Business memo 09/03/02

American Airlines tightens ticket policy

American Airlines has tightened its policies on using nonrefundable tickets, and customers who miss their flight could be left with a worthless ticket.

American and other carriers have long allowed people to convert unused tickets for other travel within one year.

But starting Oct. 1, American said, customers must change their itinerary on or before the day they are scheduled to fly. American will also charge $100 for customers who want to stand by for another flight on the day of their scheduled flight.

The changes are similar to ones made this week by US Airways and part of a broader trend of airlines levying more charges for services such as paper tickets, oversize baggage and changing itineraries.

-- From wire reports