Message Center

Unfair Shipping Charges?

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I LOVE THE Coming and Going column but had to write about the couple who were "shocked" to have been charged $540 for air shipping from South Africa [Jan. 15]. To me, they are lucky to have gotten any refund at all -- and crazy to have expected one in the first place. Waiting till the last minute to ship their items, rushing out without specific instructions, leaving their credit card info and a blank price box?! Please! They were asking for trouble.

Mark Reilley, Upper Marlboro

Seeing Glaciers, Cont'd.

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I AM RESPONDING to the article about which ship and which glacier to take to Alaska [Travel Q&A, Jan. 8]. We took Norwegian Cruise Line to Sawyer Bay and it was totally misrepresented and consequently a major disappointment. The brochure said "see the ice break off of the glacier and get up close to the ice formations." Not only did we not see ice breaking off, we didn't see ice. We only saw brown mountains and did not even get close to the glacier. They even had a video on board showing the calving. Obviously this ship, the Sun, can't get into Sawyer Bay. So I would definitely not recommend Sawyer Bay or Norwegian Cruise Line. I wrote them about our experience and have not heard a word. Besides, the food was terrible.

Gail Schaumberg, Rockville

Hidden Fees

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YOUR ITEM on hidden travel fees [Jan. 8] hit home on the day I booked a rental car from Alamo in Miami. The quoted daily rate was $31.88 a day for four days, for a total of $127.52. The added fees were as follows:

· Concession Recoup Fee: 9.89 percent, or $12.63

· Rcf Charge at $3.25 a day, or $13 (I have no idea what this is and could find no explanation on the Web site)

· Tire/Battery Fee at 5 cents a day for a total of 20 cents (minimal, but since when are tires and batteries not part of the car rental?)

· Florida Surcharge at $2 a day, for a total of $8

· License Recoupment Fee at 43 cents a day for a total of $1.72

· State Tax at 7 percent, for a total of $11.42.

Total cost for the car rental: $174.49, or 36 percent higher than the base fee.

I can understand state taxes being an addition, but everything else strikes me as part of the cost of doing business. I do not deny rental car companies the right to make a fair profit, but why not just quote the real daily rate?

Steve Bokat, Chevy Chase

Canada Airport Tips

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I FLEW TO Montreal just after the TSA rule change allowing certain small sharp objects on flights. It never occurred to me to ask about Canada's rules, though, so one more pair of cuticle scissors was confiscated. Travelers should be aware that U.S. rules don't apply on the return flight. Best to pack those sharp objects in checked baggage.

One more tip: Travelers changing planes in Toronto for a U.S. flight should know that they'll need to walk for miles through the domestic terminal, through the international terminal to U.S. Customs, and on to the gate. If they'll have any difficulty in walking that far, they should ask for a ride before getting started.

Murrow Morris, Alexandria

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