MOSINEE, Wis. (WSAW) – Remember that refund you never got when an airline canceled your flight? That shouldn’t happen anymore.
The Department of Transportation is regulating how airlines give out refunds. This means all airlines should have the same policies, but it will not impact the Central Wisconsin Airport.
Since CWA only works with two airlines, Delta and American, their customers will not see change because they already have those new policies.
This could still impact your travel though. Once you are done traveling with CWA, you’re done with them, but if you choose to do two different airlines for a trip, your refund may look different.
“If one is impacted, the other airline is not obligated to provide a refund because you’re not flying with them,” CWA Assistant Airport Director Mark Cihlar explained. “So there is definitely a risk with buying multiple tickets for separate airlines.”
The same thing can happen if someone decides to book a flight with a third-party carrier.
“Kayak or Orbits or something like that. Whether it’s a cancellation or delay, the same rules apply, but there’s more of a process or a different process you have to follow,” Cihlar said.
Also, just because you think you deserve a refund, doesn’t mean you’ll get one. Airlines can still have the final say if the DOT permits it.
“DOT requires prompt refund accommodations, but that definition kind of depends on the situation,” Cihlar added. “There’s a little bit of flexibility for the airlines to decide on the reimbursement.”
Another reminder, once you make a deal with an airline, you can’t take it back.
“If you choose to still travel and take that change you’re kind of giving up your right for a refund,” Cihlar said.
In other words, if you have another bad flight, you might not be able to get another refund.
CWA says it depends on the situation. For example, the weather is something airlines cannot control, but a system crash sometimes is. If you have a question about a refund go to your airline’s website.
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