The fact is that these smaller upstart airlines like JetBlue, Air Tran, Spirit, etc have taken away business from the major airlines. They've done it by competing with new planes, better service, different entertainment, and some times better fares. Sometimes things go terribly wrong-read what happened to this JetBlue customer.

Here is a letter from one of our readers about JetBlue:

Let me start off by saying I was a huge JetBlue fan and supporter that is until the night of (Feb15-16)

This was by far the worst JetBlue experience I have ever had from start to finish.

First my JetBlue flight was canceled (3PM las-jfk Wed. Feb15- Next the flight I was put on was supposed to leave a 12:30am (FLT# 190 las-jfk) the website and phone system said it was on time.

I arrived at the Las Vegas airport at 11pm on Thurs (Feb15) to discover that I was completely mislead. It turned out FLT#190 was delayed 6 hours. I had to wait and wound up passing out on the airport floor from exhaustion. At 4:30 AM now (Feb. 16) I was put on what I was told was going to be a "JetBlue" flight and that my luggage would arrive with my flight as well.

Then I find out its a charter plane from a company called Omni which is probably one of the worst planes I have been on with non JetBlue employees as the attendants. with the luggage coming 2hours later on another plane.
I spent over $400 for one way to fly the JetBlue experience and nothing less - that's not what I got.

Because of the misinformation I lost a whole day of work and a nights sleep. The charter plane got me into JFK at 1:30PM Fri. I missed an important business meeting that I had to be at on Friday AM - losing thousands of dollars in sales.
Needless to say my loved ones were confused as the JetBlue web site said the 1240am flight was cancelled, then taking off at 6AM

Even though as a new airline They don't participate in Rule 240.(with rules about what to be done in a case like this)

No effort was made to see if a seat could of been found on another airline going back to New York City- which was the least that could of been done. Then to top it all off my luggage didn't come on another plane 2 hours later as was promised to be delivered on Friday- I got it Monday at 1PM.

Saturday AM and early PM I was on the phone for hours as JetBlue's special baggage line (866--- ----) rang 3-4 times and went to dead air and on a second phone calling 800 JetBlue and could not get through.

After having my luggage missing for the 2nd day with no clean clothes to go to a wedding celebration I tried calling JetBlue to get permission to buy clothes I needed for a wedding and toiletries and health and beauty aids. Not being able to get to talk to somebody I did what other airlines allow I had to go out to buy clothes and health and beauty aids I needed

When I finally got my baggage from the flight on Monday I find missing my black pinstripe suit from Barney's New York that cost $975

the following are the monies I asked to be paid back to me by JetBlue

$ for clothes to be used for 2 events on Saturday since luggage was missing $301.41
$ for health and beauty aids needed since luggage was missing $ 75.61
$ missing men's suit from luggage upon delivery $975.00
$ back for Wed.-Thurs flight screw ups (las-jfk) $400.00
---------------
Total $ 1.752.02

Truly Blue,
A JetBlue customer

P.S.- After many calls, certified letter, still more calls to JetBlue etc, etc - they finally gave back money for flight, clothes, and lost item in luggage, but it wasn't easy.

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Thanks to our reader JB for sending us your story

Labels: air travel, JetBlue, travel rights

Here's your secret weapon for fighting airline delays, cancellations, and missed connections:

Rule 240.

Before airline deregulation in 1978, Rule 240 was literally a federal requirement. Nowadays, it's a term describing what individual airlines will do for late or stranded passengers. In fact, the major airlines have filed "conditions of carriage" with the U.S. Department of Transporatation (DOT) guaranteeing their respective Rule 240s.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, or if you've missed your flight connection, these policies may give you free meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, phone calls, and other amenities. You may be booked on a substitute flight -- even on another airline -- and you may be compensated or given a full refund if the flight problems persist.

How can you use Rule 240 to protect your rights?

Always carry a printed copy of your airline's Rule 240. Though the DOT requires airlines to keep a Rule 240 copy available for passengers at every ticket counter, don't count on that.

(Click on your airline's name below for a copy of its official Rule 240.)

Read Rule 240 carefully before you use it. Many airline ticket agents do not know these policies, so you should be the expert

For example, Rule 240s generally apply only to delays that are absolutely the airline's fault, such as mechanical delays. They do not apply to what the airlines call "force majeure" events: weather, strikes, "acts of God," or other occurrences that the airlines say they cannot control.

Be polite but very firm about your rights under Rule 240. You'll win most battles at ticket counters when you say the phrase "Rule 240" and show the agent your printed copy of the airline's policies. However, don't hesitate to keep going up the chain to supervisors if you're not satisfied. Sometimes, airlines will even go beyond Rule 240 requirements in the name of customer service. (Not always, but it's worth a shot!)
The Pointswizard.com Spin:
click blue line above , then scroll down and find the airline you need-click and then print it

Labels: airline, rule 240, travel rights