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Stephanie Patterson

Travel columnist

Stephanie is a travel columnist at Consumer Rescue. She has authored several books for corporate travelers (available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble) and also publishes an informative website with a focus on promoting smart and safe travel. When Stephanie is not here helping consumers, she's an interior designer who loves to think outside the norm!
Best hotel, how to shop for the best hotel guide

How to shop for the best hotel and avoid disappointment

Searching for the best hotel for your vacation can be challenging, with so many different properties and booking options. Choosing the wrong hotel or booking site can take your trip from one of excitement to a real disappointment. And if it’s a nonrefundable room, you’ll have to pay for that disappointment. 

Let’s keep that from happening.

Timeshare property, beach house, colorful tropical location.

Timeshares and travel vacation clubs: What to know before you join one

Buyer’s remorse. That describes too many consumers who get talked into spending thousands of dollars on a timeshare or travel vacation club, only to find that it is not right for them. They are now locked into a long-term commitment of ever-increasing fees and need help figuring out what to do.

This article will help you determine if a timeshare or travel vacation club is right for you and how to weigh the benefits and risks of membership. And if you are a timeshare owner wanting to get out of your contractual agreement, we have some suggestions.

Fraudulent companies targeting the timeshare resale market have multiplied over the last several years. We’ll help you recognize what is a scam and what is legitimate.

Canada has air passenger protection regulations to know about.

This is how Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations apply to you

Did you know that you can receive monetary compensation if your flight is delayed or canceled in Canada? The skies have recently become friendlier when flying to, from, or within Canada. The reason? The Air Passenger Protection Regulations. 

These regulations apply to all airlines operating into, out of, and through Canada, holding them accountable for flight disruptions. They are designed to soften the financial and mental hardship felt by passengers. The Air Passenger Protection Regulations are similar to the EU261 in the European Union. Here’s what you need to know.

The ultimate guide to TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR. Trusted traveler programs information.

TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR: Here’s everything you need to know

Whether a frequent or occasional traveler, you can benefit from expedited services that reduce your wait time at security or customs and immigration. There are three distinctly different programs that complement one another — Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR.

Here’s everything you need to know about these programs so you can decide which is right for you.

Lost luggage guide from Consumer Rescue

Lost luggage: What to do before and after an airline loses your bags

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), mishandled baggage rates increased by 0.21% from January 2019 to January 2022. The percentage of luggage lost or delayed in the first six months of 2022 was .6%. That equates to 1,443,306 bags on domestic flights.

The good news: Lost or delayed luggage comprises a small percentage of the sheer volume of luggage transported from one airport to another.

But if an airline has lost your luggage, it becomes personal. Here’s what you need to know to make the ordeal a little less painful.

Car rentals: Here is everything you need to know about renting a car.

Car rentals: Here’s everything you need to know to protect yourself

Regular readers of Consumer Rescue know that our advocacy team tackles many fiascos involving car rentals. From surprise damage charges to accusations of grand theft auto, we’ve seen it all. A significant proportion of these problems could have been avoided had the traveler taken a few precautionary steps – before driving away with the vehicle.

In an effort to make sure you don’t end up in our case files, here’s everything you need to know about renting a car.