Stricter Rules for Flying Into Millennium

Some first-class, business and full-fare coach passengers will find themselves flying by the same rules as the low-fare crowd around the holidays this year: no refunds, and no reservations without immediate payment.

Blame the millennium jitters. Spot checks last week showed several U.S. airlines tightening rules for flights from mid-December through the first week of January, 2000, in popular vacation destinations such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Hawaii, New Orleans, Florida and the Caribbean. They cited concerns that customers may reserve seats just in case they may need them, and then cancel--either because they never get around to making plans or because they get cold feet about flying on Jan. 1, 2000.

Dates and policies vary. Continental said it will tighten rules Dec. 23 to Jan. 10, 2000, America West Dec. 28 to Jan. 4, Northwest generally mid-December to early January.