Airlines forced to give full refunds for canceled flights – as DOT Sec says customers deserve no 'headaches or haggling' | 0822E2G | 2024-04-26 17:08:02
THE Department of Transportation has announced new consumer protections against airline fees and expensive flight changes.
New regulations will outline when airlines must provide refunds to travelers.
DOT officials unveiled the pair of rules for airline companies Wednesday.
One will require airlines to show travelers their full ticket price before purchasing, eliminating hidden fees, NPR reported.
Another details exact situations where airlines will have to give refunds to fliers, including for cancellations and other significant changes.
"Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
FLIGHT RIGHTS
The DOT said anyone whose flight is canceled or "significantly changed" is entitled to a refund, if they don't accept any travel credits or alternative transportation.
There are several changes that are considered significant under the new rule.
- A time change of more than 3 hours for a domestic flight
- A time change of more than 6 hours for an international flight
- Arrival or departure airport changes
- Increased number of connections
- Downgrades to lower classes of service
- Changes that impact accessibility for disabled people
Any of these changes, on top of cancellations, could warrant refunds.
Additionally, checked bag fees must be refunded if it takes more than 12 hours to receive your luggage after a domestic flight.
The timeline for checked bag receipts will vary for international flights.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> Passengers will also be entitled to refunds for any additional services they don't receive, like on-board wifi.
The DOT also outlined exactly how these refunds should happen.
Refunds must be automatically issued, received within 20 calendar days, and in the full amount.
Payments will return to the original payment method used.
Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or anything else in lieu of payment, unless passengers agree.
TAKE OFF TROUBLE
The U.S. Sun tracks a variety of travel and airfare stories.
The aviation industry has been in the headlines recently after a scandal at Boeing.
A whistleblower working at the company warned Congress of "catastrophic" safety risks.
Some airlines are looking at removing the reclining feature on their seats.
However, some experts said that's good news for travelers.
There are certain days when you can find flights for cheaper, but using this strategy comes with risk.
Watch as a flying car takes one passenger for a ride.
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