From: pas@cc.gatech.edu (Paulo Santos)
Subject: comments/additions to FAQ
Reply-To: pas@cc.gatech.edu (Paulo Santos)
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 17:03:14 GMT

Thanks for a good start for s FAQ list.  Here are some comments.

|> 2.  WHAT OTHER OPTIONS EXIST FOR FINDING SCHEDULES AND FARES?
|> 
|>      You can call each airline individually and inquire about the trip
|> you are planning.  This may require 6 or 7 calls to get all the possible
|> flights, but the service is free.  If you do not know the 800 number for
|> a particular airline, call 800 directory information at 800-555-1212.
|> (There are local numbers available in many locations; check your
|> telephone book.)  Here is a partial list of airline national reservation
|> numbers:

I would suggest that you add also non-800 numbers for people calling from overseas.  Here they are:

Airline                         Reservations
---------------------   -------------------------------
Alaska Airlines         800-426-0333    +1-602-921-3100
American Airlines       800-433-7300    +1-817-267-1151
America West            800-247-5692    +1-602-693-0737
Continental Airlines    800-525-0280    +1-404-436-3300
Delta Airlines          800-323-2323    +1-404-765-5000
Midwest Express         800-452-2022    +1-414-747-4646
Northwest               800-225-2525    +1-612-726-1234
Southwest Airlines      800-531-5601    +1-214-263-1717
TWA                     800-221-2000    +1-404-522-5738
United Airlines         800-241-6522    +1-312-825-2525
USAir                   800-428-4322    +1-404-681-3100


|> 8.  WHAT IS THE USUAL BAGGAGE LOSS LIABILITY?
|> 
|>     Not much.  Read your ticket. 

Someone (sorry, I forget who) posted a good description of baggage liability
in the U.S.  Outside the U.S., and including international travel to/from U.S.,
the baggage liability is usually limited to US$20 per kilogram.  This is much
lower than the domestic U.S. liability.


-------

I would also add the following:


nn.  HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

Luggage is divided into two categories: checked and unchecked.

CHECKED luggage is measured according to one of two concepts, depending on
where your flights originates and terminates.  The PIECE method is used in
the United States and Canada, on flights to/from these countries, and on
flights in or between other countries that are ticketed in conjunction
with a flight to/from U.S.  The WEIGHT method applies everywhere else. 
Exceptions do exist.

The PIECE method is the most generous one.  It allows you to carry a certain
number of pieces of luggage free.  The number of pieces varies by airline
and by flight, but it is generally 2.  Each piece may not exceed certain
dimensions and weight.  In most cases, each piece must have the sum of
length + width + height < 60" or 72", and must not weight more than 70 lbs.
(32 kg).  Airlines tend to be generous in accepting some reasonable oversized
pieces, such as skis and bicycles, although they are under no obligation to
do so.  Pieces that exceed the free allowance in number, size or weight may be
subject to an excess baggage charge.  These charges vary a lot by airline (and
rumor has it that they vary by check-in agent, too!) and for domestic U.S.
flights they are usually around $30 per piece for the first three pieces,
$60 per piece for the next three, and $100 per remaining piece.

The WEIGHT method allows you to check as many pieces as you want, as long as
their total weight does not exceed a certain maximum.  The maximum weight is
usually 20kg (44 lbs.) for coach and business class, and 30kg (66 lbs.)
for firat class passengers.  On some comuter flights the weight allowance is
smaller, around 10kg or 12kg.  Excess baggage is charged at 1% of the one-way
first class fare per kg in excess.

UNCHECKED luggage is usually limited to two pieces on domestic U.S. flights, and
to one piece on international flights and flights elsewhere in the world.
It should fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.  Cameras,
coats, etc. don't count towards the limit.  Provided that the flight is not full,
airlines will usually allow you to carry on board an infant car seat and place
it on an empty seat.



nn.  WHAT ARE FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS?

Frequent flyer programs are a form of incentive that the airlines use to
capture the loyalty of business travelers to a particular airline.  All the
major U.S. airlines have frequent flyer programs, as do some other international
airlines.

Although the programs were designed for business travelers, you don't have to
be one to participate.  When you sign up for a FF program, you get a FF number.
You then accrue miles in your FF account by flying with that airline or partner
airlines, renting for certain car rental companies, staying at some hotels,
making purchases on affinity credit cards, making long distance calls, etc.
Once you reach a certain level of miles, you may claim an award.  Different
awards are available, ranging from upgrades to free first class tickets to
anywhere.  Obviously, the latter require more miles than the former.

Here is a partial list of frequent flyer programs.

Airline         For more info   Major partners
-------------   -------------   ------------------------------------------------
Air Canada      (800)361-8523   A Austrian, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, First Air,
                                  Singapore;
                                C Avis, Budget;
                                H Coast/West Coast, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Keddy's,
                                  Radisson, Sheraton, Westin
Alaska          (800)654-5669   A ERA, Horizon, L.A.B. Flying Services, MarkAir,
                                  Northwest, Reeve Aleutian, SAS, Temsco,  Thai,
                                  TWA
                                C Alamo, Budget, National
                                H Coast/West Coast, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Red Lion,
                                  Westin, Westmark
                                O Seafirst VISA/MasterCard
Aloha           (808)486-7277   C Budget
                                H Aston, Colony, Outrigger, Sheraton
America West    (800)247-5691   A Air France, Virgin Atlantic
                                C Budget, Thrifty
                                H Doubletree, Red Lion, Westin
                                O FlightFund VISA
American        (800)882-8880   A Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Singapore, TWA
                                C American International, Ansa, Avis, Hertz
                                H Fairmont, Hilton, Inter-Continental, Marriot,
                                  Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Wyndham
                                O CitiBank AAdvantage VISA/MasterCard,
                                  Diners Club, MCI
Canadian        (604)270-7587   A Air France, Aloha, British Airways, Lufthansa,
                                  Qantas, SAS
                                C Europcar, National, Thrifty, Tilden
                                H Canadian Pacific, Delta, Doubletree,
                                  Inter-Continental, Lodge, Ramada, Swissotel,
                                  Westmark
                                O AMJ Campbell Van Lines, Park & Jet
Continental     (713)952-1630   A Aer Lingus, Air France, Alitalia,
                                  Cayman Airways, Iberia, KLM, LAN Chile,
                                  Lufthansa, Sabena, SAS
                                C Europcar, General, National, Thrifty, Tilden
                                H Aston, Camino Real, Canadian Pacific, Compri,
                                  Consort, Doubletree, Marriott, Radisson
                                O Marine Midland Gold MasterCard, Diners Club
Delta           (800)323-2323   A Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Japan Air Lines,
                                  KLM, Lufthansa, Singapore, Swissair
                                C Alamo, Avis, Europcar, National, Tilden
                                H Forte, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Hawaiian        (800)367-7637   C Avis, Dollar, Tropical
Midwest Express (800)452-2022   A SAS, Skyway, Virgin Atlantic
                                C Avis, National
                                H Wyndham
Northwest       (800)435-9696   A Alaska, Horizon Air, KLM
                                C Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National, Nippon,
                                  Tilden
                                H Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson, Westin
                                O MCI, WorldPerks BankOne VISA
Southwest       (800)445-9267   O Diners Club
TWA             (800)325-4815   A Air India, Air New Zealand, Alaska, American,
                                  Horizon Air, NY Helicopter, Philippine Airlines
                                C Dollar, Thrifty
                                H Adam's Mark, Forte, Marriott
                                O Diners Club, TWA Chase VISA
United          (800)421-4655   A Air France, Alitalia, Aloha, Iberia, KLM,
                                  Lufthansa, Sabena, SAS, Swissair
                                C Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, National
                                H Hilton, Hyatt, Inter-Continental, Kempinski,
                                  Sheraton, Westin
                                O First Chicago Mileage Plus VISA/MasterCard
USAir           (800)872-4738   A Air France, Air New Zealand, Alitalia,
                                  All Nippon, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa,
                                  Northwest, Sabena, Swissair, TWA
                                C Hertz, National, Tilden
                                H Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Omni, Radisson,
                                  Stouffer, Westin
                                O USAir NationsBank VISA, Diners Club


American Express has a "mileage" program called Membership Miles.  You accrue
mileage in this program by charging purchases to your American Express account.
You can then transfer you mileage to any of the frequent flyer programs
participating in Membership Miles.


In April 1992 a new and different mileage program, called Air Miles, started.
You accrue miles in Air Miles by purchasing certain products or patronizing
certain retailers.  The miles you accrue may be redeemed for actual flight
mileage.  For example, you may redeem 1392 miles for a roundtrip Atlanta-Houston
(696 miles each way).  For more information, or to enroll, call 800-222-2247.



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   Paulo Santos                         Internet: pas@cc.gatech.edu
   Georgia Tech, College of Computing       uucp: ...!gatech!cc!pas
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