Flight Cancellations: What to Do and Know
Stuck at the airport after your flight was rudely canceled? Many travelers find themselves in this predicament as Delta and other U.S. airlines scratched thousands of flights due to a serious computer failure caused by software update errors, subsequently throwing airlines into chaos and leaving passengers scrambling to reach their destinations during the busiest travel weekend of the year. Airlines try to compensate by offering vouchers and additional points or “miles” that can be redeemed for travel. While this may appease some weary passengers, it pays for travelers to know their rights and have a plan in place if a trip falls through. Here’s what you need to know and what to do if your flight is cancelled.
Understanding Refund Rights
Federal regulations give airline passengers the right to a prompt refund when an airline cancels a flight. Regardless of the reason for the cancellation, passengers are entitled to a refund if they choose not to travel. This rule applies to all fare types, including non-refundable tickets, and covers extras like checked baggage fees and paid seat upgrades. Airlines must also offer refunds to customers in the event of “significant” flight delays or schedule changes. Effective from October, new federal regulations define a “significant change” as delays of at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.
Receiving a Timely Refund
According to the Department of Transportation, airlines must refund passengers “immediately” after a flight is canceled or severely delayed. This means within 7 business days if the ticket was purchased with a credit card, or within 20 days if the customer paid with cash or check. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of prompt refunds and reiterated the responsibility of airlines to reimburse consumers affected by delays and cancellations for expenses like food and hotel accommodations.
