gail

STL - PHL - BOS today and due to weather I am aware that half of the country was a mess. But does USAir really have no financial responsibility since they were unable to rebook husband from PHL-BOS for 48 hours? No partial refund, hotel, food, cost of rental car? Somewhat ironic since in 48 hours he would already be on another of their flights to go someplace else and has Silver (second tier) status in their FF program.

And as a side question - do you think costs of this are his responsibility to eat or chargeable to client for whom he made the trip in the first place (he is now self-employed so no employer to cover)

Seamus

If it is delay due to weather then the airline is not obligated to provide or cover cost of lodging or meals nor alternate means of transport. I believe, though, that they cannot refuse at least partial refund if husband does not continue to BOS. I'd fight it.
As to whether costs can be charged through to client, that depends on the contractual agreements. I'd weigh the potential impact on the business relationship versus the cost.

rkkwan

If he decides not to continue to BOS, that is considered trip-in-vain, and he can request a partial refund.

Seamus

rkk - that was my initial thought, too, but then realized this is probably the return leg. I've always understood that "trip in vain" must be declared on the outbound portion - is that correct?

gail

Was wondering about that. He flew from Boston to midwest on 2 separate tickets/itineraries into ORD and back home several days later out of STL.

No harm, I guess in requesting a partial refund - all they can do is say no.

mztery

re: charging client
depend on the client, the kind of relationship they have and of course any contract they have for chargeable expenses. If he gets a partial refund of course that needs to be factored in.
And no, trip in vain is trip in vain no matter what leg.

MLTimes

Agree that weather delays do not trigger hotel and meal vouchers. Trip in vain, or at least the general concept, may be a viable argument here given US' travel advisories and revised change fee policies for this storm. Also, Silver is the fourth and lowest tier within Dividend Miles (silver, gold, platinum, chairman). Thwre are two tiers in * Alliance, but that has no real bearing for US elites on US metal.

rkkwan

Even if they won't give you a cash refund, you should still get credit for the unused portion for future travel on US.

tomfuller

If I had to be in Boston tomorrow, and could not fly, I'd be on the #132 NE Regional at 5:19 from 30th St. station. $170 to Boston South station before midnight. http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...mtrak/HomePage

NoFlyZone

Seamus is correct in that trip in vain can only be on the outbound portion and will not apply if the passenger eventually continues on to the destination. The passenger needs to have the airline arrange either for return to the origin (in which case the entire trip should be refunded) or onwards to the second next destination (partial refund). Every case is basically different.