If you’ve traveled lately, there is a good chance your flight was delayed or your bags got lost.
But here is some good news for road warriors. The U.S. Transportation Department finalized new rules on Wednesday requiring upfront disclosure of airline fees and mandates quick cash refunds for canceled flights, as well as for delayed baggage or inoperative services like onboard Wi-Fi – which happened to me recently.
The rules, which were nearly three years in the works, will require airlines and ticket agents to tell consumers upfront about baggage or change and cancellation fees. The department said consumers are expected to save $543 million annually in excess airline fees.
The refund rules apply to canceled flights by carriers regardless of the reason including if it is because of weather. But passengers are not entitled to refunds if they are rebooked and travel on another flight.
The government will also require airlines to refund baggage fees if bags are not delivered within 12 hours of domestic flights arriving or 15 to 30 hours of their international flight arrivals, as well as for services that do not work or are not provided. Airlines must promptly and automatically issue refunds if flights are canceled.
If you’ve experienced a lost bag or canceled flight this year, let me know about your experience and if/how the airline made it up to you. Write to me at onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com.
