Letters: Colette and Paris

Colette draws them to Paris

Susan Spano has done it again! What a great article on Colette [“Chez Colette,” May 30]. It made me want to rush to the local bookstore and then catch a plane to Paris, taking along a book bag. I plan to take Spano’s story along on my next trip to the City of Light. It will be a great guide.

Richard Mason, Redondo Beach

Thank Susan Spano for the fascinating article about Colette’s life in Paris. For more than one reason, it made me eager to return to Paris. On my first trip in 2006, I stumbled across a small jewelry store, right off the Seine, displaying the most exquisite oversized earrings. I accepted the invitation to relax in a plush, overstuffed chair and, with my feet up, and sipping a cup of tea while listening to my choice of music from their selection of CDs, I bought five pairs.

I had been looking for the street that store was on ever since, and there it was in Spano’s article: Rue Jacob. I’m planning another trip next spring and will seek Collette’s plaques as I rediscover my store.

Ardy Shaw, San Diego

Resolving travel insurance disputes

I enjoyed reading “Guard Against a Total Disaster,” by Jane Engle [May 30]. Good information for all travelers to be aware of. I was surprised at one omission in response to the question, “My insurer denied my claim. What can I do?” She gave some of the best and most common resources but didn’t suggest small claims court for when all the other avenues fail.

Very inexpensive, no lawyers (on either side), and the case gets heard very quickly, usually in a matter of a few months. I also note that filing a claim often prompts a settlement offer from the insurance company. I base this on my experience as a volunteer judge pro tem in small claims court for more than 10 years.

If I were to give any advice to travelers, I’d suggest keeping a careful log or diary of each contact (phone, e-mail, regular mail, etc.) that they make in their efforts to resolve the matter and to bring that evidence on their court day. Tell your story to the judge, and see what she or he decides. With the new small claims limits of $7,500 — which, for a couple, would be $15,000 if they each filed their own case — successful parties can usually recover all or most of their losses in travel-related cases.

Josh Bornstein, Santa Monica

Regarding travel insurance: Booking with a credit card may not be of any help, as many tour operators require payments beyond the 90-day credit-card limit to qualify for early booking discounts.

Alan Johnson, Seal Beach

Make sure ID name and frequent-flier account match

Regarding “Passports Rule” [On the Spot, May 30]. There is a further wrinkle about the name used for travel — the name on your frequent-flier mileage programs.

A friend of mine is a resident alien with a green card and a passport from Costa Rica. The name he uses in the U.S. and that is on his driver’s license is similar to, but not identical to, the name on his passport. The passport has “de la Cruz” added at the end.

For a recent trip to Europe, he used the name on his passport for the first time in order to not run afoul of the new U.S. regulations and encountered two problems.

1. The name on his passport was too long to fit in the spaces provided on the website he used to book the travel. He had to call and have it manually set.

2. United refused to give him credit for the miles because the name on the United Mileage Plus account did not match the name on the reservation.

He changed the name on the United Mileage Plus account, but that means that from now on when he flies domestically he must use his passport for ID and book flights under the passport name.

Jack Johnson, Westchester

Her credit cards weren’t accepted in England

I have just returned from England. When I travel, I rely on credit cards and my personal bank card for cash withdrawals, a system that has saved me from carrying a lot of money and, of course, produces a record of my spending. However, England — and I believe most of Europe — is now using cards that have a chip and require a PIN for verification. These are much more difficult to steal but left me with a dilemma. Restaurants would not accept my credit card, and banks would not acknowledge my bank card. Some places still have the ability to swipe cards, but I had to ask about this first before deciding to buy or eat! Had I not had family, friends and a small British account, I would have been without means once my small cash fund had run out. Travelers should be aware of this problem and make alternative arrangements for finances.

Elizabeth Richell, Santa Ana