Pete Buttigieg just made it easier to get refunds on canceled flights & of course homophobes are pissed
Pete Buttigieg again. This time they’re upset with him for, wait for it, making it easier for travelers to get refunds on canceled flights.The 42-year-old Transportation Secretary just announced new federal rules that say airline customers are entitled to automatic cash refunds, not vouchers or travel credits, whenever an airline screws up.“From now on, when your flight is canceled for any reason, you are entitled to an automatic cash refund and it has to be prompt,” he told CNN today.Stay woke with our briefing while staying informed on all things LGBTQ+ entertainment, life, and more!“If you get delayed significantly, that means three hours domestically, six hours internationally, or if there’s another significant change to your itinerary–like maybe you were going to go into one airport, they actually changed the airport on you or something like that–you’re going to get your money back.”Sounds fair to us!The new rules also require airlines are more transparent about about fees for baggage, seating upgrades, or changing flights (a.k.a. “junk fees”), as well as issue refunds on fees for bags that arrive more than 12 hours late on domestic flights or 15 to 30 hours late on international flights.
Refunds must also be issued for in-flight WiFi fees if the internet goes down mid-flight, and upgraded seat fees if the seats are no longer available at boarding time.In other words, airlines will actually have to provide the goods and services they charge people for.
Also, no more hidden fees!This morning, Buttigieg posted a short video on social media detailing the new rules and explaining how they are expected to save travelers $500 million a year in junk fees alone.Our department just issued rules to protect people from hidden airline fees and to require airlines to give passengers automatic cash refunds when owed.
No more having to fend for yourself and jump through hoops to get your money back—airlines will have to automatically do this.
