Airline Rule 240

[Bsan1221]

I have seen a couple post regarding bad experiences with Airline Companies. I want to share my knowledge with the rest of you that may not know about Rule 240. I personally did not know about it until I had a bad experience with an air carrier myself about this Rule.

 

In essence, the rule says they must book you on another flight that day, HOWEVER, this varies with each individual carrier.

 

I recomd. you go to http://www.mytravelrights.com

 

Rule 240: Don't Leave Home Without It!

 

 

Al Anolik, Esq.

 

 

Here's your secret weapon for fighting airline delays, cancellations, and missed connections:

 

Rule 240.

 

Before airline deregulation in 1978, Rule 240 was literally a federal requirement. Nowadays, it's a term describing what individual airlines will do for late or stranded passengers. In fact, the major airlines have filed "conditions of carriage" with the U.S. Department of Transporatation (DOT) guaranteeing their respective Rule 240s.

 

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, or if you've missed your flight connection, these policies may give you free meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, phone calls, and other amenities. You may be booked on a substitute flight -- even on another airline -- and you may be compensated or given a full refund if the flight problems persist.

 

How can you use Rule 240 to protect your rights?

 

Always carry a printed copy of your airline's Rule 240. Though the DOT requires airlines to keep a Rule 240 copy available for passengers at every ticket counter, don't count on that.

 

(Click on your airline's name below for a copy of its official Rule 240.)

 

Read Rule 240 carefully before you use it. Many airline ticket agents do not know these policies, so you should be the expert

 

For example, Rule 240s generally apply only to delays that are absolutely the airline's fault, such as mechanical delays. They do not apply to what the airlines call "force majeure" events: weather, strikes, "acts of God," or other occurrences that the airlines say they cannot control.

 

Be polite but very firm about your rights under Rule 240. You'll win most battles at ticket counters when you say the phrase "Rule 240" and show the agent your printed copy of the airline's policies. However, don't hesitate to keep going up the chain to supervisors if you're not satisfied. Sometimes, airlines will even go beyond Rule 240 requirements in the name of customer service. (Not always, but it's worth a shot!)

 

Known as "the dean of travel law," Al Anolik, Esq., is president of Alexander Anolik, P.L.C., in San Francisco, the largest U.S. law firm specializing in the practice of travel law and travel industry litigation. He is a founder of the International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates (the global association of travel industry attorneys) and served a record seven terms as its president. He wrote the first travel law textbook in 1977,and he currently teaches travel law at San Francisco State University and at the University of Hawaii.

 

America West

American Airlines

 

Continental Airlines

 

Delta Air Lines

 

Frontier Airlines

 

Hawaiian Airlines

 

Northwest Airlines

 

Southwest Airlines

 

Trans World Airlines

 

United Airlines

 

US Airways

 

 

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[starr52]

I clicked on my air carriers name and nothing happened. After reading these boards, I esp. want to be taking a copy of United's Rule 240 on our trip in June.

[Bsan1221]

I think I may have not linked the airline carriers links appropriately, but here is the link to the article which will take you directly to the websites you need.

You can copy this link and paste it on your browser.

 

http://www.mytravelrights.com/travellaw.cfm?ai=3

[Nliedel]

"rule 240" technically no longer exists since deregulation. They do NOT have to put you on another carrier, put you up etc. They do so when it is their fault out because of bad press.. If you whip out a sheet of "rules" the gate attendents don't know about they may or may not play nice.

 

ALSO and this is important. An airline will only put you on another carrier if they have a signed agreement with that carrier. Southwest, for example, has no signed agreements and will virtually never place a passenger on another carrier.

 

I was a travel agent for years when rule 240 was valid.

[bUU]

The major airlines (United, Delta, American, Northwest, Continental, US Airways) and their regional partners all have interline agreements. The budget carriers, including Southwest, don't. (That's part of the means by which they keep their costs low.) Southwest, specifically, reserves the right to accommodate you on another airline or provide you a refund, in case of a schedule irregularity, but unlike the major airlines, Southwest reserves the right to decide between the two options, whereas the major airlines grants that right to their customers.

[Bsan1221]

Well it worked for me 2 weeks ago on Delta Airlines. But I guess it really depends who you talk to.