A Consumer Guide To Air Travel
Contents
* Introduction1
* Air Fares3
* Reservations and Tickets6
* Delayed and Canceled Flights12
* Overbooking15
* Baggage21
* Smoking31
* Passengers with Disabilities33
* Frequent-Flyer Programs35
* Contract Terms38
* Travel Scams 40
* To Your Health42
* Airline Safety45
* Complaining49
* Other Sources of Information55
NOTICE We make every effort to keep Fly-Rights up to date, but airlinesfrequently change the way they do business. So by the time you read this a fewprocedures we explain may be different. Contact DOT or your airline or travelagent if you have any questions.
Tenth Revised Edition, September 199
The elimination of government economic regulation of the airlines has resultedin lower fares and a wide variety of price/service options. In this newcommercial environment, consumers have had to take a more active role inchoosing their air service by learning to ask a number of questions.
-Am I more concerned with price or scheduling? Am I willing to fly at an oddhour if it means saving $25?
-Will the airline penalize me for changing my reservation?
-What will the airline do for me if it cancels my flight?
This booklet is designed to explain your rights and responsibilities as an airtraveler. We hope it helps you become a resourceful consumer.
Because of the emphasis on price competition, consumers may choose from a widevariety of air fares. Some airlines are trying a back to basics approachofferingflights at bargain basement prices with few extras.
For fare information, you can contact a travel agent, another ticket outlet oran airline serving the places you want to visit. Ask them to tell you the namesof all airlines flying there. A travel agent can find virtually all airlinesfares in his or her computer. Or, if you prefer you can call each airline to askabout the fares they charge, particularly any special promotional fares they maybe offering at the time. You can also pay attention to newspaper and radio ads,where airlines advertise many of the discount plans that apply to your city.Finally, be alert to new companies serving the market. They may offer lowerfares or different services than older
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