New Rules Protect Airline Passengers from Hidden Fees and Delays
The Biden administration has implemented new regulations to protect airline passengers from hidden fees and delays. These rules aim to improve consumer protection in air travel and save passengers money.
Airlines are now required to automatically issue refunds to passengers when owed, without the need for explicit requests or complicated procedures. Refunds must be issued within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. Passengers can choose to receive refunds in cash or the original payment method used.
Airlines and ticket agents must disclose all fees upfront, including baggage fees, change fees, and cancellation fees. This information must be displayed clearly on the airline's online platform and cannot be hidden behind hyperlinks. Additionally, airlines must provide details about baggage weight and dimension limitations, as well as policies for changing or canceling flights.
Airlines are prohibited from advertising discounted fares that do not include all mandatory fees. This prevents airlines from misleading passengers about the true cost of their flights.
The Biden administration is also pursuing further rulemakings to ban family-seating fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for free. They are also proposing to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory in cases of flight delays or cancellations.
These new rules are part of the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to lower costs for consumers and protect them from corporate exploitation. They aim to ensure that passengers have a better travel experience and are not subjected to hidden fees or unfair practices.