Flying is such fun these days…….. NOT ….
Shrinkflation has shown up in leg room, the ability to recline – and in our snacks.
They may be able to take our dignity, – but now they have to cough up our cash.
In A Nutshell: The Government signed into law a rule that effective October 2024, bans ‘Airline Junk Fees’. It expands consumer protection and requires airline to give cash refunds for canceled or delayed flights. Airlines made $33 Billion dollars from various ‘fees’ in 2023. Yes that is 33 with a $B after it. That is a sh$t ton of money that was shelled out ‘after’ you bought your ticket. DOT’s Pete Buttigieg is stomping mad and he is not taking it any more!
Why do we need this law?
- The airlines have become pro’s at playing hide and go fleece.
- To avoid having to take ‘Vouchers’ instead of getting our money back.
- To stiff A4A (Airlines for America’). The powerful industry lobbyist that represents American, Delta, United and others. They are really good at what they do.
This is what you get out of the deal:
- More – and improved – information about the cost of your ticket before you purchase it.
- No more bait (showing a low ticket price online) and switch (piling on fees for things even you had not thought you needed to fly).
- No more hearing ‘NO’ when you want your money back because the airline didn’t deliver. Try buying groceries with an airline voucher or future flight credit.
- Inconvenience is no longer what the airline thinks it is. It is a 3 hour domestic delay or a 6 hour international delay (for any reason including weather or increasing the number of connections). If the plane don’t fit, they must acquit – and provide you with an automatic right to a refund.
- Checked bag fees are refunded if your baggage is not delivered to you within 12 hours (domestic) or 15-30 hours (international based on flight length).
- You get a refund if your wifi or if your inflight entertainment goes on the fritz.
- Your refund has to be processed within 7 days for a credit card, or 20 days if you paid with pennies.
- No more paying extra for a place to sit. You are now guaranteed a seat.
Before this new law – the airlines decided which of their egregious acts required them to refund your money.
But, and with the Airlines and A4A there is always a butt,
The Airlines are not throwing in the towel without a fight. They have these 3 options:
- They can appeal the new law and challenge it in court.
- They can beg Congress to override the new bill.
- Don’t expect for this rule to be put in place next week. Now is not the time for chest beating and declaring victory. The document is 272 pages long and it will take some time to sort through the legalese. We will update you as we learn more.
In the meantime, I’ll keep your seat warm for ya…..
~Jake
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P.S. Don’t miss: Cheap Vacation Flights explained
“A vacation is what you take – when you can no longer take what you have been taking.”
