In May, the U.S. Department of Transportation enacted new rules broadening the circumstances in which airline customers are eligible for refunds.
And this week Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sent letters to the CEOs of the largest airlines, reminding them that they have until the fall to comply.
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Two new sets of Department of Transportation rules are now in effect.
With the summer travel season heating up, here’s a few valuable tips to help you save money on your next flight.
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Airlines must provide full cash refunds for issues like canceled flights and significant baggage delays.
This means if you choose not to take the delayed flight, you can get a full refund.
“You have a choice,” says Kevin Brasler, executive editor of the nonprofit Consumers’ Checkbook. “You can just go ahead and take what they’re offering to you and you won’t get a refund. Or you can say, no, I’m not going to do this. I’ll go and take a refund and either cancel my trip altogether or try to book through a different airline.”
According to the Department of Transportation, any cancellation or significant change in a flight is eligible for a refund regardless of the reason for it. This includes weather-related cancellations.
The department says