One of the consistent complaints against airlines are the fees they charge for checked baggage. According to a 2010 "Consumer Reports" survey, luggage charges was the issue that most annoyed air travelers. Travelers also complain about added fees, rude staff and not being able to reach a live customer service representative on the phone. Flight delays and the lack of information about what's causing the delays are other complaints, as are long security check-in lines and long waits to reclaim baggage.
Hotels are a key aspect of travel, and what frustrates travelers is arriving at a hotel only to find that the hotel has given their room to someone else or the hotel is overbooked and has no rooms available. Travelers also complain about dirty rooms with unwashed linen, the presence of bedbugs and unfriendly or unhelpful staff. Other complaints include noisy rooms, expensive phone charges and ineffective room service.
A major customer complaint against rental car companies is when those companies charge customers a gasoline surcharge, even when a car was returned with a full tank of gas per the rental agreement. Another complaint is that some rental car companies may charge customers fees for damages to the rental car that the customer may not have caused. The 2010 "Consumer Reports" survey also listed dirty cars and cars that were booked but are unavailable as additional concerns.
Customers who feel that airlines, hotels or rental car companies are engaged in unsafe or discriminatory practices can file complaints with several national agencies for investigation. The Federal Trade Commission collects complaints from consumers. The Federal Aviation Administration, which controls air traffic in the United States and enforces regulations, has established a toll-free number for consumers to call to report travel problems, concerns and complaints.
