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TA Assist

Elevate Your Travel Business: 

Operational excellence with ta assist.

About Our Business

Welcome to TA Assist, your dedicated partner for travel agency success. Founded by travel industry veterans April Botta and Lynne Macolini, TA Assist is committed to empowering travel agents and agencies for sustained growth.

Our suite of innovative programs fosters business development, provides specialized training, crafts effective marketing plans, and enhances operations. Collaboration is central to our philosophy, and our proven programs aim to propel your travel business forward.

April and Lynne, with over 18 years of advisory experience and 50+ years of combined expertise, bring a wealth of knowledge. Our Travel Advisor Training program, initiated in 2016, has trained over 120 advisors and is now offered to other agencies with a non-branded, generic approach.

At TA Assist, integrity, honesty, and ethics are our cornerstones. We maintain transparency and trust by keeping a clear separation between our travel agency and TA Assist’s services.

Join TA Assist on the path to success, where collaboration and proven strategies converge to elevate your travel business. Your Partner in Travel Agency Operations Excellence.

Travel Advisor  Industry Training  

Discover the essentials of the travel agency business at your own pace.

Our self-paced courses feature knowledge checks and supplementary materials relevant to each course topic, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Explore topics such as business fundamentals, client qualification, effective business building, marketing strategies, and more.

For agency owners, track your team's training progress with detailed reports. Elevate your travel agency operations with our industry-leading virtual learning platform.  

Travel Advisor & Travel Agency Owner Business Coaching

Collaborate with us to pinpoint your business needs through a thorough consultation process.

Together, we establish clear business goals and engage in brainstorming sessions to craft a strategic business plan tailored to achieve those objectives.

As your dedicated accountability partner, we provide ongoing support and guidance, ensuring the effective implementation and success of your business plan. Partner with us to elevate your business to new heights through strategic planning and unwavering support.  

Travel Leaders Network Profiler/Profiler+ Coaching  

Let us optimize your Travel Leaders Network Profiler and Profiler+ pages for enhanced online visibility. In a two-hour Zoom session, we guide you step-by-step in setting up your Profiler, offering tips for a compelling basic bio. Upon completion, your foundational Profiler will be ready.

For Profiler+, invest an extra two hours as we assist in crafting impactful components: Additional Bios, Experiential Posts, Photo Albums, Videos, Map, and Itineraries. Gain insights on becoming a Travel Leaders Network Super Agent and elevate your online presence.  

Client Testimonial:

"I was so thrilled and blessed to find all of the wonderful programs there are for travel advisors and agency owners with TA Assist. Lynne and April's platforms are wonderful, filled industry knowledge and were so helpful for me and my team. I encourage any owner to review all of their products. I have no time to build platforms as these, they all have saved so much time, money and energy! Thank you for everything!" - Kim A

• I never have to price. I immediately get the lowest pricing.
• I receive commission on all Cruises, Resorts, Rental Cars, Travel Ins. & more.
• I have control of my reservation. I never pay agency fees for changes etc.
• I am part of an incredible travel community that inspires me every day.
• I love helping others making their travel dreams come true.

Voted as Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean's Travel Agency of the Year, TA4Life is the fastest growing community-based travel group in the nation. As a member, you can plan and book travel for yourself, family, friends, and groups. You instantly get the lowest agency pricing, promotions and benefits. You also receive the commission on everything you book. It's as easy as booking on Expedia and benefits last forever.

After only three months, I booked my annual Church Retreat cruise and Family Reunion cruise. I have already made $22,000 and sailed for free. I am so happy I found this TA4Life Agents community of agents. They are so supportive and nice.

The commission structure is based on a trip base cost of $3000 and a commission rate of 18%

The full amount of commission earned by each level of agent

A group of 5 cruise cabins would earn commission of

Wellbeing, comfort, and unforgettable moments

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Business Development Managers

For sales-focused requests or queries outside of customer service or transient reservation requests that should be directed to Hilton's Travel Advisor Helpdesk, please contact the US based agencies Business Development Manager assigned to your region. This team is here to help you with corporate and leisure sales leads, meetings and events leads, agency visit requests, virtual education opportunities and more. Click the BDM's name in your region to contact them via email.

Lurdes Munoz

Western Region

Northeast Region

Ariell Marsh

Southeast Region

Lastenia Suarez

Midwest Region

Nicole Champion

Southwest Region

Commission inquiries

Submit an online inquiry

Email [email protected]

Call +1-800-873-1215 7am to 4pm EST, M-F

Outside the U.S.A. call +1-703-480-6916

Fax your inquiry to +1-703-480-6917

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Unlimited Rewards® inquiries

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Visit Unlimited Rewards website

General inquiries and reservation assistance

Reservation assistance

TravelAgents.com

Contact us at 1-800-HILTONS , or through the online form from within the U.S. and Canada

Outside the U.S. call 00-1-800-774-1500

Your call will be charged at international direct dial rates

Meetings and Groups

Call Hilton Direct at +1-800-321-3232 from within the U.S. and Canada, or contact your regional Hilton Direct office or Hilton Sales Worldwide office

Leisure/Tour Group Assistance

Leisure Group Requests and tour series of 10 or more rooms

Email our National Sales team at [email protected]

Call +1-800-426-1982

Price match guarantee

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To follow up on a previously submitted claim, please call 1-800-HILTONS and ask for Guest Assistance

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International inquiries

UK Travel Agencies

For information on the Self-Billing Agreement, click here .

All other questions

Call +1-800-626-6700 from within the U.S. and Canada

Outside the U.S. call +44 08457220055

Waldorf Astoria

Offers unforgettable experiences at iconic destinations around the world.

LXR Hotels & Resorts

A luxury collection of distinctive hotels and resorts offering singular service and local experiences.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Offers smart luxury travelers inspiring connections and intuitive service in a world of style.

Signia by Hilton

World-class hotels offering a vibrant atmosphere, exceptional events and personalized service tailored to the needs of today’s sophisticated traveler.

Canopy by Hilton

Energizing neighborhood hotels with thoughtful extras, creating a positive stay.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

The global leader in hospitality.

Curio Collection by Hilton

A collection of unique hotels, each with its own history and character in cities across the globe.

DoubleTree by Hilton

Warm. Comfortable. Friendly. Providing true upscale comfort to today's business and leisure travelers.

Tapestry by Hilton

Weaving an independent, original spirit into every stay, with Hilton reliability.

Embassy Suites by Hilton

Relaxed, upscale environment with all-suite locations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

Tempo by Hilton

An approachable lifestyle hotel that is thoughtfully designed, uplifting, and within reach

Motto by Hilton

Motto offers a micro-hotel with an urban vibe in prime global locations.

Hilton Garden Inn

Hilton Garden Inn is the laid-back sophisticated brand offering heartfelt service and award-winning amenities.

Hampton by Hilton

From the signature bed to friendly service, every moment is crafted to bring a smile to our guest's face.

Tru by Hilton

A game-changing brand that's simplified, spirited, and grounded in value for guests with a zest for life.

Spark by Hilton

Practically inspired. Simply delightful. A budget-friendly stay offering the best of everything you need, done just the way you want.

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Whether you stay 2 nights or 2 weeks, Homewood Suites delivers the comforts of home with the added conveniences of a hotel.

Home2 Suites by Hilton

Offering flexible room configurations and inspired amenities for our guests.

Hilton Grand Vacations

Offering spacious studios to multi-bedroom suites in the most celebrated vacation destinations

• Solutions Crews Passengers Airline Operations

Solutions that transform aviation operations

You focus on flight. We'll streamline the rest.

Speak to a solutions expert

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Digital. Mobile. Smart. Connected.

TA Connections offers end-to-end solutions for airline operations. We understand the different needs of our clients around the world, whether it’s managing disrupted passengers, monitoring and organizing aircraft turnover and ramp operations, or fully automating crew layover management to improve efficiency.

End-to-end automation of the crew layover process, providing cost-saving hotel and transport bookings.

A proactive disruption system managing flight rebookings, hotels, meals, compensation, and transportation.

Transform passenger service and grow ancillary revenue with a connected, mobile airport operation center.

Improve safety, save time, and reduce costs with digital baggage reconciliation integrated with the aircraft.

A digital cabin experience that can improve cabin crew productivity, personalize your passenger experience, and increase ancillary revenue.

Delivering digital invoicing and payment solutions with compliance and discrepancy auditing for billing accuracy.

So what can TA Connections do for you?

We have a full suite of end-to-end solutions for airlines that control costs, simplify operations, improve customer loyalty, and can even increase revenue. Get Connected with us today.

Intelligent Applications

Cutting-edge solutions for crew logistics management.

TA Connections provides our team members with a better travel experience.

TA Connections' data analytics capabilities support our growth.

The TA Connections Difference

As the world’s leading travel management partner, we offer the industry’s largest travel database for unmatched access to travel inventory—options that meet your rigorous specifications, at deeply discounted savings.

Benefit from the stability and support of a large and growing enterprise who is focused on investing in your business.

Our advanced, end-to-end application portfolio is built to match client’s exact specifications.

We have improved sourcing leverage for our clients with combined hotel room nights now over 34M booked per year.

Our talent pool is the deepest and richest in the industry drawing on aviation, hospitality and technology.

Gain access to an advanced, streamlined payments system through integration with existing Corpay payment technology.

Our process automation solutions are 15-25% less than what companies spend today, with no fee to airlines.

Our Partnerships

Over 160 airlines rely on TA Connections TA Connections partners with more than 160 aviation companies and hundreds of thousands of hotels worldwide to connect global airline crews, scheduled and IROP pilots and cabin crews, and disrupted passengers with end-to-end turnkey solutions and support.

News & Resources

The U.S. has Announced New Rules for Airline Passengers When Flights are Delayed or Canceled

Spirit Airlines Optimizes Baggage Operations and Reduces Costs with TA Ramp

Join TA Connections at Aviation Festival Americas 2024

Ta connections streamlines operations for airlines and travelers globally..

Data, analytics, business intelligence, and machine learning-guided insights

Seamless integration with crew scheduling and communication systems

Industry-leading crew hotel accommodations and transportation services

TA Albuquerque #0081

• Store Details
• Food & Amenities

Truck Service

Address: 2501 University Blvd., NE Albuquerque, NM 87107

Highway: I-40, Exit 159A,D/I-25,Exit 225(Nthbnd):Exit 227(Sthbnd)

Truck Service: 505-859-7887

Emergency Roadside Assistance: 800-824-SHOP

Fax: 505-881-0245

Phone: 505-884-1066

Current Fuel Prices

Country Pride

Country Pride Restaurants were founded in the heart of the Midwest with folks like you in mind. With over 100 locations coast to coast, we are proud to bring you home made flavors from across America. Stop in and enjoy a vast selection of comfort foods that are Homemade in the USA!

• STAYFIT Basketball Hoop
• STAYFIT Fitness Room
• Barber Shop
• Driver Lounge
• Interstate Speedzone WiFi
• Laundry Room
• Ministry Services
• Permit Services
• RFID Pump Start
• Transflo Express Scanning
• Western Union
• Travel Store

Recent Blog Posts

View All Blog Posts

Avoid Downtime

with a FREE Mid-Trip Inspection

With International Roadcheck quickly approaching, TA Truck Service is offering a FREE mid-trip inspection from April 1-May 13!

Apr 01, 2024

Earning Top-Tier UltraONE Rewards Just Got Easier

A new and improved UltraONE loyalty program is here! With new gallon-per-gear guidelines and a streamlined gear structure, it’s now even easier for you to earn and redeem rewards on the road.

Feb 01, 2024

Enhance Life on the Road With Loyalty Rewards

Jan 05, 2024

Truck Repair & Maintenance

Having the most complete Truck Service Centers means you can count on nearly 3,000 highly skilled technicians coast to coast with ASE and TIA certifications who truly care about the performance of your truck.

TruckSmart App

The newly enhanced TruckSmart app is designed to make life on the road easier. Search for TA, Petro and TA Express locations based on your needs - food, truck services, parking and so much more.

In-bay Service Hours: Mon-Sun: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Truck Service Bays: 3

Phone: 505-859-7887

Call Emergency Roadside Assistance

Truck Service Amenities

• Engine Diagnostics
• Expert Truck Alignments
• Oil Changes
• Other Lube Services
• Preventative Maintenance
• Refrigerated Trailer Maintenance
• Standard Services
• Tire Services
• DOT Inspections
• Electric Svc
• NG Certified Truck Service
• On-SITE Techs - Select Services
• Roadside Breakdown Solutions
• Tire Chains (Seasonal)
• Handicapped Parking
• Reserve-It Parking

About TA Albuquerque

Make TA Albuquerque in Albuquerque, NM on I-40, Exit 159A,D/I-25,Exit 225(Nthbnd):Exit 227(Sthbnd) a part of your route. We’re ready to fuel your trip with Phillips gas or diesel 24/7. Refresh after a long day on the road in our sparkling clean restrooms or use our laundry and shower facilities. Satisfy your cravings with our wide range of food, snack, and drink options! Professional truck drivers can park with us overnight in one of our 150 truck parking spaces and take advantage of our numerous amenities. Don’t forget to stock up on one of our food, snack, and drink options at our travel store or restaurant before returning to the road.

Find more locations near you

Expedia TAAP is the leading booking platform for travel agencies. Join thousands of your fellow travel agents worldwide to earn commissions, create memorable trips for travelers and grow your business.

Welcome to expedia taap, boost your travel business with expedia taap.

Access the world’s largest travel inventory

Tailor traveler experiences with our vast partner network in 200+ countries.

Maximize earnings with attractive commissions

Earn commission on total booking value inclusive of taxes and fees.

Exclusive rates for travel advisors

Offer travelers package rates at 350,000+ properties with an average 20% off consumer rates.

Simple-to-use tools that put you in control

A world-class booking experience, efficient support and marketing materials to grow your business. 

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

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1 Room : 1 Adult , /Room 0 Children /Room

(Age-based rates may be available)

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Marriott continues to invest in enhancements to our dedicated Travel Agents' website to better serve you. New features are now available on our Commission Portal , designed to make doing business with Marriott easier:

• Enhanced commissions research with new online inquiry submission tools: Search for specific commissions and submit individual commission inquiries online. If you have >50 inquiries, you can upload a spreadsheet to simplify the inquiry process.
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Firebird Travel

RUSSIA TRAVEL HOME

Thank you for your enquiry.

RUSSIA TRAVEL PACKAGES A selection of Russian tours to take as they are or adjust to your needs.

THE GOLDEN RING Visit the heart of ancient Russia. What is the Golden Ring?

MOSCOW TOURS What you can see in Moscow.

MOSCOW DAY TRIPS Get out of Moscow and take a relaxing trip to some of these places

ST. PETERSBURG Some of the sights to see in Petersburg

LAKE BAIKAL TOURS Hiking and trekking around the world's deepest lake in the heart of Siberia

RUSSIAN DIGS Come and work in the field on a Russian Archaeological dig. Full training given on site.

TRAVEL TIPS & SERVICES Getting around in Russia

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”  

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes. 

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.  
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.  
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.  

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.    
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease. 

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .