NEVER ENDING TRAVELS’ Post

✈️ If you're flying within Europe and considering purchasing insurance to cover potential luggage damages or loss up to €1300, you're throwing money out the window. 💸 🇪🇺 In fact, according to European regulations, if your checked-in luggage is lost, damaged, or delayed, the airline is responsible, and you're entitled to compensation of up to approximately EUR 1,300. How to claim your rights? ⬇️ To claim compensation, submit a written claim to the airline within 7 days for lost or damaged luggage, or within 21 days for delayed luggage. There's no standardized EU-wide claim form.

Flying Fair: DOT's Probe Into Airline Loyalty Programs The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has initiated a thorough investigation into major airlines' loyalty programs following complaints about potential unfair and deceptive practices that affect travelers. They're scrutinizing transparency in award bookings, frequent flyer miles devaluation, transferability, and airline communication regarding program changes. Here’s what to know: 🛫 Airlines and lucrative loyalty programs Amid the pandemic, loyalty programs and associated co-branded credit cards have become vital airline revenue sources. For instance, Delta forecasts nearly $7 billion in revenue from its American Express co-branded cards this year. Similarly, American Airlines notes a 50% surge in AAdvantage program membership since 2019, showcasing the remarkable growth of these programs. 🤝 DOT engages airlines and political landscape DOT officials have been engaging with airlines, seeking insights and data on loyalty program practices. This investigation coincides with congressional concerns raised about deceptive practices in frequent flyer programs. Some senators have flagged issues of point system alterations that disadvantage consumers, prompting discussion about potential legislative changes impacting the industry. ✈️ Airlines' response and lobbying efforts While Delta and United Airlines declined to comment, major carriers remain pivotal in the loyalty landscape. Airlines actively lobbied against legislation perceived to impact their rewards credit card offerings. Delta, for instance, modified its frequent flyer program following member concerns, highlighting the responsiveness of airlines to consumer feedback. www.FlightClaimEU.com - ‘Fly Assured’

New US Airline Transparency Rules Include Refunds The Biden Administration is cracking down on airline fees through new transparency rules. The DOT has issued new regulations to clarify airline policies and protect passenger rights. Airlines will now be required to offer prompt refunds for delays or cancellations and guarantee transparent fee disclosure. 📃 What are the new rules? The DOT's new rules specify a significant delay in flight schedules as a departure occurring at least three hours after the scheduled time for domestic flights and six hours for international ones. This used to be left to the discretion of the airline, but the new definition clears up any confusion. If you're impacted by a significant delay, you'll also be eligible to receive refunds if the airline cannot offer alternative transportation or travel credits. The refund rule also encompasses other significant flight changes like departure or arrival airport changes, passengers being downgraded to a different level of services, or added connections to a flight. Impacted passengers will now have the option to decline travel credits or alternative flights offered by airlines. It also means that airlines will no longer default to vouchers or credits when passengers are entitled to cash. Airlines will have up to seven days to refund passengers on credit cards and twenty days for other payment methods. 🧳 What about luggage refunds? Regarding baggage handling and refunds, carriers must return checked baggage within 12 hours for domestic flights and 30 hours for international ones, or travelers are entitled to a refund. Passengers also have the right to request refunds if airlines fail to provide advertised services like seat selection or internet connectivity. Airlines and ticket agents will also be required to clearly disclose fees for baggage and reservation changes or cancellations on their websites along with ticket prices and scheduling information. The new rules are estimated to save American travelers more than $500 million annually. www.flightclaimeu.com - Passenger Rights explained.

U.S. DOT recently announced an Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with state AGs. Cozen O'Connor has prepared this advisory to assess the impact on #airlines and #travelagencies. Cozen's aviation law and state AG professionals have collaborated on this piece and the firm's comprehensive approach to addressing companies' legal, regulatory, and state/federal lobbying needs is perfectly suited to address this new DOT-state AG regulatory regime. Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies

Recent IT Outage: Your Guide to Refunds and Reimbursements The horror stories have poured in following Air Lines’ five-day operational meltdown that resulted in over 5,000 flight cancellations. However, the airlines are back in action—fully staffed and reporting minimal cancellations—following the worldwide IT outage, meaning it’s time for them to pay up. 💸 Getting a refund from the airline If your flight was canceled or significantly delayed during the meltdown, you are entitled to a refund for the unused portion of your ticket. This refund will be credited back to the original form of payment. You can request your refund via FlightClaimEU.com. 🛡️ Reimbursement for incurred expenses Airlines are offering reimbursement for certain expenses incurred due to the meltdown. Eligible expenses include hotel stays, meals, and transportation costs during the travel waiver period from July 19 to July 28. You can also claim reimbursement for alternative travel arrangements, such as flights on other airlines, rental cars, or trains. Submit your reimbursement request via FlightClaimEU webpage. ⚠️ What’s not covered? Usually airlines will not cover prepaid expenses at your destination, such as vacation activities, concert tickets, or sporting events. Travel insurance or credit card insurance might help recoup these costs, depending on your policy's terms and coverage.

A new Federal Law will force Airlines to refund money when flights are cancelled or seriously postponed flights. The change will mean that airlines need to be more conscience of how they treat #customers. #culture #futurism #technology #innovation

Airlines Fight For Their Fees #Interesting: As airlines enter the bustling summer travel season, a wave of litigation is taking off. Major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, along with Airlines for America, have launched a legal challenge against a new regulation from the Biden Administration aimed at curbing so-called "junk fees." These fees, which often catch travelers off-guard with charges for checked luggage, seat selection, and carry-on bags, have been criticized by President Biden as unfair to consumers. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg underscored that transparent pricing is a cornerstone of capitalism, and hidden fees undermine the ability of consumers to make informed choices. Airlines, however, argue that the new regulations will overwhelm consumers with excessive information, complicating the ticket-buying process. This legal battle is part of a broader trend of industries challenging governmental regulations, with outcomes that hinge on the laws, arguments, and judicial decisions involved. As the case unfolds, it could set a precedent for the future handling of consumer fees across various sectors, including hospitality and ticket sales. Additionally, recent congressional legislation requiring airlines to refund or credit passengers for significant delays adds another layer to the ongoing tussle over consumer rights and airline practices. https://lnkd.in/d2CuNvfd

Airline Bumping: What It Is, How to Handle It, and Which Airlines Do It The last thing you want as part of your travel journey is to be denied boarding. While no one can predict the future, new findings—and some helpful tips—will at least help keep you safe from an overbooked flight.  🎟️ What does it mean when an airline bumps you? Being “bumped” from a flight means you’re denied boarding, either voluntarily or involuntarily, because the airline sold more tickets than there are seats. This practice, known as overbooking, is legal in the US, as airlines often expect some passengers not to show up. 🛑 What happens if you get denied boarding? If you’re involuntarily bumped, airlines must provide compensation, which can be up to 200 percent of your one-way ticket price or $775, whichever is lower. You’ll also receive a new flight booking. Voluntarily bumped passengers usually negotiate compensation, such as flight credits or cash. ✈️ Which airlines are most likely to do it? A recent study highlights the airlines most likely to bump passengers, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Frontier Airlines tops the list, bumping over three passengers per 10,000, significantly higher than any other US airline. American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Southwest also make the list, but at much lower rates. 💡 How to avoid being bumped To reduce the risk of being bumped, travelers should check in early, join loyalty programs, and avoid booking the last flight of the day. If you are bumped, know your rights. www.flightclaimeu.com

Taking cues from airline industry lobbyists, US lawmakers are keeping an aviation bill free from clauses that would require free water for flight passengers and set minimum dimensions for seats. Why do our representatives want airline travel to be torture? https://lnkd.in/gGpamMD3 Lawmakers are resisting calls to establish minimum seat dimensions despite shrinking airplane seat sizes. This decision aligns with the influence of airline lobbying, with nearly $5 million spent on lobbying Congress in the first four months of the year. In July 2023, the House advanced bipartisan legislation mandating airlines to provide drinking water on flights longer than an hour, addressing a basic need currently unmet. However, this requirement was removed from the final bill by Senators Cantwell, Cruz, Representative Larsen, and Graves, omitting passengers' legal right to water. The FAA bill, setting policy and funding for five years, also lacks provisions for minimum seat standards, frustrating passengers. While some airlines provide water, many budget carriers do not and may charge for it. This legislative trend reflects prioritization of airline interests over passenger welfare, potentially hindering passengers' ability to obtain flight refunds and access basic necessities.

Southwest Fined $140M for 2022 Travel Chaos – Southwest Airlines is facing a record $140 million fine from the Transportation Department, marking the largest consumer protection penalty in the agency's history. This response follows the airline's extensive travel disruption over the holidays last year, with 16,900 canceled flights and over two million passengers left stranded.. Under a consent order, Southwest must pay $35 million to the US Treasury and establish a $90 million compensation system for issuing future vouchers to customers experiencing "controllable" flight cancellations or delays. In exchange for implementing the compensation program, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will reduce its penalty against the airline by $72 million. ✈️ What does this mean for travelers?  Passengers on Southwest flights arriving more than three hours after the originally scheduled time will now receive an extra transferable $75 voucher, in addition to any rebooking, hotel accommodations, and food provided during the delay. Southwest got a heads-up about the penalty in October and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering excellent customer service, so you can count on a smoother journey and a little extra perk if things happen to go awry. Other airlines should surely take a hint to avoid ending up in hot water. www.FlightClaimEU.com