Airlines Agree on Refunds for Desert Fox Participants

Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services

by Staff Sgt. Michael Dorsey
Special to the American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- Service members who had holiday plans canceled because of their participation in Operation Desert Fox can expect a raincheck for tickets they purchased from commercial airlines.

U.S. Transportation Command has worked with commercial airline carriers to provide refunds or alternative arrangements for those who were directly affected by the recent operations.

The airlines below have offered to do the following:
American Airlines will waive the $75 administration charge effective immediately through Jan. 15. A copy of deployment orders is required. Military people must rebook their itineraries through reservations and provide proper authorization. Refunds will be given in the form of a voucher only.

Continental Airlines will waive change or refund penalties for military people and their family members holding non-refundable tickets. The waiver is effective immediately and will expire Feb. 27. The waiver code is 1LGBT.

Delta Air Lines will waive the change fee and maximum and minimum stay on published excursion fares for tickets issued prior to Dec. 15. The waiver code is MXDF8. A letter from the commander stating leave was canceled because of Operation Desert Fox or a copy of orders is required. An "other service information" message should be put in the passenger name record by the reserve agent. No change in origin, destination or class of service is allowed. Delta will waive the advance booking requirement for new travel dates. Send tickets, a letter from the commander or orders, and return address for refund to:

Delta Air Lines Refunds and Records
Dept. 818
Hartsfield International Airport
Atlanta, Ga. 30320

Northwest Airlines will waive the change/cancellation penalty and administrative fees for previously confirmed/ticketed reservations. The waiver code is 9BFAA. Passengers are given the option of changing origin/destination or stopover points with the value of the original ticket contributing toward purchase of new ticket or extending the original ticket validity for an additional year. All conditions of the new fare must be met. Send refund request and a copy of orders to:

Passenger Refund Department
B4950
5101 Northwest Dr.
St. Paul, Minn. 55111-3034

Reno Air will waive the advance purchase requirements, change penalties and refund restriction for published fare codes. Call (702) 858-5800 or (702) 686-3835.

Southwest Airlines will waive advance purchase restrictions on lowest available fares until Jan 15. The passenger must present a military identification card and deployment orders at the airline ticket counter prior to ticketing. Send refund request and a copy of orders to:

Southwest Airlines Refunds Department
P.O. Box 36649
Dallas, Texas 75235-1649

Trans World Airlines will waive penalties and cancellation fees, for travel already commenced. The minimum stay will be waived to allow an earlier return without penalty. They will honor full refunds with a copy of orders.

United Airlines will authorize waivers and refunds for a six-month period. US Airways will waive the cancellation penalty and allow issue of vouchers or refunds for troops and their families through Feb. 28.

Transportation Command is still negotiating with some airlines. Affected service members with tickets on airlines not listed here should contact Jackie Toles or Air Force Master Sgt. Tom Gross at DSN 576-2929 or (618) 256-2929. (Dorsey is a writer with Air Force Print News)