Flight cancelled? Your refund won't cover hotels

When airlines cancel flights due to the FAA's nationwide ground stop, passengers are entitled to a full cash refund for their tickets, regardless of whether the ticket is refundable or not. This includes basic economy fares as well. The refund encompasses all elements of the payment, such as taxes, fees, checked baggage charges, and other services rendered but not received, even for seat selection and in-flight Wi-Fi charges.

Airlines are not obligated to reimburse passengers for hotel rooms, meals, or transportation costs caused by the ground stop. This is because the FAA's decision to impose the stop is considered beyond the airline's control. However, passengers may still request such assistance at the airline's customer service desk or departure gate, though there is no legal obligation for the airline to provide these amenities.

While a cash refund is the typical expectation, airlines might offer travel vouchers or future flight credits instead. These, however, are not considered cash refunds and should be declined if passengers wish to receive their original payment method. Instead, they should clearly request a refund to the card or account used for the booking, either through the airline's website, mobile app, or customer service phone line.

To ensure the refund process goes smoothly, passengers should maintain records of their refund request. This includes saving confirmation emails, screenshots, and any reference number provided by the airline. These materials can serve as evidence if the airline fails to issue a valid refund or adheres to the deadline.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) sets specific deadlines for airlines to issue refunds. Credit card payments must be refunded within seven business days, while cash or cheque payments must be returned within 20 days. Weekends do not count as business days, so a request made on a Friday evening may take longer than seven calendar days to process. Passengers should keep a record of their refund request and be prepared to file a complaint through the DOT's air consumer complaint page if their rights are not upheld.