New DOT protections make flying better, not perfect

Win some. Lose some.

We didn't get everything airline-passenger-rights groups pushed for when new federal consumer-protection rules took effect last month, but some of the changes are significant, and there's more to come.

Here's what changed:

Bumping: It happens. You have a confirmed reservation, paid for months in advance, then you get to the gate and find out the flight is overbooked.

Gate agents first offer incentives to get people to voluntarily give up their seats. One of the best deals I remember is agreeing to be bumped off an Alaska Airlines flight from Medford, Ore., to Seattle. My husband and I snagged credit vouchers worth $300 each.

When all else fails, and there are still more people than seats, airlines can "involuntarily" bump passengers, usually starting with those who check in last.

New rules adopted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) raise the amount that airlines must pay for these "involuntary bumps." For short delays, you'll be entitled to as much as twice the price of your ticket, up to $650. For longer delays, you can get as much as four times the ticket price, or up to $1,300.

Tarmac delays: The new rules impose a four-hour limit on how long international flights can sit on the tarmac before allowing passengers to get off. This brings international flights in line with the rule limiting domestic flights to three-hour delays.

What to expect: No more sitting around for hours on stuffy, crowded planes the way thousands were trapped last winter during blizzards in New York. For shorter delays, expect airlines to provide the basics: food, water and working toilets.

Refund of bag fees if luggage is lost: Airlines dug in their heels on this one, and the DOT backed off. Checked-bag fees will be refunded only if the airline permanently loses your luggage.

What to expect: A few airlines have come up with their own policies, but none offers cash refunds. Alaska Airlines does the best by its customers, with the promise of a $20 voucher for a future flight if bags don't arrive at the gate within 20 minutes.

There's no way I'm going to pay $40 to $50 per round trip to check a bag. I travel everywhere with just a carry-on, but I know not everyone can do that. If you must check a bag, pay the fees with a credit card. If there's a problem, dispute the charge as you would any service you paid for and didn't get.

Airlines tried to argue their way out of this one, then pleaded for extra time to reprogram computers and online-search engines. Seems odd, given how fast they adjusted fares to eliminate taxes during the FAA shutdown in July.