On a recent flight, after boarding, I saw an elderly woman in my seat. I checked my boarding pass, and said she was in error. She refused to move.

When I told the flight attendant, he said the woman, who waved her cane at me, was handicapped and could not be moved. Angry as hell, I was sent to a seat in the rear. During the flight I saw the “handicapped” woman easily strolling the aisle several times. What should I have done? Jack R., Lafayette IN

A: Not much. You can later file a complaint with the airline, and maybe get a free future flight. Fake handicap pre-boarding, seat grabs and phony companion dog scams are all too frequent. The best way to react is not to lose your temper and just firmly state the facts to the airline. In flight, always cooperate with flight attendants, who must deal with these offenders daily.

Q: I fly frequently, and although I’m a senior, sometimes get unwelcome physical contacts. They usually happen on flights when the cheap seats are jammed full. What should I do? Ms. PL, San Francisco CA

A: If the contact isn’t intentional, just hunker down and ignore it. If you believe it’s an unwelcome grope, let the flight attendant know quickly and ask for another seat. If the groper is obviously drunk or otherwise offensive, demand that security action be taken when the flight lands.

Q: We haven’t cruised in at least 10 years. Now we’re going with a group, and I’m wondering: Should we pack formal clothes for dinners and late-night activities? Ms. Mary J., Bangor ME

A: It depends on your cruise line. For dinner, big ships usually require evening wear, but not necessarily formal. Cocktail dresses for ladies and suits for men. Of course, if you want to get all gussied up for those activities, pack your formal duds. To be sure of the ship’s dress code, check with your travel group leader and/or the cruise line’s website.

Q: I’m familiar with hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins, but recent travel promotions confuse me. I know these two are the cheapest places, but what’s the difference between a hostel and Airbnb stay? Lucile P., Greeley CO

A: With names, prices and places changing all the time, traveling seniors can get befuddled about where to spend the night and their money. Airbnb is a relatively new and growing market in the travel industry. Private home owners offer rooms or the entire house for one night or more. It can be much cheaper than hotels, especially if your travel group includes four or more people.

Hostels have been around for a long while, mostly appealing to younger travelers. They’re usually basic dorms with bunk beds, four or more people to a room and shared bathrooms.  To get more familiar with Airbnb and hostels, before your next trip alone or with a group, do some internet searching and price comparisons.