COMINGANDGOING

Info: www.americanexpress.com.

DEPT. OF HUMAN KINDNESS

High-Class Passengers

A first-class passenger boarding an American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Chicago last month noticed another passenger he apparently felt was more deserving of first-class treatment.

" Hey, soldier, where are you sitting?" the first-class passenger asked, according to American spokeswoman Jacquie Young. When the soldier returning from Iraq responded that he was assigned seat 22E, the first-class passenger said he wanted to change places with him.

The kind act of the businessman, whose name has not been released, "had a domino effect, and all the first-class passengers started giving soldiers their seats," says Young. In fact, she says, "We ran out of soldiers, because there were 14 first-class seats, but only 12 soldiers."

One flight attendant cried, and all were overwhelmed, said Young. In fact, she added, "It put an entirely different mood on the entire flight."

TRAVEL TICKER

Widespread electricity shortages in the Dominican Republic, resulting in blackouts up to 23 hours long, are not directly affecting resorts, most of which have generators, a D.R. Tourism Ministry official told CoGo. But outside resorts the blackouts have dimmed traffic lights, closed many stores and businesses, and prompted violent protests in some cities . . . Eighty-three Boston restaurants will offer three- course prix-fixe lunches for $20.04 and three-course dinners for $30.04 during Restaurant Week, Aug. 23-27.

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK

Paging Puerto Rico

Fly to Puerto Rico for less than $200 round trip. What's the Deal?, P3.

Reporting: Cindy Loose, John Briley

Help feed CoGo. Send travel news, road reports and juicy tattles to: cogo@washpost.com. By fax: 202-912-3609. By mail: CoGo, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.