As we get ready for vacation with flying in mind, before making those reservation, don't make the mistake of misunderstanding that what they say isn't necessarily what the language really means. According to Bottom Line Personal, airlines' doublespeak can cost us unnecessary bucks so it's important to know the meaning behind their own semantics.
Direct flight is a misnomer that startled me. I've always assumed a direct flight took me from my point of departure straight to the arrival place with no changes in between. Nope. This eye-opener set me straight to the fact that a direct flight simply means the flight has the same number throughout, not that it takes me straight from A to B. In fact, sometimes, we're not even on the same plane the entire way. So instead of asking for a "direct flight," instead opt for a non-stop flight. (Be sure you're also alright with a stop as long as it's the same plane; in other words, the direct flight can be on the same plane so you don't have to undergo the hassle of changing planes.)
Basic economy is not an ordinary economy-class ticket and, frankly, is significantly more restricted that the latter. Forget making a seating assignment until just prior to and, actually, forget making any changes whatsoever without losing a wad of change – and maybe not even then. Often, a carry-on bag is prohibited and, if you attempt to bring one on the plane with you, the passenger can face both a hefty fine and a charge for the bag. Never book this type of ticket without reading the fine print first to be sure you can live with the conditions.
Personal items can vary from airline to airline and even from plane to plane. Generally, this item is a purse, a briefcase, a small backpack or a laptop bag. Don't assume, however, any one of these is good to go; the item must fit under the seat in front of you, but that space may be smaller than snail's drool. Be prepared to pay up to $100 at the gate if you don't thoroughly check out the space allowance before boarding (or even packing).
Premium economy offers a bit more space and comfort than basic economy but less than business or first class. If we're lucky, our extra payment affords us extra legroom, extra width, improved reclining, footrests, and/or better food. On the other hand, this premium simply means a few extra inches of legroom. When we flew to Europe a few years ago, I paid extra for my husband and I to fly premium economy. Ha! Halfway through the flight, I moved back several rows toward basic economy where for three empty seats, I was able to stretch out and be comfy for the remainder of the flight. And speaking of food, the only "premium" was an extra package of cookies. Thanks, but no thanks
Be sure to read the fine print on the airline's website to check the specific "upgrades" you've paid extra for. A bit of extra legroom is all you get when booking "Economy Plus" on United, "Main cabin Extra" on American or "Comfort +" on Delta. Eyeballs out, please.
Nonrefundable tickets normally mean just this, but under certain tricky circumstances, you might be able to get a refund; for example, this might occur if I were to cancel within 24 hours of booking a ticket that was bought at least seven days prior to departure (or, two days with American Airlines). These are DOT rules and apply only if flights are booked directly from the airline and only domestic/international flights departing from the US.
Changeable tickets can be (duh) changed, if not refundable, but the fee can be so hefty, it's probably not worth the effort or bucks. Frankly, a new ticket may cost less than the change fee. If any doubt occurs, try to fly Southwest, which hasn't a change fee, though you'll still pay the difference between the old ticket and the new. I lucked out recently with Delta; the new ticket was so much cheaper than the old ticket, no fee was necessary!
No blackout dates make award travel pretty unrewarding. Frequent flyer program perks can be so few and far between because of blackout dates, it's often virtually impossible to get to where you want to go when you want to get there. When an airline rewards program promises "No blackout dates," be sure to once again read the airline's fine print for proof about their frequent-flyer programs. Don't be foolish or a fool; know your terminology and translate airlines' confusing words into savings.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com