If my flight is delayed due to weather or mechanical problems, what compensation am I entitled to from the airline?

If I am involuntarily bumped from a flight on which I had a confirmed reservation, what compensation am I entitled to from the airline?

What does it mean if my ticket is "non-refundable"?

What does it mean if my ticket is "non-changeable"?

What does it mean if my ticket is "non-transferable"?

What are the differences between direct, connecting, and non-stop flights?

What is a consolidator?

Is there any problem with selling my frequent-flyer coupon vouchers (tickets) to other people?

Is there any problem with purchasing frequent-flyer coupon vouchers (tickets) from other people?

Are those air/car/hotel vacation packages a good deal?

Do airlines offer bereavement airfare discounts?

Question:
If my flight is delayed due to weather or mechanical problems, what compensation am I entitled to from the airline?
Answer:
Airlines are, as a general rule, not required to do much for you in this situation. However, each airline maintains a contract of carriage document, which is a binding agreement between you and the airline. This document outlines what type of compensation the airline will provide in various situations. Portions of a contract of carriage agreement are usually printed on the back of paper tickets, and airlines are required to produce the entire document to you upon request.

Question:
If I am involuntarily bumped from a flight on which I had a confirmed reservation, what compensation am I entitled to from the airline?
Answer:
The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires each airline to give all involuntarily-bumped passengers a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the airline decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn't.

But let's talk dollars. If the airline makes other transportation arrangements on your behalf that allow you to arrive within one hour of your original arrival time, you are not entitled to anything. If the delay is between one and two hours after your arrival time (one and four hours on international flights), the airline must pay you an amount equal to a one-way fare to your final destination, with a $200 maximum. If you get delayed by more than two hours (four hours on international flights), you are entitled to 200% of your air fare, up to $400.00.

You are always allowed to keep your original ticket and use it on another flight. If you choose to make your own arrangements you can request an "involuntary refund" for the ticket on the flight you were bumped from. This is essentially a compensation payment for the inconvenience you suffer.

Read more information in getting bumped from a flight

Question:
What does it mean if my ticket is "non-refundable"?
Answer:
It means that the airline will not, for any reason, refund the money you spent on your ticket. However, you may be able to receive credit for future flights on the same airline instead. If your travel plans change and you need a refund, be sure to ask the airline what it is willing to do for you.

Question:
What does it mean if my ticket is "non-changeable"?
Answer:
It means that the airline will not allow a penalty-free change to your ticket. However, if you are willing to pay a penalty (e.g., $75 plus any difference in airfare) you may be able to change your ticket. This is up to the airline, but the above scenario is fairly typical.

Question:
What does it mean if my ticket is "non-transferable"?
Answer:
It means that the airline will not allow another person to travel on the ticket issued in your name. As with everything, it never hurts to ask, but don't get your hopes up.

Question:
What are the differences between direct, connecting, and non-stop flights?
Answer:
Direct flights are flights that are booked from one location to another but involve stops along the way. (The airline version of a city bus.) If you see a flight labeled "direct," the first thing to check is the number of stops the flight will make before you arrive at your destination. If you like to stretch your legs, be sure to inquire if the airline will allow you off the aircraft between stops.

Connecting flights are flights that make connections to other flights at hub airports. While these flights may save you on airfare, they involve a greater risk of delays than non-stop and direct flights.

Non-stop flights are just what they sound like--no stops from your departure point to arrival point. While these types of flights are becoming more rare, they are a much better bet if you wish to avoid the delays that plague connecting and direct flights.

Question:
What is a consolidator?
Answer:
A consolidator buys tickets from the airlines at discounted rates and then resells them to travel agents and the general public. Consolidators achieve discounts by purchasing tickets in bulk as well as buying up tickets on flights that airlines have little hope of selling at a regular fare. Consolidator tickets are for specific flights on specific airlines, you may not be able to receive any compensation if you miss your flight, and you may not receive frequent flyer miles. Bottom line: the fact that a ticket seller is a consolidator in no way guarantees that you'll get the best price. You may be able to find a lower-priced ticket with fewer restrictions by booking your own ticket online. To check prices, visit the Travelhammer Reservation Center.

Question:
Is there any problem with selling my frequent-flyer coupon vouchers (tickets) to other people?
Answer:
After looking at classified ads and Web sites that offer to pay money for points, you might think this is a good deal, but all the airlines Travelhammer has talked to take a dim view of this sort of activity. In fact, the airlines promise to reward this type of behavior with an immediate cancellation of the offender's mileage account. So ignore those Web sites and classified ads and play it safe. There is usually no problem gifting points as free-flight certificates to family, friends, or even a charity.

Question:
Is there any problem with purchasing frequent-flyer coupon vouchers (tickets) from other people?
Answer:
This activity is strongly disapproved of by both airlines and hotels. If you are caught with an airline ticket purchased in this manner, you could end up stranded when the airline cancels your booking and gives your seat away, and then you would have to shell out a lot of money for a last-minute ticket. You are much better off shopping for promotional-priced tickets, or try Hotwire.com if you have plenty of travel time available. For more details, see the Travelhammer article about mileage points.

Question:
Are those air/car/hotel vacation packages a good deal?
Answer:
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. The only way to know for sure is to do a little math. Break out the cost of airfare, car rental, and hotel separately then add them up and compare. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The size of the car, type of hotel and room, as well as class of tickets should all be considered when making your comparison. A good place to start your research is the Travelhammer Reservation Center.

Question:
Do airlines offer bereavement airfare discounts?
Answer:
You may have heard the rumors about airlines extending courtesy discounts to people whose loved ones have passed away, and these rumors would suggest that the discounts are consistent and involve big discounts. The truth is:

• Airline policies on this type of discount are inconsistent. In fact many airlines don't even offer this discount at all.
• You may pay a higher price with a bereavement discount than if you had thoroughly researched the best going rate on your own.
• Policies vary widely about which family members are entitled to this discount. For example, a blood relative of the deceased may be entitled to a discount but their spouse may be excluded.
• Most airlines that extend this type of discount require proof that you are entitled to the discount. A a death certificate or a letter from the funeral director is usually sufficient.

Travelhammer suggests that you check for the lowest fare without regard to any particular airline, then phone the airline with the lowest price and ask if you are entitled to the bereavement fare.

Related articles:

Find cheap flights
Tips for finding the best airline ticket deals.

Choosing an airline
There's more to buying an airline ticket than just grabbing the cheapest fare.

Cheap airfares online
The most essential strategies for finding a good deal on an airline ticket.