COMING AND GOING
Too Much Credit

Sunday, January 7, 2007

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UPRIGHT AND LOCKED
Too Much Credit

After canceling a trip on United Airlines, Sarah Anderson of the District was left with a $711 credit. An agent told her she couldn't use the credit for a $500 ticket, even though she was willing to forfeit the difference. "This seems crazy to me, since it would be my loss," Anderson wrote to CoGo.

But United wouldn't budge. Many international nonrefundable tickets state that any value of an unused ticket must be applied toward the purchase of a new ticket at an equal or greater fare, said United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski. She added, "This tends to be common throughout the industry."

In fact, Northwest Airlines has the same rule for international nonrefundable tickets. But why? "Ticketing rules are competitive, and I don't know who started those terms and conditions," said Northwest spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch. "Years ago, nonrefundable tickets had no residual value. Customers are advised of the rules on the front end." But not all airlines adhere to those terms. US Airways, for example, "allows the passenger to forfeit the difference if they wish," said spokeswoman Valerie Wunder. American goes a step further, according to spokesman Tim Smith, giving customers a voucher for any leftover credit in a similar situation.

CoGo can understand other airlines' not wanting to match American's generosity, given that we're talking nonrefundable tickets. But not allowing passengers to forfeit the difference if what they want is a cheaper ticket? Stupid.

SECURITY WATCH
Bombs in Bangkok

Thai officials beefed up police and military patrols around Bangkok last week after a series of explosions rocked the city just before and after midnight on New Year's Eve. Dozens were injured, including seven foreign tourists, and three Thai citizens were killed. Special "tourist police " have been deployed in major tourist spots, including around the Central World Plaza, the shopping mall near where several of the blasts occurred.

The United States and Britain, among others, have long warned against travel in Thailand's southern provinces, where Islamic extremists have fought government forces. The rest of the country, however, had been considered relatively safe.

In a public announcement due to expire Jan. 31, the U.S. State Department urges travelers to monitor events closely, to stay indoors when possible and to avoid large gathering s in Bangkok.

While travelers should use discretion, "I wouldn't dissuade anyone from traveling there," said Aimee Fluitt of CountryBrief, an Alexandria travel security company. But another travel security analyst, Robb Maxwell of Annapolis-based IJet Intelligent Risk Systems, said "it's too early to judge" until more is known about what group was involved and about the likelihood of further attacks. A traveler simply using Bangkok as a transit point should not be affected, he added, but "it might be prudent to avoid" touring Bangkok until more is known.

For more information: http://travel.state.gov/.

TRAVEL TICKER

If you don't mind advertisers knowing more than they already do about your buying habits, you can earn frequent-flier miles from a new Web site, http://www.e-miles.com/. You get 250 miles for signing up and filling out a profile, then more miles each time you submit information about your preferences -- for example, details on what hotel brands you like -- and more miles still if you agree to view an advertisement targeted to your interests . . . Get weather forecasts along with maps of your desired travel route at a new Web site, http://www.trippish.com/.

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
West Palm Fronds

JetBlue has sale fares from Washington Dulles to cities in Florida, Nevada and California. Fares to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are $49 each way; Las Vegas, $99; San Diego, $109; and Oakland and Long Beach, Calif., $119. Taxes vary but average about $10 extra each way. Other airlines are matching. Deadline to purchase is Jan. 16; complete travel by Feb. 15 to Florida and by March 27 to Nevada and California. Info: 800-538-2583, www.jetblue.com.

Reporting: Cindy Loose

Help feed CoGo. Send travel news, road reports and juicy tattles to cogo@washpost.com.

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