I'm a little concerned about an upcoming trip from EWR to HKG in December. I have to go there on business and have booked two family members to meet me there a week later. I am not worried about my ticket as my company can absorb the cost. However, with the trouble currently plaguing the airlines and the looming uncertainty of world events, is there anything I should do for my family's tickets? Should I take insurance on them? Leave it alone? I fully intend to go on the trip unless travel advisories caution against it or if my business plans change.

Thanks in advance for your help.

The most important fact needed to answer your question is the airline on which your family will fly.

If it is a major U.S. Carrier (UA, AA, CO, Delta - I don't know their code , etc.)then you shouldn't have a problem. If world events prevent your trip then the airline will protect you and allow you to reschedule, and if bankruptcy occurs then I expect another major to honor your tickets.

While we're all hearing the ugliness surrounding Ansett tickets right now, AN is not the same kind of airline. If a major US carrier falls, the others need to woo their customers. AN customers really have few options and they are not being treated with the same accord.

If you're flying an International carrier, and definitely if you're flying a charter then you should let us know who you're dealing with for more detailed answers.

I hope this helps.

FYI, Delta's code is DL. Here's a handy list of codes corresponding to most airlines worldwide: http://www.siber.org/sib/travel/airline-codes.txt

I would have made the obvious guess of DL, but decided that it would be more embarrassing to be wrong than to admit that I didn't know the code

Thanks for the followup!

Thanks for the reply. We are all flying CO.



[This message has been edited by PhxArisen (edited 09-18-2001).]