Jazmin Li
When it comes to flight reimbursements, it's important to understand the policies of both the airline and the airport, as they can vary. While airports themselves may not directly reimburse for flights, airlines have certain obligations to passengers under specific circumstances. These include flight cancellations, significant delays, schedule changes, and situations where passengers are denied boarding due to overbooking. It's worth noting that some airlines offer refundable and non-refundable tickets, with the former typically being more expensive but providing flexibility in case plans change. Passengers may also be entitled to compensation for expenses incurred due to delays or cancellations, such as meals, accommodation, or phone calls, depending on the situation. Understanding your rights as a passenger and staying informed about the policies of the airline and airport can help ensure you receive the proper assistance and reimbursement when needed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reimbursement for flights | Consumers are entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change and the consumer chooses not to travel. |
| Consumers who purchase non-refundable tickets are not entitled to a refund unless the airline makes a promise to provide a refund or cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change. | |
| Consumers are entitled to a refund of fees paid for an optional service if they were unable to use the service due to a flight cancellation, delay, schedule change, or a situation where they were involuntarily denied boarding. | |
| Consumers are entitled to a refund if they paid a baggage fee and their baggage has been declared lost by the airline. | |
| Consumers are entitled to a refund if their flight is at least seven days before departure and they request it within 24 hours of booking. | |
| Consumers are not entitled to a refund if they incur extra expenses such as a rental car or hotel expenses due to a delayed or cancelled flight. | |
| Airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled. However, they may offer amenities such as meals or phone calls. | |
| Passengers may be able to recover reimbursement for expenses resulting from a delayed or cancelled flight by filing a claim with the airline under Article 19 of the Montreal Convention. |
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What You'll Learn
Reimbursement for cancelled or delayed flights
In the US, each airline has its own policies regarding reimbursements for delayed or cancelled flights. While there are no federal requirements, airlines are required by law to compensate passengers on domestic trips if they are "bumped" from an oversold flight. On international itineraries, passengers may be able to recover reimbursement under Article 19 of the Montreal Convention for expenses resulting from a delayed or cancelled flight by filing a claim with the airline.
Passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is cancelled, significantly changed, or delayed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. Significant changes include departure or arrival times that differ by more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally, departures or arrivals from a different airport, increases in the number of connections, instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service, or connections at different airports or on different planes that are less accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Passengers are also entitled to a refund for optional services they paid for but were unable to use due to a flight cancellation, delay, or schedule change. This includes baggage fees if the baggage has been declared lost by the airline, and seat selection or Wi-Fi fees for services that were not received.
If a flight is experiencing a long delay or cancellation, passengers can ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room or compensate for their time. While some airlines may provide these amenities, others may not, especially if the delay is caused by something outside the airline's control, such as bad weather or a security risk.
Passengers can also try to claim reimbursement from the airline for reasonable expenses incurred during a delay or cancellation. However, airlines are unlikely to reimburse expenses for alcohol, expensive meals, or luxury hotels. It is important to keep receipts for any expenses incurred and to be aware of the specific airline's policies on reimbursements.
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Compensation for overbooked flights
While the practice of overbooking flights is not illegal, passengers have rights to compensation if they are "bumped" from a flight. Airlines may first ask passengers if they are willing to give up their seats voluntarily in exchange for compensation. If passengers are involuntarily denied boarding, they are entitled to compensation. According to EC 261 regulations, passengers have the right to claim compensation in cases of overbooked flights, commonly referred to as "bumped from flight" compensation. Passengers can file a claim for a substantial sum of $650 (or €600) in cash as compensation for the inconvenience and disruption caused by being bumped from an overbooked flight.
Passengers who are bumped from a flight are entitled to a refund if their flight is cancelled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that differ by more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally, departures or arrivals from a different airport, increases in the number of connections, instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service, or connections at different airports or flights that are less accommodating to a person with a disability.
Passengers who experience a delay of more than 2 hours at departure or arrive at their final destination with a long delay are entitled to written notice from the airline, setting out the rules for compensation and assistance. If a flight is cancelled, passengers have the right to choose between reimbursement, re-routing, or a return flight. Passengers are also entitled to assistance at the airport and, if informed of the cancellation less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure date, they have a right to compensation.
It is important to note that each airline has its own policies regarding delayed passengers waiting at the airport, and there are no federal requirements. Some airlines, particularly those charging very low fares, may not provide any amenities to stranded passengers. Compensation is required by law on domestic trips only when a passenger is "bumped" from a flight that is oversold. On international itineraries, passengers may be able to recover reimbursement under Article 19 of the Montreal Convention for expenses resulting from a delayed or cancelled flight by filing a claim with the airline.
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Refunds for optional service fees
Consumers are entitled to a refund for optional service fees in certain situations. For example, if a consumer pays for an optional service such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, or in-flight Wi-Fi, and they are unable to use the service due to a flight cancellation, delay, schedule change, or a situation where they are involuntarily denied boarding, they are entitled to a refund.
It is important to note that if the purchased optional service is not available or does not work as intended, the consumer may need to notify the airline of the issue to receive a refund. This includes situations where the amenity is not available for all passengers, such as Wi-Fi or lounge access. In such cases, the airline that operates the flight or the last segment of a multiple-carrier itinerary is responsible for providing a prompt and automatic refund.
Additionally, consumers are entitled to a refund of baggage fees if their baggage has been declared lost by the airline. Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this timeframe can vary across different airlines.
The Biden-Harris Administration, led by Secretary Buttigieg, has played a significant role in expanding airline passenger rights. This includes the issuance of rules requiring automatic refunds for airline tickets and ancillary service fees, making it easier for passengers to obtain refunds when flights are cancelled, significantly changed, or delayed.
It is worth mentioning that while consumers who purchase non-refundable tickets are generally not entitled to a refund, exceptions may apply if the airline cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change. In such cases, consumers have the option to choose not to travel and request a refund.
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Reimbursement for lost baggage
While most passengers' checked bags arrive at their destination on time and in good condition, bags may occasionally be lost in transit. In such cases, passengers are entitled to reimbursement for lost baggage.
Domestic Flights
On domestic flights, airlines can limit their liability for lost baggage. The maximum liability amount allowed by the regulation is $4,700 per passenger. However, airlines are not required to pay this amount and can choose to pay less. In the case of lost or damaged assistive devices, the airline is liable for the original purchase price of the device.
International Flights
For international flights, the Montreal Convention applies, with a maximum baggage liability of 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (approximately $1,700) per passenger. Airlines are not required to pay more than this amount but may choose to do so. The Montreal Convention's international baggage liability limit is reviewed for inflation adjustment every five years by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Reimbursement Process
To receive reimbursement for lost baggage, passengers should follow these steps:
- Report the missing bag to airline personnel before leaving the airport and insist on a copy of the report.
- Discuss reimbursable items and keep all receipts for purchases made due to the loss of baggage.
- Submit a claim for reimbursement, including a detailed list of items and their value, along with any available receipts. If receipts are not available for all items, it is recommended to include an estimated value.
- Provide proof of credit card charges or past purchases of similar items to support the claim.
- Stay in close communication with the airline during the baggage location process.
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Reimbursement for incidental expenses
When it comes to reimbursement for incidental expenses, it's important to understand that this may vary depending on the situation and the policies of the airline. Here are some key points to consider:
Incidental Expenses
Firstly, it's important to distinguish between reimbursement for the flight itself and incidental expenses incurred due to delays or cancellations. While passengers may be entitled to a refund or compensation for flight cancellations or significant delays, this does not always extend to incidental expenses. Incidental expenses refer to additional costs incurred due to the delay or cancellation, such as rental cars, hotel rooms, meals, or other services.
Airline Policies
Each airline has its own policies regarding reimbursement. Some airlines may offer reimbursement for incidental expenses as a gesture of goodwill or as part of their customer service commitments. Others may have more restrictive policies, especially for low-cost carriers. It's always a good idea to review the specific airline's policies and terms and conditions before assuming any reimbursement for incidental expenses.
Significant Delays and Cancellations
In cases of significantly delayed or cancelled flights, passengers may have more leverage to request reimbursement for incidental expenses. This is especially true if the airline is at fault for the delay or cancellation, such as in cases of overbooking or technical issues. Each airline may have its own definition of "significant delay," so be sure to review their policies.
International Itineraries
For international travel, passengers may have additional rights under the Montreal Convention. Article 19 of the convention allows passengers to file a claim with the airline for expenses resulting from a delayed or cancelled flight, which could include incidental expenses.
Receipts and Documentation
If you incur incidental expenses due to a delayed or cancelled flight, be sure to keep all receipts and documentation. This includes receipts for meals, accommodation, transportation, or any other necessary purchases. Having proper documentation will be essential if you need to make a claim for reimbursement.
Communication and Advocacy
Don't be afraid to communicate your situation to airline staff and advocate for yourself. In some cases, even if the airline's published policy does not include reimbursement for incidental expenses, they may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. It's important to remain respectful and polite while firmly expressing your situation and requesting assistance.
While reimbursement for incidental expenses is not always guaranteed, understanding your rights as a passenger and knowing the specific policies of the airline can greatly improve your chances of a positive outcome. It's also essential to stay informed about any changes in regulations, as passenger rights and protections can evolve over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you are entitled to a refund if your flight is cancelled, regardless of the reason, and you choose not to travel.
If your flight is delayed, you may be entitled to a refund. The length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances are factors that determine whether you are eligible for a refund.
If your baggage is lost, you are entitled to a refund of the checked bag fee. You may also be reimbursed for emergency purchases if your baggage is delayed.
Yes, you are entitled to a refund for any additional services you paid for but did not receive, such as seat upgrades or in-flight Wi-Fi.
If you purchased a non-refundable ticket but can no longer travel due to personal reasons, you are not entitled to a refund. However, you may be able to get a credit or travel voucher for future use.
