# Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2023

Right now, when an airline cancels your flight or delays it significantly, they often offer you a voucher or credit instead of your money back. This bill would change that by requiring major airlines to give you actual cash refunds when your flight gets canceled or significantly delayed, or when you cancel your ticket at least 48 hours in advance.

Here's what would actually happen under this law: If you buy a ticket on a major airline (basically any large carrier that made over $1.5 billion in revenue in 2018, plus foreign airlines flying to the US) and that flight gets canceled or seriously delayed, the airline would have to refund your full ticket price plus any extra fees you paid—like baggage fees or seat selection charges—within 30 days of you requesting it. The same goes if you decide to cancel your own ticket at least two days before departure. Airlines could still offer you alternatives like vouchers or credits instead, but they'd have to clearly tell you that you have the right to get cash back. If they give you a voucher, it would never expire, and you could use it whenever you want.

The bill also includes a catch-up provision for people who got stuck with vouchers during the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March 2020. If you received a credit or voucher back then and haven't used all of it, you could request a cash refund for the unused portion. Airlines would be allowed to use federal COVID relief money they received to pay for these refunds, though they couldn't use a specific emergency fund that was designated for payroll. If airlines violate these rules, they'd face $1,000 penalties per violation. Before you buy a ticket, airlines would also have to clearly tell you in writing that you can cancel anytime and get your money back.

Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2023

Cohen, Steve

Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2023 This bill requires air carriers and ticket agents to offer full cash refunds for airline tickets if (1) an air carrier cancels or significantly delays a flight, or (2) a passenger cancels their ticket for a flight at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure time. The bill permits air carriers and tickets agents to offer alternative forms of compensation, including credit or vouchers, provided that such offer is valid indefinitely, and the offer includes a clear and conspicuous notice of the passenger's right to a cash refund. Additionally, the bill requires air carriers and ticket agents to disclose to passengers, prior to the sale of airline tickets, that they can cancel their tickets and receive a full refund.