Gazette, The (Colorado Springs) - Options limited for Vanguard travelers

Vanguard Airlines’ bankruptcy Tuesday left Colorado Springs travelers searching for other routes.

Ron Van Huss planned to take a Vanguard flight to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in November. He now holds a worthless ticket. He hopes he can get his money back.

“It’s a crapshoot,” said Van Huss, who is retired and lives just north of the Springs.

Vanguard ticket holders not willing to gamble have a couple of options - but it will cost them.

Several national and smaller carriers announced offers to give Vanguard ticket holders discounts or the opportunity to fly standby for a service fee, but no airlines offered to fully exchange a flight for a Vanguard ticket.

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Kelly Schoenfeld, sales manager at Guide Travel Systems Inc. said people who paid cash for their plane tickets will have the toughest time trying to get a full refund. They will have to wait with others to whom Vanguard owes money or services.

“In other words, you’re in line,” she said.

Many of Guide Travel’s customers rebooked with other airlines.

“We’ve been able to find pretty good airfares,” Schoenfeld said.

She found a $197 one-way ticket for a customer stranded at LaGuardia Airport in New York and got a $224 round-trip ticket to Kansas City, Mo. for another customer.

Globe Travel Services owner Jack Armit said those who used a credit card to buy their ticket have the best chance of getting a full refund. He said they can file a complaint for undelivered service with their credit card company against Vanguard.

Those who paid cash are probably out of luck, he said. “You can probably kiss your money goodbye.”

VANGUARD TICKET HOLDERS

From/to Colorado Springs

Delta Air Lines is offering discounted fares or standby status for flights. The discounted fares must be bought by Aug. 14, and travel must be completed by Nov. 15. Customers also may pay a service fee of $100 and exchange their Vanguard ticket to travel on a standby basis. This offer is valid through Sept. 30. Call (800) 221-1212.

America West Airlines is offering standby status for flights. Customers must travel before Sept. 30, adhere to their original itinerary and pay a service fee, which varies depending on location. Call (800) 235-9292.

United Airlines is offering discounted fares and waiving some restrictions. Call (800) 241-6522.

From/to Denver

Frontier Airlines is offering discounted fares and waiving some purchase restrictions. Call (800) 432-1359.

Information: www.flyvanguard.com