The Department of Transportation (DOT) just reminded everyone that travelers are entitled to a refund (not airline credits) for canceled flights. Why? Because some airlines have recently parted from longstanding U.S. regulations that require those refunds.
On April 3, the DOT of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings issued an Enforcement Notice firmly supporting the federal requirement that airlines issue cash refunds when they cancel flights. The notice affirms that issuing a future credit or voucher does not satisfy the DOT requirement. Failure to comply, says the notice, “could subject the carrier to an enforcement action.”
Because there is an ongoing global health emergency, DOT says, the Aviation Enforcement Office will exercise “prosecutorial discretion” and allow airlines to become compliant before taking action. Presumably, however, DOT will take action against airlines if they continue to refuse required refunds. This is great news for travelers: If you’re arguing with an airline about a refund, be sure to cite this notice.
The House version of the most recent $2 trillion government stimulus bill initially included mention of some important consumer protections for travelers. But those contested protections didn’t make it into the final version, which ultimately awarded airlines and airports $50 billion in loans and grants for short-term costs. And that means some big problems for travelers remain, especially as certain airlines try to cling to bookings.
Related:
OP-ED: You’re Entitled to a Refund on Canceled Flights, Even in a Pandemic
The U.S. / Domestic Flights and Airlines
Currently, the biggest problem in consumer rights is refunds for tickets on flights canceled by an airline: Some are simply refusing to do it. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require that when an airline cancels a flight for any reason, it owes you a full-money refund of any ticket—even “nonrefundable” ones—within seven business days for credit card transaction, 20 days if you paid by a cash card.
Instead, some airlines—most notably United, along with several giant international lines—are refusing to issue the refunds within the legally required period. Instead, they’re issuing only vouchers/credit toward future travel, which some lines say they will refund fully only if not used within one year. Still, refusal to make full refunds is a clear violation of longstanding rules. It’s also worth noting that customers who accept a voucher from an airline do risk that the airline could go bankrupt in one year’s time. The DOT told USA Today it is reviewing complaints about the offending airlines, and murmurs of any bailout money going to airline executives were denied this week by ranking senators.
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
While summer vacations may still be underway, travelers planning for a Labor Day Weekend end of the season may want to take new data into account. The holiday weekend, which traditionally marks the end of the summer travel season, will see travelers explore popular travel hotspots both in the United States and around the world. Friday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept. 4 will be the busiest days for airport traffic as flyers jet to and from their destinations around the world, according to new data from Chase Travel shared with Travel + Leisure this week.
20-year-old Marley Stevens has put out a viral PSA on TikTok not to fly with Frontier Airlines after she claimed the airline wouldn't let her on her flight over the weekend — and proceeded to reschedule her for a flight leaving two days later. She told Insider she flew to her destination on a different airline, but she's still awaiting her refund for the gaffe.
Travelers heading to or from Washington, D.C., through Reagan/National Airport can expect major ground travel disruptions and delays through July 18. Trains on both the Blue and Yellow lines will suspend operations on two track segments:
Alaska Airlines is justly lauded for its Mileage Plan loyalty program, which among other features boasts 17 airline partners, allowing program members to earn and redeem miles for flights throughout the world.
Until yesterday, American Airlines customers dismayed at the airline’s August 1 pivot to a spend-based mileage program had a fallback option: Earn miles for their American flights in Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program, which still awards miles the old-fashioned way, according to the distance flown.
Update, September 18: The FAA has issued updated guidance regarding usage of Samsung Galaxy 7 phones in flight, stating “passengers may not turn on or charge the devices when they carry them on board a plane. Passengers must also protect the devices from accidental activation, including disabling any features that may turn on the device, such as alarm clocks, and must not pack them in checked luggage.” The statement does not mention if any penalties are associated with failure to comply with this guidance. Read the full statement here.
Enter the Liberty Richter “Kitchens of India” sweepstakes by June 15, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a six-day trip for two to New Delhi, India, including air, transfers, and hotel.
“Chaos at the airport!” You’ve seen those headlines and TV shots the last few days, and you know they’re accurate. You also know that, at least for now, the new immigration rules are under legal challenge, with an uncertain outcome.