New federal rules on airline refunds require cash instead of vouchers

DELCASTILLO AND I'M KRISTEN SZE. >> THANKS FOR JOINING US. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG SAYS THE NEW RULES ARE THE BIGGEST EXPANSION OF PASSENGER RIGHTS IN THE DEPARTMENT'S HISTORY. >> AND ABC SEVEN NEWS REPORTER GLORIA RODRIGUEZ IS LIVE AT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH THE DETAILS. GLORIA >> YEAH. YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THESE REFUNDS, IF YOUR FLIGHT IS CANCELED OR SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A REFUND. IF YOU DON'T ACCEPT THOSE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION OR TRAVEL CREDITS THAT ARE OFFERED. AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO FOLKS HERE AT SFO ABOUT THIS. TRAVELERS AT SFO SEEM PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY NEW REGULATIONS ON AIRLINES THAT COULD PROVIDE THEM MORE PROTECTION. >> I THINK FOR YOU KNOW, THE AVERAGE FLIER, IT WOULD BE REALLY GOOD BENEFICIAL. YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD FRIENDS WHO WERE DELAYED AND IT TOOK THEM FOREVER TO GET A REFUND. AND IT WAS SO ANNOYING TO THEM. SO BEING HELD IN THE AIRLINES ACCOUNTABLE FOR TIMELY REFUNDS AND TRANSACTIONS IS A GOOD IDEA. >> HERE'S HOW IT WILL WORK. PASSENGERS WILL GET AUTOMATIC CASH REFUNDS WHEN THEIR FLIGHTS ARE CANCELED OR DELAYED BY MORE THAN THREE HOURS FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS, AND MORE THAN SIX HOURS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS. DOT ALSO REQUIRES AIRLINES TO GIVE CASH REFUNDS IF THERE ARE CHANGES AT AIRPORTS. ADDED CONNECTIONS DOWNGRADED SEATS AND A CHANGE TO A LESS ACCESSIBLE PLANE OR IF YOUR BAGS ARE LOST AND NOT DELIVERED WITHIN 12 HOURS, AND REFUNDS FOR EXTRA SERVICES PAID FOR AND NOT RECEIVED, SUCH AS WI-FI TRAVEL EXPERT KATIE NASTRO OF GOING.COM, FORMERLY SCOTT'S CHEAP FLIGHTS, TELLS ME THIS WILL MAKE THE PROCESS LESS PAINFUL AND CONFUSING FOR PASSENGERS WHEN THEY NEED TO REQUEST A REFUND BECAUSE OF A SIGNIFICANT DELAY OR CANCELLATION. >> NOW, THESE NEW RULES WILL MAKE IT AUTOMATIC, MEANING THAT YOU WILL GET IT PROMPTLY WITHIN SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS. YOU CAN GET CASH, YOU CAN GET REFUNDED BACK TO YOUR FORM OF PAYMENT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT A VOUCHER OR TRAVEL CREDIT THAT THE AIRLINE MIGHT HAVE GIVEN YOU IN THE PAST, WHICH TECHNICALLY TODAY, EVEN BEFORE THESE RULES, YOU COULD HAVE REQUESTED A REFUND BACK TO YOUR FORM OF PAYMENT INSTEAD OF TAKING A NEW FLIGHT. BUT A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE AREN'T EQUIPPED TO THAT INFORMATION AND JUST ACCEPT WHAT THE AIRLINE WAS GOING TO OFFER THEM IN THAT IMMEDIATE TO SORT OF PUT A BAND-AID ON THE SITUATION. >> AND D.O.T. IS GIVING AIRLINES A DEADLINE OF SIX MONTHS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW RULES,

Channel: ABC7 News Bay Area

Views: 1,834

Keywords: news, air travel, refund, airline refund, transportation department, abc, abc7news, canceled flights, flight delays, travel vouchers, travel credits, flights

Id: GR1zBnaci8k

Length: 2min 40sec (160 seconds)

Published: Wed Apr 24 2024