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    • How to get a full refund for your delayed or canceled flight
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    How to get a full refund for your delayed or canceled flight

    Umito Posted on

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    A record number of people are expected to travel during Thanksgiving week this year, which means you can expect long lines, large crowds, and likely flight delays or even cancellations when you get there. head towards the airport.

    Throughout Thanksgiving week, AAA projects more than 5.8 million people will take a domestic flight, which is almost double the number of passengers during a typical day. Wisconsin also expects large wreaths during the holidays, particularly on the Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving, a airport spokesperson told the Journal Sentinel last month.

    However, if you experience delays or cancellations next week, you are entitled to several travel protections under recently adopted federal transportation policy. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation finalized a set of rules governing how and when airlines issue refunds.

    Before your vacation, here’s what you need to know about your traveler’s rights.

    When are you entitled to a flight refund?

    Last month, the DOT’s new universal flight reimbursement regulations took effect. Before the new rules came into effect, airlines were able to decide their own policies on when to issue (or not issue) refunds.

    Here are the circumstances in which you are entitled to reimbursement:

    • If the airline cancels your flight and does not offer you a new flight.
    • If the airline cancels your flight and offers you a rebooking or other form of compensation, but you don’t accept either.
    • If your flight itinerary is “significantly changed” and you are not offered (or accept) a rebooking or compensation. Here is what constitutes a significant change:
      • If your domestic flight departs or arrives more than three hours later or earlier than scheduled
      • If your international flight departs or arrives more than six hours later or earlier than scheduled
      • If the origin or destination airport of your flight changes
      • If your number of flight connections is increased
      • If you are downgraded to a lower class of service, you are entitled to a refund of the fare difference, such as the difference between an economy class ticket and a business class ticket.
      • If connections at different airports or flights on different planes are less accessible or less accommodating if you are a person with a disability

    What other reimbursements are you entitled to?

    In addition to full flight reimbursement, you are entitled to compensation in a few other cases:

    • You are entitled to a refund of checked baggage fees if your baggage is not delivered within 12 hours of the arrival of a domestic flight at the boarding gate, or within 15 or 30 hours of the arrival of a an international flight at the boarding gate, depending on the duration of the flight. theft. You must file a mishandled baggage report to qualify for this refund, which you can do at the airport baggage service desk or online, depending on the airline.
    • You are entitled to a refund for any additional services, such as Wi-Fi, seat selection or in-flight entertainment, if you paid for the service but it is not available or is not available. functional during your flight.

    When are you not entitled to a refund?

    If you decide to accept a changed flight or continue your trip with a changed itinerary, you are not entitled to a refund.

    However, many airlines will continue to offer passengers benefits such as hotel or meal reimbursement in these cases. You can check the benefits offered by different airlines on flight rights.gov.

    How to get a flight refund?

    The new DOT policy also changed how passengers get refunds. Previously, passengers were responsible for navigating often complicated refund processes on their own, but now it is up to airlines to automatically provide refunds where applicable.

    Here’s how you should get your refund:

    • The airline should issue it automatically without you having to explicitly ask for it.
    • Your refund must be the full price of your ticket, minus any part of the flight itinerary you have already used (such as a connecting flight). Refunds must account for any government taxes and airline surcharges that were added to your original ticket.
    • Your refund must be issued to your original payment method, whether cash, credit card or airline miles. Airlines cannot substitute a cash refund for flight vouchers or travel credits unless you choose to accept it as compensation. In this case, the travel document must be valid for at least five years from its date of issue.
    • If you purchased your ticket with a credit card, airlines and ticket offices must issue a refund within seven days. For other payment methods, a refund must be made within 20 days.

    Will the new Trump administration change the flight refund policy?

    Although these new regulations were adopted by President Joe Biden’s administration, the DOT will soon fall under the jurisdiction of President-elect Donald Trump and, if confirmed, his nominee to lead the department: Sean Duffy, former Wisconsin congressman and Fox News contributor.

    So will Trump roll back these new protections for travelers? It’s unclear, but the new administration could face a daunting task if it chooses to do so.

    In May, new airline refund policies were codified into law by Congress through the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Legislationpassed both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support. This means that even if Trump or Duffy wanted to cancel refund policies, it would be more complicated they are simply rewriting DOT regulations, and are unlikely to receive significant support from Congress.

    On the other hand, Trump has made clear his desire to deregulate businesses, including airlines. During its first term, the DOT has repealed or suspended at least a dozen important safety rules regulating the transportation sector, according to USA TODAY.

    More: Here’s When You Should Book Your Thanksgiving Flights at the Cheapest Prices, According to Google Flights

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