Detroit Free Press Ellen Creager column [Detroit Free Press]

Sept. 29--Dear Traveler: I am writing about Delta's continual habit of bumping passengers without compensation or accommodation. I was recently notified that the nonstop flight I purchased in June for travel this month had a schedule change and I got bumped to a one-stop leaving four hours later.

Isn't this bait and switch? -- Angry and Late

Dear Angry: The legal definition of bumping is when an airline denies boarding to a passenger at the gate because the plane is oversold with more ticketed passengers than seats.

What you are describing, however, is an equally irritating airline practice -- the dreaded schedule change. Airlines routinely change schedules, usually by only a few minutes like moving a 6:01 p.m. flight to 6:03. Worse is when they drop a planned flight from a schedule a few weeks or months ahead and rebook unlucky passengers on a completely different flight.

Airlines must issue a refund if the change is unacceptable to you. But like you, most travelers don't want a refund. They want their original flight.

In your case, after you complained, they gave you 3,700 SkyMiles.

In my mind, this is not enough. If this happens again and the change is more than 1 hour or switches you from a nonstop to a one-stop, call and ask the airline to book you on a flight equivalent to what you paid for.

If your only choice is the new, inconvenient flight, ask what they can do for you to make it right. I'd like to see a credit or a ton of frequent flier miles.

Dear Traveler: How do I carry my husband's ashes on a plane? -- Sorrow

Dear Sorrow: Ask the funeral home to give you a lightweight, non-metal container of wood or plastic so it can easily be X-rayed as part of your carry-on baggage at airport security. Funeral homes are very familiar with these regulations.

Bring the death or cremation certificate with you.

Dear Traveler: Do I need a passport to fly to the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico? -- Island Girl

Dear Girl: No. Both are U.S. territories.

Dear Traveler: I believe you gave the wrong information in a recent column about getting trip insurance that covers financial default for American Airlines. As a travel agent, I sell Travel Guard insurance, and their (alert) list says they will not cover American, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. -- Careful Agent

Dear Agent: Coverage is available. Although some firms like Travel Guard and Travelex exclude AA from such coverage, other travel insurance companies like Travel Insured and MH Ross still offer it. Linda Finkle, executive vice president at MH Ross, said if someone bought a policy today that includes financial default coverage and AA doesn't fold within 14 days, they're covered.

When buying any trip insurance, ask the agent to confirm coverage for your particular travel supplier.

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