The Lowdown on Rule 240
Feb 6, 2002 | 6:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
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
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
Feb 6, 2002 | 9:49 pm
#3
Used to be Sydneysider
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UAPremierExec:
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</font>
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</font>
Feb 7, 2002 | 1:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 140
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
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
Feb 7, 2002 | 4:54 pm
#5
Used to be Sydneysider
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by carpeperdiem:
It doesn't hurt to ask NICELY.
cpd</font>
It doesn't hurt to ask NICELY.
cpd</font>
Feb 7, 2002 | 6:12 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Parker CO, USA
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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.
If you know the rule it can work to your advantage.
Feb 7, 2002 | 6:38 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 6,932
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.
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.
Feb 7, 2002 | 10:38 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Here and There
Posts: 538
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).]
http://www.ual.com/site/primary/0,10017,2671,00.html
[This message has been edited by SGT Clair (edited 02-07-2002).]
Feb 8, 2002 | 7:36 am
#10
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yonatan:
Question:
Does this apply on international flights to/from the U.S.?
Yonatan</font>
Question:
Does this apply on international flights to/from the U.S.?
Yonatan</font>
---
Actually, my understanding is that international is a bit different, sadly! If, I'm incorrect, surely someone will correct me!
Feb 8, 2002 | 7:43 am
#11
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
agents THINK they know the rules, but what they think often bears no reseblance to the contract of carriage.
</font>
agents THINK they know the rules, but what they think often bears no reseblance to the contract of carriage.
</font>
Feb 9, 2002 | 9:18 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Posts: 1,684
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).]
thanks
[This message has been edited by nobody-elite (edited 02-09-2002).]
Feb 9, 2002 | 10:20 am
#14
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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
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