What Are My Rights If Airline Changes Flight Times?

Last spring and summer, when the pandemic swept over the world, many people were left holding the bag for a refund.

Although summer flight cancellation rates were less frequent this year, they're still expected to happen in the coming months. According to Jesse Neugarten, the CEO of Dollar Flight Club, it's inevitable that airlines will add more flights as travel demand continues to grow.

Domestic flights are typically more stable than they were during the pandemic, according to travel expert Brett Snyder.

For most international flights, the uncertainty around travel restrictions is still very real. According to Snyder, many airlines are still trying to create international schedules that are as accurate as possible.

Many people who were planning on getting away for the summer may start seeing their flights shifted to later dates. Snyder says that airlines are getting ready to cancel flights in countries that haven't opened yet.

If your flight has been canceled, you're entitled to a refund. However, if the airline changes your flight's time, you'll still be charged a fee.

Scott Keyes, the founder of Cheap Flights, says that the federal regulations don't clearly define what constitutes a major schedule change.

If you're planning on changing your flight's schedule, you'll need to find out the details of the new flight's policy. According to Keyes, some of the most common timeframes are 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or more.

One thing to remember when it comes to changing a flight's schedule is to act fast. According to Snyder, trying to get as much information as possible before the change occurs will help avoid delays and possible changes in the future.

Doing your research and being persistent can help you get the most out of your flight.

For people who are nervous about flying, booking directly with the airline or using a travel specialist can help minimize the stress involved with making a change. Neugarten says that using a third-party site could make it more difficult to manage.

Although it's frustrating to see your flight's schedule change, Keyes says that it's also a great opportunity to get a better deal. He often saves money by not having to pay for a new ticket.

This year, compared to last year, the situation around summer flight delays has been less troublesome.

First, remember it might not be a bad thing

If you didn't want to go, score! You can now get a cash refund or a better one, just by saying that you didn't want to go. This also means that if you got a cheap flight and wanted to switch, just ask.

When an airline makes a major change to your flight, you have the right to a refund or a new flight without a change fee.

If the airline cancels your flight and you do not want to rebook:

Even if the airline cancels your flight voluntarily, you can still get a cash refund.

Regardless of the reason, you're entitled to a refund.

Remember to ask the agent the questions that you want to ask. Generally, they will give you better odds with one agent over another.

If the charge was charged using your credit card, you can dispute it and get a refund. If the airlines refuse to refund, then you have the option to chargeback.

related: Are Airline Prices Going Up?

If the airline makes a significant change to your itinerary:

If the change is significant enough that it affects your schedule, then you can get a cash refund. Usually, airlines give you 2 hours to get a replacement flight. However, depending on how long you're traveling and the price, you may not be able to find a good deal.

If the price for the new flight is higher than the one you bought, the airlines will most likely move you to the flight that's free. Call the airlines to get your new schedule.

If the airline makes a major change to your flight, the first thing that you should do is to check the availability of other flights.

Most airlines have policies that allow them to change your travel plans in a significant way after booking. This means that they can provide you with the best flight for the schedule.

If the airline cancels your flight and moves you to another flight:

For major airlines, such as Delta and United, they often have a hub-and-spoke model where they can reroute you to get you to where you need to go. For example, if United cancels its San Francisco to Madrid flight, they might take you to their New York hub and then fly you to Madrid.

Even if the change is minor, you can still get a refund. However, it may not be possible to take the trip you booked.

Or maybe you were supposed to fly to Philadelphia on Monday, but the airline canceled that flight. Instead of flying to Philadelphia, they're going to fly you to Seattle.

But, budget airlines, such as Norwegian and Level, don't have an extensive network and rely on a point-to-point model. This means that they may not be able to reroute you.

Usually, if you're willing to be re-accommodated, the airlines will allow you to travel on a different route. For instance, if a budget airline cancels its Boston-Paris flight, it may be able to rebook you on another flight.

How to get compensation or recoup other expenses

In most cases, if the airlines are going out of business, you'll get a refund for the original ticket. However, if you booked a trip using a credit card that has travel protection, some of the expenses may be covered under that card's cancellation policy.

Under European Union regulations, passengers are entitled to up to 600 for canceled flights. This amount is only applicable if they were notified less than 14 days before the scheduled departure date of their flight.

If your flight is canceled, you have the right to get compensation for the unused portion of the ticket.

Related: What Happens If You Get Covid Abroad?

How to get a replacement fare

If your flight from Minneapolis is no longer working, you can still get cheap flights to Mexico City by hopping on a regional budget flight.

The Greek Islands Trick is a strategy that involves finding cheap flights to the continent that you want to visit. For instance, if your flight from Las Vegas was canceled, look for flights to other cities in Europe.

Usually, it's better to wait for the next great deal to appear. However, if it's close to your trip, you may need to act fast. Cheap flights typically start to rise as the date of departure approaches.

Sometimes, other airlines will help stranded passengers. But, if an airline suddenly stops flying, it's up to the passengers to find a replacement flight.