Florida Travelers Rejoice: New Passenger-Friendly Airline Rules

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New Airline Refund Policies: A Breath of Fresh Air for Passengers, Nightmare for Airlines

Oakland Park, FL—The airline industry will undergo sweeping changes this summer as new refund policies take effect, promising to make air travel a more consumer-friendly experience.

The Changes
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed promptly. This rule aims to eliminate the confusion and frustration often associated with airline refund policies, which previously allowed airlines to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund.

Key Requirements for Airlines:

• Prompt Refunds: Airlines must provide refunds within seven days for credit card purchases and 20 days for cash or check purchases.
• Clear Disclosure: Airlines must clearly disclose their refund and cancellation policies on their website and the booking page.
• Cancellation and Change Fees: Airlines must allow passengers to change or cancel their flights without incurring additional fees.

Under the new rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• 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. 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, and increases in the number of connections.
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if the bag 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: If an airline fails to provide an extra service, passengers are entitled to a refund for the fee they paid, such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment.

The Penalties
Penalties for Non-Compliance:

• Fines: Airlines that fail to comply with the new policies may face fines of up to $27,500 per passenger.
• Legal Action: The DOT may take legal action against airlines that violate the rules.

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Reporting Non-Compliance
If an airline fails to adhere to these new policies, passengers have several avenues for reporting non-compliance:

• File a complaint directly with the airline: Airlines must acknowledge consumer complaints within 30 days of receiving them and send consumers written responses addressing these complaints within 60 days of receiving them.
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation: If the airline does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you may want to file a complaint with DOT. Passengers can submit a complaint to the DOT using their online form.
• File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• File a small claims lawsuit against the airline.
• For more information on how to file a complaint, visit the Federal Aviation Administration or the U.S. Department of Transportation websites.

The Future of Air Travel
These new policies represent a significant step forward in consumer protection within the airline industry. As these policies take effect, passengers can look forward to a more transparent and fair air travel experience. However, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the industry in the long term.

The new policies will take effect on August 1, 2024.
What Passengers Need to Know:

• Check the Airline's Policy: Before booking a flight, passengers should check the airline's refund and cancellation policies.
• Keep Records: Passengers should keep records of their booking, payment, and any communication with the airline.

By introducing these new policies, the DOT aims to ensure that passengers are treated fairly and that airlines are held accountable for their refund and cancellation practices.

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Research and source materials:

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-harris-administration-announces-final-rule-requiring-automatic-refunds-airline

Administration or the U.S. Department of Transportation websiteshttps://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/06/27/airline-refunds-to-be-immediate-under-new-federal-rule-study-shows-jetblue-has-worst-delay-cancelation-record/

https://www.faa.gov/travelers/travel_problems

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines-airports/us-government-issues-new-set-of-refund-fee-transparency-rules-for-airlines

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/complaint-process

https://www.peopleclerk.com/post/how-to-file-a-complaint-against-an-airline