Sky Harbor travelers react to new airline refund rules The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new rules regarding airline refunds issued in the event of significant delays or cancellations. Phoenix Sky Harbor travelers have responded to the rule, saying it’s better than the airline’s predecessor. Credits normally issued. PHOENIX – Anyone who flies frequently has dealt with delays that can leave you waiting for hours at the gate.
If you decide to waive the flight and return home in another way, the airline must refund you in cash now.
“Passengers who owe money to airlines deserve to get their money back without the headaches and haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wrote on X.
In April, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it would issue automatic refund rules that clearly define the specific circumstances under which airlines must issue refunds.
Click here for more information on the new rules
“A step forward in consumer protection”
“We just landed here about 15 minutes late,” said Shannon Mayes, a traveler at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix.
We asked her if she had experienced a delay of several hours.
“Yes,” she said. “That’s not fun.”
A traveler named Dennis Medeiros said he once canceled his flight and drove back to Rhode Island. He received airline credit but no cash refund.
That changes now.
New regulations have come into force that require airlines to issue automatic refunds if a flight is canceled or delayed for more than three hours on domestic flights and six hours on international flights.
Katie Nastro of travel app Going said the change is a win for consumers, but questions remain.
“For example, what exactly is automatic according to Delta Air Lines? What exactly is automatic according to Spirit, for example? There will be some variation from airline to airline, but the bulk of these new regulations The portion advances consumer protection in a time of need for “air travel,” Nastro said.
The changes to refund regulations are part of larger changes announced earlier this year, including greater transparency around so-called junk fees. The airline industry is suing to block the change.
He pushed back in a one-on-one interview with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg earlier this year.
“I was disappointed to see the airline industry lobby suing us over this rule. They basically said that if we made sure that passengers got that information, it would cause confusion,” he said. spoke.
“It’s better to have money.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s website states, “For airlines, ‘prompt’ means within seven business days if the passenger paid by credit card and within 20 days if the passenger paid by cash or check. is defined as.
A traveler named Kyle Costa is happy with the change. He said airline credit is not the solution.
“It’s going to end up costing you more money than they would normally credit you, so I think this is actually a really good rule to enforce, just to hold them a little bit more accountable.” I think so,” Costa said.
Medeiros also said she would rather have her money back than airline credit.
“It’s better to have money. If it’s causing me any trouble, it’s most likely the airline’s fault. If it’s about the weather, I understand. But most of the time, it’s the airline’s fault.” I want money. ” he said.
The timing is also important. It’s right before the holiday travel season.
In recent years, significant delays and cancellations have occurred due to weather. This change could have a big impact if it happens again.
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U.S. Department of Transportation, Going App, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
