InfoAnda - Troubleshooter: Funny math on a vacation refund - Tips- msnbc.com

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Michael Jackson And Rihanna Sued By African Singer Over Song Rights | 4 February 2009
23,000 California nurses to go on strike Sept. 22 | 17 September 2011
Rate hikes could help battle bubbles: Fed chief | 4 January 2010

Illnesses Often Not Discovered Among The Uninsured | 20 October 2009

Troubleshooter: Funny math on a vacation refund - Tips- msnbc.comForum Views () Troubleshooter: Funny math on a vacation refund - Tips- msnbc.comForum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Troubleshooter: Funny math on a vacation refund - Tips- msnbc.com

Skip navigation MSN Home | Mail More Hotmail Messenger My MSN MSN Directory Air Tickets/Travel Autos Careers & Jobs City Guides Dating & Personals Food & Entertaining Games Green Living Health & Fitness Horoscopes Investing Lifestyle Maps & Directions Money Movies Music News Real Estate/Rentals Shopping Sports Tech & Gadgets TV Weather White Pages Yellow Pages Sign In msn.com featuring Today Show Nightly News Dateline Meet the Press MSNBC TV NBC Sports Travel Tips sponsored by Categories U.S. news World news Politics Business Sports Entertainment Health Tech & science Travel News Tips Destinations Deals Seasonal Cruising Active Family Business travel Luxury Travel photos Weather Local news Browse Video Photos Community Disable Fly-out Marketplace ShoppingGet a Holiday Deal Credit Score $0at CreditReport.com Start a businessEntrepreneur.com NetflixTry for Free Career Centervia Monster Homes for Salevia HomePages.com Investments $7 online stock trades Autosvia MSN Autos Funny math on my Mexico vacation refund Cancellation insurance should cover a change of plans, right? Not so fast Search Flights Round Trip One Way From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: Return: Adults: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cabin: Economy Business First Class From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: Adults: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cabin: Economy Business First Class From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: From: Include Nearby Airports To: Include Nearby Airports Leave: Add another flight Adults: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cabin: Economy Business First Class More Airfare Predictions and Deals Gorgeous fall foliageReaders capture the change of the seasons. True to their schoolReaders show school spirit, send in campus photos Related stories What’s this? Troubleshooter: Hey, where's my ride? Most popular • Most viewed • Top rated • Most e-mailed Woman returns $97,000 found in restroom Best PC games of 2008 Workers who staged sit-in at Chicago plant win Nagging wife, sausage help man win lottery Frugal farmer leaves $2 million to tiny church Most viewed on msnbc.com Amnesia victim who shed light on brain dies Heart attack patients get ‘big chill’ treatment Thousands gather on Pearl Harbor anniversary Detective: Teen was chained in fireplace Roman ‘factory town’ for oil lamps found Most viewed on msnbc.com Woman returns $97,000 found in restroom Not just your kids: Dogs can think ‘no fair’ too Nagging wife, sausage help man win lottery Workers who staged sit-in at Chicago plant win Rioting rocks Greece for 4th night Most viewed on msnbc.com travel troubleshooter By Christopher Elliott Travel columnist Tribune Media Services updated 2:42 p.m. ET Dec. 9, 2008 Christopher Elliott Travel columnist • Profile • E-mail Q: I'm at the end of my rope. I recently booked a trip to Mexico online through Apple Vacations for my wife, daughter, son-in-law and myself. As always, I also bought an insurance package. My daughter and son-in-law couldn't make it because of a new employment situation, so for the first time ever, I had to make a claim on our insurance. We were told by Apple that there were no penalties and to expect a travel voucher, minus the payment for insurance, within 10 days. But that didn't happen. It turns out the insurance only covered a small portion of our trip. What's more, only one room had been booked for our group when I made the reservation online. An agent I spoke with suggested the error was caused by Apple's Web site. Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here Apple's position is that since we booked a room for four people, the remaining couple's rate would have to be adjusted to a double rate. It also based its refund on the prevailing double rate at the time of cancellation. The bottom line to me is that Apple has refunded only $544 instead of the $1,286 I believe I'm entitled to. I feel like the little guy being taken advantage of by a large corporation. At this point I am about to give up. Can you help?— Donald Dinsmore, Boothwyn, Pa. A: Apple Vacations or its insurance company should have refunded your daughter and son-in-law's share of the trip at the time of the purchase. I can't think of any reason to recalculate the rate and offer a refund based on a new price. But in reviewing your letter and Apple's response (I'll get to that in a second) I'm left with a laundry list of errors on both sides. Let's start with Apple. When you bought your Mexico vacation, you should have been able to book the two rooms you wanted. When an Apple representative promised a refund within 10 days, you should have received one. The insurance you purchased through your online agency should have covered you for the full amount of the trip, if that's what it promised. You, on the other hand, should have reviewed your reservation immediately after you made it. Then you would have known about the room problem immediately. You should have read your insurance policy carefully, which would have indicated only part of your trip was covered. Past Travel Troubleshooter columns Spirit is gone — and so is my money Double-billed and no refund in sight Two hours late, charged for an extra day Is my lost ticket a lost cause? 2 bills, 1 collection agency — zero options Uh-oh, my anniversary cruise is sunk A ski vacation that was all downhill Hey Priceline, I want my taxes back! Insurance is extra on this ‘hot’ Mexican car A married name, a singular headache How could you have prevented this? Asking yourself “is this a good time for a vacation?” might have prompted you, your daughter and your son-in-law to reconsider the Mexico trip. I wouldn't plan a getaway if I anticipated a job change in the near future. Most employers take a dim view of new hires that take a vacation right after starting a job. Second, and more important, you should have written more letters and made fewer phone calls. In fact, you really only needed to make one call to Apple Vacation — to get the e-mail address of the appropriate customer service contact. That way, when you need to escalate your complaint, you can do it with a few keystrokes instead of spending half an hour talking with a customer service representative who is unfamiliar with your case. You bought an insurance policy through your online travel agent at the time you booked your vacation package. I might have shopped around a little. The first insurance offered by a travel agent isn't necessarily the best one, and any travel professional who advises you not to kick the proverbial tires on a few policies doesn't have your best interests in mind. I contacted Apple Vacations on your behalf. The company says it was already working on your refund request before my inquiry. It refunded an additional $742. Without going into specifics, a company representative told me there were “a few technicalities” with your case. I'll say. Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and the host of “What You Get For The Money: Vacations” on the Fine Living Network. E-mail him at . Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com 2009 will be year of the ‘naycation’ | DiscussForget your inhibitions: World's sexiest islandsCarriers cram to obey obesity ruling | DiscussHell on wheels: World's worst taxi ridesGood to go: Travel gifts for tight budgets © 2008 Christopher Elliott ... Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc. Discuss Story On Newsvine Rate Story:View popularLowHigh Email Instant Message Print MORE FROM TIPS Tips Section Front 9 reasons ’09 will be the year of the ‘naycation’ Funny math on a vacation refund The Obama effect: How travel will change Canadian carriers cram to obey obesity ruling Spirit is gone — and so is my money 9 ways to tell if your travel pro is crooked Global guide to tipping Must-pack items from real travelers Re-regulate the airlines? Heck, yes Strategies for booking hotels on a budget Tips Section Front Add Tips headlines to your news reader: Top msnbc.com stories Detroit casts cloud over factory jobs Feds: Ill. governor on 'crime spree' A cosmetic lift for your funeral? Workers in sit-in at Ill. factory win Mexico City police commander killed NBC News highlights Layoffs land some in second career Life after 'Tonight Show' for Leno Family begs for missing girl’s return Rioters continue rampage in Greece Maddow: Ron Howard on 'Frost/Nixon' Resource guide Get Your 2008 Credit Score Find a business to start Try for Free Search Jobs Find Your Dream Home

Other News on Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Chabad to rebuild Mumbai Jewish Center
China detains prominent dissident ahead of Human Rights Day: wife
Singapore’s largest gift box brings festive cheer to nearly 500 needy children
Chinese paper: Gov't critics sent to mental wards
'Letters to God' delivered to Western Wall
Japan PM Aso to raise territorial spat with Wen: FM
Keanu Reeves goes way of the samurai in '47 Ronin'
Indonesian, Australian leaders to discuss people smuggling: ministry
Party defies pundits to win state polls in India
Blur to reunite for concert
France says Dalai Lama talks not meant to offend China
Former Vodafone head up for Yahoo CEO post: WSJ
Greenpeace tries softer anti-whaling approach
Indian police to question another Mumbai suspect
Malkovich as a serial killer in Vienna in July: theatre
Information on gunmen killed in Mumbai attacks
British animator Oliver Postgate dies at 83
Pakistan extends crackdown on Mumbai suspects
Britain to put cigarettes under the counter
Iraqi police arrest 30 in fatal truck bombings
Van Gogh exhibition in Vienna attracts near record visitors
Americans working more, playing less: poll
Monaco ditches plan to expand into sea: prince
New European online library to remain down until January
Ultra-hawkish list of candidates for Likud
Coldplay responds to copyright lawsuit
Splendour of Russian tsars on show in London
Film fests plan cutbacks in tough financial times
First Muslim-friendly virtual world goes online
Miami City Ballet will drop orchestra to save cash
Cruise ships still making way to S’pore, despite tough economic times
PR governor seeks help for islanders held in China
MICA bracing for major challenges in light of slowing economy
Coldplay deny plagiarism allegations
Baltimore Opera Co. files for bankruptcy
Singapore excels in latest Mathematics and Science study
Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics hits S$17m endowment target
Oprah Winfrey says she now weighs 200 pounds
`Benjamin Button,' `Milk' top Critics' Choice noms
HP offering aims at penny-pinching IT departments
Gays urged to down tools for 'Day without a gay'
Actor Robert Prosky dies in DC at 77
Google adds magazines to online book archive
Academy Awards smackdown: Nixon vs. Batman?
Jennifer Hudson to begin filming video next week
Insider: T.R. Knight wants to leave 'Grey's'
Brandy rebounds after career setbacks, fatal crash
Official calls for economic cooperation
EU launches mission across volatile Kosovo
Riot-hit Athens shopkeepers face Christmas ruin
Global foreign policy leaders launch bid to eliminate nuclear arms
White House, lawmakers 'still hope for auto deal'
Illinois governor arrested for trying to sell Obama senate seat
Japan machinery orders down 4.4 percent in October
Markey wants waiver for air pollution standards
RBNZ governor says inflation to shape rate cuts
Seoul shares open 0.7 pct higher; Hynix rallies
NZ exports dip in Q3, terms of trade soft
Russia buries Patriarch in grand funeral | International |
Oil prices fall in profit taking, doubts on OPEC cut
Indian police name new suspect in Mumbai attack probe | International |
Sony to cut 8,000 jobs, 4 percent of work force
Indiscriminate drug killings sow terror in Mexico | International |
SKorean banks discuss 552 million dollar fund for Hynix
Oil prices fall in profit taking, doubts on OPEC cut
Mediator says Congo rebel talks make progress | International |
NKorea nuke envoys discuss verifying past activity
French writer says he's a mosquito in arms trial | International |
Nearly 1 billion people hungry | International |
Nobel winner open to NATO boost in Afghanistan | International |
Miss Congeniality, make way for Russia's Miss Constitution | International |
Kiefer Sutherland seeing star in Hollywood
New posthumous award for Heath Ledger's 'Dark Knight' role
Hollywood fears piracy may thrive in economic crisis
Malkovich as a serial killer in Vienna in July: theatre
Kiefer Sutherland seeing star in Hollywood
Britney Spears' 'Circus' CD lands her at No. 1
New posthumous award for Heath Ledger's 'Dark Knight' role
List of top 20 shows in prime-time Nielsen ratings
First-year series `Mentalist' tops Nielsen ratings
Hollywood fears piracy may thrive in economic crisis
Sony Ericsson, Vodafone back Google's Android | Technology |
Tyler Perry wins suit over copyright infringement
Yahoo workers will learn of layoffs Wednesday:source | Technology |
Lenovo expects more PC industry consolidation | Technology |
Sharp and LG Display to plead guilty to price fixing | Technology |
Mobile phone chip to counter radiation unveiled | Technology |
Is it time to buy memory chip makers? | Technology |
Presidential videogame to hit retail shelves | Technology |
Michelle Williams says Wendy and Lucy role a gift | Entertainment |
Eastwood recognizes Hmong immigrants with new film | Entertainment |
Oscar organizers face original dilemmas | Entertainment |
Jamie Foxx restarts the party with new album | Entertainment |
Gordy guiding Motown's 50th anniversary | Entertainment |
Fox to adapt 9-year-old's self-help book | Entertainment |
Miley Cyrus, Obama items hot online sellers in 2008 | Entertainment |
`WALL-E' wins L.A. critics best-picture honor
1 of Fantasia's homes in NC is up for auction
Girlfriend getaways with shopping perks, from $137
Officials find monkey carcasses in luggage
The Obama effect: How travel will change
Top 10 presidential getaways
Tech toys for business travelers
Ho-ho-holiday trains go jingle all the way
Hard times spark interest in New Deal sites
Lufthansa lowers passenger fuel surcharge
Troubleshooter: Funny math on a vacation refund
Woman convicted for smuggling monkey on flight
Some charges out against pilots in Brazil crash
Ski resorts roll out new rides for winter sliders
Hawaii's latest attraction: Obama tourism
Clowns bring comic relief to streets of Beirut
French box on the ropes as British ring craft goes global
British troops out of Iraq by June: media reports
Indian police name new suspect in Mumbai attack probe | International |
Illinois governor arrested for trying to sell Obama senate seat
U.S. says problems ahead in North Korea talks | International |
White House, Congress agree on outlines of auto bailout plan
No deal yet on auto rescue: WHouse
Mexico tightens police powers in raging drug war | International |
Malaysia frees man believed to have 9/11 links | International |
Attorney for Ruffalo suspect: wound self-inflicted
China grapples with new social safety net | International |
Illinois governor arrested for trying to sell Obama senate seat
Vietnam police launch probe in Japan bribery case: state media
Rice in Panama for LatAm meeting on trade
Following Obama, black Iraqis run for office | International |
Grieving husband forgives pilot in California horror crash
Malaysia frees alleged militant tied to 9/11 attackers
China leaders to table 2009 macro economic policy
Accidents kill 830,000 children each year: WHO | International |
Report: Creditors reach basic accord on Hynix aid
Oil turns higher in Asia
Canadian tortured in Syria victim of US conspiracy: lawyer
Malaysia leader pushes for reforms before retiring
South Korean won rises most in nearly 4 weeks
If u cn rd this quickly, gd 4 u | Technology |
Seoul shares hit another 4-wk high; autos rally
Court jails tanker officers over SKorea's worst oil spill
World Bank: East Asia to see slower growth in 2009
EA cuts outlook on weak holiday sales | Technology |
Toddler becomes Indonesia's 113th bird flu victim: WHO
World Bank: East Asia growth to slow in 2009
Troops quell sectarian violence in Indonesia
Turner, NBA team for 3-D 'All-Star' game | Technology |
Korea Hot Stocks-Carmakers, LG Display, fisheries
Deutsche Post CEO sees short recession, Asia expansion
Sony shares slide after restructuring plans | Technology |
Oil rises above $43 as investors await OPEC cut
China urges airlines to cancel, delay plane orders
India police release details of Mumbai attackers
Death toll in India bus accident rises to 63
Yahoo workers will learn of layoffs Wednesday: source | Technology |
World chipmakers face most difficult time ever: Hynix
Cash-rich Chinese to tour US on house-buying trip: organiser
Leno's primetime move at NBC good news for ABC | Entertainment |
Wall-E, Milk, Benjamin Button earn film honors | Entertainment |
Oprah mad at herself for ballooning weight | Entertainment |
Coldplay denies plagiarism accusation | Entertainment |
Actor Mark Ruffalo's brother dies after shooting | Entertainment |
Amsterdam's dare: balancing chic and shady in red light district
Playboy to continue aggressive cost cuts in 2009 | Entertainment |
Review: Reeves remake is a bad day on `Earth'
Leno's move to prime time becomes monologue fodder
A new landscape for Conan O'Brien succeeding Leno
Global financial crisis setting in for shipping
RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Shares rally on hopes govts to fight crisis
Shanghai workers protest after production halt
Top ten of "One Million Star" emerges
Art Basel's Miami fair feels brush of recession
Media taboos linger in China, but journalists push envelope
Mark Lee: I'm like a Bitter Gourd
US-led air raid kills Afghan civilian and six police: force
President Nathan pays last respects to late unionist Ho See Beng
Patty Hou's late father concerned about her marriage
Malaysia frees militant suspects held for years
India asks UN to ban Paksitani group
Man who bought stolen rocket launchers jailed in Australia
At 100, Portuguese filmmaker Oliveira has 'lots more left'
New media hub to launch next year
Two senior Lashkar members arrested: Pakistani PM
NKorea says US recognized it as nuclear power
Joe Nieh writes letter of repentance
India promises tougher security but worries remain
No cutbacks for organisers of S’pore leg in Volvo Ocean Race
Thaksin's daughter buys house in Hong Kong
Clashes outside parliament as strike grips Greece | International |
Assisted suicide film stokes right to die debate in Britain
Fifth of world's corals already dead, say experts
Nobel peace laurate urges Mideast focus for Obama | International |
General strike cripples Greece after new riots, protests
Zimbabwe cholera deaths rise to 746: UN
U.S.-led forces kill 7 Afghans in friendly fire | International |
Torture widespread, routine in Tibet, report says | International |
Police: Militant group snuck across Indian borders
Used oil may have caused Irish food crisis: paper | International |
Hong Kong studies effectiveness of vaccine after bird flu outbreak
Egypt's OT to start N. Korea mobile service Dec. 15
Zimbabwe cholera deaths up to 774: U.N. | International |
Countdown party to be held on floating platform at Marina Bay
TSE chief urges Japan to use public money for banks
Haj nears end as pilgrims stone devil, visit Mecca | International |
US envoy says NKorea nuclear talks hit stalemate
China's exports fall for first time in 7 years
China names and shames fake drug websites | International |
MDA ties up with Australian, Chinese, Korean partners
Sony launches PlayStation virtual community
Tanker captain convicted in 2007 SKorea oil spill
Sony set to launch 'virtual universe'
India asks UN to ban Pakistani group
Hong Kong stocks rally 5.6 percent
Labour chief says legislation to stop retrenchments is not the solution
Oil surpasses $43 as investors await OPEC cut
China shares rise amid regional gains
Oil rises to near $43 as investors await OPEC cut
Toyota to further cut production in N. America
S.Korea lifts rule on mobile platform, opens market
Vietnam lowers gasoline prices by 8 percent
MTI suspends Confirmed List for Industrial GLS Programme
Lawyers group refuses to defend Mumbai suspects
Secondary school students create ’ultimate Christmas pizza’
Pakistan confirms Mumbai arrests
Drowning, other accidents kill 800,000 kids a year
Australian pleads guilty in rocket launcher theft
Fifteen seek asylum in Australia after Homeless World Cup: reports
Malaysia frees 3 militant suspects held for years
Malaysia frees man believed to have 9/11 links
Turkmenistan frees rights activist
Suspected protester's body found at Bangkok airport: police
Toni Braxton says she had benign tumor removed
Pakistan confirms Mumbai arrests
Supporters hold vigil for Taiwan's ex-president
Internet watchdog backs down over naked girl image
Chinese protest on human rights anniversary
Michael Jackson's famous glittery glove for sale
Philippine exports fall 14.9 percent in October
Worries grow for Chinese economy amid global downturn
Activist: NKorean worker flees Kaesong factory
Singapore Q4 GDP seen up 0.4 pct y/y-survey
No progress in NKorea nuke talks: US
Australia, Indonesia agree to step up efforts against people smuggling
Italy: Furor after TV cuts 'Brokeback Mountain'
Nobel Peace winner urges Obama to focus on Mideast
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01