Have you ever been bumped from a flight? Have you ever had your flight canceled or spent hours waiting for your flight to take off? Then you need to know how to get your money back from an airline. Many travelers don’t realize that the airline owes them money and thus lose out on money owed to them. Do you know your rights as an air traveler? Our goal is to help you figure out how to get the money the airline owes you.
The first step is knowing your rights. There are many different scenarios in which the airlines must provide you compensation. For example, your flight is delayed for more than 24 hours and you need to book a hotel room and dinner for the night. The airline will reimburse you for these accommodations. Once you know that the airline owes you money, you need to file a claim with the airline to get the money owed to you. This process can be easy if you know what to do. Scroll down to read more about your rights as a flyer and find detailed, step-by-step instructions on filing a claim with your airline.
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Air Passenger Rights
If you are on your way to the airport or will be soon, knowing your rights is a good idea. We have designed a quick and easy brochure you can take with you. It will list all your rights, so you can be well-informed while traveling. It is small enough to fit in a small pocket in your purse, laptop bag, or suitcase. Click here to download and print it now.
Does the airline owe you money?
Before we tell you how to get your money back from an airline, you need to know if they owe you any money. There are many reasons why an airline would owe a passenger money. Each airline has its own refund and reimbursement policy so check your airline’s website to see what they owe you. Here are the four most common reasons an airline may owe you money.
Cancelled Flight
Anyone who has a canceled flight is entitled to a full cash refund of the cost of their airfare or a ticket on a rescheduled flight at no extra cost. You can get additional compensation for amenities such as hotels and meals.
Delayed Flight
Flights are delayed for many different reasons. Your airline may pay for your overnight accommodations and meal vouchers for your delayed flight.
Bumped from Flight
When an airline bumps someone from a flight, they must compensate the passenger by giving them 400% (up to $1,350) of the one-way fare if they have an arrival delay of over 2 hours. Some airlines will provide additional compensation.
Lost or Damaged Luggage
There is nothing worse than showing up to your destination and finding your luggage didn’t arrive with you. If your luggage is nowhere to be found, then the airline is responsible for compensating you for the contents of your luggage. Additionally, if your luggage was damaged, they have to pay to replace the luggage and any contents that were also damaged.
How to Get Your Money Back From An Airline
Once you know that the airline owes you money, you can file a claim with your airline to get your money back. With most airlines, you can file a claim online. The exact process will depend on the specific airline. Below are step-by-step instructions for five of the top airlines.
Filing A Claim with Delta
Delta allows you to request a refund or reimbursement on their website. If you need to cancel your flight and get a refund, log into your account on the Delta website and click on “My Trips”. Then click on the “Need to Cancel?” button next to the flight you want to cancel and follow the steps listed on the website. Not all flights are refundable so you may be charged a cancellation fee.
Flight Cancellation or Delay
For flights that are delayed for more than 120 minutes or have been canceled, Delta will automatically re-book you on a new flight or convert your ticket to eCredit so you can book another flight yourself. If you prefer a refund for your flight instead of booking a new flight, you can fill out the Travel Disruptions Form on the Delta website. They will refund your money to your original form of payment.
Reimbursement for Transportation, Hotel, and Meals
Delta will reimburse you for transportation, hotel, and meals if your flight is delayed. Fill out the Request Reimbursement form on the Delta website to get a reimbursement.
Reimbursement for Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Luggage
Delta will reimburse you up to $50 a day if you buy new clothes and personal items because of a delay in getting your luggage. To get this reimbursement, you must include receipts for everything you purchased. Delta will also pay to replace luggage that is damaged or missing. This does not include carry-on luggage. Fill out this form on Delta’s website to submit a claim for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage. You can also report missing items by calling Delta’s toll-free number.
Filing A Claim with United Airlines
Most tickets with United Airlines will be refunded within 24 hours of booking as long as it is more than a week from the scheduled flight. To cancel your flight and get a refund, log into your United Airlines account, select the flight you wish to cancel, and follow the steps to cancel the flight. United Airlines will send the refund to the original form of payment. Follow the steps below to get a refund if your flight was canceled by the airline.
Flight Cancellation or Delay
Flights canceled for weather, air traffic control, or mechanical issues are eligible for a credit or a refund. Fill out the Refund Form on the United Airlines website to request your refund.
Reimbursement for Transportation, Hotel, and Meals
United Airlines will also reimburse you for transportation, hotel, meals, WiFi, and more if your flight is delayed. Save all your receipts and attach them to the Refund Form on the United Airlines website to get reimbursed.
Reimbursement for Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Luggage
You are eligible for reimbursement if your checked bags were damaged or lost by United Airlines. Visit this page on the United Airlines website to file a claim. File your claim within 45 days of your arrival or you won’t get reimbursed.
Filing A Claim with American Airlines
Filing a claim with American Airlines is easy. Refunds will automatically be issued if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking and at least two days before departure.
Flight Cancellation or Delay
For flights canceled by American Airlines, you can call and re-book on a new flight. You can also request a refund here: American Airlines – Request A Refund.
Reimbursement for Transportation, Hotel, and Meals
American Airlines will give you a hotel voucher, meal tickets, and transportation on their shuttle if your flight is delayed. They will not reimburse you for these expenses if purchased on your own.
Reimbursement for Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Luggage
If your luggage is damaged or lost, you will need to go to the Baggage Service Office at the airport before you leave and file a report. The Baggage Service Office will give you an ID number that you can use to fill out the claim form on the American Airlines website. If you are missing items from your bags, you can file a claim using this form. You must make your claim within 24 hours after receiving your luggage for a domestic flight and within 7 days for an international flight.
Filing A Claim with Southwest Airlines
When you cancel your Southwest Airlines flight, you can choose to get a refund or be issued a flight credit for the value of the canceled flight. You must cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before departure to get a refund. If you cancel within 10 minutes of departure, Southwest will give you a flight credit.
Flight Cancellation or Delay
When your flight is canceled by Southwest and you choose to cancel your trip, you are entitled to a refund for your tickets and baggage fees. You must call 1-800-435-9792 to request a refund or you can request a refund on the Southwest Airlines phone app. If you do not request a refund, Southwest Airlines will automatically provide you with flight credit to re-book another flight.
Reimbursement for Transportation, Hotel, and Meals
Southwest Airlines will reimburse you for expenses incurred by a flight cancellation that required an overnight stay. Save all related receipts and then email them to Southwest customer service to get reimbursed. When emailing customer service, select Travel Disruption and Expense Reimbursement Request on the email form and then attach your receipts.
Reimbursement for Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Luggage
To get a reimbursement for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage, visit the Baggage Service Office at the airport and make a claim. If you have already left the airport, you can make a claim online or call (888) 202-1024. You must act fast as Southwest requires you to file a claim within 4 hours after your flight’s arrival.
Filing A Claim with Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is very strict on which tickets can be refunded and which cannot. See a list of their requirements on their website. If you would like to cancel your flight, you can cancel on the Alaska Airlines website and you will be issued a refund automatically if canceled within 24 hours of booking the flight. When canceling a flight more than 24 hours after booking, you will be issued a credit certificate.
Flight Cancellation or Delay
If a flight is cancelled or delayed, Alaska Airlines will automatically re-book you on the next available flight. A refund will automatically be issued if you decide to cancel your trip completely.
Reimbursement for Transportation, Hotel, and Meals
When your flight is delayed, Alaska Airlines provides you with meal vouchers and a night at a local hotel depending on the length of the delay. Receive your meal vouchers and hotel reservations at the Alaska Airlines counter at the airport. If you need a refund for baggage fees, pet travel, oxygen, or unaccompanied minor fees, you can see a customer service agent at the airport or email Alaska Airlines.
Reimbursement for Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Luggage
As soon as you notice that your luggage is missing, contact an Alaska Airlines Baggage Service Agent at the airport to file a claim. Alaska Airlines will contact you every day for up to 5 days with an update on your missing luggage. They will also reimburse you for reasonable expenses that result from the delay in receiving your luggage. Five days after filing your claim, it will be sent to Central Baggage Service for further processing.
How Long Does It Take An Airline to Refund Your Money?
The amount of time it takes to receive your refund or reimbursement will depend on the airline. Most airlines will issue your refund within 30 days from the time you file a claim.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to get your money back from an airline, you can be a confident traveler who can handle almost any situation. Knowing what you deserve from an airline when your flight is delayed or canceled will help make your trip more enjoyable as you won’t have to fight to get what is owed to you. You will no longer have to sleep in an uncomfortable airport or go hungry because you can’t afford the expensive airport food. The airline will provide you with a comfortable hotel bed and meal vouchers to make your delay a more pleasant experience. We hope this article has helped you find out if an airline owes you money and how to get what is owed to you.
