Airlines all over the world are losing money hand over fist due to the sharp decrease in travel as a result of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. They are cancelling thousands of flights, changing schedules, laying off or reducing the hours of work for employees, and seeking bailouts from governments in their home countries. To hold onto cash, some are even violating the requirement to refund the price of tickets when flights are cancelled or significantly delayed and are offering vouchers or credits instead.
A refund is much better than a credit or voucher for future travel on the original airline. First, you get the money now and you can spend a refund on anything. Second, credits expire usually one year from the date of the refund or the original travel date. Third, when airlines are flying again, there may be deals or schedules on other airlines that are lower cost or that better match yout plans.
I have had several flights cancelled this month by US and foreign air carriers. Some have offered refunds proactively. Others required effort to get the airline to return y money. Getting a refund should be a no-brainer for flight cancellations. Refunds for flight delays are more nuanced.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to provide refunds to passengers when an airline cancels or significantly delays a flight. It doesn’t matter if the cancellation or significant delay is the airline’s fault.
Here are relevant portions of recent DOT guidance on the subject of flight refunds for cancellations and delays.
Flight cancellations
If your flight is cancelled and you choose to cancel your trip as a result, you are entitled to a refund for the unused transportation – even for non-refundable tickets. You are also entitled to a refund for any bag fee that you paid, and any extras you may have purchased, such as a seat assignment.
Flight delays
It depends. In some situations, you may be entitled to a refund, including a refund for all optional fees associated with the purchase of your ticket (such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, etc.).
DOT has not specifically defined “significant delay.” Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors – such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances. DOT determines whether you are entitled to a refund on a case by case basis.
Rules for refunds are also often found in an airline’s contract of carriage found on its website. Requesting a refund for a delayed or cancelled flight is as easy as calling the airline and asking. Refunds include any fees for ancillary services such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, or internet purchases.
Here are some steps to take if you get a phone rep who balks at providing a refund.
- hang up, call back or ask for a supervisor,
- seek help from the credit card company, or
- if all else fails, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.
Airlines Must Notify Passengers They Are Entitled To A Refund
On April 3, 2020, the DOT promulgated an Enforcement Notice stating that enforcement action to compel refunds would be withheld if the carrier, in a timely manner, notifies passengers provided vouchers or credits that they have the option of a refund. Airlines must also updates their refund policies and contract of carriage to clarify that it provides refunds to passengers if the airline cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change and reviews its refund policy with customer service employees.
While DOT is directing airlines to reach out to impacted customers, anyone entitled to a refund should contact their airline without waiting for the airline to contact them.
DOT rules apply to airlines falling within its jurisdiction. DOT jurisdiction extends to airlines that fly to or within the US or its territories. It may also include any tickets purchased in the US. It is my understanding the EU has similar rules.
Have you requested a refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight?
The EU does have similar laws, not that airlines are necessarily complying with them. They’re legally required to refund customers within 7 days but that definitely isn’t happening in most instances. Hope you got your refunds relatively quickly, sadly my wait goes on haha
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United has now come up with a new definition of cancelled. It says a cancelled flight isn’t really cancelled unless there it can’t accommodate a passenger on another flight within 6 hours. I don’t think USDOT will agree. I’m doing good on refunds but still have two outstanding. Like airlines in EU, it probably thinks there is not much downside to violating the rule. I’m still waiting on a coupleof refunds on flights booked through OTAs. Best of luck with your refunds my friend.
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Yeah, I’m with you. I can’t imagine they’ll be able to get away with that despite their efforts.
Thank you!
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Thank you Jason.
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thanks man good night and stay blessed ☆ see ya soon 🙋
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Thanks! You stay safe!
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🙏
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our refund request for a flight through Wuhan on China Southern was refunded relatively quickly. We also canceled a flight from Bangkok to NYC and instead booked a flight from Singapore to Philadelphia )both using Qatar Airways). I had hoped Qatar Airways would waive the cancellation fee, but they did not. We are now waiting for the balance of the refund; hopefully it will not be too long…
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Interesting
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Through their trade association, IATA, airlines are protesting to the authorities in the EU and US about having to provide refunds instead of travel vouchers or credits. Airlines have spent billions the last few years using record profits to buyback stock. They now think it is fair to require customers to give them interest free loans (their ticket money) and they accept government bailouts (again taxpayer/customer funds). Whatever happened to the idea of investors and creditors being on the hook for losses as well as profits.
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🙏🏻 Thank you for this clear explanation 🙏🏻
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You are welcome. Thank you for your comment and interest.
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🙏💙🙏
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