http://www.mytravelrights.com/travellaw.cfm?ai=3
Rule 240: Don't Leave Home Without It!
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.
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