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DOT makes final rule on automatic refunds in the event of cancellation or significant delay

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On Wednesday, the DOT announced some new rules that are intended to give passengers more rights when their flight plans are interrupted. Here are the details:

  • If your flight is Canceled, Significantly Changed, or Delayed more than 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally
    • You are now entitled to a complete refund on your ticket so long as you don’t accept a new ticket or travel credit
  • If your bags are delayed by more than 12 hours on a domestic flight or 15-30 hours on an international flight
    • You are entitled to a refund of your checked bag fee so long as you file a report
  • If you buy WiFi, specific seat, or inflight entertainment and it doesn’t work or isn’t provided
    • Passenger is entitled to a refund

Here is the official language from the DOT

  • Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.

  • Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.

  • Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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