The painful days of salary delays are finally over. ,
Travelers no longer need to fear getting stuck in a financial holding pattern if their flight is cancelled.
US airlines are now required to issue passengers automatic refunds for tickets and other flight-related expenses if their flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
“Today, our automatic refund rule is fully implemented,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced. Monday’s post on X“Airlines are required to provide cash refunds immediately without asking passengers.”
By doing so, they are making good profits on instant refund policy Transport Department proposed in April To expedite the reimbursement process, increase transparency, and avoid “hidden junk fees.”
While parts of the DoT’s new policy were implemented as early as May, some provisions took longer to be implemented due to time constraints. USA Today.
under new rulesPassengers are entitled to automatic refunds without explicitly requesting them, and these reimbursements must be processed within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payment methods.
Previously, airlines were required to provide refunds provided the passenger had not booked alternative flights with them, but the exact window for reimbursement was unclear.
Additionally, these refunds must be paid in full – minus the value of flights already taken – in the original form of payment “used to make a purchase in accordance with the policy, such as a credit card or airline miles”.
It reads, “Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.”
According to the policy, a significant flight delay includes three hours for a domestic flight and six hours for an international itinerary – time limits that apply to both departure and arrival delays.
And flights aren’t the only part of the trip that’s subject to refunds. Under the new regulation, passengers who file a mishandled baggage report are eligible to get their checked bag fees refunded if the bag is lost and not delivered within 12 hours of gate arrival of the domestic flight. Is done.
Meanwhile, as per the policy, international flights will have a window of 15 to 30 hours to return lost luggage, depending on their duration.
It said baggage charges are to be disclosed on the airline’s online platform along with fare and schedule information and not through a hyperlink after booking.
This way, travelers can “avoid surprise charges when purchasing tickets from airlines or ticket agents, including both brick-and-mortar travel agencies or online travel agencies,” the policy said.
Finally, passengers are entitled to a refund for ancillary services that were not provided due to cancellation or other circumstances.
These include Wi-Fi, seat selection and in-flight entertainment.
