Setting the Record Straight on Rule 240

Plane flying 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.

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Glen Lee

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???

Rolf Ames

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

Andrea Granahan

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

Peter Greenberg

While we definitely appreciate your comments and thank you for your questions, please email travel questions to us at info[at] petergreenberg [dot] com

alan carp

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

John Milano

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?

Sonny Lange

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?

Denny

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!

Gary Rieth

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

debbie day

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?

Debbie Wade

Peter, I watch you whenever you are on TV in my area. I love your advice and suggestions. My question is this, I recently purchased a ticket on US Airways to Phoenix. Unfortunately ti was over Spring break ( my new grandbaby is due at this time) and I had to pay $723.00 for a ticket. Oh well. Now they are offering a ticket for $40.00 less and better times, less layover times in Denver. Can I do anything about this>>

thanks,

Debbie

joe wiggins

I hope that you can help me by shining some light on the situation we are in. My in laws are traveling to see their daughter for Christmas from Cali Colombia by Continental Airline. The trip is partly for Christmas, but also because my wife has been very sick with a recurrance of cancer. The trip started ok with the flight from Cali to Panama City, but then the flight from there to Houston was delayed for 3-1/2 hours. Continental told them it was a mechanical problem, but later changed that to it was because of gusty wind in Houston. Because of this delay they missed the connecting flight to Portland Oregon.

Continental put the family on stand by for the next flight. The first flight today, Dec 23rd came and Continental called several passengers for that flight. The second flight started boarding and many stand-by people were called to board. All stand-by passengers that were boarded were White, non hispanic. My inlaws are the only Hispanics there and they are still waiting to get to Portland. No one at Continental has tried to help them and yet the passengers White passengers who seem to be friendly with the Continental staff get to fly. God only know how many that were put on board were traveling with discounts or are airline employees. While customers that paid almost $2000 each ticket are left waiting.

I should mention that my father-in law is 78 and has a heart condition. My mother-in is also elderly and this is too much stress for them. When the tickets were sold to them the Continental staff told them to put their medications in the checked bagage. Now they are 2 days with out their medications. They are starting to feel sick and have asked for help, but no one is willing to help. We have tried by phone and with various responces from Continental employees hanging up on us to saying "so what? We have lots of passangers waiting." Some employees said they would help but nothing is happening. One Continental employee told them "You should forget it and go back home to your country". Adding that Continental would not reimburse them for any portion of the almost $6000 they paid.

Can you help by telling the world about how we are being treated? This sure looks like they are waiting because of nothing more than the fact that they are Latino.

Thank you.

Joe Wiggins
503-667-0716

Gilberto Kuhn

On Aug 8, 2009 I lef LAX to Rio on a UA flt. The flt had a stopover in GRU (Sao Paulo). 2 hours passed without any esplanation of why the delay. At 12.30 PM UA told us that the flt had a mechanic problem and was cancelled. They made several anouncements that we would fly with LAN CHILE. Then They changed to Lufthansa. Finally we would be bused to an domestic airport in downtown Sao Paulo. We got there at TAM airlines by 1.45PM. TAM wasn't aware of us coming to take their flt and I decided to by my own tkt to Rio. And that was a different airport at destination. Neddless to say, my ride was at GIG and I arrived 3.50 in SDU (Rio). UA is refusing to refund my 315.00 USD because it was bought without their consent. Pls note: their was no UA agent at airport. Nobody to give us directions. TAM didn't even had a FIM to check us in. Any suggestions? I will take this to small court claims.