I think it's over now.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/020903/airlines_amr_continental_report_1.html
Reuters Business Report
Report: Airlines Get Tough on Tickets
Tuesday September 3, 3:33 am ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News) and Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL - News) both toughened rules on nonrefundable tickets to eliminate the one-year grace period for missed flights after October 1 and charge a $100 fee beginning next year for standby-flight changes, The Wall Street Journal said in its Tuesday online edition.
Customers flying American, Continental and US Airways (NYSE:U - News), are still able to make changes to itineraries for nonrefundable tickets before departure, subject to $100 change fees and several restrictions, the Journal reported.
But customers will have to rebook for specific future flights, rather than simply carrying a credit for as long as one year, according to the Journal article.
American Airlines and Continental were not immediately available for comment.
All three airlines said they would make exceptions for travelers who miss flights, but show up late during the same day for travel, the Journal reported. American hinted it might make exceptions for family emergencies and other circumstances, the Journal reported.
In its rule-tightening last week, US Air also eliminated standby changes as an option with nonrefundable tickets, the Journal reported.
American followed suit Friday, but will give customers holding cheap tickets the option of paying $100 to change flights by waiting on a standby list, according to the Journal.
Continental matched American's standby rules, the Journal reported.
If other airlines do not match the changes, American, Continental and US Air might decide to drop the tighter restrictions to remain competitive with rivals, according to the Journal.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/020903/airlines_amr_continental_report_1.html
Reuters Business Report
Report: Airlines Get Tough on Tickets
Tuesday September 3, 3:33 am ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News) and Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL - News) both toughened rules on nonrefundable tickets to eliminate the one-year grace period for missed flights after October 1 and charge a $100 fee beginning next year for standby-flight changes, The Wall Street Journal said in its Tuesday online edition.
Customers flying American, Continental and US Airways (NYSE:U - News), are still able to make changes to itineraries for nonrefundable tickets before departure, subject to $100 change fees and several restrictions, the Journal reported.
But customers will have to rebook for specific future flights, rather than simply carrying a credit for as long as one year, according to the Journal article.
American Airlines and Continental were not immediately available for comment.
All three airlines said they would make exceptions for travelers who miss flights, but show up late during the same day for travel, the Journal reported. American hinted it might make exceptions for family emergencies and other circumstances, the Journal reported.
In its rule-tightening last week, US Air also eliminated standby changes as an option with nonrefundable tickets, the Journal reported.
American followed suit Friday, but will give customers holding cheap tickets the option of paying $100 to change flights by waiting on a standby list, according to the Journal.
Continental matched American's standby rules, the Journal reported.
If other airlines do not match the changes, American, Continental and US Air might decide to drop the tighter restrictions to remain competitive with rivals, according to the Journal.