Traveler's Rights

(Dive Travel Business News - April 11, 2012) -- Observers are questioning the potential effect of a recently passed U.S. Senate bill that has a provision to authorize the "denial, revocation or limitation of a passport" for individuals with a seriously delinquent tax debt.  The new piece of governance has caused further confusion since it is buried on page 1147 of a bill designed to reauthorize federal aid for the nation's highways. read more »

(April 23, 2008 - USA Today) -- If there was ever a time when airline passengers wished they had a secret weapon in case the carrier leaves them stranded, it’s now.

Fliers could see more disruptions, similar to those experienced by more than 300,000 people on American Airlines two weeks ago, as the Federal Aviation Administration finishes a second phase of maintenance records audits through June 30. United, Delta and Southwest have also grounded planes within the past month.

Rule 240 supposedly offers fliers a remedy. When invoked, the rule is believed to make ticket agents automatically rebook a stranded passenger on another flight — even on another airline. 

But it’s more complicated than that, say travel agents, travel law experts, frequent fliers and airline officials.

While veteran airline agents usually know the term, mentioning Rule 240 by itself won’t “produce any effect whatsoever,” says Tim Wagner, spokesman for American Airlines. “That’s an urban legend.” read more »