What to expect if your flight from Europe is late

Here's an interesting tidbit we came across from the US Airways Web site.

"US Airways will offer one of the following types of compensation to customers denied boarding involuntarily on nonstop flights from Europe: Customers reaccommodated on flights scheduled to arrive less than four hours after the scheduled arrival time of the original flight will be offered a transferable voucher for one free round-trip coach-class ticket on US Airways within the U.S., including Alaska or Hawaii, Canada, the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, Mexico, Latin America or Europe, or cash compensation in the amount of 300 euros (or U.S. dollar equivalent)."

Customers reaccommodated on flights scheduled to arrive more than four hours after the scheduled arrival time of the original flight will be offered a transferable voucher for one free roundtrip coach-class ticket on US Airways within the U.S., including Alaska or Hawaii, Canada, the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, Mexico, Latin America or Europe, or cash compensation in the amount of 600 euros (or U.S. dollar equivalent)."

The European Union has much better consumer protection than we do in the U.S. when it comes to airline performance, and although other airlines don't spell out these compensation rules on their sites, we suspect that other airlines are required to adhere to them. Note that these rules do not apply for flights to Europe.

We suggest that you take the cash, which at current exchange rates could be as much as $900, not the voucher.

Buy SkyMiles and get a bonus

Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles is offering a 20 percent bonus for members who purchase miles for themselves or as gifts for friends and family.

For example, buy 10,000 miles and you (or your recipient) will receive an extra 2,000 miles for a total of 12,000 miles. This promotion is available through Dec. 31.

SkyMiles costs $0.0275 per mile (with a minimum purchase of 1,000 miles, and a maximum of 30,000 miles per calendar year) plus a 7.5 percent federal excise tax per mile.

More information or complete rules and restrictions are available at www.delta.com/buymiles.

Do a good deed with Priority Club points

You're undoubtedly aware of the wildfire devastation that's been occurring in Southwest California, where more than 850,000 residents were evacuated.

Priority Club Rewards members can help the victims by donating their points to the American Red Cross, which will be converted to cash by IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and pledged to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support Southern California Wildfire victims. Additionally, IHG will match all contributions up to a maximum of $100,000. To make a cash contribution to the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.

For future reference, points can also be donated to other charities as well, including UNICEF, Cure Kids Cancer Coalition, Habitat for Humanity International and others.

More information is available at www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/home.

Early birds get discounts on cruises

Hurtigruten (formerly known as Norwegian Coastal Voyage) is offering early-booking savings on air-inclusive voyages to Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic during its 2008-09 season.

Booking before Dec. 31 saves up to $350 per person on all October 2008 to February 2009 Antarctica and June to August 2008 Spitsbergen sailings; booking by Jan. 31 saves $350 per person on cabins and $500 on suites for all June to August 2008 Greenland cruises. Discounts may be combined with AARP savings of $100 to $150 per cabin.

Antarctica savings of $350 per person apply to all itineraries including the new 17-day itinerary, which ventures as far south as Marguerite Bay, a rarely visited region of the White Continent; 13-day Argentina and Antarctica; 19-day Antarctica and the Falklands/Malvinas; 19-day Antarctica, Argentina and the Chilean Fjords; and 21-day or 22-day Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Regular rates start from $6,799 per person, double occupancy, aboard the world's newest expedition ship, the 318-berth MS Fram, or the MS Nordnorge.

Greenland itineraries are 15-day shoulder-season sailings between Iceland's Reykjavik and the eastern and southern Greenland coasts; eight-day programs in the Disko Bay region; and 15 days combining the Disko Bay and Thule in Greenland's northern reaches. The packages offer sea and land-based excursions, presentations on numerous aspects of life in Greenland, and include and optional activities. Prices before discounts start from $3,673.

Booking any nine- or 16-day 2008 Spitsbergen adventures by Dec. 31, for departures between June and August 2008, saves $200 per person; and $350 on the 12-day voyage. These air-inclusive Expedition Cruises to this remote Arctic island offer guests a hands-on visit to a unique Arctic environment where the midnight sun casts a 24-hour spotlight on myriad wildlife, including polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, whales, walruses and ringed and harp seals. Pre-discounted fares for the Spitsbergen Arctic Adventure (nine days) start from $6,299; 16-day Spitsbergen Ultimate Voyages are from $7,399; and 12-day Grand Arctic Expeditions are from $9,599.

All of these soft-adventure cruises are designed for active, experienced travelers. Hurtigruten uses naturalist guides, noted guest lecturers and PolarCirkel boat landings to focus on exploring these polar regions of glaciers, icebergs, wildlife and the historical, cultural and traditional aspects of the local people. Programs include round-trip air, hotels and breakfast daily as per itinerary, all meals aboard ship, naturalist guides, shore excursions, port charges and transfers.

Brochures, information and reservations are available from www.hurtigruten.us or by calling (800) 323-7436.

Reach George Hobica athobica@gmail.com, Kim LiangTan at KimLiangTan@aol.comor log on to www.airfarewatchdog.com.