NEWS, TIPS & BARGAINS : Airline Tickets, in Sickness and in Health

Ever wish you could convert that pesky nonrefundable airline ticket into a refundable one? Like when you got sick at the last minute before visiting Aunt Mary in Kansas? Actually, you can.

For $11.98 per ticket, a 2 1/2-year-old Orlando, Fla., travel agency is selling its customers a very basic insurance policy that provides benefits only if they miss a scheduled flight due to illness or injury to themselves, a spouse, children or a guardian. It refunds domestic or foreign tickets up to $500, airline change-of-ticket fees up to $75; it also pays up to $100 for lost baggage and $50 for baggage delay.

The policy, offered by Airline Reservations Network in Orlando, covers much less than traditional trip insurance, but it also costs about one-third as much. For instance, a call last week to Tripguard Plus agents in Northridge, Calif., drew a quote of $35 on a $450 plane ticket for a policy that pays up to $500 for trip cancellation, $2,000 for baggage delay, $10,000 for medical care, $50,000 for death aboard an air carrier and a potpourri of other benefits.

Scott N. Bender, president of the Florida agency, which he said sells “well over 100,000” airline tickets a year, said “probably seven out of 10” of his clients have opted for the insurance since he began offering it three weeks ago. He believes the service to be unique. Bender’s firm sells mainly discounted fares. Telephone (888) 847-7500.