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AIRLINE
BUMPING
Remember the days when taking a trip could be like going into
pitched battle-gridlock in the skies, at the gates, at the baggage
carousels and at the airline counters? Well, those days are coming
back. All indications, including a recently released survey by
Fodor's, show that travel spending is up and summer travel is
expected to rise to the levels of summer 2001. While this may
be good news for the airlines, travelers may be faced with some
of the hassles of yesteryear.
"According
to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), in the first
quarter of this year, airlines bumped 235,052 passengers. That's
a 21-percent increase from the fourth quarter of last year when
they bumped 185,952 passengers," says ASTA President and
CEO Richard M. Copland, CTC. "Add to that airline bankruptcies
and turmoil in the airline industry, and summer travel may be
more stressful than restful.
"With airlines
packing in passengers in hope of just breaking even, the likelihood
of over-selling is high," he continued. "But it's
not all bad news for summer travel hopefuls. Airfares are at
record lows, and many travel hassles can be avoided by using
an experienced travel professional and some smart planning."
To that end, Links2Asia
provides the following tips for travelers faced with being involuntarily
bumped or to those who may consider accepting a voucher to take
another flight.
Know the
lingo
The confusion regarding compensation centers on the differences
between "voluntary" bumping and "involuntary"
bumping.
Voluntary bumping
occurs when a passenger agrees to give up his seat for negotiated
compensation. This compensation is not regulated by the DOT: The
airlines give employees guidelines for bargaining with passengers,
and they may select those volunteers willing to sell back their
reservations for the lowest price. As a result, it is important
that consumers ask the right questions before agreeing to give
up their seats in exchange for a free ticket or voucher.
Involuntary bumping
occurs when an airline forces a paid passenger from boarding a
flight because it has oversold a flight. The DOT regulates compensation
for involuntary bumping.
Know what
questions to ask
If the airline offers a free ticket, it is important passengers
ask about restrictions. Suggested questions include:
"Is there
an expiration date by when I must use the ticket?"
"Are there
any 'blackout dates,' such as holidays, when I can't use the
ticket?"
"Can it be
used for international flights?"
"Can I make
a reservation using the voucher, and if so, how far in advance
can I make it?"
Know your
rights
If substitute transportation is scheduled to arrive at your destination
between one and two hours after your original arrival time (between
one and four hours on international flights), the airline must
pay you an amount equal to your one-way fare to your final destination,
with a $200 maximum.
If the substitute
transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more
than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline
does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the
compensation doubles (200 percent of your fare, $400 maximum).
The Aviation Consumer Protection Division has
a more detailed explantion of your rights in Fly-Rights: A Consumer
Guide to Air Travel.
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