Passenger Rights Bills Are Wrong for Passengers

In the aftermath of widely reported incidents of passengers stranded for eight or more hours onboard aircraft sitting on the tarmac, just an infuriating stone's throw from the departure gate, the drumbeat for an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (APBR) has reached unprecedented levels.

In fact, there are two pieces of legislation which use the APBR moniker, formally or informally, currently in the legislative pipeline. One, at the federal level, was passed last week by the Senate Commerce Committee. The other has been passed by the New York Senate and next goes to that state's Assembly.

Their names notwithstanding, neither is a true Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, since both focus on the very limited issue of planes which have pushed back from the terminal but which, typically due to inclement weather, cannot proceed to take off and complete the scheduled flight. The APBR that consumers deserve addresses a much wider range of issues, including one of our perennial preoccupations: mileage program transparency.

And the bills under consideration don't even adequately protect travelers' rights under the circumstances they address specifically. While the bills mandate that plane-bound passengers be supplied with such basics as water, fresh air, and functioning restrooms, they stop short of granting passengers the most fundamental right of all: to be allowed to exit the plane and take their business elsewhere when the airline fails to deliver on its promise to operate timely service.

The apt name for the current legislation would be the Tarmac Delay Bill or words to that effect. Let's reserve "Airline Passenger Bill of Rights" for a bill worthy of the name.

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FrequentFlier Forum Topics

As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, after many fruitless attempts to book an award trip on United, loggerhead wonders whether elite status counts when redeeming frequent flyer miles: "As a result of my many conversations with the Mileage Plus reservation agents, it was my impression that we could've booked business class or first class seats if we had Elite status. Can anyone give me any input on this issue?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, junobear received a 2-for-1 Mileage Plus zone certificate and is (properly) skeptical of its real value: "Has anyone ever used these? It never really seemed worth it, or it never fit into my travel plans. Any thoughts?"

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Earn AAdvantage Miles for Car Loans

AAdvantage members can earn 5,000 miles when securing a vehicle loan from Capital One Auto Finance.

Loan can be used to buy new or used vehicles, refinance an existing loan, or buy out a lease. Noteworthy caveat: Terms vary "based on loan term, credit history, application method and mode of payment."

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More BA Miles for Diners Club Points

Through August 31, Diners Club Rewards members will receive 50% more British Airways Executive Club miles when converting their Club Rewards points.

In practical terms, that means that 35,000 Club Rewards points convert to more than 50,000 Executive Club miles, enough for a roundtrip coach ticket between the U.S. and London or other destinations in Europe.

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Double Northwest Miles Between Denver and Indianapolis

Between June 7 and August 20, WorldPerks members will earn double miles for Northwest's new flights between Denver and Indianapolis.

Registration is required.

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Get Priority Club Awards for Less

Through July 31, Priority Club Rewards members can save 10% when redeeming points for gift certificates from a range of restaurants and retailers, including amazon.com, Chili's, Circuit City, Red Lobster, etc.

Non-travel awards generally don't represent the best value when redeeming points, so this promotion offers a welcome opportunity to improve the return on investment.

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United Discounts Bermuda Award Travel

Through September 2, United Mileage Plus members can redeem 20,000 miles for coach roundtrip travel between the U.S. mainland or Canada and Bermuda -- a savings of 15,000 miles over the normal 35,000-mile price for this award.

Award booking must be made online at united.com, for travel between June 10 and September 2.

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US Air Waives Change Surcharge for Elites

Effective today, Preferred-level members of US Airways' Dividend Miles program can opt for a confirmed standby seat for an earlier flight on the day of travel without paying the normal $25 fee.

While it may be true, as US Airways' press release claims, that "No other full-service carrier offers this benefit to all elite-level frequent flyer program members," waivers like this inevitably raise the question: Why is this fee imposed on anyone?

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) American Competes with Southwest from $98

American is going head-to-head against Southwest and United with its latest domestic sale. Fares start at $98 roundtrip, and cities include Chicago, Denver, Ft. Myers, and Pittsburgh.

Travel is valid on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through November 2. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance. American has not listed a booking deadline, but Southwest's sale expires May 24 and American's will likely expire then, too.

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2) AirTran Fares from $39 Each Way

AirTran is offering a new systemwide sale with fares starting at $39 one-way. Destinations include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando.

Travel is valid Tuesdays and Wednesdays through November 8. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by June 5.

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Win a Resort Vacation for 2

Through June 30, enter Sandals' "7 Days in Paradise" sweepstakes for a chance to win a seven-day/six-night vacation at a Sandals or Beaches Resort. Trip includes meals and airport transfers, but not airfare.

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[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"As a former frequent flier (100k x 2 airlines two years ago) I was interested in how I'd tolerate my first flight in 9 months - Southwest LAX to Albuquerque.

"Outbound no biggie. Just as boring and cramped as ever but at least we boarded easily and I actually ate all 9 of my peanuts. Returning from ABQ - I couldn't help wondering why Southwest allowed 27 (yes, 27) 'pre-boards'! A guy pretending to limp using a hiking pole with three healthy folks with him. A number of morbidly obese folks who really walked just as well as the rest of us - when did being FAT become a privilege-granting process? A baby (screaming of course) with five healthy adults in attendance. Amazingly, I had an original epiphany (thot I was too experienced a traveler for that) - I'm now buying my early-board pass by slipping a bill to the kid with a baby so I can also pretend to be 'family'!

"How long until the airlines realize that this farce of too many pre-boards must stop? Not that I care - my next flight isn't even scheduled or predictable yet. Ah - the joy of televideo, teleconference and email with video." [Lawrence L.]

"Thanks for the comments and directions from Gil Weinstein - Port Authority of NY & NJ, Manager Concessions, LaGuardia Airport; RicoWrite and Michael L. about staffed US Postal Service outlets at LGA, ATL and PIT [in last week's Crier].

"Too bad no one from JFK (also under the Port Authority jurisdiction), LAX or ORD could counter my comments for an accessible, on-site, staffed U.S. Post Office using a complimentary airport shuttle, or, in the case of ORD, a staffed, accessible U.S. Post Office outside security, especially in times of need caused by the latest TSA rules.

"Again, there should be postal legislation that requires every airport serving major and medium hubs to have a staffed, accessible, on-site U.S. Post Office. Accessible without the use of a taxi or hitching a ride on a shuttle owned by a private company." [Al from Boston]

"I know when this law [a Passenger Bill of Rights] will go into effect, people will be a little more willing to fly than they are now. People fly now out of necessity, not luxury. When this law goes into effect, I'll be 25% more willing to fly than I am right now. At this time, I have no desire or ambition to go anywhere, I am in protest over the stranded passengers issue.

"No Airline Passengers Bill of Rights, No Economy!" [J. Blazewicz]

"The biggest problem I have with FF miles is going on a cruise where you need only 1-way air. British Air allows 1-way but most do not.

"I have written to American several times, but no luck---you have to pay a round trip number of miles for a 1-way." [Abe R.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - There has been some movement lately toward making one-way awards available. See this article on the FrequentFlier.com website for more.]

Until next week...