AIRLINE RULES YOU NEED TO KNOW

by Ronald Reeker

Airlines try to hide these rules from passengers because they can cost them money.

The DOT (Dept of Transportation) has rules that the airlines must follow concerning dealing with customers and flight guidelines.

The next time you fly make sure you let the airlines know what the rules are and that they follow the guidelines.

IF YOUR ITINERARY CHANGES

THEY MUST PAY THE DIFFERENCE

Let's say your flight is delayed and you end up not flying with your original airline. If the airline arranges you fly on an alternate carrier, it must cover all of the expenses and extra fees the new airline might charge you.If there is only a first class seat available they must provide it to you at no charge.

DO NOT ACCEPT VOUCHER

YOU ARE ENTITLED TO CASH

Never accept vouchers if the airline wants to give you one. If you are bumped from a flight because it is overbooked, the DOT has compensation rules up to $1300 in cash if the airline failes to rearrange plans within 2 hours of your flight. The airlines are also required to tell you that you can get a check on the spot. It is your flight delay rights.

(Some airlines have a hard time handing over a check on the spot.State in your complaint that you are willing to accept vouchers for future services or frequenty-flyer miles)

EVEN WITH NEW FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS

YOU GET CASH

If your airline can get you to your destination between 1 or 2 hours of your scheduled arrival on a domestic flight, or 1 to 4 hours on an international flight, the airline still owes you compensation of 200 per cent of the one way fare to your destination up to $ 650.

YOU CAN CANCEL YOUR FLIGHT WITHIN 24 HOURS FOR NO CHARGE

For most airlines, you can cancel or change your ticket up to 7 days before your date of the flight and get a FULL REFUND.

You need to book directly with the airline's website and not thru a third party booking site, some sites like Expedia or Travelocity offer similar policies like the airlines. Southwest has more generous refund polices that let you change plans up to the time you take off. Check will the airlines for the specific policies they have concerning this.

NON REFUNDABLE TICKETS CAN BE REFUNDABLE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS

When an airline is at fault it owes you money. If a flight is severely delayed, canceled, or if there is a schedule change in advance or a route change (like you booked a non stop flight and the airline changes it to a flight with connections),you can get a full refund even on a non-refundable ticket you purchased.

IF THE PLANE SITS FOR 3 HOURS OR LONGER ON THE TARMAC YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO GET OFF

The DOT says the airline can not keep you on a plane for more than 3 hours (domestic flight) or 4 hours (international flight) without allowing you to get off the plane. Note: the airline is obligated to get you food and water after 2 hours of delay while you are on the plane waiting.

AIRLINES OWE YOU MORE FOR DELAYED LUGGAGE

If you bag is delayed (not lost) the airlines will try to pay you $ 25  or $ 50 per day for each day it is delayed. The DOT says this is not enough to salvage an important trip like a wedding, ski trip, or other important business trip. Per the DOT can owe you up to $ 3300 in liability for a domestic trip, as long as you got receipts to prove the cost of the luggage.

So the next time you book a flight make sure you know the rules , and that you make sure the airlines give you what you deserve legally.

Note" The DOT adjust the compensation and rules for inflation every two years, or make sure you are updated on the laws currently in force.