Airline Refunds Update

As of October 28, 2024, new automatic airline refund rules went into effect, per the U.S. Department of Transportation's rule and amendment to the rule. 

This rule states:

"For passengers that hold a nonrefundable ticket on a scheduled flight to, from, or within the United States, an air carrier or foreign air carrier will provide a full refund of the fare (including any taxes and ancillary fees) the carrier collected for any cancelled or significantly delayed or changed flight if the passenger chooses not to fly on the significantly delayed or changed flight or accept rebooking on an alternative flight or accept any voucher, credit, or other form of compensation offered by the air carrier or foreign air carrier."

Airlines are required to refund passengers within 7 business days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for cash, check, debit card, or other forms of purchase. 

Delays

Passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is significantly delayed or changed and they choose not to fly or accept another form of compensation, such as a voucher or credit. Examples of significant delays/changes include delays of 3 hours or more on domestic flights, 6 hours or more on international flights, departures from different origin airports, arrivals at different destination airports, and more.

 Click here for a full list of what is classified as a significantly delayed/changed flight.

Cancellations

Passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled and they choose not to accept rebooking on an alternative flight or accept another form of compensation. 

Baggage

Passengers are entitled to a refund if their checked bags are lost or significantly delayed. A refund of the baggage fee is due if the passenger has filed a Mishandled Baggage Report and the airline fails to deliver the checked baggage within these time frames.

Expensing Refunds

The expense process will differ depending on whether the ticket was purchased on a University T&E card or with personal funds.

T&E Card

• If you receive a refund on the T&E card, create an expense report to expense the refund using the same expense item and worktags from the original purchase.

Personal Funds

• If you receive a refund on a personal card, you cannot request this amount for reimbursement. 
•  If you receive a refund and already received reimbursement for the expense, follow these steps to remedy the repayment to the University for the additional reimbursement.

If you have any difficulty completing this process, please reach out to your Expense Ambassador.