It's not just who gets your letter that matters—it's who else gets it

By Christopher Elliott | Tribune Media Services

May 13, 2007

Here's whom to copy:

•Airline complaints (details at airconsumer .ost.dot.gov/problems.htm):

Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75

U.S. Department of Transportation

400 7th Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20590

airconsumer@dot.gov

•Car rental complaints should be copied to the state attorney general in the state where you rented the car (not your home state) and, if it involves a questionable insurance claim, that state's insurance commissioner. A list of attorneys general is available from the National Association of Attorneys General Web site at www.naag.org/attorneys_general.php. A list of state insurance commissioners can be found at www.naic.org /documents/members_membershiplist.pdf.

•If your complaint is about a hotel, you can also copy the attorney general in the state in which the hotel is located.

•Got a problem with a travel agent? Many are members of the American Society of Travel Agents, which will investigate ethics complaints.

American Society of Travel Agents

1101 King St., Suite 200

Alexandria, VA 22314

astanet.com

•If you feel you're the victim of a bait-and-switch or dishonest advertising:

Federal Trade Commission

CRC-240

Washington, D.C. 20580

ftc.gov

•If you had a problem on a cruise: