Smart Travel: Airlines, cruise lines ease some ticket restrictions

Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency.

A number of the major airlines are easing ticket change and cancellation rules in view of recent concerns about terrorist activity and the recently launched war in Iraq.

Earlier in the year, the cash-strapped carriers announced rules making exchanges and cancellations either impossible or expensive and very time-limited.

Although not every airline is on board with these modifications, it is expected that most will make similar relaxations on earlier rules.

One rule that has not been relaxed is that ticket changes of any kind must be made before the day and time of the ticketed flight, after which time the ticket has no value.

USAir, United and American Airlines were the first carriers to implement these new relaxed rules which modified rules generally viewed as strict and inflexible by passengers.

The rules and the $100 transfer fee were waived for both domestic and international travel.

Delta and Continental Airlines followed quickly on the heels of the first announcements, but the changes applied to the $200 European change fee only.

Northwest and KLM have relaxed their exchange policy "in the event of military action." Their policy allows changes through Dec. 15, 2003, without penalty.

The avowed purpose of the changes is to give peace of mind to the traveling public and to encourage continued air travel in difficult times.

But remember that the departure date and time of your first flight segment marks the end of value or exchangeability for most tickets, whether a paper or E-ticket.

Check with your travel agent because of changing rules in change policies and also in baggage restrictions.

In line with airline policy relaxations, tour companies and cruise lines also are making changes in their cancellation policies.

SuperClubs, a tour company, now allows travelers to postpone their travel plans for up to 12 months without penalty in case of war or a terrorist attack on North America. Crystal Cruises has offered a cruise protection program that allows passengers to cancel their cruises for absolutely any reason up to three days before departure and receive a 90 percent rollover credit toward any cruise within the next 12 months. It is certain that other tour companies and cruise line will follow suit.

In general, the travel industry wants to assure prospective travelers that their payments are protected in case of war or other emergency, and that they welcome travel bookings now with the promise of refunds in case of untoward international events.

If you wish to go ahead with your travel planning, you may do so, knowing that your investment is protected in these unsettling times.