{"id":410235,"date":"2020-03-31T17:14:41","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T21:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.www.smartertravel.com\/?p=410235"},"modified":"2020-04-07T10:27:12","modified_gmt":"2020-04-07T14:27:12","slug":"canceled-flight-refund-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/canceled-flight-refund-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"OP-ED: You\u2019re Entitled to a Refund for Any Canceled Flight, Even During a Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s note:<\/strong> On April 3, the DOT of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings issued an Enforcement Notice firmly supporting the federal requirement that airlines issue cash refunds when they cancel flights<\/a>. The notice affirms that issuing a future credit or voucher does not satisfy the DOT requirement. Failure to comply, says the notice, \u201ccould subject the carrier to an enforcement action.\u201d<\/em> You can read more here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airlines like to charge for everything\u2014bags, boarding groups, seats, seat selection<\/em>. But they rarely get so brazen as to refuse refunds for simple things like a canceled flight, probably because it\u2019s squarely illegal in the United States<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why, then, has one airline has been denying customers refunds on flights it has canceled amid the global pandemic? The Department of Transportation (DOT) says<\/a> it is aware of customer complaints that United is offering only airline credits to passengers on flights that have been canceled outright. Multiple U.S. senators are also now calling on airlines<\/a> to provide refunds.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Related:<\/h3>\n

The Dos and Don\u2019ts of Canceling a Trip Due to COVID-19<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

According to USA Today<\/a>, United has tried to say it will only provide airline credit, not cash refunds, for canceled domestic flights: \u201cUnited\u00a0is not issuing refunds unless the new flight their computer system automatically put you on\u00a0delays your departure or arrival by more than six hours. If it doesn\u2019t, and you don\u2019t want to travel, you\u2019ll receive a travel credit for the value of the ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For international flights (almost all of which are now canceled due to a Global Level 4 Health Advisory<\/a>), \u201cUnited is effectively delaying any passenger refunds for up to a year\u201d and giving customers a credit that\u2019s good for a year. If they don\u2019t use it within a year of the ticket purchase date, the airline says the customer can then<\/em> get their money back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most other airlines have been amiable<\/a>\u2014even helpful\u2014in canceling flights and guaranteeing the refunds travelers are, in fact, owed. And they should be: In uncertain times like these, you probably need that money you spent months ago on a flight you\u2019ll now not take. And consumer rights advocates are accordingly admonishing United and other airlines trying this<\/a>, which also include JetBlue and British Airways<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how the DOT lays out your rights in a cancellation (emphasis mine):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf your flight is cancelled and you choose to cancel your trip as a result<\/strong>, you are entitled to a refund for the unused transportation<\/strong>\u2014even for non-refundable tickets<\/strong>. You are also entitled to a refund for any bag fee that you paid, and any extras you may have purchased<\/strong>, such as a seat assignment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are trying times for airlines and people alike. But when a billion-dollar company like an airline is skirting solid consumer regulations meant to protect average people, something is awry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might come as no surprise that the major offending airline is United, which in the early days of this pandemic overhauled its schedule-change policy<\/a> (and then backtracked) from allowing two-hour delays to attempting to allow whopping 25-hour changes without refunds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re questioning whether or not you\u2019re allowed to ask (politely) for a refund when your flight\u2019s status becomes \u201ccanceled,\u201d the answer is yes. And anyone who\u2019s told no by an airline should consider filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s note: This story contains opinions of the writer and does not reflect those of SmarterTravel or TripAdvisor (our parent company).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stuck at home? Browse our top picks for staying active and productive:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the seller\u2019s site. Things you buy may earn us a commission.<\/div>\n
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