aviva travel insurance cancelled flight

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Your peace of mind is crucial to make the most out of your trip or travels. It’s great to keep an itinerary handy but let’s get down to the brass tracks to get rid of the looming fear of going facing the unknown. Travel insurance provides much-needed security against unforeseen circumstances by taking care of the monetary aspect of travel. When you make a claim, you would be reimbursed for expenses covered by the policy. A trusted company that caters to the needs of travellers is Aviva.

Aviva travel insurance typically covers medical expenses, trip cancellations or disruptions, lost or stolen baggage, and emergency assistance services while travelling. They also offer different levels of coverage to suit the needs and budgets of customers. There is an option to add additional benefits like coverage for risky sports, delays in travel, damages, and much more. This article will review what Aviva travel insurance covers, what’s not covered, types of policies and their claims process.

Aviva Travel Insurance plans

Aviva Travel Insurance caters to the needs of different types of travellers and their budgets. Here is a list of their main plans:

Single-trip travel insurance

The single-trip travel insurance provides coverage for one trip and is available for up to a year. This is a great option for those that don’t travel often but have an important trip to take. The coverage typically includes medical expenses, trip cancellations or disruptions, and lost baggage.

Annual multi-trip insurance

The annual multi-trip travel insurance Aviva offers extensive coverage for multiple trips within a year, with a limitation of up to 31 days per trip. This option is recommended for those that are constantly on the go. This is an affordable choice for globetrotters, and includes the same coverage as that of a single tip cover, with additional security for travel delays and missed connections.

Optional extra covers:

• Winter sports: This provides coverage for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. This would typically include cover for medical expenses, gear damage or loss, and piste closure.
• Backpacker: This is a more risky more of travel as leisure is not a top priority. With several things that could go wrong for the backpacker, this plan will cover for medical emergencies, cancellations, and damage to personal belongings. Its extended trip cover goes for up to 18 months.
• Travel disruption: This provides security for cancellations and trip abandonments due to a pertinent authority forbidding the travel or when there are strikes in the destinations due to which transportation gets cancelled. It is also applicable when natural disasters take a toll on the accommodations.
• Airspace closure: If the airport is closed on the date of travel, this extended clever comes into action. It is also applicable when volcanic activity affects travel or when there are no alternatives for transport for more than 24 hours from the time of departure.
• Baggage: This cover will provide insurance for damage or loss of personal belongings of up to  £1,500 per person. However, this is not applicable if the baggage has been left unattended or if the loss was left unreported for 24 hours.
• Golfing: This provides coverage for loss or damage of golfing equipment for up to £1,500 per person. However, this is not applicable if the equipment was stolen from a motor vehicle and left unreported for 24 hours.
• Scuba diving: A standard insurance will cover the diver for up to 15 m in depth but with this additional cover, it is extended to 30 metres. The specifics depend on the policyholder and there will be variations in the details.

Availing of extra coverage is a smart choice to stay ahead of hazardous accidents or incidents.

What’s not covered

Unfortunately, there are instances when Aviva travel insurance won’t provide coverage. They are:

• Cancellations: Unless you’ve taken out the travel disruption cover, Aviva won’t provide coverage for cancellations of trips if the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises doing so.
• If any event was bound to occur when purchasing a policy that would inhibit you from continuing the travel or affect travel plans.
• If there are costs recoverable from the travel/accommodation provider, or the bank, you’re advised to go to them instead.
• If the mishaps were not a part of any extra covers.
• Activities specifically excluded in the policy wording.
• If problems occur due to documents being out of date.

How the claims process works

Keep your documents ready: A dedicated team is available to help you 24/7 online or over the phone. Keep your policy number handy to start a claim, along with a copy of your insurance documents.

Expert Review: The speciality team will look at the claim and work out how to best help you. They will review the photos or documents you submit as part of the claim, along with receipts for emergencies.

Quick response- When the due process has been followed, they will reach out post-haste to sort things out.

At home or abroad, the Aviva travel insurance team are there for you. Travel insurance is crucial to provide protection against unforeseen circumstances. You can add up to 8 family members or friends on the Aviva travel insurance. Go through the policies to make the best of it and not blindsight you later on. It promises to give you peace of mind while you’re away from home. The insurance will come into action if things don’t go as planned. For more information, visit Tripcolumn.

Also, Read- Avanti Travel Insurance | Tesco Bank Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance with COVID Cover |

Does Aviva travel insurance cover a cancelled flight?

Aviva travel insurance covers you for costs that can’t be recovered anywhere else. If your flight is cancelled, the first thing to do is check with the airline to find out what options are available. If all costs cannot be recovered, they will look into your circumstances and see if there is help available.

Does Aviva travel insurance cover strikes? 

In case of flight cancellations, contact your airline first or travel agency. If you’ve added the Travel Disruption cover, you might be covered for cancellations due to strikes. This will ultimately depend on when the strikes were announced, the time of booking, and the time of purchasing the insurance. If the strikes we announced to take place in the media, you won’t be covered.

Will the insurance cover missed flights due to delays at the airport?

No, you won’t be covered for missed flights due to delays at or by the airport. Contact your airline or travel provider to see what options are available for you.

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What are your rights if your flight is cancelled in summer travel chaos?

P eak holiday season is currently in full swing, and with school summer holidays set to begin at the end of July, airports are set to be teeming with crowds heading away for a holiday abroad.

However, flight cancellations and delays are also on the rise , with airports across the UK having faced problems in recent weeks.

Last week, a power outage at Manchester Airport saw some 140 flights cancelled and 90,000 passengers left in the lurch, while others had their flights delayed but arrived at their destinations only to find that their luggage had been left behind.

Gatwick, Birmingham and Liverpool Airports have all also faced heavy cancellations over the past few weeks.

With countless more flights likely to be cancelled during the remainder of the holiday season, and the next batch of those already on the horizon as hurricane Beryl continues to batter the Caribbean, thousands could be left wondering what they can do if they face delays or cancellations.

What can I do if my flight is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled  then your airline will be responsible for finding a solution, whether this means booking you onto a new flight or issuing you with a refund.

In the case that the flight has been cancelled more than 14 days before take off, then you aren't entitled to compensation, but will be given a refund or booked onto a new flight.

If it is cancelled with less than two weeks to go, you could get between £110 and £520 depending on the length of the flight and how long you have to wait for a replacement flight.

In order to qualify for compensation, the flight must have been cancelled for a reason that is within the control of the airline.

For example, if a pilot is late, the flight is cancelled due to under-booking or there are technical difficulties, then the airline will be at fault, and complaining passengers will be able to get compensation.

What about strike or bad weather cancellations?

Flightright legal expert Adam Johnson 

If your flight is cancelled as a result of bad weather, national employee strikes or the actions of non-airline employees, such as an air traffic controller strike, then the airline is not liable to pay you compensation.

You should be able to get compensation where it is only the airline's employees that are on strike.

Both strikes and bad weather are considered to be extraordinary circumstances, as are air traffic issues - meaning compensation won't be paid. 

However, in order to qualify as extraordinary, the severity of the bad weather must be beyond what could be reasonably expected by the airline.

What if my flight is delayed?

Depending on the reason for your flight's delay, you may be able to claim compensation.

Adam Johnson, Flightright legal expert, said: 'If your flight is delayed… you may be entitled to compensation. The airline must also provide care, including free refreshments, meals, and accommodation if necessary.'

For flights of less than 1,500km, a two-hour delay means that you will be entitled to food and drink, as well as access to phone calls and emails if you don't have a phone or it is out of charge.

Your carrier should give you vouchers to spend within the airport, but if they don't then it is wise to keep receipts for your expenses in order to claim these back later.

For flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, you will need a three-hour delay for these services, while a four-hour delay is needed for flights of over 3,500km.

If your delay is overnight, an airline must provide accommodation and transport to and from your hotel.

Johnson said: 'If flight problems necessitate an overnight stay, the airline is obliged to cover hotel costs for your overnight stay. This applies if the delay or cancellation is the airline's responsibility and results in an overnight delay.'

While the carrier will pay for your accommodation and food, they are unlikely to be willing to cover expensive hotels or meals, as these will not be deemed 'reasonable' expenses.

If your flight is delayed for more than five hours, you can choose not to take the flight and your airline will have to give a full refund for the flight; a refund for an onward or return flight you will no longer use, and a flight back to your original airport if you are mid-journey.

If you choose to go ahead with the flight, you could claim up to £520, depending in the length of the flight and the distance. Much like with cancellations, this will depend on whether the airline is at fault for the delay.

Will an airline pay you back if you decide to book with another carrier because of delays?

With certain airports offering only limited flights to some destinations, your carrier might not be able to offer you a suitable replacement flight if your flight is cancelled or heavily delayed.

Johnson said: 'If the airline cancels your flight or causes significant delays and does not offer you an alternative, you have the choice between reimbursement of the ticket price you originally paid or alternative transport provided by the airline.'

'However, if the airline does not offer you alternative transport, you have the right to book a new, significantly more expensive flight at your own expense and have the costs reimbursed by the previous airline.'

That said, the class of the flight should be like-for-like as your carrier won't stump up the cash for more expensive flights just because you want to choose better seats.

Will they refund your hotel costs if you don't make your holiday due to flight problems?

Unless you booked your holiday as part of a package deal, you are unlikely to be able to get any money from your airline for the costs of your hotel or accommodation if you are unable to go ahead with your holiday.

Airlines are not liable to cover consequential costs related to your holiday. 

This also includes a loss of earnings if you return to work later than planned, something that your insurance policy is also unfortunately not likely to pay out for.

However, you may be able to recover some of your accommodation losses depending on the refund policy of your accommodation.

If you have taken out travel insurance, then you will most likely have a safety net that will cover some of what your airline won't - though it is vital that you check what exactly your policy covers before booking it.  

What will my insurance cover when it comes to flights?

If your flight is cancelled or delayed under circumstances that are beyond your airline's control, then it can be difficult to get compensation for the time and money you might have lost.

Helen Phipps, director at Compare the Market, said: 'If your airline has been forced to cancel a flight because of circumstances outside of their control, then they may not be obligated to offer you compensation. 

'In this case, it is important that you speak to your travel insurance provider as you could be able to make a claim through your policy.'

'Insurance policies offering coverage for flight cancellations may allow you to get your money back if your flight has been delayed for over 24 hours or if it has been cancelled and the airline does not arrange an alternative flight within 24 hours. 

'Equally for those abroad and unable to return home, some insurance policies will cover the cost of your accommodation too.

'Insurance plays a particularly important role if your holiday is not booked as a package deal as it can cover every leg of the journey, from your flight and accommodation to pre-planned trips.'

June 1, 2020

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Flight Cancellation Insurance: Your Questions Answered

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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• Travel Insurance: How Does Trip Cancellation Coverage Work?

Get the Best Travel Insurance in Singapore

Having your long-awaited holiday cancelled is one of the more unfortunate circumstances that can happen while getting ready for a trip. Whether it is due to a medical emergency or situations like natural disasters or airport closures, trip cancellations can lead to losses of hundreds of dollars.

To protect themselves from the financial loss of an entire trip cancellation, travellers typically buy a travel insurance policy. However, not all types of cancellations will be covered, which can leave travellers stuck without any financial recourse. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we've written an in-depth guide about what a trip cancellation benefit from your travel insurer really entails.

What Does the Trip Cancellation Benefit Cover?

A travel cancellation benefit will let you claim for cancelling your trip in its entirety. You can claim up to the limit stated in your policy. For instance, if you have to cancel a S$6,000 trip and your policy only have a trip cancellation benefit of S$5,000, then at most you will get reimbursed S$5,000. On the other hand, if your trip cost S$1,000 and you have a trip cancellation benefit of S$5,000, then you will at most get reimbursed S$1,000.

While every insurance plan is different, there are a few widely accepted reasons in which your cancelled trip would be covered. The major reason that is accepted by all insurers is death or serious illness/injury. This applies not just to you, but your spouse, child, travelling companion, close relative or close business relative as well. Some insurers even extend it to anyone you were planning to stay with during your trip.

Another reason for trip cancellation that your insurer will accept is if there is a serious public event in your country of destination. For instance, suppose you bought a ticket to a destination and 20 days before you are supposed to leave, riots and protests disrupt public peace. If the riots don't end and you have to cancel your trip because of a travel advisory, your claim should be approved.

In addition, with the global pandemic, travel insurers in Singapore are offering COVID-19 extensions (automatic or otherwise) into their travel insurance plans. Should you have COVID-19 coverage in your travel insurance, you will also be reimbursed for trip cancellation due to the virus.

Read Also: Everything You Need To Know about COVID-19 Coverage in Singapore Travel Insurance

Other widely accepted reasons for trip cancellation.

• You or travel companion called to be a witness in court during travel dates
• Your or your travel companion's home gets seriously damaged by a fire, storm, flood or natural disaster
• Your onward flight is cancelled by the airline due to poor weather conditions
• Your onward flight is cancelled by airline due to airway, airport or runway closures

Regardless of your reason for cancelling your trip, the reason must occur within 30 days of your departure.

Trip Cancellation Due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

While most travel insurers don't provide trip cancellation coverage for pre-existing conditions, there are a few that have started to do so. A pre-existing condition is a medical condition (allergy, physical condition or illness) that exhibits symptoms or signs that you are aware of. It is also a condition that you were advised to receive or received treatment, medical advice, diagnosis or drugs in the 12 months before the start of your trip.

The travel insurers that offer trip cancellation coverage for pre-existing conditions are NTUC Income , MSIG , and Etiqa's Tiq travel insurance. Aviva also covers trip cancellation for pre-existing conditions under their "trip cancellation for any reason" benefit. Pre-existing condition plans cost 2.5-3x more than plans that don't cover pre-existing conditions. However, they can be worth the cost if you have serious medical conditions such as cancer, epilepsy or heart disease, whose complications can result in cancelled trips.

Trip Cancellations for Any Reason

Currently, Singlife with Aviva is the only insurer that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. This may seem too good to be true—and it is. As with all insurance benefits, even this travel benefit will have exclusions. In the case of Aviva, this means that trip cancellations that arise from your negligence, travel to restricted countries, or known circumstances or events will not be covered. However, it can be a very beneficial benefit for those with unpredictable schedules, because you'll be able to recover your financial losses even if your reason for cancelling your trip isn't something that's typically covered.

What Doesn't the Trip Cancellation Benefit Cover?

There are a myriad of reasons you might not be covered under your policy's trip cancellation benefit. The main one is that you can't cancel your trip because you don't want to go anymore. Furthermore, while serious illnesses are covered under trip cancellation, not serious illnesses or injuries are not. This means you won't get a payout if you cancel your trip because you or your family member has an headache. Insurers also won't let you claim for trip cancellations that arise from work obligations.

You also won't be able to submit a claim for a cancelled trip if you failed to notify your airline, transportation provider, tour operator or licensed travel agent that you had to cancel your trip. Lastly, you won't be able to claim for travel cancellation if the claim arises from something that is considered as a general exclusion (e.g. negligence, illegal activity, travelling against travel advisories).

Common General Exclusions

What expenses will get reimbursed.

If you have to file a trip cancellation claim, your travel insurer will pay you for any irrecoverable expenses (meaning expenses you cannot get a refund for on your own) paid to your travel agent, air, sea or land transportation expenses and/or accommodation expenses. If you receive some type of refund, then the payout will be reduced by that amount. Some insurers may also cover non-refundable entertainment tickets. However, because this is not a ubiquitous cover across the industry, you should always read the policy wording first. Lastly, insurers will not reimburse you for air miles or other points that you used to pay for your trip.

How Do I Submit a Trip Cancellation Claim?

If you are cancelling your trip because of a death or serious illness/injury then you should submit medical records with your claim. All other claims should be submitted with relevant forms of proof. For instance, you may have to get a note from the airline if your trip was cancelled due to an airport shutdown. You have to submit your claim and the appropriate documents within 30 days of the event happening.

• Everything You Need To Know about COVID-19 Coverage in Singapore Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance in Singapore
• 4 Ways To Save On Travel Insurance

Boon Hun spent over five years in the content marketing space as the managing editor of Goody Feed creating interesting and relevant content for the social media generation. In 2022, he moved to the FinTech space while remaining true to his roots, intending to bring financial literacy to more people in Singapore. When not doing his work, he can be found watching people build homes on YouTube.

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If you have a Travel Pack or Travel Plus Pack, you can manage your travel insurance online by visiting the Aviva website . You can also view frequently asked questions, make a claim, request a call back from Aviva or get proof of travel insurance.

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Important information

Was your WestJet flight cancelled this weekend? Here's what you need to know

Thousands of passengers affected after surprise mechanics' strike on july 1 holidays.

'So disappointed': Toronto travellers frustrated by WestJet cancellations, delays

Social sharing.

Roughly 33,000 travellers have been impacted by the unexpected news on Saturday morning that WestJet had cancelled a slew of flights after mechanics announced a surprise strike.

Here's what you need to know about how to get moving and/or compensated if you're among the affected travellers.

• WestJet cancels 235 flights as mechanics strike in surprise move on busy long weekend

What are the rules in a situation like this?

Airlines have to comply with Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), which give air passengers using Canadian airlines certain rights by laying out the minimum requirements companies must follow for air travel.

• Air passenger complaint backlog hits new high, but agency says it's processing complaints faster

The regulations also detail the standards for communication with passengers, and for compensation when flights are delayed or cancelled, or when your baggage is lost. The Canadian Transportation Agency oversees the APPR. 

According to the regulations, affected passengers can expect an update every 30 minutes until they have a new departure time or itinerary.

Can I still get where I'm trying to go?

An airline must offer passengers a choice between helping you continue to your destination or returning to your point of origin with a refund, according to  Air Passenger Rights , an independent, non-profit advocacy group.

WestJet can rebook you on another of its flights or that of a partner airline within 48 hours of your original departure time, said Gabor Lukacs, president of the group.

"But if it cannot, then WestJet will have to take out its corporate credit card and buy passengers tickets on flights of Air Canada or any other competitor — that's the law," he told CBC News Network on Saturday morning. 

Traveller affected by WestJet delays says vacations 'a hard thing to come by these days'

The APPR say you can even look at flights leaving from other airports within a "reasonable distance" and expect WestJet to help you get to that point of departure.

If the only seats available are in a higher class of service than you originally booked — such as first or business class — the airline must book you on them without asking you to pay the difference, according to the APPR.

If the opposite is true — you booked a higher class of service and can now only fly economy — then the airline must refund you the difference.

Can I take matters into my own hands?

In a statement posted to its website on Friday,  WestJet says there are "limited re-accommodation options available," suggesting it would be difficult for some people to make alternate plans to get where they're going.

On Saturday, the airline cancelled 235 flights and said another 150 wouldn't proceed if a solution to the dispute isn't reached by early Saturday afternoon.

If you run into trouble with WestJet's "re-accommodation options," you could rebook flights yourself and pursue compensation later, Lukacs said.

"If you do want to fly, you do not utter the word 'refund,'" Lukacs  said. "You are not seeking a refund. You are seeking a rebooking. If you are seeking a refund, WestJet will just refund you and wash its hands from your expenses down the line."

He recommends keeping a careful record of your conversations with the airline — even by going so far as to record your conversations — and keeping track of all the expenses you incur.

Small claims court is an option, he added.

What if I want a refund?

The simple answer? You are entitled to get your money back.

"Money back is always an option," Lukacs said. "If you didn't get a flight you paid for, the airline has to give you back your money. That's a no-brainer."

The regulations also say that if you're not at your point of origin when you ask for a refund, the airline must also fly you back home.

But asking for a refund means you might be leaving some money on the table in the long run, Lukacs warned.

Under the regulations, you must receive your money back within 30 days if you go this route.

With files from Jenna Benchetrit

Related Stories

• WestJet cancels hundreds of flights as mechanics strike in surprise move on busy long weekend

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The Guide to Alaska Airlines’ Cancellation Policy

Josh is a freelance travel writer who is passionate about remote work and finding amazing travel deals. He has visited over 60 countries and tries to work from a different location each month.

Giselle M. Cancio is an editor for the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She has traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries, redeeming points and miles for almost a decade. She has over eight years of experience in journalism and content development across many topics.

She has juggled many roles in her career: writer, editor, social media manager, producer, on-camera host, videographer and photographer. She has been published in several media outlets and was selected to report from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She frequents national parks and is on her way to checking all 30 Major League Baseball parks off her list. When she's not on a plane or planning her next trip, she's crafting, reading, playing board games, watching sports or trying new recipes.

She is based in Miami.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

Why are Alaska flights canceled?

What to do if alaska cancels your flight, how to get a refund from alaska, check your credit card policies to take advantage of flight cancellation benefits, consider travel insurance, alaska flight cancellations, recapped.

Understanding Alaska Airlines' cancellation policy can ensure that your disruption is minimized and that you receive all the benefits to which you’re entitled if your flight is canceled.

There’s good news for Alaska flyers: Alaska Airlines has the smallest percentage of canceled flights of the 10 largest U.S. airlines by passenger miles, based on Bureau of Transportation Statistics arrival data analyzed by NerdWallet in 2023 .

In 2023, only 0.81% of Alaska flights were canceled (compared with 2.1% of JetBlue Airways flights, 1.4% of United Airlines flights and 1.02% of Delta Air Lines flights).

Even though Alaska Airlines has a good track record, there are several reasons that your Alaska flight might be canceled, including:

Extreme weather.

Mechanical issues.

Staffing shortages.

Security issues.

Air traffic control issues.

Visit https://www.alaskaair.com/flightnotifications and opt-in to get notified about whether your Alaska flight is delayed or canceled.

If your Alaska flight is canceled, follow any steps the airline communicates by text, email or at the gate, which may include an option to rebook a later flight.

Know Alaska’s policies on canceled flights

Alaska has a customer service commitment that covers delayed and canceled flights, which provides the following benefits if your flight is canceled:

Rebooking . Alaska will rebook you on the next available Alaska flight at no additional charge. If the cancellation was caused by something within Alaska’s control and the next available Alaska flight isn’t until the next day, Alaska will rebook you on a partner airline if it has seats available in the same cabin.

Accommodations . If your Alaska flight is canceled for reasons within Alaska’s control, resulting in an overnight stay at an airport that’s 100 miles or more away from your home, Alaska will either provide a voucher for a hotel or reimbursement for reasonable hotel and round-trip ground transportation costs.

Meals . If your flight is canceled and you need to wait three hours or more for a new flight, Alaska will offer a reasonable meal to each ticketed guest at the airport. Specific options will depend on airport vendor availability.

Other benefits . If your Alaska flight is canceled and you need to wait three hours or more for a new flight, the airline will give you the option of receiving either a discount code of at least $50 toward a future flight or 2,000 Mileage Plan miles .

Recent NerdWallet analysis on the value of Mileage Plan miles determined each mile is worth 1.4 cents a piece, making the 2,000 miles option worth a value of $28. You're better off taking the straight $50 cash.

If your flight is canceled due to air traffic control, bad weather, a passenger’s illness or a “force majeure” circumstance beyond Alaska’s control, you will not be entitled to any of the benefits above.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska flight delay compensation

Understand your rights under federal law

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule in April 2024, which is set to go into effect around October 2024, in which you may qualify for an automatic refund if your flight is canceled.

Under the new rule , passengers will be entitled to an automatic refund (paid either in cash or back to the original form of payment) if their flight is canceled and the passenger does not accept alternative transportation or the travel credits offered.

One way to make the most of this new rule is to rebook yourself on a new flight if it's less expensive than your original fare. For example, if your Alaska flight was canceled and the next Alaska flight isn’t for three hours but there’s a Delta flight available that leaves in an hour, you could simply reject Alaska’s offer to be moved onto the next Alaska flight, receive a full refund and book the Delta flight.

If your Alaska flight is delayed or canceled, you can elect to receive a refund for your ticket rather than being rebooked.

You can take the following steps to cancel your flight and get a refund:

Cancel online . If you purchased your flight directly from Alaska, look up your reservation and select “Cancel.”

Call Alaska . If you purchased your flight from Alaska but do not see an option to cancel online, you’ll need to call Alaska customer service at 800-252-7522.

Contact a third-party booking company . If you purchased your flight from a third-party booking company , such as Expedia, you’ll need to contact that company directly. 

Refunds will be posted to your original form of payment, generally within seven to 21 business days for credit card purchases and within 20 business days for cash purchases. If you’re having any issues with your refund, call 206-392-7722 or email [email protected] for help.

We recommend booking your Alaska flight on a credit card with travel insurance benefits. Before your flight, you should become familiar with your credit card’s flight cancellation benefits, which may include a right to be reimbursed for nonrefundable travel expenses, like hotels and tours.

Below are a few cards that have travel insurance included as a benefit:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger. Terms apply.

If you do have a credit card with travel insurance included, try to make a habit of booking your flights on that credit card so you can take advantage of the travel cancellation protections.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

You can also opt to purchase travel insurance as a stand-alone policy. Depending on the type of trip you’re taking, there are a variety of travel insurance policies from which to choose.

This includes Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), medical insurance and trip interruption insurance.

If your Alaska flight is canceled, be sure to follow the steps provided by the airline so that you’re rebooked on the next available Alaska flight. Additionally, make sure you know Alaska’s flight cancellation policies and your rights under federal law, to ensure you get all the benefits you're entitled to for a flight cancellation.

Finally, if you have a credit card with travel insurance, book your Alaska flight with that card and learn (and take advantage of) the flight cancellation benefits that come with the card.

(Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Complaints about air travel have soared to nearly 100,000—even as flight cancellations decline

Air travel  got more miserable last year, if the number of consumer complaints filed with the U.S. government is any measure.

The  Transportation Department  said Friday that it received nearly 97,000 complaints in 2023, up from about 86,000 the year before. The department said there were so many complaints that it took until July to sort through the filings and compile the figures.

That’s the highest number of  consumer complaints about airlines  since 2020, when airlines were slow to give customers refunds after the coronavirus pandemic shut down air travel.

The increase in complaints came even as  airlines canceled  far fewer U.S. flights — 116,700, or 1.2% of the total, last year, compared with about 210,500, or 2.3%,  in 2022 , according to FlightAware data. However, delays remained stubbornly high last year, at around 21% of all flights.

So far this year, cancellations remain relatively low — about 1.3% of all flights — but delays are still running around 21%.

More than two-thirds of all complaints last year dealt with  U.S. airlines , but a quarter covered foreign airlines. Most of the rest were about travel agents and tour operators.

Complaints about treating  passengers with disabilities  rose by more than one-fourth compared with 2022. Complaints of discrimination, while small in number, also rose sharply. Most were  about race  or national origin.

Airlines receive many more complaints from travelers who don’t know how or don’t bother to complain to the government, but the carriers don’t release those numbers.

The Transportation Department is modernizing its complaint-taking system, which the agency says will help it do a better job overseeing the airline industry. However, the department now releases complaint numbers many months late. It did not issue figures for the second half of 2023 until Friday.

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Impacts may be 'catastrophic' as Hurricane Beryl pounds Jamaica: Live updates

Editor's note: This page reflects news on Hurricane Beryl from Wednesday, July 3. For the latest news on Hurricane Beryl please follow USA TODAY's live updates on the storm for Thursday, July 4 .

Hurricane Beryl was retreating from Jamaica late Wednesday and is expected to pass just south of the Cayman Islands overnight as a major hurricane, bringing intense winds and heavy rain, the National Hurricane Center said.

As of 2 a.m. ET Thursday, Beryl was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph and was about 110 miles southeast of Grand Cayman — the largest of the Cayman Islands. After roaring by Jamaica's southern coast, the hurricane was expected to unload "devastating hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, and damaging waves" across the Cayman Islands, according to the hurricane center.

The Cayman Islands could get up to half a foot of rain through Thursday. Weather officials are also warning about life-threatening surf and rip currents along parts of western Cuba, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the coast of Belize.

Beryl was on track to approach the Cayman Islands on Wednesday night and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula about 24 hours later, still as a hurricane but weakened by expected wind shear.

In Jamaica, emergency crews evacuated people living in flood-prone communities and nearly 500 people were in shelters by Wednesday afternoon, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

“We’re concerned about widespread damage and potentially catastrophic impacts in Jamaica,” said Bernie Rayno, AccuWeather's chief on-air meteorologist. "Flooding may last days to even weeks. Widespread power outages are expected. Beryl will likely damage many homes and businesses and cause severe coastal inundation."

The chances of Beryl impacting part of the Texas Gulf Coast have increased with the projected path veering northwest, AccuWeather reported , although it would not bring anywhere near the ferocity of its devastating assault on the southern Windward Islands earlier this week. The current track calls for Beryl to weaken to a tropical storm as it crosses the Yucatan and then becomes a hurricane again before making landfall along the coast near the border of Mexico and Texas.

The storm is projected to drench Jamaica with 4 to 8 inches of rain, and 12 inches are forecast in some places, which could cause "life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides," the NHC said. Holness declared all of Jamaica a "disaster area" and imposed an islandwide curfew Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On Monday, Beryl made landfall in Grenada's Carriacou island as a Category 4 hurricane, ravaging the southern Caribbean Islands, flattening hundreds of buildings and causing the deaths of at least seven people. On Monday night, Beryl became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record. Driven by record-hot ocean temperatures, Beryl's rapid strengthening has stunned experts.

Amazing drone footage: As Hurricane Beryl tears through Caribbean, a drone sends back stunning footage

Developments:

∎ The death toll from the powerful hurricane rose to at least 10, according to Reuters. But that figure is expected to increase as communications come back online across islands damaged by flooding and intense winds.

∎ The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica posted on X that a small section of the roof of its passenger boarding pier was damaged by Beryl. "Once the storm has completely passed, a full assessment of damage will be done," the airport stated on X.

∎ The Meteorological Service of Mexico issued a hurricane warning for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun, a popular tourist destination, according to the NHC. Tropical storm warnings were also issued for other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula.

∎ Venezuela's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, and senior officials in her traveling party were injured by a falling tree Tuesday night while surveying an area near the country's Caribbean coast where the Manzanares River overran its banks after heavy rainfall caused by Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl tracker: See projected path of storm

Will Hurricane Beryl hit Texas?

Portions of South Texas are now within the forecast cone of Hurricane Beryl , which meteorologists say could arrive in the state over the weekend or early Monday.

However, forecasters remain unsure of what Beryl will do and how strong it will be as it approaches the Gulf Coast after hitting Mexico: "High uncertainty remains with both the track and intensity of Beryl," the  National Weather Service said Wednesday.

"From Panama City, Florida to New Orleans, there is a low risk of direct impacts from Beryl, but from about Corpus Christi to Brownsville, Texas, the risk increases significantly due to the potential for Beryl to have more direct impacts,"  AccuWeather  meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. "That southern portion of the Texas coast is the zone we have to really watch."

Coastal threats could begin this weekend, Weather.com warned: "Well ahead of Beryl, onshore winds could lead to increasing surf, rip currents and coastal flooding along parts of the Gulf Coast from eastern Mexico to Texas and western Louisiana beginning as soon as Saturday, and continuing until just after Beryl's final landfall, Weather.com  said. The rip current threat could also even extend farther east along the northern Gulf Coast.

Brennan said Tuesday that "folks in the Texas coast, as we go into the holiday weekend, you're going to want to make sure you check back on the forecast and make sure you're ready for any potential impact. If we were to see tropical storm conditions affect those areas in the far western Gulf of Mexico, it could be during the day Saturday."

– Doyle Rice

More than 90% of the homes, buildings destroyed

More than 90% of homes and buildings across at least three islands were destroyed or severely damaged after Beryl tore through the southeast Caribbean, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency reported Wednesday. The agency was assisting with the disaster response in Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.

Beryl struck the islands with winds of 150 mph and higher gusts on Monday, causing significant impacts to the islands, according to Elizabeth Riley, the disaster management agency's executive director. In addition to infrastructure damages, some islands have also faced power outages and disruptions to communications.

In a briefing late Tuesday, Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described "total destruction" on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

"There's really nothing that can prepare you to see this level of destruction," Mitchell said. "It is almost Armageddon-like, almost total damage and destruction of all buildings. Complete devastation and destruction of agriculture. Complete and total destruction of the natural environment."

— Dinah Voyles Pulver

Airlines waive fees for some in Hurricane Beryl's path

Six major U.S. airlines said they're waiving various fees for travelers who have flights booked in Beryl's path. In most cases, flights booked before July 1 are eligible for the changes. The listed flights include departures from or arrivals in airports in Mexico, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Belize.

American , JetBlue , United , Delta , Southwest , and Spirit Airlines are offering a variety of fee waivers because of the hurricane. Passengers are encouraged to check directly with the airlines on what amended policies apply to them.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said on its website travelers on international flights may be able to recover expenses from a delayed or canceled flight by filing a claim with the airline.

"If the claim is denied, you may pursue the matter in court if you believe that the carrier did not take all measures that could reasonably be required to avoid the damages caused by the delay," the agency said. 

− Krystal Nurse

Resort manager in Jamaica maintains composure as Hurricane Beryl approaches

The coming hurricane doesn't scare Tamar Atkinson, the manager of a small resort in Hanover, a community on Jamaica's northwest coast.

"The way I look at it, I can't stop it," she told USA TODAY. "If the hurricane is going to blow your house down, it's going to blow the house down."

Atkinson, 42, who moved back to Hanover a year ago after she lived in the U.S. for 20 years, already has her sea legs in weathering Jamaica's hurricanes. She remembers facing Hurricane Gilbert, a Category 5, as a little girl – the storm blew the roof off her aunt's house, where she sheltered, but left her mother's house in "perfect condition."

When Hurricane Ivan hit two decades ago, Atkinson sheltered at a nearby school. Once again, the storm blew out the school's windows but left Atkinson's house untouched. "I'm not leaving my house, and I'm not going to go crazy like the rest of the people," she said, adding that she's told her guests to "relax their nerves."

Jamaica closes all international airports as Hurricane Beryl nears island

The Jamaica Tourist Board announced Wednesday that the Sangster, Norman Manley, and Ian Fleming international airports were closed as Hurricane Beryl approached the island.

Jamaica's travel website, VisitJamaica.com, doesn't list a reopening time for the airports and encourages travelers to contact their travel agents and/or airlines for flight updates. The website also encourages travelers to heed any instructions from their hotel or private accommodation on sheltering.

"We also encourage you to register with your Embassy for country-specific guidance and support," the board said on the website.

The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica is open on a limited basis and encourages Americans to not visit the embassy for shelter and instead seek a government-run shelter. Citizens in Jamaica are encouraged to call the embassy at (876) 702-6486 if they need assistance. 

– Krystal Nurse

Ahead of Hurricane Beryl, Jamaicans prepare their homes

Donae Maye stocked up on water, candles, and food earlier this week, before supermarkets across her hometown of Montego Bay, a city on Jamaica's northern Coast, emptied.

"There was no bread, no essentials that you actually need, no candles, very few tin products," she said on Wednesday, after a recent visit to some local grocery stores.

Maye, 27, also prepped her home, where she will shelter with her fiance, her son and his father. "We cleared away any trees that might be blocking any electrical wires and stuff like that that might fall and break the window," she said.

She's confident that her house, which is made of concrete, will stand up to the storm better than many buildings did to Hurricane Ivan 20 years ago. Back then, more structures were made of board, which didn't fare well in the storm, she said. Today, "most structures are built to withstand the winds and the hurricane," she said.

Humanitarian groups rally relief for impacted countries

Global Giving and Americares are among the humanitarian organizations collecting money for those affected by Hurricane Beryl. Both promise donations to support various impacted communities, focusing on those who are disadvantaged and on decimated medical facilities.

Cora Nally, international emergency response director of Americares, said the organization focuses on restoring damaged medical facilities and expects to deploy its workers to Jamaica soon after Beryl leaves.

"That is really going to serve as a home base for them, and we are asking them to do an assessment of all the impacted islands in the Caribbean, and we are going to be keeping an eye on the storm as it moves towards Mexico and the United States," she said.

Is Cancun in the path of Hurricane Beryl?

Among the parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and surrounding areas under hurricane warnings were Cancun and the island of Cozumel, two popular tourist destinations packed with luxury resorts and cruise ship ports.

The hurricane warnings were issued by the Meteorological Service of Mexico as forecasters warned residents and tourists of the projected impact of Hurricane Beryl.

Brennan, the director of the NHC, said in a YouTube livestream on Wednesday that the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun, faces 3 to 5 feet of storm surge as well as up to 8 inches of rain.

The record-breaking hurricane is expected to make landfall along the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday night or early Friday, NHC said.

In Jamaica, tourists shelter in hotel ballroom from Hurricane Beryl

Cecilia Garcia and her family initially planned to weather the beginning of the hurricane in the bathroom of their hotel room in Ocho Rios, on Jamaica's northern coastline. "We do have windows in our room, so I think the safest option would probably be to go in our restroom," she said.

Moon Palace Jamaica, where Garcia, 25, is staying with her parents, brother, sister and two kids, told hotel guests to evacuate to a ballroom. When Garcia and her family first visited the shelter, they found it too chaotic. "We ended up back in our room because it was very crowded," she said. "It was very hot in there."

But later on Wednesday morning, as the winds picked up, the family returned to the packed ballroom, where thin cots were arranged in rows, according to a video Garcia shared with USA TODAY.

Garcia and her family's flight back to their home of Houston, Texas, isn't until Saturday – the hurricane will strike at the midpoint of their week-long vacation. Garcia said if they chose to end their stay earlier, they wouldn't get a refund. 

Looking out at skies still partially clear on Wednesday morning, Garcia said the family was keeping calm ahead of the storm. "We're kind of used to bad weather and floods like that in Houston," she said. "But again, it's different when you're not at home, so that's the only scary part."

Hurricane Beryl spoiling graduation trip

Mona Parhar, 23, and Arezoo Rafkhani, 24, didn't start searching for early return flights from their vacation to Jamaica until Tuesday night, less than 24 hours before Hurricane Beryl was expected to sweep across the island. By then, they learned airports had closed.

"We really have no choice but to stick it out," Parhar said Wednesday from their hotel room at the Hotel Riu in Montego Bay on the island's northern side.

The two Toronto natives booked their trip to celebrate their recent graduations – Rafkhani from Toronto Metropolitan University and Parhar from York University. "We've never experienced something like this as Canadians," Rafkhani said. "It's kind of nerve-wracking."

The pair were comforted by the hotel staff, who kept guests informed and safe. "Since last night, they've been sending us messages about how to get prepared, what they're doing and will be doing this morning," Rafkhani said. "They've been keeping us calm," Parhar said.

Jamaica braces for Hurricane Beryl

Jamaican officials warned residents to stock up on food, batteries, candles, and drinking water. Residents in flood-prone areas were also advised to prepare for evacuation.

"Secure your critical documents and remove any trees or items that could endanger your property," the Office of the Prime Minister in Jamaica said on X on Tuesday. "Everyone, including those living alone, should take these necessary steps now."

As a precaution, Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Tuesday night that electricity and water services will likely be shut off "if the storm reaches a serious threshold" to prevent fires and protect equipment.

"Only one hurricane has ever affected Jamaica during July," according to AccuWeather meteorologist Jesse Ferrell. "Category 4 Hurricane Dennis in 2005 did not make landfall but killed one person and caused a lot of damage."

Record-breaking path: Hurricane Beryl tears through the Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl breaks records

Forecasters have projected 2024 to be one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record. Beryl has already surprised forecasters and broken records since it formed, including becoming the earliest Category 4 or 5 storm on record.

Beryl broke the previous record set by Hurricane Emily on July 17, 2005, for the strongest Category 5 hurricane. Beryl rapidly strengthened from a tropical storm to a major hurricane in about 48 hours.

The storm is also the earliest Category 4 or larger storm by more than a week, breaking the record set by Hurricane Dennis, a Category 4 storm on July 8, 2005.

It was fueled by  much warmer than normal  ocean temperatures in the Atlantic and aided in that development by light winds that allowed it to build a strong inner core.

— Jennifer Borresen, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Ramon Padilla

Hurricane Beryl tracker: See projected path of Category 5 storm

Smaller islands hit hard by Beryl

Beryl hit St. Vincent and the Grenadines especially hard, according to Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

"The hurricane has come and gone, and it has left in its wake immense destruction," he said, adding that Union Island had 90% of homes "severely damaged or destroyed."

After making landfall in Grenada's Carriacou Island on Monday, strong winds and high water levels smashed fishing boats in Barbados, downed power lines in Grenada and St. Vincent, and knocked out drinking water in St. Lucia, according to officials.

Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell noted on Tuesday that the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique were significantly impacted by the hurricane. In addition to downed power lines, roads remained impassable and fuel stations were destroyed.

"The situation is grim. There is no power. There is almost complete destruction of homes and buildings," Mitchell said.

Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida ; Reuters

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Summer Travel 2024: Record Air Travel, Fewer Cancellations, Better Airports, More Passenger Protections

Year-to-date flight cancellation rate is just 1.4% during a record-breaking summer travel season​​​​​

WASHINGTON – Despite record-breaking levels of air travel this year, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) numbers show that the flight cancellation rate for the first half of 2024 was just 1.4% – nearly the lowest rate in over a decade. The latest data from airlines reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that weather continues to be the leading cause of flight cancellations.

On June 23, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2.99 million individuals in a single day at U.S. airports – the most airline passengers the agency has screened in its history. TSA expects to screen more than 32 million individuals this Independence Day travel season, which is a 5.4% increase over last year. At the same time, airfares are down 6% over the last year and below pre-pandemic prices.

“This year’s record-breaking air travel is another good sign for our economy as more Americans take to the skies than ever before,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “To help avoid travel headaches, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to modernize airports and expand passenger protections for a smoother travel experience.” 

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $25 billion in U.S. airport infrastructure over five years. This unprecedented investment is not only improving runways and air traffic control towers but also adding gates and adding flight capacity, modernizing baggage systems, replacing passenger boarding bridges, reconfiguring security screening areas, improving safety, and more to finally deliver world-class airports in the U.S. and meet anticipated demand in the decades to come. Just this week, the Federal Aviation Administration announced $289 million in airport infrastructure grants in 40 states and an additional $1 billion in available funding to modernize airport terminals. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly 200 terminal projects are already under construction to modernize America’s airports and make air travel safer and smoother. 

The Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to improve airline passenger rights and oversight of the airline industry: 

• The rule makes clear that airline passengers are entitled to a refund when their flight is canceled or significantly changed and they no longer wish to take that flight or be rebooked, when their checked baggage is significantly delayed, or when extra services they paid for – like Wi-Fi – are not provided. The rule also requires refunds to be automatic, prompt, in the original form of payment, and in the full amount paid. Airlines must comply with the rule by late October.  
• Provisions of the final rule on airline refunds were fortified through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that President Biden signed into law on May 16, 2024. 
• The rule creates a more competitive airline market by requiring airlines to disclose critical extra fees – like change fees and baggage fees – upfront to ensure consumers can better understand the true cost of air travel. The rule also bans “bait-and-switch” advertising tactics and requires airlines to clearly tell passengers upfront that a seat is included with the cost of their ticket. This rule is expected to save consumers over half a billion dollars every year.  
• Launched the flightrights.gov dashboard, after which all 10 major U.S. airlines guaranteed free rebooking and meals when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to through enforcement action.  
• Secured nearly $4 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.  
• Issued nearly $170 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations since President Biden took office. In comparison, between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• Set up a system to expand the Department’s capacity to review air travel service complaints by partnering with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general , which will help hold airlines accountable and protect the rights of the traveling public.