Update: The DoT has reaffirmed that airlines must issue a full refund!
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in an interview that airlines not offering refunds on cancelled flights are violating DoT policy.
The relevant discussion runs from 7:52-9:00 into the interview:
She starts off by saying that the DoT will order airlines to offer refunds and that guidance from the DoT will be issued very quickly.
However when asked point blank about full refunds she got intentionally vague about what exactly the guidance will be and equivocates about everyone needing to be more flexible during extraordinary times. She says that the short answer is that airlines will have to offer refunds and that the department has a responsibility to look at consumer protection rights of passengers.
I’m hopeful based on her comments that the DoT guidance will be more consumer friendly than the Canadian equivalent of the DoT that said they don’t want to hear from consumers and that airlines can pretty much do what they want.
But it’s also possible that the DoT will give in to airlines and allow vouchers instead of refunds, based on her saying we all need to be more flexible.
If you have a flight that was cancelled, you should definitely call the airline and try to get a refund now.
What do you think the DoT guidance will be based on her comments?
HT: CHFF
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26 Comments On "US Transportation Secretary: DoT Guidance For Refunds On Cancelled Flights Is Coming “Very Quickly”"
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Anyone have experience asking for full refund from JetBlue, when purchased thru chase ultimate rewards points?
Got this in an automatic email from them:
Travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
If you booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and are traveling on or before April 30, 2020, you have a few options to cancel your reservation:
• Chat with us online or on mobile; just visit MyTrips
• If you’re unable to cancel using the Chat tool, submit a cancellation form. If you’ve already submitted, no need to submit again – we’re processing the requests in order of the travel date, so we can help customers with the soonest travel first.
If you have travel booked after April 30, 2020, please contact us a week before your departure date because travel provider cancellation policies may change between now and then.
I have the same question
I’m fairly sure they’ll force refunds in many circumstances. But considering the administration we currently have, I also fully expect them to loosen many rules for the airlines.
She seems pretty clear about ordering refunds. whats the doubt?
I hope that’s the case, but when she was asked point blank she started wandering off into the weeds.
I B”H just got full refund from Delta for my cancelled flights and a few that were not yet cancelled .This took one call
Same here, but not for flights when a <90 min change
BH I did too. Had a direct flight cross country from NYC for Sunday. I waited as per Dan’s advice, they canceled my direct flight for a stopover. I didn’t want to cancel on Motzaei Shabbos – within 24 hrs – so I got on the phone with them. Took some talking, but full refund ckmung within 3 weeks
If the government is going to take a financial stake in the airlines as a condition of the bailout, it’s not surprising that it would try to exempt the airlines from the rule. After all, the government frequently exempts itself from laws.
For example:
https://archives-democrats-rules.house.gov/Archives/jcoc2ai.htm
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/286628-entire-federal-government-exempt-from-robocall-laws-fcc-rules
If they allow vouchers, would that mean there’s no grounds for a credit card dispute?
That would likely be the case, though you can still argue the airline is violating their contract of carriage.
I think Dan should have the US Transportation Secretary position, anywhere to sign a petition to ask Trump for that?
change.org
Anyone have luck with a refund when booked with AMEX Travel? They won’t help me and say that can’t call the airline. The airline tells me I have to talk to AMEX Travel.
As a data point, my flight was cancelled (thanks for the advice to wait, Dan!). I just called United, wait time was 3 minutes.
They refunded me the entire amount without a fight.
Thank you Dan !
I just called Delta to cancel a rewards flight that they changed from 6:00 to 11:40. Toronto to LGA They redeposited the miles AND credited my credit card the full Cad$63.36 taxes. All without any resistance from the Delta rep.
I just called United to try to get a refund for non-stop travel next weekend from ORD to NOLA. United has cancelled our flights twice, and now United has us connecting through IAH both ways so it’s not non-stop. I’m MileagePlus Silver and my girlfriend (who is on the same reservation as me) is MileagePlus Gold. The Premier Priority Desk essentially told me to go F myself. They’re not issuing any refunds at this time. When I told them about the DoT guidance, they basically told me they don’t care, and too bad. They told me I could take a travel voucher for use over the next 2 years, but that doesn’t seem like the best course of action given that United may not exist in a couple months.
Looks like I’ll be doing a status challenge on AA as soon as flight operations get back to normal.
Try calling again. I called the premier desk (I’m only Silver) as well and they issued me a refund no questions asked. Probably just need to get a competent agent.
I waited for American to cancel my flights and once, they changed my flights on both legs more than 61 minutes i cancelled my itinerary and had to request a refund for each individual ticket (6 tickets) and it took 3 days, but i got a full refund.
aircanada is not offering refunds, only travel credit for 24 months, i disputed the charge hope they dont fight it
A friend of mine suggested that airlines make the vouchers transferrable (sell-able). That would make them a lot more acceptable to the public, particularly if the airline gave you 10 or 20% extra for accepting a voucher.
Do US citizens on ELAL flight from European cities to TLV fall under DOT guidelines for refunds?
DOT just came through!
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/03/coronavirus-travel-airlines-must-give-refunds-not-vouchers-when-flights-are-axed.html
Spirit will only issue vouchers and you must book flights with the vouchers within 6 months or they are worthless.
Finally got my refund from Aeroflot after many week back and forth emails involving DoT and Aeroflot. Many thanks to Dan for all the info!