American Sues Newsletter Over Air Fare Data

American Airlines, the giant of the U.S. air travel industry, is trying to stop a tiny newsletter from publishing information about discount fares for people going to conventions and trade shows.

American says in a federal lawsuit that Travel Confidential helps travelers commit fraud. Travel Confidential Publisher Paul L. Edwards counters that he is merely collecting and distributing public information.

The suit in U.S. District Court in New York seeks to stop Travel Confidential from publishing American code numbers. American is also seeking $750,000 in damages.

Edwards recently began selling a monthly listing of discount air fares, hotel rates and car rentals that companies in the travel industry offer to groups planning large meetings. Those interested in attending the meetings can use a special code number for each event to obtain discounts when they reserve their flight, car or hotel.

In the case of air fares on American, the discounts can range from 5% to 40%, depending on the type of ticket.

American says the cheap fares are supposed to be used only by members of groups sponsoring the various meetings or people who plan to attend them. There have no doubt been violations in the past when others found out about the code numbers and used them, airline spokesman Marty Heires said. But American fears that Travel Confidential could create bigger problems.

“When a newsletter suddenly grabs all of these fares out there, that certainly becomes a much more valuable resource to someone who wants to cheat the system,” Heires said.

Edwards said neither he nor his newsletter, published in New York, encourages anyone to cheat.