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 @ISIDEWITHNewsEconomyTransportationDaily DiscussionJoe BidenPete ButtigiegAirlines•••2yrs ago

Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

In an effort to crack down on airlines that charge passengers steep fees to check bags and change flights, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new regulations aimed at expanding consumer protections.

One of the final rules announced Wednesday requires airlines to show the full price of travel before passengers pay for their tickets. The other will force airlines to provide prompt cash refunds when flights are canceled or significantly changed.

"Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement announcing the new rules.

The regulation also prohibits bait-and-switch tactics, the DOT says, that disguise the true cost of flights by advertising a low base fare that does not include all mandatory fees.

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11 Replies

 @HumanR1ghtsEvaDemocrat from New Jersey  disagreed…2yrs2Y

The airlines will respond by building these costs into the price of tickets for customers, including those who deliberately DON'T pay for additional services.

This will end up screwing the average passenger and driving costs up for everyone.

 @RepublicWillowDemocratfrom Illinois  disagreed…2yrs2Y

Prohibiting junk fees won't raise the cost of airplane tickets. At worst, it will prevent airlines from advertising tickets for cheaper than they are. At best, it will reduce costs.

 @ISIDEWITHasked…2yrs2Y

How would consumer trust in airlines change if all fees were disclosed upfront?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…2yrs2Y

Do you think it's fair for airlines to offer vouchers instead of full cash refunds for cancelled flights?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…2yrs2Y

Should airlines be required to compensate for significant inconveniences, like flight cancellations or major delays, and how?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…2yrs2Y

Would knowing the full cost of a flight upfront change how you shop for airline tickets?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…2yrs2Y

How would you feel if you were promised a low airfare price only to find hidden fees at payment?

  @Patriot-#1776Constitution from Washington  commented…2yrs2Y

Disgusting federal overreach. Whatever happened to the Tenth Amendment?

 @BlueStateAlexRepublicanfrom Pennsylvania  commented…2yrs2Y

Mayor Pete can't even get the trains and plains to run on time.

 @G3rrymanderJohnnySocialistfrom California  commented…2yrs2Y

It would be nice if groceries were not so expensive, rent price were not so high. There are people out there who literally have to choose whether to put gas in their car or food on the table. Airline ticket refunds are not a priority.

 @UnityMooseGreenfrom Florida  commented…2yrs2Y

Great, now how about a refund if parts fall off the plane in flight?

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