Air Travel and Airline Passenger Rights FAQ

Questions:

• Where can I find information about the duties that the airline owes to me as a passenger?
• In what ways is an airline allowed to restrict my airline ticket?
• How do airlines calculate fares?
• Do airlines offer discounted tickets or let you change a ticket if you need to travel because of death or serious illness?
• What should I do if I lose my airline ticket?
• Does the airline have to compensate me if it bumps me off a flight because of overbooking?
• What about tarmac delays? Do airlines have to let passengers off of stranded planes?
• Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is delayed, diverted, or canceled?
• Am I entitled to compensation from the airline if my baggage is lost or damaged?
• I have a ticket on an airline that seems headed for bankruptcy. What can I do?
• Are there any legal protections for the credits I earn in a frequent flyer program?
• Does it pay to belong to more than one frequent flyer program?
• Can I give away or sell my frequent flyer awards?

Answer:

Are there any legal protections for the credits I earn in a frequent flyer program?

While frequent flyer programs can provide you with some travel bargains, there are few legal protections for the credits you earn. Under the rules of almost all frequent flyer programs, the airline can change award levels, have credits expire, or even cancel the whole program without warning.