The Lowdown on Rule 240
 

The Lowdown on Rule 240

Is there an obscure airline rule that outlines your rights if you're bumped
from a flight? A reader says he's heard a rumor that that airlines don't
acknowledge the rule unless you mention it by name and he wants to find out
more about it. Sounds like a case for our troubleshooter. Read more in
Christopher Elliott's column.

http://www.ticked.com/chriscrossings/2002/cr240.htm

Rule 240 is nothing nowadays..... just a way for the "inexperienced" traveler to try to feel important.

Gate Agents know the rules, as do the passengers.

-n

not true in my experience... most of the agents i've dealt with during problems are ignorant of my rights. as rule 240 and the rest of the contract of carriage specify, i do have rights as a passenger and i politely remind the agents of those if necessary. i always carry a copy with me for the airline i'm flying. it's come in handy more than once.

Recent converstaion between passenger and ticket agent at EWR (after CO cancelled a connecting flight):

passenger: "so I have to wait 5 hours until the next flight? Can you get me on the nonstop on Delta?"
ticket agent: "no."
passenger: "does rule 240 apply here?"
ticket agent: "no... well, i'm not sure... hold on..."

agent comes back from office with some papers... passenger is on next flight out on Delta.

It doesn't hurt to ask NICELY.

cpd

couldn't agree more. if you start nicely (and are sure you're within your rights) and an agent tries to dismiss you, however, there is nothing wrong with firmly, politely holding their feet to the fire and asking for a supervisor.

I was in Houston and going to be bumped from FC back home. When I asked when the next flight was I was told 6 1/2 hours. I said fine, you now owe me 2x my ticket price and dinner (Rule 240). I was thus put on my original flight and seat. I wonder who did get bumped :-)

If you know the rule it can work to your advantage.

The trouble is, agents THINK they know the rules, but what they think often bears no reseblance to the contract of carriage.

I am still fighting Continental to get a refund of the canceled return leg of a nonrefundable ticket for late September. They alternate between agreeing they will refund the money (after I pointed them gently to rule 240D), saying they owe me nothing, and saying they already sent me a travel voucher.

I've sicked American Express on them... we're currently in Round 3.

Question:

Does this apply on international flights to/from the U.S.?

Yonatan

I fly United and their contract of carriage is at:

http://www.ual.com/site/primary/0,10017,2671,00.html



[This message has been edited by SGT Clair (edited 02-07-2002).]

---


Actually, my understanding is that international is a bit different, sadly! If, I'm incorrect, surely someone will correct me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Which is why I carry a copy of the rule in my briefcase. I forget what the rules are... and I want to be right! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'd guess that many FT'ers actually carry along a copy of the rules! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Where does one find a copy of these rules? Also is the 240 rule different for different airlines/ countries? Would like to find the rules for Air Canada.

thanks

[This message has been edited by nobody-elite (edited 02-09-2002).]

The airlines are required to provide you a copy of all of the rules at your request. Some of them hide them on their Web sites, some of them will mail them to you, and ALL of them (at least in the US) are required to give you a copy at a city ticket office or airport ticketing desk.

In my experience, they're less than happy about doing it because the contract is somewhat long. The rules change on occassion, so rather than having them printed in advance, they'll usually have to print them on the spot, which takes time.

d

Anybody know where I can get the Delta rules online?