Airlines are rarely in favor of sharing their policies concerning favors with the customers they serve. In today’s modern time, every other individual prefers to travel via airways. The reasons are ample, but the most one that tops the list is that it saves everyone’s time. Several surprising air travel rules and rights come with the expensive price of the ticket passengers put their money on. However, they are barely aware of those rights.
There are plenty of rules and regulations that the U.S. Department of Transport offers that they must follow. Today, we have come up with a list of those surprising travel rights that every passenger must know. Read on to find out.
1. Voluntary Bumping
With so many passengers flying in one day, the chances of them being in an oversold flight can be very high. If we talk about the U.S., they alone fly about 24,000 flights a day. So when the flights are overbooked, you can volunteer to be bumped from a flight. In that way, the airline will compensate you with flight vouchers for future travel. Compensations can go as high as $10,000 on some airlines. Apart from this, you can also get other facilities like priority seating, lounge access, and food vouchers on the next available flight.
2. Involuntary Bumping
If you are involuntarily bumped from your flight, the traveler can ask for compensation directly through cash or cheque. The amount of compensation they will provide you will vary on different criteria. Like the price of your ticket or how long you are delayed. But the best part about it is that airlines cannot pay the compensation in the form of vouchers that tend to expire within a year. The compensation money will increase if the substitute flight further delays your travel. However, if they get you to your destination in another hour, they are not entitled to compensate you.
3. Flight Delay Or Cancellation
In the list of surprising air travel rights, another right comes in the case of flight delay or cancellation. Compensation based on this factor depends on the reason for delaying or cancellation and the airline you are flying with. If the reason for delaying is terrible weather, then there is nothing that the airline can do. However, if the delay happens due to manmade reasons, then compensations in kinds come in. Things like meals in the airport, phone calls, or a hotel room are to name a few compensations they may provide. You may also get to board their next available flight without charge if you ask.
4. Ticket Changes Or Ticket Cancellation
You can cancel your ticket without being hit by high cancellation charges and get a refund even if you have bought a non-refundable ticket. Yes, you are reading it absolutely right. The Department of Transportation (DOT) allows travelers to cancel their tickets if they did the booking at least seven days before making changes or even cancel within 24 hours. If the airline does not carry a passenger because of any reason, they have to provide a refund even on the non-refundable tickets.
5. Lost Baggage
It goes without saying that if the airline loses your luggage, they are bound to reimburse you. As of 2019, the U.S. domestic flight provide reimbursement up to $3,300 and international flights up to $1,742. Many airlines will also provide you with necessities like clothing in case you travel for, say, a business meeting. They also provide you with other personal items, if you’d ask.
6. Damaged Baggage
The obvious thing to do when you see your luggage is damaged is to go to the airline’s office. You have to document the damage with photographs and provide it there. If the airline agrees that this was their fault, you can come to a settlement. They most certainly repair or replace the bag to compensate for the damage caused.
7. Flight Changed By Airline
If the timing of flights is changed by the airline for any reason and if it does not suit the passenger, they have a special air travel right to manage the issue. Travelers have a full right to propose a schedule that works better for them. It is always better to call the airline directly to make changes. This way, you can escape talking to an agent who would further delay the process. You can request a refund if things don’t go as you like.
8. Stuck On The Tarmac
Per the DOT regulations, airlines cannot keep passengers on the tarmac for more than 3 hours. You can raise the matter if you are not willing to wait further. This right comes with the flying that happens domestically. It is the foremost duty of the airline to update the passenger every 30 minutes in the case of tarmac. Apart from that, they are also entitled to food and water no later than two hours wait.
These are some of the most surprising air travel rights to different countries that we bet you were unaware of. So on your next flight, make sure you get to use these rights if the situation demands so!
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