Share
PrintHank Investigates: The New World of Travel
You were supposed to get on a plane yesterday, you need a ticket for a flight next week or next month, or you have a ticket you don't want to use at all. What do you do? Today, airlines began setting new travel and ticket policies so bewildered travelers can get some answers.
Travel agents today swamped with phone calls. Some passengers, stranded, trying to get home. Some wondering when they can take off. Others just want a refund.
Many are holding tickets that are complicated and restricted, nonrefundable, non-changeable, special fares, but while the air travel system gets reinvented, airlines are saying right now many restrictions are off.
So for those who have tickets, are airlines being accommodating? According to airline policy, the shutdown of the aviation system is a "force majure"--an event beyond their control.
But our survey of airline company policy shows that most are going beyond that: reissuing tickets for the next available flight without extra fees, offering reservation changes without penalties, or total refunds. But these changes are only for a certain amount of time.
Boston travel agents say they are booking tickets now for future flights. And they're telling those who want to book tickets that flights going out will be backed up for a while, as those stranded in other cities fill up the planes heading home.
But even if all goes as hoped, experts warn flying public will have to be prepared to handle a whole new experience.
More important information: if you now have an e-ticket, you'll get the airlines to issue you a paper ticket. Most are waiving the usual fee for that. Plus, we found airline ticketing policies are changing constantly. It's essential to contact your airline company or travel agent for the latest on your particular situation. Terry Trippler, Travelone.com
"They really only have to refund unused portions." Terry Trippler
"Get there early, it's going to be kind of a mess out there for a while."