Air Travel Tips for Senior Citizens

For international travel, the detailed requirements for disclosing contract terms do not apply. Airlines file "tariff rules" with the government and passengers are generally bound by these rules. Airline agents must answer your questions about information in the tariff, or if necessary help you locate specific tariff rules. You have a right to know about domestic or international terms of the contract of carriage and you should not be afraid to ask questions.

AIRLINE PASSENGER TIPS
When making a reservation, always ask about fees or penalties for changing or canceling a reservation or a paid ticket. There may be a variety of ticket prices with varying penalties and conditions. Choose the one that best fits your needs.

If a flight is cancelled, ask the airline representative to seat you on the next available flight. Always check the ticket options available on the flight you choose and the options available on alternate flights.

Read the disclosure statement on the back of your ticket. It explains your rights and responsibilities as a passenger, as well as the airline's liability for overbooking seats and for losing or damaging luggage.

When flights are overbooked, airline representatives are required to ask for volunteers to give up their reservations in exchange for payment of the airline's choosing. If you volunteer, be sure to get any compensation arrangements in writing.

If you are "bumped" or involuntarily reassigned to a later flight, the airline must provide you with a written statement of your rights and entitled compensation. The company rules for compensation are available at all airport ticket counters and boarding locations.

If your luggage is lost or damaged in flight, you are entitled to the fair market value of your belongings--up to $1,250 per passenger for checked and $400 for unchecked baggage.

Many airlines offer "excessive value" insurance for luggage above the $1,250 limit. Read the contract terms carefully to figure out exactly what is covered and under what circumstances you are eligible for compensation.

AIRFARE DISCOUNTS
Nearly 90% fly on discounted airfares--why not you? Instead of calling one airline, check with a computerized travel agency; they have fares and destinations for all airlines. These computers make flight schedules and fares immediately available to travel agents and show the highest to the lowest fares between any two locations. You also should be aware of the different types of discounts offered to minimize your flying costs.

• Off-peak flight discount fares: Monday noon to noon Thursday, and noon Saturday to noon Sunday.
  
• Off-season airfares: subject to the location you wish to go and whether it's peak tourist season or not. Airlines limit the number of discounted seats on flights but increase the number during off-season. For example, after April 15 you can look for bargain fares to the Caribbean and Florida. Check with your travel agent.
  
• Early-bird discounts: You'll get the lowest fares if you buy your tickets in advance, typically either 7 days or 2 weeks--each offers different discounts. The departure and return dates and times are fixed--you can't change your mind; if you do you could lose 50% to 100% of the ticket price. Once you have purchased tickets, you can't turn them in for a refund.
  
• Fly-charter: The number of charter flights has decreased since airlines started offering discount fares. There are still some super bargains, especially in Europe.

When you are in the air, read the safety briefing card at your seat. Study the diagram of how the oxygen mask works. Wear your seat belt at all times. Keep carry-on baggage to a minimum. Avoid caffeine, sugar, and alcohol before and during the flight. Meet the crew, if you can, and ask questions--even silly ones. Walk around the cabin and talk to other flyers. Think positive thoughts. Take deep breaths, lean back, relax, and avoid upsetting ideas.

AIRLINE DELAYS
Delays occur because of bad weather, "bunched" flights, limited airport capacities, not enough air-traffic controllers, and mechanical failure. Airlines are under no obligation to get ticketed passengers to their destinations at any scheduled time. Neither do they need to compensate you for missed cruises, tours, and connections.

ON-TIME RATINGS
The largest U.S. airlines now must rate each flight's on-time arrival record. On time is defined as within 14 minutes of the scheduled time. The rating is from 0 to 9. This number stands for the percentage of on-time arrivals, for example, 8 means 80% of that flight's arrivals are on time; 2 signifies 20 percent. This number appears next to the flight number on the computer screens of airline and travel agents. You have a right to know the number.

DEALING WITH DELAYS

• Use the on-time rating system to select airlines and flights.
  
• Before you leave for the airport, call to see if the flight is on time.
  
• Allow an hour to make a domestic connecting flight and more time in cities with congested airports.
  
• If your flight is cancelled or seriously delayed and you have an emergency such as a family illness, cruise ship departures, etc., tell the airline's counter representative, who will try to help.
  
• When a flight is cancelled or going to be delayed for several hours, ask the airline to place you on the next available flight. They may put you on a competitor's flight if they have nothing scheduled. Ask the airline to endorse your ticket to the new carrier; this could save you a fare increase.
  
• Check with airline staff to find out what services they will provide. Ask about meals and phone calls. Request a meal voucher if a delay extends through a mealtime. If the delay extends past 1 a.m. request a hotel voucher. Airlines will not provide meal or hotel vouchers at the origin of a flight.
  
• Avoid traveling at peak times.
  
• Be prepared for delays--they will occur. Stay calm. Getting upset doesn't help.

INVOLUNTARY BUMPING
If you are bumped, ask for a written statement of your rights. Frequently, you are entitled to an on-the-spot payment of denied boarding compensation. If the airline can get you to your destination by any means within an hour of your expected arrival time, there is no compensation. If they get you there within 2 hours (4 hours on international flights) they must pay you equal to the one-way fare, with a maximum of $200. The compensation doubles (200% of the fare, $400 maximum) if greater than 2 hours (4 hours international).

The compensation rules do not apply to charter flights, flights of less than 60 passengers, inbound international flights, or flying between two foreign cities.

To qualify for compensation, you must have a confirmed reservation, meet the deadline for buying your ticket, and meet the ticketing or check-in deadline for that particular airline. If you miss the ticketing or check-in deadline, you may have lost your reservation and your right to compensation particularly if the flight is oversold.