New laws on refunds for U.S. air travelers go into effect today

Tired of hidden fees, denied refunds, and flight delays? Travelers on US airlines have new rights and protections under federal laws that took effect today. Refund rules on domestic flights will increase air passenger benefits, allowing for reservations without immediate payment, full disclosure of all fees especially for online ticket purchases, and more generous payments for flight delays. Air travelers will enjoy many benefits from these changes. Here's what the Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting to the media.

New laws ensure that consumers are treated fairly when they travel by air, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today. Among the new provisions, part of the airline consumer rule issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation in April 2011, are requirements that airlines and ticket agents include all mandatory taxes and fees in published airfares and that they disclose baggage fees to consumers buying tickets.

Airline passengers have rights, and they should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when booking a trip and when they fly, LaHood said. The new passenger protections taking effect this week are a continuation of our effort to help air travelers receive the respect they deserve.

Also beginning this week, passengers will be able to hold a reservation without payment, or cancel a booking without penalty, for 24 hours after the reservation is made, if they make the reservation one week or more prior to a flights departure date. In addition, airlines will be required to promptly notify passengers of flight delays of over 30 minutes, as well as flight cancellations and diversions, and they will generally be prohibited from increasing the price of passengers ticket after it is bought.

The new rules also will make it easier for passengers to determine the full price they will have to pay for air transportation prior to travel. Currently, airlines and ticket agents are allowed to publish ads that list government-imposed taxes and fees separately from the advertised fare, as long as these taxes and fees are assessed on a per-passenger basis. Under the new requirements, all mandatory taxes and fees must be included together in the advertised fare.

In addition, airlines and ticket agents will be required to disclose baggage fees to consumers when they book a flight online. The first screen containing a fare quotation for a specific itinerary must show if there will be additional baggage fees, and inform consumers where they can go to see these fees. "The essential to budget travel is to plan in front. When it occurs to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved holidays and/or going to see new destinations we have never been before, the reality of expense and budgeting is often in the back of our mind. Preparation and consuming our travel budget wisely is a main concern for most families. Minimizing spending and prices, while still enjoying your vacation to its fullest, is the key to guaranteed achievements and fiscal liability. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thinking behind protecting money while vacationing is simple: Even if your personal funds is incredibly tight, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or departing the homestead! Also recalling that while traveling, no matter whether on a resources or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a huge vacation or travel costs!..". Information on baggage fees also must be included on all e-ticket confirmations, and for most trips the same baggage allowances and fees must apply throughout a passengers journey.

Just last August, the DOT set a new four-hour time limit on tarmac delays for international flights at U.S. airports. It also extended the three-hour tarmac delay limit for domestic flights to include smaller airports, and required more airlines to report lengthy tarmac delays.

Stay tuned, as the DOT is still looking at need for other consumer protection tools. They may soon also require better disclosure of optional fees, and require more airlines to report their on-time performance data.

After Newtown, states slow to embrace new gun laws - U.S. News
usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/02/17151151-after-newtown-states...
Months after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, new state-level restrictions on guns have been slow in coming, and theyve mostly been concentrated ...
40,000 new laws to go into effect in 2012 - US news - Life
www.nbcnews.com/id/45819570/ns/us_news-life
State laws taking effect with the new year will change rules about getting abortions in New Hampshire, learning about gays and lesbians in California, and getting ...
Health News & Articles Healthy Living - ABC News
abcnews.go.com/health
Get the latest health news from Dr. Richard Besser. Here you'll find stories about new medical research, the latest health care trends and health issues that affect ...
New Airline Passenger Protections Take Effect This Week ...
www.dot.gov/affairs/2012/dot0812.html
u.s. department of transportation. 1200 new jersey avenue, se. washington, dc 20590. 855-368-4200 [ + ]
Travel News, Tips & Deals - ABC News - ABCNews.com -
abcnews.go.com/travel
Find the latest travel news, tips and guides, and look for vacation ideas. See photos and videos of travel destinations, check flight delays, and more at ABCNews.
Travel - How To Information eHow
www.ehow.com/travel
Take your career to new heights. Our expert advice will help you land a job, navigate complicated work situations, get a raise or promotion or jumpstart a new career.
Welcome to Travel.State.Gov
travel.state.govApplication Status Passport Fees Renew Passport Passport Forms
Official U.S. government travel portal include news and information about international travel, passports and visas as well as children and family, law and policy.
Health care law's unpopularity reaches new highs - First Read
firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/06/18781204-health-care-laws...
President Barack Obama's signature health care reform law remains unpopular with the American public just months before it fully goes into effect, according to the ...
U.S. Department of State - Passports
www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.htmlApply for a Passport Forms First Time Applicants Renew Passport
Learn how to apply for a U.S. passport, renew by mail, report a lost or stolen passport, and correct or change passport information.
Travel - The New York Times
www.nytimes.com/pages/travel/index.html
Tips, features and photography from destinations all over the globe.