Southwest tightens policy

The domestic airline Southwest Airlines (800/435-9792) announced in September a change to its “no show” policy. 

Previously, a customer who missed a flight could use the full value of his ticket toward a replacement flight or accept a voucher for a future ticket. Now if he is a “no show” at the gate and has not contacted the airline at least 10 minutes before departure to change or cancel a nonrefundable- fare ticket, he will lose the value of the entire ticket, including the value of the unused legs of the flight and the return flight. 

Unlike most US airlines, Southwest still does not charge a fee to change a flight, so long as the airline is contacted prior to the flight.