It's kind of like the new homeowner grasping the difference between soffits and fascia, or looking puzzled when a contractor talks about bullnose tile or aluminum baby tins. What is this lingo?

Infrequent travelers encounter the same thing. Terms such as rack rate, direct flight and European plan can be just as baffling.

Take the person who walked into Kelly Cruises in suburban Oak Brook, Ill., looked at myriad cruise brochures and finally asked a counselor: "What is a category?" Category is the word cruise lines use to rank staterooms and thereby establish cruise fares.

If there's a term that you don't understand, ask your travel agent or reservations agent until you have no doubts about the meaning of a word or phrase. It's better to ask than to be stunned that your flight is going to make two stops or that your tour price includes breakfast and dinner, but not lunch.

For starters, rack rate refers to the regular rate of a hotel room, one published in a brochure, for example. But remember, virtually no one pays the rack rate. Always ask about special rates or discounts - weekend rates, AAA or AARP discounts that are frequently available.

The term direct flight confuses many. Some think it means flying from Baltimore to Los Angeles, say, without a stop. Au contraire. "Direct flight" means you travel on one plane, but it makes one or more stops. "One-stop" (or "two-stop," etc.) would be more accurate if the airlines weren't obfuscating. A nonstop flight rightfully means what it says.

European plan means that your hotel or resort rate includes no meals, although in Europe it could mean that your rate includes a continental breakfast - usually juice, bread or pastry, and coffee or tea.

What follows are other common terms that airlines, car-rental companies, cruise lines and hotels use that can confuse travelers.

Airlines

* Bumping: When a flight is overbooked, an airline can voluntarily or involuntarily remove a passenger with a confirmed reservation. Domestic airlines must compensate a passenger who is bumped.

* Code sharing: A marketing practice under which two or more airlines fly a route, using one airline's planes but each using their own two-letter code. Your ticket, for example, may say "UA" (for United) even though you're flying on Lufthansa.

* Connecting flight: Requires one or more changes of planes. If you're flying from Baltimore to Los Angeles and have to change planes in Denver, you're on a connecting flight.

* Consolidator: A firm that buys bulk tickets from the airlines and sells them at a discount, usually on international flights.

* Electronic ticketing: Airlines (or travel agents) can issue a paperless ticket if you wish. Instead of mailing or handing you a ticket, you get only an itinerary and credit card receipt for your flights. At the airport check-in counter, the passenger shows the credit card used to purchase the e-ticket and photo identification to get a boarding pass.

* Passenger facility charge: A tax authorized by Congress, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, assessed by airports and collected by airlines as a fare add-on to help pay for airport improvements. The cost will vary from airport to airport.

Car rentals

* Collision damage waiver: Coverage at a steep daily rate offered by a car-rental company. If you buy the CDW, the company waives its rights to collect from you if the car maged. In many instances, however, your own auto insurance covers you in a rental car, and sometimes your credit card does, too. (In foreign countries, however, you may be required to purchase insurance anyway.) Know what types of insurance you have to avoid costly and unnecessary coverage.

* Loss damage waiver: Coverage is similar to CDW, but involves personal injuries. Again, know what your own insurance covers.

Cruise lines

* Air/sea: A cruise package that includes round-trip transportation to and from the port, but passengers are at the mercy of the airlines as to departure times and routings.

* Dining options: It's not what you eat, but when and where you eat. Big ships have early or late seatings for dinner, and some have a variety of restaurants from which to choose.

* Government fees and taxes: Include fees, charges and taxes imposed by U.S. and/or foreign government or other authorities including customs fees, head taxes, inspection fees and immigration fees.

* Port charges: Costs incurred by cruise ships associated with their arrival and departure from ports.

* Shore excursions: A variety of sightseeing and activity packages offered at ports of call by the cruise lines. The cost of shore excursions generally is not included in the price of a cruise.

Hotels

* All-inclusive: A rate, usually at resorts like Club Med, that not only includes your room, but also meals and activities, including entertainment and sports. In some instances, beer and wine also may be included. When you encounter the term, have your travel agent explain everything that's included and what's not so you can avoid surprises on your bill.

* Confirmed reservation: It means the hotel or motel will hold room for you until a specific time, usually 4 to 6 p.m. (You can "guarantee" a reservation for a later arrival by giving the hotel your credit card number.)

* American plan: Includes three meals a day that you can choose from a full menu.

* Modified American plan: Typically means your room rate includes breakfast and dinner.

* Double room: Can mean two single beds, two double beds or a queen- or king-sized bed. Specify your choice when reserving.

* Oceanfront room: A room that faces the ocean, but your view could be obscured by palm trees or overlook a road as well as the ocean.

* Oceanview room: You could get a great view or just see a speck of water from your window.

* Gardenview room: Generally the least scenic rooms available, but always ask what you'll see.

* Walked: You have a guaranteed reservation, but the hotel failed to save you a room so it "walks" you somewhere else. Insist on a comparable room in a nearby hotel at no additional charge and a taxi ride to the hotel if necessary.

As you read travel brochures or talk to travel agents, don't hesitate to seek the meaning of terms you don't understand. Every bit you know will make you a happier traveler.

Budget

Last-minute travel just got a bit easier. Smarter Living, a publishing and consumer-service company, summarizes last-minute travel deals being offered by area airlines, hotel chains and car rental agencies. This information, which can save travelers up to 75 percent off standard rates, is sent out over e-mail to those who have registered at www.smarterliving.com. Most deals are for travel during the following weekend and are customized for the Washington-Baltimore Area.

Business

Continental Airlines has opened its third lounge at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, on the south side of Terminal C, and relocated its lounge airport in Terminal B of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Both lounges have a conference room, office equipment, private work stations and outlets for computer hookups; the lounge in Houston also has shower facilities.

Online

Worried about hurricanes at your next destination? Log onto the Internet at http://www.fema. gov/hlt for warnings, daily updates and advance forecasts. The site includes information and maps from the National Hurricane Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Pub Date: 8/30/98