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For U.S. travelers, the old pre-deregulation Rule 240 was a godsend, a way to practically ensure that you’d get to your destination if your booked flight was delayed for reasons other than weather. Invoke rule 240, and the airline would put you on the next flight to your destination — even if that flight was on the competition!

It’s true. Airlines were once required to simply sign over tickets to another carrier if their flights were delayed or canceled, as long as weather wasn’t the cause. Customers won. (And I could imagine that this would encourage tip-top maintenance, too.)

With the demise of regulation, Rule 240 was no longer a standard requirement for airline contracts. Each airline could tinker with their contracts of carriage here and there, and they did. Some kept the old rule 240 in the contract, and they even called it “rule 240.” But the global requirement that there be such a rule was gone.

Every so often, the subject of rule 240 comes up again in the travel media. This time, eminences grises Peter Greenberg and Joe Brancatelli posted opposing views on the existential question of whether or not Rule 240 exists, with Chris Elliott playing referee. Read ‘em all.

The bottom line, to me, is this: There is no true Rule 240 anymore. Some airlines have it, some don’t. And it’s not a rule, as much as it is a practice, with a bit of discretion and leeway for the gate agent. But it’s worth asking for, in a pinch. It can’t hurt to try.

Above all, the key is that Rule 240 is not universal, neither in name, nor in scope. Airlines and passengers are supposed to abide by the terms of the contract of carriage, which differs by airline. And these contracts change from time to time, much to travelers’ chagrin. You don’t like that? Tough luck. It’s not like you can cancel your ticket without penalties, even if the airline changes its contract. (Who writes these things? Must be a sweet gig.)

But just because Rule 240 isn’t a blanket rule across all carriers doesn’t mean you can’t try invoking it, or its contractual descendant. If you’re delayed, ask to be rescheduled on another flight. But remember, if the delay is due to weather, you’re out of luck. And guess what airlines will try to blame the delays on?

As I’ve argued before, always carry a copy of your airline’s contract. I usually lug a laptop with me, so I download the contract before I leave. If there’s a delay, you’ve got the documentation to scroll through.

Personally, I’ve never actually invoked Rule 240, or any of its variants, to fly on another airline at no further cost. (Though a kind Delta agent once put me on an American Airlines flight from Seattle to Chicago, when I was traveling on a “free” SkyMiles ticket from Anchorage that wasn’t routed anywhere near Seattle… It’s a long story. In retrospect, she probably 240′ed me.) I’ve been rebooked many times on alternate flights on the airline that operated my original ticket, but that, to me, isn’t really Rule 240. But I know people who have, to some success. But things change, and I wouldn’t bet on it working out for you if you tried “invoking” it today.

But how about you? Have you used it? Have you been denied?

Hit the poll!

(Reading this in the feed? Trouble voting? Click here to vote.)

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Shameless self-promotional pimping alert!

The government of France’s tourist office is running a contest, and you and I can both win. As part of their promotion of tourism to the island of Martinique, they invited bloggers to offer up their “wildest, funniest, or most exciting travel or holiday experience.” I banged out a quick synopsis of some of my 1992 travels in Russia, a story which features me standing in a train wearing nothing but my underwear at 3 in the morning, with a pimply-faced Red Army recruit pushing the tip of his automatic rifle into my chest.

Hmm… what better way to win a trip to a Caribbean island than to discuss travel to Russia in February?…

Click here to stuff the ballot box read my entry. Click on the stars at the top of the entry to cast your ballot.

Giving it five stars is appreciated (hint hint), and voting enters you into a sweepstakes for free Martinique travel of your own. Here’s hoping it’s — literally — win-win.

Other blogger-participants have been pimping their stories for days — even weeks! (How fair is that?!) I was invited to participate late, so I’ve got some catching up to do. And that’s where you come in.

It’s not often that I ask for your help. In fact, when WAS the last time I asked for your help? But I’m asking now.

The terms of the contest are here. The whole array of stories to consider is here. And, as a gentle reminder (cough, cough) my contribution is here. Vote early and often! Just vote by February 28.

And thanks!

Travelers on United Airlines will now have to pay $25 if they check a second bag, unless they’re Star Alliance Silver-level elite frequent flyer members or higher. (That includes the entry-level elite status of Premier on United.) But for an airline that portrays itself as somehow “premium,” this is another in a long series of devaluations and degradations. United has been on a downward slope since it emerged from bankruptcy. This just reaffirms it.

The charge will generate more than $100 million in revenue and cost savings each year, UAL Corp. said. The change takes effect May 5 and applies to tickets purchased on or after Monday.

Soon, United will be indistinguishable from Spirit or Skybus, except with some 747s, an international schedule, and Channel 9 on their audio program.

Thanks to the commenter with the appropriately sarcastic nom-de-plume of “Friendly Skies”, to the ever-vigilant reader J, and to the lovely and talented Kim for sending in this tip.

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Upgraded: Your chance to vent at the TSA
Homeland Security first got a blog, but now the TSA has one too. And it’s not just staffed by the man at the top. They asked for your honest opinions. Give ‘em hell. Just keep it civil. (Thanks, Stephen!)

Upgraded: Nude Aviation
Who could forget Naked Air, the chartered “airline” that transported “naturists” to sunny destinations. Now, a German travel agency will make naked flights a regular option. But for those longing for a long overnight trip in the buff, you’ll have to keep waiting. It’s just a short trip within Germany. (Seriously, why bother?)

Upgraded: Business travel blogging
Hirsute frequent flyer kingpin Randy Petersen has gathered a number of blogs related to business travel into one place — BoardingArea.com — and you’ll find Upgrade: Travel Better syndicated there, too. You’ll find some familiar names there as well, plus some spunky newcomers. The site’s launch was featured in the New York Times, too, including a photo of the hirsute proprietor. Check it out.

Upgraded: Hotel thieves
If you’ve ever stolen stuff from a hotel room, you can return those towels, glasses, bathrobes, and … punch bowls? In any case, if you’ve been a pilferer from the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, your day of amnesty is here. Bring back the contraband, no questions asked. (Thanks Dr. Vino!)

Upgraded: JetBlue’s alliance prospects
Perhaps you remember my prediction from February 6 last year, that jetBlue and Aer Lingus would try to sync up in an alliance? Looks like the prediction was right, according to WSJ reports. But Aer Lingus might find some competition from jetBlue shareholder Lufthansa, who is also looking into an alliance of sorts with the ‘blue.

Upgraded: Short runways, long flights, 2-year old sarcasm
British Airways has announced another luxury initiative, aimed squarely at its all-business class competitors. The new all-business class service will fly from London’s City airport — a tiny airport with a short runway — to an as-yet unnamed New York area airport. The flight will feature only 36 seats on an Airbus A318. Not A319. Not A320. A318. The shortest in the family, and the biggest plane legally permitted to depart from London-City. The Cranky Flier has a nice post on the logistics of the proposed service. But jeez, it looks like my sarcastic comments from April 2006 were taken seriously: “What’s next?: Will someone determine that London City airport needs nonstop business class service to White Plains or Islip?” I guess life imitates snark?

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