UA To Follow Delta In Adopting Nonrefundable Restrictions

A move initiated last week by US Airways to further restrict use of nonrefundable fares now has been matched by four of the other Big Six U.S. carriers, including Delta Air Lines today, with the remaining hold-out, United Airlines, widely expected to fall in line by the end of this week. Delta's adoption of the new policy, effective Oct. 1, invalidates nonrefundable fares after the ticketed departure date.

Delta's related rules on flying standby for mainline flights--closely resembling those of American and Continental airlines--charges customers on nonrefundables fares $100 to fly on a later flight that same day, effective Jan. 1. US Airways does not permit such passengers from flying standby, while Northwest Airlines continues to allow standbys at no additional cost.

All six carriers still permit confirmed changes to nonrefundable fares prior to the time of departure for a $100 change fee.

For Delta Express customers, flying standby will cost only $50. The Delta Shuttle standby policy is time-dependent. A $100 fee applies on restricted fares when moving from a peak flight to a peak flight or from an off-peak flight to a peak one. Standby shuttle passengers moving from an off-peak flight to another off-peak one will not be assessed the standby fee.

Similar to sentiments from competitors, Delta said the new policies "cover the costs associated with customers who don't show up for flights, while giving customers who are willing to pay a fee the flexibility to fly standby on a different flight the same day of their reservations."

Delta also matched most majors in upping a surcharge from $10 to $20 on paper tickets when electronic ones are available and expanding that surcharge to all customers and all points of sale, including all travel agencies, previously exempt from the added fee.