Archive-name: travel/air/cheap-tickets/part1 Last-Modified: Wed Sep 15 16:34:27 1993 by Mark Kantrowitz Version: 1.8 Size:  62732 bytes ;;; **************************************************************** ;;; Airfare FAQ, Part 1 ******************************************** ;;; **************************************************************** This post is a summary of useful information for air travelers. The focus is on obtaining inexpensive air fares, although other topics are also covered. Please mail comments, corrections, additions, suggestions, criticisms and other information to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it An updated version of this file is posted once a month to the newsgroups rec.travel.air and news.answers. The version date for the file is located in the header near the top of the file. The list is also available via anonymous ftp from ftp.cs.cmu.edu in the directory /afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/mkant/Public/Travel/ as the files airfare-1.text and airfare-2.text. The file jet-lag.txt in the same directory contains the ANL jet lag diet. Note that you must cd to this directory in one command, as intermediate directories are protected during an anonymous ftp. Of course, if your site is running the Andrew File System, you may access the file directly without using FTP.  You can also get the file by anonymous ftp from rtfm.mit.edu (18.70.0.224) in the files /pub/usenet/news.answers/travel/air/cheap-tickets/{part1,part2}, or by sending mail messages to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the lines send usenet/news.answers/travel/air/cheap-tickets/part1 and send usenet/news.answers/travel/air/cheap-tickets/part2 in the body. ;;; ******************************** ;;; Copyright ********************** ;;; ******************************** Copyright (c) 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993 by Mark Kantrowitz. Use and copying of this information and preparation of derivative works _base_d upon this information are permitted, so long as the following conditions are met:    o  no fees or compensation are charged for use, copies or access to       this information    o  this copyright notice is included intact This information is made available AS IS, and no warranty is made about its quality or correctness. ;;; ******************************** ;;; Contents *********************** ;;; ******************************** Recent Changes: ;;; 12-OCT-93 mk    Decided to start logging all changes instead of using ;;;                 asterisks in the table of contents. ;;; 12-OCT-93 mk    Delta offers frequent flyer awards now at 30,000 miles. ;;; 18-OCT-93 mk    Added Bicycles section. ;;; 27-OCT-93 mk    Change in Travel Avenue's rebating policies. Topics Covered (Part 1):    Temporary Notes    IRS    Standard Tricks    Fare Classes    Classes of Service    Fare Types    Special Fare Categories    Flying Standby    Getting Bumped    Missed Connections    Buying used tickets through the classified ads    Sympathy Fares, Emergencies    Refunds    Advance Purchase Fares    Travel Agents    Pets    Lost Baggage    Baggage Limits    Bicycles    Hub Cities    Flying International: Couriers, Consolidators    Special Meals    Airline Reservation Phone Numbers    Frequent Flyer Programs Topics Covered (Part 2):    Hotel Frequent Flyer Plans    Credit Card Voucher Offers    Restrictions on Electronics    Complaints and Compliments    Glossary    Miscellaneous Notes    Other Sources of Information    Further Reading    Jetlag    Packing Tips    Safety    Pregnant Passengers ;;; ******************************** ;;; Temporary Notes **************** ;;; ******************************** With the American Airlines fare restructuring, many discounted fares have been eliminated, ostensibly because everything's cheap now . However, I am not eliminating the discussion of these discounts because they still apply to some airlines. In addition, I expect the fare restructuring to be largely temporary