New federal rules will require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds for delayed or canceled flights, as well as other disruptions. The rules also mandate that airlines disclose all fees upfront and provide seats without an additional charge. The Biden administration announced the rules on Wednesday, and they will go into effect in about six months.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced new consumer protections against airline fees and expensive flight changes. The regulations will require airlines to provide full ticket prices before purchases and outline situations where refunds must be given to travelers for cancellations and other significant changes.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has implemented new regulations outlining the circumstances under which passengers are entitled to automatic refunds for flights canceled or significantly altered. These regulations aim to streamline the refund process and ensure consistency among airlines. Passengers will now receive refunds if their flights undergo a significant change, such as a schedule change of more than three hours, a change in departure or arrival airport, or a significant downgrade in seating. Other situations eligible for refunds include lost bags not delivered within a specified time frame and undelivered paid services like in-flight Wi-Fi or entertainment. The DOT has also required airlines to clearly disclose additional fees for checked luggage, carry-on bags, and reservation changes to prevent unexpected charges.
The Biden administration has implemented new rules, requiring airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for significant flight delays and cancellations, as well as disclose all fees upfront. Significant delays are defined as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights. Airlines will still be permitted to offer alternative flights or travel credits, but consumers can reject these. The rules also mandate refunds for checked baggage fees if bags are not delivered within the stipulated time frame. Additionally, airlines and ticket agents are now required to disclose charges for checked and carry-on baggage, as well as cancellation or change fees, upfront on their websites. The new regulations are anticipated to save consumers over $500 million annually and are part of the administration’s wider crackdown on “junk fees.”
The Biden administration has announced new rules for airline refunds and fee disclosures, requiring airlines to provide cash refunds in lieu of vouchers in certain situations and to disclose all critical fees up front. The new refund rules will take 6-12 months to implement, while the new fee disclosure rules are effective immediately.
The Biden administration has announced new rules requiring airlines to give passengers automatic cash refunds when flights are canceled or significantly changed. The rules also require airlines to disclose fees for checked bags, carry-on bags, and changes or cancellations. These rules are designed to protect consumers and make it easier for them to get refunds and avoid surprise fees.
