Sky Harbor travelers react to new airline refund rules by U.S. DOT
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on October 30, 2024
Sky Harbor travelers react to new airline refund rules
PHOENIX – Anyone who flies a lot has dealt with delays that keep you waiting for hours at your gate.
If you decide to bail on that flight and go home another way, the airlines now have to pay you back fast in cash.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW RULES
“We only landed here about 15 minutes late,” Shannon Mayes, a traveler at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport said.
“Yes,” she said. “That’s not fun.”
That changes now.
Katy Nastro of the Going travel app says this change is a win for consumers, but questions still remain.
The refund regulation change is part of larger changes announced earlier this year which include more transparency for so-called junk fees. The airline industry is suing to stop that change.
“I was disappointed to see the airline industry lobby suing us over this rule. They basically said if we make sure the passengers have that information, it will be confusing,” he said.
The U.S. DOT website states, “For airlines, ‘prompt’ is defined as being within 7 business days if a passenger paid by credit card, and within 20 days if a passenger paid by cash or check.”
“It ends up costing you more money than what they typically credit you, too, so I think that’s actually a pretty good rule to put into effect, to hold them a little bit more accountable,” Costa said.
“I’d rather have the money. If you’re going to inconvenience me, in nine times out of 10, it’s the airlines’ fault. If it’s weather, I get it. But, nine times out of 10, it’s the airlines’ fault. I’d like to have the money,” he said.
In recent years, weather has caused massive delays and cancelations. This change could have a big impact if that happens again.
