Ever since we first posted about Rule 240 and then Peter wrote about it in his MSNBC column, there have been dozens of discussions, disagreements and debates among bloggers, commenters and various Web denizens.
Having provoked such a virulent debate, and having watched it develop, we felt it was time to clear up a few misconceptions about what we’re saying in regards to Rule 240.
Peter is once again attempting to set the record straight.
- Yes, as I stated, Rule 240 is no longer on the books. It hasn’t been since 1978 when the CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board) and most airline regulation was junked.
- Rule 240, now that it’s no longer an official part of the US DOT policy, is shorthand among veteran air travelers for “Please help me get rerouted on another airline so I can get to my destination relatively quickly.”
- Rule 240 is now integrated into most airlines’ contracts of carriage, to a greater or lesser extent.
- It’s been implied that I meant that a flier using 240 should be pushy with their requests, or to make demands. That is false. I have always advocated being nice to airline employees, gate agents, even TSA agents.
- The entire point of the article is the need for fliers to know their rights, obligations, and options. When you buy a ticket on an airline, you agree to their contract of carriage. They agree to take you from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time. In many of those contracts, provisions are made for what happens when something goes wrong.
- In nearly all contracts of carriage, there is a difference between things beyond the airline’s control (weather, terrorism and “acts of God”). If snow has shut down O’Hare, that’s hardly something the airline could control. If an airline’s plane has to go into maintenance instead of flying you to Los Angeles, then we’ve got a scenario under which 240 can be used.
That’s when you call the airline (you can do this while waiting in the long line of people who are suddenly trying to rebook) and ask them to put you on a flight from another airline. Always bring a keep of your airline’s contract of carriage so you’ll know your rights.
The next step is a simple one, and it’s a trick of Rule 240 that seems to have been lost in all the debate.
Instead of simply asking to get put on a different flight … make a suggestion: Tell them you want to get on the 4:40 p.m. flight on American Airlines that goes to Chicago, or the 3:05 p.m. departure via Atlanta on Delta.
Be specific, be polite, be grateful, but be firm. You’ve got to get to your destination, and there’s a perfectly good flight that can get you there. All you need is to get on it.
Simply put:
If you do don’t ask, you don’t get.
And if you don’t know the rules, you won’t know to ask.
And, last but not least, I’ve used Rule 240 successfully twice in the last six weeks.
Read more from Peter’s Travel Detective Blog.
Check out the Rule 240 post that started it all.
Want to avoid having to use Rule 240 in the first place? Try one of America’s Best Alternate Airports as well as the follow-up, more of America’s Best Alternate Airports.
I have a good question. Can I envoke Rule 240 on a non revenue ticket (using frequent flyer miles?) We were told that we could not invoke Rule 240 by Great Lakes Aviation in Dickinson, ND when we found out that our plane did not leave the last airport because it hit a hanger and was out of commission for the day. Because we had non revenue tickets, we were pushed to the end of the line and had to wait until the next day instead of flying on Northwest back to LAX out of Bismark, ND. Is this right???
Peter,
I will be flying my friend from mnl to lax on a 3 month visa, what is the best way for me to fly her here? Thank you for your help, Rolf
Peter
I used my frequent flyer miles with Delta and was hit with $85 in fees. A $75 “booking fee” - I booked myself on line. And a $10 fee - no excuse offered. Have you heard of this before?
Andrea Granahan
While we definitely appreciate your comments and thank you for your questions, please email travel questions to us at info[at] petergreenberg [dot] com
this comment is regarding travel plans I made with hotels.com.In short we are trying to get afull refund of $4600.00 that we gave to hotels.com for atrip tp the Cayman Islands When we called hotels.com to check on our reservation they informed us that they had no record of it. the alsdo charged my credit card $650.00 more than Iwas quited.I called the hotel to check on the reservation and they confirmed that there was no reservation. I than cancelled the trip with Hotels.com That became a nightmare. I deceided to see if anyone else had simmilar prpblems with this co.By getting on awebsite Htels.com complaints I found a huge amount of people having the same problem.It is my opinion that this company delibrtly engaged in outright fraud.I find hard to beleive that they are still in buisness.At this point i am waiting to here from American Express regarding the charge dispute I filed with them.I would appreciate your comments on this matter
Peter
I saw your article in Yahoo travel about cell phone use. in the article you say that there is no FAA rule concerning use. That passengers are simply complying with an airline policy not an FAA rule. The above web site lists FAA regulations (specifically, 14 CFR 91.21 and 121.306) prohibiting the use of most portable electronic devices aboard aircraft. So, is it an FAA rule or an airline policy?
Peter: enjoy your book, really some good information. Do you know if Rule 240 applies to passengers who are traveling on a frequent flyer ticket if they are bumped involuntarily?
While I did not take Economics at a college level, I just don’t understand how the airlines can lose money and stay in business, if they are flying at 78% or-something percent capacity. Also, there must be at least a couple of those “5-passengers on a 777 to London” flights around to lower the average considering virtually ALL of the flights that I’ve taken recently had MAYBE one or two seats empty.
There are a bunch of use veteran air travelers who have earned a seat on one of those 5 passenger flights! Bring ‘em on!
My wife and I are planning a trip to Albany, NY in Oct. What is the best way to find low airfares? On connecting flights, how long should the layover be even if they are the same airlines? Is there an airport to avoid for connecting flights? From Alb to Atlanta, the lay over in Atlanta is 37 minutes, same airline Delta, is that enough time? Thanks for your website. Gary
my sisters flight time was changed and she not notified which resulted in missing her flight. Can we invoke rule 240?. The airline, Northwestern says its her fault for not checking with the airlines before she left, hjowever I believe it was thier responsibility to inform her. Now she is in La with no luggage (because it was sent on the missed flight.) What can she do?