’ll abide by your hotel policy check-in rules.  If you say the room isn’t ready until 3:00 p.m., then you won’t see me until 3:00 p.m. (although I may call ahead to check – just in case).  Now, I’ve done my part, so don’t give me some song and dance about how my room “isn’t quite ready yet”, even though I actually waited until 4:00 p.m. before I even made an appearance.  I don’t want to hear about how it’s been a busy weekend, how you had a lot of check-outs this morning, or that you’ve been short-staffed in housekeeping for the past six months.  I’ve been on the road for ten hours (the last three were spent in stop and go traffic on I-95) and what I’d like to do now is lay down on a bed in my room and regain my sanity, thank you.  The only way you’ll make me happy now is to allow me to plunder the mini-bar for free (and I’ll empty that thing down to the shelving if you cut me loose on it).

 

Ordered Rental Car Not Available

I “reserve” a rental car in advance so that I will be assured of timely transportation when I reach my destination.  Per the rental car providers requirements (and price point, I might also add), I also chose the type of car I wanted – in advance.  This generates a list for the rental car company.  That means on a specific day of a specific month (an even at a specific time), said rental car company will require xxx amount of a particular make and model onsite.  That way there’s no confusion at the counter once I arrive.  I asked for a 4-door hatchback with A/C – I expect a 4-door hatchback with A/C.  Don’t smile at me now and apologize because you don’t have one.  As Jerry Seinfeld said on a classic TV episode “I don’t think you understand the concept of a reservation.  Taking reservations is easy.  Anyone can take them, but it’s the “holding” of the reservation that’s the important part.”  Uggh.

 

What are some of your travel gripes?  Let me know in the comment section below.