COMING AND GOING

Sunday, October 8, 2006

PASSPORT WATCH
Your Papers, Please

Although Congress last week voted to postpone some new passport requirements, anyone flying outside the United States will still need a passport by Jan . 8 . Here's how things stand:

· Those flying between the United States and Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean can no longer show just a photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, come Jan. 8. Exceptions: those flying to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

· Cruise passengers also were slated to need passports as of Jan. 8, but the new law moves the deadline to June 1, 2009 .

· Anyone crossing land borders into the United States would have needed a passport or other accepted document, yet to be created, as of Jan. 1, 2008 . But Congress voted to push that deadline to June 1, 2009 -- the same as for cruise passengers whose trip does not include a flight from a foreign port.

Fewer than 30 percent of Americans have a passport, according to the U.S. Department of State, and millions more than usual are expected to be inundating passport offices in coming months. If you think you might need one, get it now.

Upright and locked
Bumped in the Night

Mechanical problems on Icelandair's June 6 flight from Baltimore to Reykjavik created problems for the airline's passengers the next day. But no one warned Richard and Susan Ugelow of Washington. They showed up at BWI for their June 7 flight to find they were being bumped as the airline gave their seats to passengers who had been delayed the day before.

An agent told the Ugelows and other involuntarily bumped passengers to return the next day for a flight and promised free round-trip vouchers. But months later, despite e-mailing and writing, the Ugelows had received neither vouchers nor an explanation .

After being contacted by CoGo, Debbie Scott, manager of media relations, e-mailed: "Due to extreme circumstances affecting airline security and regulations, some procedures have taken longer than we are accustomed to. Mr. Ugelow has been contacted . . . and we trust he will be satisfied. We apologize. . . ."

The Ugelows subsequently received two round-trip tickets to anywhere Icelandair flies and, as requested in June, payment for the money lost on a prepaid hotel room in Reykjavik.

CoGo's advice: Know your rights. Passengers delayed by mechanical problems are entitled only to what the airline agrees to give them, but federal law mandates cash payment for involuntary bumping in most cases. Bumped passengers delayed more than four hours on an international flight are entitled to up to $400. Passengers can accept vouchers but are entitled to cash if they prefer .

TRAVEL TICKER

Greyhound last week began e-ticketing for trips between the District and New York, with fares beginning at $23 each way, and between Baltimore and New York and Philadelphia and New York. Travelers who buy at http://www.greyhound.com/ can now print boarding passes and head straight to the bus. . . . Visit Baltimore museums for free : Both the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art have begun offering free admission year-round. Additionally, at various times this month and next, Baltimore's "Free Fall" program offers free or reduced-price admission to dozens of museums, theaters, classes and dance and music programs. Details: http://www.freefallbaltimore.com/ . . . . Northwest Airlines will resume selling tickets on Priceline.com after a four-year break.

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
Hit the Beach

Fly nonstop from Washington Dulles to West Palm Beach, Fla., for $137 round trip including taxes. Details: What's the Deal?, Page P3.

Reporting: Cindy Loose

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.

Hit the Beach

Fly nonstop from Washington Dulles to West Palm Beach, Fla., for $137 round trip including taxes. Details: What's the Deal?, Page P3.

Reporting: Cindy Loose

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.