News of hotels spiking rates makes me wonder about costs to people stuck in one place yet have a hotel reservation with a "no show" penalty at their destination. That could mean hotels, which are fully booked or gaining additional revenue through ash-cloud stranded travelers could still be charging "no show" penalties to other guests who were delayed elsewhere by the ash cloud.

Double dipping should be prevented by the credit card companies by their considering a special rule for preventing "no show" charges due to the ash cloud case.