As millions of Americans prepare to travel this holiday season, new federal rules will make it easier to get your money back for flight cancellations, delays and some other travel headaches.
The U.S. Department of Transportation first proposed automatic refund rules in April, and implementation began last week. This enhanced consumer protection largely stems from deep frustration, heightened during the pandemic, by the lack of recourse when passengers have problems with an airline. The rules apply to all significant flight changes, even those caused by reasons beyond the airline’s control, such as weather conditions.
“Passengers deserve to get their money back when the airline owes them, without the headaches and haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. recently tweeted. “Airlines have a responsibility to provide quick refunds without passengers having to ask.”
Here’s When the Airline Owes You an Automatic Refund
In a recent speech at the National Consumer League, Buttigieg said air travel represents a “civilizational achievement” but that the actual experience of flying these days is often “mind-boggling.”
He said the new rules are designed to ease the stress of taking to the skies and said he believes they are among the most “significant enhancements to enhance the airline passenger experience” in the Department of Transportation’s history.
The official rules clearly define when passengers are eligible for an automatic ticket refund, including:
- When an airline cancels your flight and doesn’t offer alternative transportation
- If your flight route has changed significantly and the carrier does not offer alternative transport
- When the alternative transportation option(s) for a canceled or delayed flight significantly changes your original itinerary.
- When an airline offers travel credits or vouchers for significantly delayed or canceled flights instead of a comparable alternative route.
- If your flight is significantly delayed or canceled and you do not respond to the airline’s offer of alternative transportation, travel offers or flight delay or cancellation vouchers; failure to respond should be considered a refusal of alternatives to a refund.
DOT regulations now define “significant” delays as three hours or more for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.
If, for example, your domestic flight was canceled for any reason, including a strike or bad weather, and the airline offered to rebook you on a new flight that was four hours later, you would be entitled to an automatic refund provided you refused from the ticket. alternative flight. This part is key: refunds are only available if you don’t agree with the changed itinerary.
Other itinerary changes, such as additional stops, different departure or arrival airports, and seat downgrades (i.e. from first class to coach) are also considered “significant changes” to your itinerary.
You are not required to take any action to receive a cash refund unless you accept the alternative route, voucher or credits. Even if you don’t respond, the airline should assume you’re rejecting the alternatives and issue a refund promptly.
Partial refund
Automatic baggage refund is now also required if your baggage arrives 12 hours later than your arrival time on domestic flights. For international flights, the period ranges from 15 to 30 hours from arrival.
Likewise, fees for other “extra services” that were not provided during the flight should be automatically refunded. Such services include carry-on luggage, in-flight meals, snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, seat upgrades, lounge access, blankets and pillows.
Before offering any travel vouchers or credits, airlines are required to inform you of the possibility of automatic refunds. And all refunds must be “prompt,” meaning within seven business days for credit card purchases or 20 calendar days for all other purchase methods.
Beginning in 2025, additional rules regarding “serious infectious diseases” will come into force. If a licensed medical professional advises you not to travel due to illness, the airline must provide a travel credit or voucher valid for at least five years. In this case, no refund is required and the airline may request a written statement or supporting documentation.
If the airline does not comply with the new rules or you have other problems with the airline, such as discrimination, you can use this form to file a formal complaint with the DOT.
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