It’s no surprise. Candidate Trump and his backers were clear that they intended to cut federal regulations, including consumer protections, in addition to reducing the size of government.
The Trump administration announced on Friday that it’s rolling back consumer protections for airline passengers created by the Biden administration that would require airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays and cancellations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s, or DOT, actions to cancel these protections would make American families vulnerable to excessive travel costs, 18 U.S. senators said in a letter to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy.
“The law guaranteed the right to a hassle-free refund for passengers when flights are cancelled or significantly delayed regardless of cause,” the senators wrote. “The law also required airlines to have policies in place to compensate passengers for significant flight disruptions within an airline’s control, and be transparent about fees – such as baggage fees or change fees – that they charge consumers.”
Cash payment is a “common-sense proposal,” they said, adding when an airline’s mistake imposes unanticipated costs on families, the airline should try to remedy the situation by providing accommodations to consumers and helping cover their costs.
DOT announced earlier this year that it planned to scrap the cancelation rule. The agency said , the notice will be published in the Federal Register on Monday. The passenger protection measure would have created “unnecessary regulatory burdens,” DOT said Friday.
However, the JetsetterGuide, a travel information website, said a Congress-mandated refund rule still stands. Carriers are required to reimburse passengers who choose not to fly when their flight is canceled or “significantly altered,” though the burden remains on customers to request it.
The JetsetterGuide offers these tips on how to navigate delayed or canceled flights:
- No automatic payouts: If your flight is delayed or canceled – even for reasons under the airline’s control – you won’t receive an automatic deposit or voucher. You need to negotiate directly with the carrier.
- Refunds still apply: Existing legislation requires airlines to refund unused tickets for cancellations and major schedule changes. File requests promptly: most carriers process them within seven days for credit-card purchases.
- Document everything: Keep boarding passes, gate announcements, and screenshots of delay notices. This evidence can speed up refund claims or support credit-card chargebacks.
- Consider trip-delay insurance: With federal protections scaled back, third-party coverage can bridge the gap – look for policies that kick in after three hours.
- Know EU rules on connections: If you go to the European Union on an EU airline, EC 261 may still apply and trigger compensation, even if your trip originated in the United States.
- Stay proactive at the airport: Gate agents retain discretion to offer meal vouchers and hotel stays or rebooking on partner airlines. Politely but firmly ask what “good-will” options are available.
Best wishes getting through these airline problems.
