Effective this week, the new Department of Transportation (DOT) rule will require airlines to issue automatic refunds for flight cancelations, significant flight delays/changes, significant delayed checked baggage and additional services not provided.
Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation Secretary said, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling…Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”
Under this new rule, passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled, or significantly delayed/changed by more than 3 hours on domestic flights and 6 hours on international flights than their original arrival or departure times. Refunds will also be given if a passenger is downgraded to a lower class of service, there is an increase in the number of connections, or if connections are at different airports or on different flights or planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a passenger with a disability.
A refund will be given if there are significant delays in baggage returns for checked bags by more than 12 hours on domestic flights or 15-30 hours on international flights, depending of flight length.
A refund will be given if extra paid services weren’t provided, including the purchase of Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment.
Refunds must be issued within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. Unless a passenger chooses alternate compensation, such as vouchers, airline miles, travel credits, the original payment method must be refunded.
By - FZ
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