chase travel refund policy

How to Get Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Back for Award Bookings

By Eric Rosen

The spread of the coronavirus and subsequent travel restrictions have caused unprecedented disruptions .

If your travel plans have been affected , you might be having a difficult time getting a refund. But those who made reservations using points are probably dealing with more issues than most. Not only is it confusing to navigate the cancellation or change rules for popular rewards programs, but in some cases, these are basically third-party bookings (as opposed to those made directly with airlines or hotels), which adds another layer of complexity. But Chase is making it easier for customers who booked trips using Chase Ultimate Rewards points to get refunds for canceled travel.

Using Chase points for travel

Chase Ultimate Rewards are some of the most popular travel rewards points available, thanks in part to how easy they are to earn through cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Ultimate Rewards can be extremely useful since they transfer to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners including Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy, among others. Beyond that, cardholders can redeem Ultimate Rewards at fixed rates for travel reservations made directly through the Chase travel portal , which is powered by Expedia. These include flights, hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals, activities, and cruises. Depending on the card you have , your Ultimate Rewards points are worth between one and 1.5 cents apiece this way.

Because the Chase portal is a third-party site, reservations are subject to the change and cancellation policies of the travel partners you booked with, such as an airline, hotel, or cruise line. So before you try to get your points or money back, first check the rules for the specific carrier or property you booked. Most airlines, hotels, and cruise lines are waiving any cancellation or reservation change penalties and either offering refunds or future travel vouchers.

Canceling Ultimate Rewards points reservations

Once you determine that you are eligible for a refund, you can log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account and visit this online form that the bank recently rolled out. This page is only for cancellations of travel eight days or more in the future. If your trip is sooner than that, or you simply want to push your plans to a later date, you will need to call the Chase travel desk at 1-888-511-5326 for service.

Once logged in, you can enter the itinerary number from the email confirmation you would have received at time of booking, your associated email address, and your phone number. Chase says it attempts to resolve every request within seven business days. However, given the volume of emails that have poured in, that might not always be possible. The team tends to process cancellation requests by date of travel, so if your plans are far in the future, it might take Chase a bit longer to get back to you. Also note that by filling out the form, you are giving Chase permission to cancel your reservation, so only do so if you are absolutely certain that you want to scrap your plans altogether.

A representative from Chase confirmed that “if a traveler qualifies for a refund per the travel provider policy, that refund will be in the form of the original payment, whether that is points or cash.” So cardholders who redeemed Ultimate Rewards points directly through Chase for travel arrangements should receive those points back to their account. If you booked using cash, you’ll get a statement credit to the card you used for payment. There have been incidents of people being refunded in cash rather than points, but a call to customer service should be able to resolve that.

What happens if you transferred points to another program

If you transferred your Ultimate Rewards points to one of the program’s travel partners, like JetBlue True Blue or IHG Rewards Club, things get more complicated. As in normal circumstances, once you convert your Chase points into points or miles with one of the Ultimate Rewards program’s transfer partners, you cannot get them back in the form of Chase points. They are simply stuck in your account with the travel transfer partner program.

But airlines and hotels have relaxed rules regarding changes and cancellations to award reservations, too–waiving mileage redeposit fees for canceled flights or those booked within an eligible time period, for example–so if you made an award booking directly with them, you should at least be able to get your points or miles back quickly.

While millions of people have had to cancel trips, the travel industry is helping out and being flexible with changes. Chase has also stepped up by streamlining the cancellation process for bookings made through its own travel portal, which means you should receive a refund relatively easily, whether you booked using cash or points.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

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• What is the Chase Travel Portal?

Benefits of Using the Chase Travel Portal

Chase ultimate rewards credit cards.

• Points Value
• How to Use the Portal to Book Travel

Chase Travel: Explore Destinations and Savings with Chase Ultimate Rewards

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• The Chase Travel℠ portal works just like an online travel agency.
• You can use points, cash, or a combination of both to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. 
• Several Chase cards offer better redemption values or bonus points when you book through the portal.

The Chase Travel Portal℠ is an online booking platform for flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities, and vacation rentals, similar to an Online Travel Agency (OTA). If you're a Chase Ultimate Rewards® cardholder, you can use points to book travel through the portal — or pay with your card or a combination of points and cash.

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most flexible and lucrative credit card rewards programs, and its benefits can be even greater depending on the Chase cards you have. With a no-annual-fee card like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or Chase Freedom Unlimited® , your points are worth 1 cent each toward travel booked through the portal.

But if you have a Chase travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , you'll get 25% to 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel, plus the ability to transfer your points to Chase airline and hotel partners . 

Some Chase cards also offer bonus points for paid bookings you make through the portal. Chase added lucrative new bonus categories to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, including certain types of travel booked through the portal.

Here's everything you need to know about booking airfare, hotels, and more through the Chase travel portal — and how to make the most of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

What Is the Chase Travel Portal?

The Chase Travel portal works like any other Online Travel Agency (such as Travelocity or Priceline), and the searches you do for hotels, airfare, and more will produce similar results to what you see on that OTA. 

You must be a Chase credit card customer to use Chase travel to book with cash or with points. In fact, you'll only access the Chase Travel portal when you log into your account management page with Chase.

Chase travel lets you book travel directly with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, use your credit card to pay, or combine the two. This is one of the main benefits of using Chase travel — you can spend the rewards points you earn directly on the travel you want without having to worry about dealing with specific hotel or airline loyalty programs. 

There are a few other key benefits to know:

• You'll still earn airline miles and work toward elite airline status: You won't earn points or elite night credits when you book a hotel stay with Chase travel because it's considered a third-party booking. However, you can earn airline and elite-qualifying miles on flights you book as long as your frequent flyer number is attached to the reservation. 
• Your points are worth more with certain Chase credit cards: Also be aware that some Chase credit cards give you more than the standard rate of 1 cent per point when you redeem your rewards for travel through Chase. We'll go into more detail on the cards that offer this perk below.
• The Chase Travel portal is easy to use: If you don't want to deal with a bunch of hotel and airline award charts, booking through Chase travel can help keep your rewards game simple. You'll always be able to use your points for any booking you want without having to worry about blackout dates or capacity controls you would normally encounter with loyalty programs.

To be eligible to use the Chase Travel portal, you'll need a Chase credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points . 

No-annual-fee Chase cards open to new applicants (points are worth 1 cent each through the Chase Travel portal):

• Chase Freedom Unlimited® (read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review )
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ (read our Chase Freedom Flex review )
• Chase Freedom® Student credit card (read our Chase Freedom Student review )
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (read our Chase Ink Business Unlimited review )
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (read our Chase Ink Business Cash review )

Chase travel rewards cards open to new applicants (points are worth more with Chase travel, plus these cards allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners):

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review )
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review )
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (read our Chase Ink Business Preferred review )

If you have more than one Chase card, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points between accounts. It makes the most sense to pool your points in the account that gives you the best redemption value — for example, if you pair the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, moving all of your Chase Ultimate Rewards to your Sapphire Reserve account will increase the value of your points when you redeem through the Chase Travel portal.

To pool your points onto one card, log into your Chase online account, navigate to the "Redeem" section for your Chase Ultimate Rewards card, then select the option to combine points in the "Earn/Use" tab:

From there, you can move your Chase points between accounts in any increments you want. 

Points Value in the Chase Travel Portal

Some Chase credit cards give you a bonus when you redeem points through the Chase Travel portal. Here's a summary of how much your points are worth with each Chase card:

It's important to note that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth, on average, 1.8 cents apiece based on Personal Finance Insider's points and miles valuations . That's because it's possible to get outsized value when you transfer points to partners for award travel.

How to Use the Chase Travel Portal

Using the Chase Travel portal is a breeze, but it all starts with logging into your online account management page. From there, you'll click on the right side of your screen where it shows your Chase Ultimate Rewards account balance. 

Once you click on the account balance, you'll have the option to select the card you want to access. And remember, this step can be important because some cards give you more value from your points when you redeem them for travel.

How to book a flight through Chase travel

Once you are logged into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, you'll see different travel options to search for at the top of the page.

To search for a flight, make sure the prompt is on "Flights" and begin searching for the flight you want. Enter your departure airport, destination, travel dates, and the number of passengers.

Once your flight options pop up on the screen, you can filter your results by the number of stops, the airlines you want to fly, and arrival times.

Note that each of your flight options will include a payment amount in points as well as a cash price. 

You can also click on "Details and baggage fees" in order to find out the cost of carry-on luggage or checked baggage, as well as whether your flight charges any change fees.

When you click to "Select" a flight option, you'll get a rundown of what is and isn't included in the fare you selected. You may also get a note that you can upgrade before you check out.

Once you settle on a flight you want, you'll be taken to the "Trip Details" page that shows the final cost of your flight in points or in cash, as well as a summary of the added costs you may be charged for baggage or change fees.

After you agree to the terms, you'll be taken to a final payment page where you can decide how you want to pay. You have the option to cover your flight entirely in points if you want, but you can also choose to pay with your Chase credit card or with a combination of points and your credit card.

During the booking process, make sure to add your frequent flyer number to your reservation. That way, you can earn miles on your booking and your flight will count toward elite status requirements. You'll also want to add your Known Traveler Number or Redress number if either applies to you.

If you forget to do it during your booking, however, you can add your frequent flyer information to your flight later on using the airline's website.

How to book a hotel through Chase travel

Booking a hotel through Chase is similarly easy, and you'll find a lot of different types of lodging options available. For example, you'll find properties from major hotel brands, but you'll also find rental condo options and boutique hotels.

To search for a hotel,  enter the destination, dates, and the number of people you want to have in your room. Once you're presented with your options, you can filter hotels based on the hotel name you're looking for, the area or neighborhood, price point, guest rating, property type, and more. 

Once again, you'll see a price listed in points as well as a cash price per night.

These prices do not include taxes and fees, however, so your price in points or cash will be higher by the time you get to the final booking page. Also be aware that the price listed is the lowest you can get for the property, but that better or upgraded rooms and suites will cost more in points.

The major downside to booking a hotel through the Chase portal is that you won't earn hotel points or elite night credits for your stay, because it's considered a third-party booking. There's also a risk that the property won't recognize your hotel elite status or give you the perks you'd normally be entitled to, like late checkout or free breakfast . This shouldn't be an issue if you're booking an independent or boutique hotel, but if you're looking for hotel points or status, it's something to be aware of.

You'll have the option to select a hotel you want as well as a room type at the property you're considering. You can also pay with your booking with points, your Chase credit card, or a combination of the two. 

How to book a rental car through Chase travel

You can also book a rental car through Chase travel using the same set of steps. Once you log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, click on "Cars" and then select the destination and dates.

Once you are presented with your search results, you can select the types of cars you prefer, like an economy car or an SUV. You can also filter results based on a price range, the number of passengers you have, the rental car company, and the type of transmission you prefer (manual or automatic), as well as the total area you want to search in. 

Note that, once again, taxes and fees are not included on the initial search page. Instead, they are added to your total cost when you select a rental car. You can also pay for a rental car through Chase with points, your credit card, or a combination of the two.

How to book activities with the Chase Travel portal

Chase also lets you book a variety of activities through the portal, which they refer to as "Things to Do." Chase activities can include excursions like snorkeling or scuba diving, as well as tours of museums and historic sites. But you can also book more practical options through their activities tab, including airport pickups and other types of transportation.

To search for activities, enter the destination and dates for your trip. You'll be shown a price in points and in cash that does include taxes and fees. You can also filter options based on the type of activity, your interests, and more. Once again, you have the option to pay for activities with your points, your credit card, or a combination of the two.

How to book a cruise through Chase travel

If you're a cruise enthusiast, you should know you can also book cruises through Chase travel. When you select "Cruises" at the top of the Chase Ultimate Rewards search page, you'll be presented with a list of featured cruises and cruise specials.

You can also search for cruises based on the destination or the name of the cruise line. Note, however, that only cash prices are listed for each cruise on the portal, and that you'll have to call Chase to make a booking.

Either way, you can absolutely use your Chase points to pay for all or part of your cruise. Just have your credit card number handy and call their customer service line at 855-234-2542.

How to book a vacation rental through Chase

Chase also offers a selection of vacation rentals, which can include vacation condos, luxury villas, and more. To search, click on "Vacation Rentals" at the top of the main page, then enter your destination, dates, and the number of people in your party.

Once you start your search, you'll have the option to filter results based on the local neighborhood you want, star ratings, price range, guest rating, property type, and more. Like hotels through Chase, the price you are shown excludes taxes and fees, but they will be added to your total once you make a selection.

Also be aware that the price shown in your search results is for the lowest-tier option for each property, and that a larger rental or upgraded rental may cost more in points.

When you book vacation rentals through Chase, you can pay with points, your Chase card, or a combination of the two. 

Use the Chase Travel portal to book Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection properties

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can book properties within the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection. This list of more than 1,000 properties can be reserved ahead of time, and you'll get extra benefits with each stay such as:

• Daily breakfast for two
• A special benefit worth up to $100
• Complimentary internet access
• Room upgrades when available
• Early check-in and late checkout

One detail to note with this program is the fact that you cannot pay with points. Instead, your online booking will reserve your room, and you'll be charged for the stay when you check out from the hotel. 

Should you transfer Chase points instead?

While you can book travel through the Chase Travel portal directly, many people prefer to transfer points to Chase airline and hotel partners instead. Doing so could let you get more value for each point you redeem , but you'll have to run the numbers to find out for sure.

Here's a good example of how transferring points to a Chase airline or hotel partner can be a better deal, as well as the math you'll need to do to figure this out on your own. Take this one-way flight on Air France from Chicago to Paris, for example, and assume you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, so you're getting 50% more value when you redeem points through the Chase Travel portal.

If you were to book this flight through Chase Travel, you would owe 39,607 points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, compared with the cash price of $594.10.

However, you could book an award ticket on the exact same flight through Flying Blue (Air France's loyalty program) directly if you transferred your Chase points there first. In this case, the identical flight would set you back 22,000 miles plus $109.44. This means you would transfer 22,000 miles from Chase to your Flying Blue account, and pay the taxes and fees in cash, or by redeeming points for a statement credit to your account.

When you compare, you'll find that booking with miles directly is a better deal. After you subtract the taxes and fees from the cost of booking through Flying Blue, you wind up with a value of around 2.2 cents per mile.

With the Chase Travel portal, on the other hand, you're forking over 39,607 points for the same flight, and you're getting a value of 1.5 cents for each point if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. 

Accessing Chase Travel is simple. If you're a Chase credit cardholder with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can log in to your Chase online account. Once logged in, navigate to the 'Travel" or "Rewards" section, where you'll find the Chase Travel portal. From there, you can search and book flights, hotels, and other travel services using your earned points or card benefits. It's a convenient way to plan and manage your travel adventures.

Chase Travel refers to the travel booking and rewards platform offered by Chase Bank. It's part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, allowing cardholders to use their earned points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. Chase Travel provides a convenient way to plan and book your trips while taking advantage of the rewards and benefits associated with Chase credit cards.

To earn 5% on Chase Travel, consider using a Chase credit card that offers bonus rewards on travel purchases. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve often offer 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal. Additionally, taking advantage of limited-time promotions and special offers can also help you maximize your rewards when booking travel with Chase.

Bottom Line

Keep in mind that, no matter which Chase credit card you have, there are other ways you can use your rewards points. You can redeem Chase points for statement credits or cash back, or cash them in for gift cards or merchandise. And if you have a premier Chase travel credit card, you can transfer your points to Chase airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio.

However, booking travel through Chase can make your life considerably easier — especially if you don't like dealing with complicated hotel and airline programs. You may not get as much value from your points as you would if you booked a premium flight with airline miles, but the Chase Travel portal does offer the flexibility to book the flight you want without any blackout dates or hoops to jump through.

The Chase Travel portal offers yet another way to maximize rewards earned with a Chase credit card. Just make sure to consider all your options and the value you're getting for your points before you pull the trigger.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Everything to know when canceling or changing flights purchased with Chase Ultimate Rewards

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While change fees are (thankfully) becoming a thing of the past, most airlines will still make you pay to cancel your ticket. But what happens when you cancel a flight that was paid for with bank points? If you booked your flight using Chase Ultimate Rewards points , earned with one of the top cards for travel like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, will you get your points back if you cancel your ticket?

When you modify a flight that has been paid for with Ultimate Rewards points , the cancellation and change policies and fees will vary depending on which airline you booked. That’s because your ticket is subject to the policies of the individual airline.

What happens when you change or cancel a ticket you paid for with Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

What happens to your flexible rewards if you cancel your ticket depends first on whether you transferred your Ultimate Rewards points to a travel partner or paid for the flight with points through Chase’s travel portal. 

Once you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to a travel partner, for example, you cannot reverse the transfer. But if you pay with bank points using the Chase travel portal, you’ve got options when it comes to changes and cancellations.

Most U.S. carriers (American, Delta, United and Alaska) have permanently eliminated change fees . So if you need to change a flight booked with Ultimate Rewards points on any of these carriers, you won’t face any extra fees. 

For ticket changes, first, check on the carrier’s website. If you’re unable to process a change there, you can request a cancellation using Chase’s online cancellation form or by chatting with a Chase representative via the Chase Travel Portal. 

Then, call Chase Travel to rebook your travel. Just note that you will have to pay any fare differences that result from the change.

If you wish to cancel your flight booked with Ultimate Rewards, you have 24 hours to cancel and receive a full refund of your points. If you wait longer than that to cancel, you will not get your points back. And any refund or cancellation fees will depend on which airline you booked with and the type of fare you booked (refundable or non-refundable).

Every airline has different rules and fees. For example, American Airlines charges $200 for cancellations. And because flights bought with points are treated as a cash purchase, you will pay the fees associated with purchased tickets, not the fees charged for award flights. 

For example, if you paid the 22,688 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for the ~$283 ticket shown above, you would only get ~$83 back if you canceled. That’s because American Airlines charges a $200 cancellation fee.

Here’s our in-depth guide to the cancellation policies of major U.S. airlines .

Bottom line

Many people love using Chase Ultimate Rewards , earned with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to pay for flights because you still earn frequent flyer miles and elite status on your free flight.

But when you cancel a flight paid with transferable points , you must cancel within 24 hours of booking, or you will not get your points back. After that, your refund will be subject to the rules of the airline with which you booked.

Meghan Hunter

Contributor

Meghan Hunter is an editor for Million Mile Secrets. She covers points, miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels and general travel. Her work has also appeared in The Points Guy.

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The Guide to Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

When does the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provide coverage?

Travel insurance benefits and limits on the chase sapphire preferred® card, the travel insurance benefits, explained, how do i file a claim, what if the card benefits are insufficient, the bottom line.

When travelers go abroad, many don’t think about travel insurance until something bad happens. But those who purchase their trip with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are already covered for the most common travel woes.

Who qualifies for coverage under the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ? More important, how can you use your coverage in the worst-case scenario?

Empower yourself with the right information before you leave the country — then you'll be ready to lean on your travel insurance through Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . Here’s what you need to know.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards

To qualify, a portion of the trip must be purchased with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned from the card. Flight purchases made with Chase Ultimate Rewards® transferred to another program will not qualify for travel insurance benefits.

In many situations, travel insurance through the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card extends beyond the primary cardholder. Trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost luggage and baggage delay coverage includes immediate family members, even if they aren’t traveling with the primary cardholder. However, there are limits to how many people can be covered per trip.

Rental car benefits are only given to the primary cardholder, who Chase defines as the “person to whom a U.S. credit card has been issued and their name is embossed on the card.” But if you meet the qualification requirements, any authorized drivers are also included in the rental car coverage.

» Learn more: Which Chase credit card is right for you?

We’ve included a table of all the travel insurance benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card with further details about each benefit in the following sections.

Trip cancellation protection

If an event out of your control prevents you from departing for your vacation, trip cancellation benefits may help you recover some of your nonrefundable costs. When you pay for your trip using your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or using Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, the primary cardholder gets trip cancellation benefits up to $5,000 per trip or $10,000 per 12-month period. If multiple people are covered on the trip, the limit is $10,000 per trip or $20,000 per 12-month period.

» Learn more: Trip cancellation insurance: What you need to know

The trip cancellation benefit applies if a situation arises which prevents you from traveling on or before the departure date. Covered reasons include the accidental illness or injury to the traveler or a companion, severe weather that prevents a trip, or a change in military orders for the cardholder or their spouse or domestic partner.

Despite the name, trip cancellation doesn't mean cardholders can cancel their trip for any reason, or that all cancellations are covered. Travel arrangements canceled by a common carrier (like an airline or cruise line), tour operator or tour agency may not be covered, unless the cancellation is due to an organized strike or weather.

Trip cancellation also doesn't apply if you are in jail, have a reoccurrence of a pre-existing condition, or are “traveling or flying on any aircraft engaged in flight on a rocket-propelled or rocket launched aircraft.” Note, if the travel supplier cancels your trip but offers a credit or voucher for future travel, you will not be reimbursed by the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . If this scenario applies to you, you’ll need to decline the future travel credit to qualify for reimbursement under the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

If you’re concerned with traveling and your reason for cancellation doesn't fall into one of the covered reasons, consider Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance, which is an optional add-on that you can purchase with a comprehensive stand-alone travel insurance policy.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

Trip interruption coverage

Trip interruption insurance kicks in after departure and protects your nonrefundable prepaid trip plans if an event during your trip results in an interruption. For example, if you’re injured a few days into your trip and need to return home, trip interruption benefits can help you get your money back on the unused portion of your hotel stay. Coverage provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides up to $5,000 per trip or $10,000 per 12-month period. If multiple people are covered, the limit is $10,000 per trip or $20,000 per 12-month period.

The benefit applies to any prepaid tour, trip or vacation charged to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card at a destination greater than one mile from your primary residence and for a trip that doesn’t exceed 60 days. Covered situations include accidental injury or illness experienced by the traveler, their companion or an immediate family member, severe weather preventing a trip, finding a primary dwelling to be uninhabitable or a quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons.

» Learn more: Trip interruption insurance explained

Like the trip cancellation benefit, travelers can’t file a claim for common carrier-caused delays. In addition, traveling against a physician’s advice, to receive medical treatment, while on a waitlist for specific medical treatment or traveling with a pre-existing condition do not count as a trip interruption.

Trip delay protections

A delay can happen for any reason, from irregular operations to missing flight crews for aircraft. Depending on how long your flight is delayed, you could get reimbursed for your incidental costs, ranging from meals to a hotel room.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a trip delay benefit of up to $500 for each purchased ticket if you are delayed by 12 hours or require an overnight stay. The reimbursement can cover reasonable expenses, such as food, hotel rooms, toiletries and any medications you may need.

» Learn more: What you need to know about Chase's trip delay insurance

However, if the delay was made public before departing, you may not be covered by this benefit. Prepaid expenses are not covered under trip delay but could be covered under the trip interruption benefit.

Baggage delay reimbursement

The last thing any traveler wants is the baggage carousel to stop without their bags on it. Those who pay for their trip with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card automatically qualify for baggage delay benefits in the event they arrive at their final destination, but their bags do not.

If luggage is delayed by more than six hours while traveling on a common carrier (such as an airline or train line), the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card baggage delay benefit can reimburse you for up to $100 in essential items per day the luggage is lost. The benefit maximum is five days of delayed luggage, for a total maximum benefit of $500.

Not all emergency items are covered under the benefit. Excluded essential items include contact lenses or glasses, hearing aids, business samples, jewelry, watches, electronic equipment and cell phones. In addition, travelers are only allowed to purchase one cell phone charger under the duration of the benefit.

Lost luggage coverage

The term “lost luggage” doesn’t just apply to bags that are never recovered. A luggage loss can also apply to bags damaged by an airline or certain items that are damaged inside the bag.

If your bags are damaged in transit, you could receive the actual cash value (replacement cost less depreciation) for the items lost, damaged or destroyed during handling up to $3,000. There are jewelry and electronics limits of $500 each, respectively. The benefit may also extend to repair costs for checked or carry-on luggage.

» Learn more: 4 easy ways to make sure your lost luggage is found

To qualify for the lost luggage benefit, all losses must be immediately reported to the carrier. A carrier damage report must be submitted with the claim, otherwise, it could be denied.

Auto rental collision damage waiver

The most unsung benefit of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the primary auto rental collision damage waiver. If you rent a car and pay for it with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , you could receive reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of the vehicle.

Because the insurance is primary coverage, you would not be forced to file a claim with other insurance sources before filing with the Chase. In order to use this benefit, however, renters must decline the rental company collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver. If the company forces you to purchase their collision damage waiver, you can call Chase for assistance.

Travel accident insurance

Travel accident insurance consists of two types of protections: Common carrier travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel accident insurance, both of which cover accidental death or dismemberment, loss of speech, sight or hearing that occur on a trip.

Common carrier travel accident insurance applies when a covered loss occurs when entering, exiting or riding as a passenger on an airline, bus, train, cruise ship or any other common carrier. The benefit limit is $500,000.

The 24-hour travel accident insurance covers any losses experienced beginning on the departure date and ending on the return date as printed on the airline ticket. The benefit limit is $100,000.

Any losses sustained while committing an illegal act, parachute jumping, or involving flights on aircraft that are not certified by the government, will void coverage.

Other assistance benefits on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides access to two helpful pay-per use services: Roadside dispatch and travel and emergency assistance services.

For a set price, roadside dispatch offers standard towing, tire changing, jump starting, lockout service, fuel delivery and standard winching assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Travel and emergency assistance provides help and referral services and connects you with appropriate local emergency and assistance resources while you’re traveling, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Example of services include medical referrals, legal referrals, emergency transportation assistance and more. The cost of using the services are the responsibility of the cardholder.

To file a claim for any of these benefits, your claim time frame begins the day the loss happens.

It’s important to file a claim as soon as possible, as claims can take time to process and provide reimbursement.

Claim information can be found in the benefits guide provided with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . In addition to filing a claim form, you must provide supporting documentation to prove your loss. This includes reports from your airline or other transportation carrier, receipts for purchases related to the loss, or other proof of items lost, damaged or stolen that may be covered.

Once a claim is approved, it can be reimbursed in as few as five days. If you have any questions, call 888-320-9961 from within the U.S. or 804-673-1691 from outside the U.S. Claims can also be filed online at Eclaimsline.com .

If you consider the benefits offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to be inadequate or you don’t have a premium travel credit card that provides travel insurance, consider getting a comprehensive travel insurance policy to protect your trip.

To find a policy in your state, you can either check with an insurance provider that you’re already familiar with or check out an insurance comparison site, like SquareMouth.

Insurance comparison sites provide numerous policies to choose from, including travel medical insurance, long-term travel insurance, Cancel For Any Reason coverage and more. Choosing the right plan for you depends on your trip goals and the benefits you’d like to have on your vacation.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Despite being an entry level travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a solid package of free travel insurance benefits. The card includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage delay, lost luggage, auto rental collision coverage and travel accident insurance.

Yes, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers trip cancellation coverage of $5,000 per trip and $10,000 per each 12-month period. The cardholder and immediate family members are covered by the benefit even if they aren’t traveling with him/her. If more than one individual is insured under the same card and sustains a loss on the trip, the benefit limit is $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per each 12-month period.

Examples of covered reasons include an accidental injury, illness or death of you or your traveling companion, natural disasters, military orders and jury duty. Generally, the reasons must be unforeseen and extraordinary. Trip cancellation coverage is included with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and applies to the primary cardholder and his/her immediate family.

It depends on which card you have. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card are three popular travel rewards credit cards offer travel insurance benefits.

If you have a credit card that offers travel insurance, check to see if the limits are sufficient to cover you for your trip. Although many premium travel credit cards provide complimentary travel insurance, the benefits are usually below those of a standalone travel insurance policy.

Despite being an entry level travel rewards card, the

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

offers a solid package of free travel insurance benefits. The card includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage delay, lost luggage, auto rental collision coverage and travel accident insurance.

offers trip cancellation coverage of $5,000 per trip and $10,000 per each 12-month period. The cardholder and immediate family members are covered by the benefit even if they aren’t traveling with him/her. If more than one individual is insured under the same card and sustains a loss on the trip, the benefit limit is $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per each 12-month period.

Examples of covered reasons include an accidental injury, illness or death of you or your traveling companion, natural disasters, military orders and jury duty. Generally, the reasons must be unforeseen and extraordinary. Trip cancellation coverage is included with the

and applies to the primary cardholder and his/her immediate family.

It depends on which card you have. The

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

are three popular travel rewards credit cards offer travel insurance benefits.

Travel insurance through the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is free. Although the limits aren’t as high as you could get on a comprehensive travel insurance plan, they may be sufficient for your trip needs. These benefits and others , not to mention its mid-tier $95 annual fee, make it a solid entry-level travel rewards credit card.

» Learn more: How to get the most from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

When planning a trip, consider your trip costs and the type of coverage you’re looking for before purchasing an independent policy, as the benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may be adequate.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Why I always book flights and non-refundable travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Update : Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

If you have been paying attention to the credit card game lately, then you already know about the Chase Sapphire collection, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. As a frequent traveler, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most powerful cards in my wallet and I frequently book non-refundable travel, as long as I can book it using my CSR. Here are a few reasons why I won't leave the house without my trusty CSR:

First, let's talk about what this card can do. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently offering a 50,000 point sign-up bonus, which, by TPG valuations , is worth $1,000 in travel at 2 cents per point. When those points are redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for travel, each point is worth 1.5 cents, which puts the welcome bonus at $900. You can hit that $1,000 value by maximizing your points through travel partners. New cardholders qualify for the sign-up bonus once they spend $4,000 within three months of the account opening, which is likely achievable for cardholders and definitely worth it.

Related: The undeniable king of my wallet: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review

The Sign-Up Bonus & Benefits

The card does come with a $550 annual fee — which is immediately offset by earning the sign-up bonus — but what about the value of your account moving forward? Each year, CSR cardholders have access to $300 in travel credit that can be easily spent on a variety of travel expenses. That alone effectively reduces the annual fee to $250, but the card also comes with up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. If the fees were holding you back from applying for Global Entry, you won't have to worry about that with your CSR. Expedited U.S. border crossing, plus an expedited domestic security program for no additional charge, is a great perk of this card.

Speaking of crossing borders and travel, CSR cardholders and up to two guests get complimentary access to the Priority Pass Select network of more than 1,300 airport lounges and restaurants worldwide. Authorized users, which cost only $75 per year in additional annual fees, also get complimentary access to lounges. Enjoy free entry to airport lounges worldwide as well as ~US$28 towards select restaurants within the network. Access to Priority Pass Select alone can cover (if not exceed) the value of the rest of the annual fee, depending on how often you travel, since a yearly standard plus membership costs $249 a year and includes 10 free visits, with subsequent visits for $32 each.

The Earning Potential

The CSR earning potential isn't bad, either. I especially like that cardholders can earn 3x points on all travel and dining worldwide, not just with certain partners or dining limited to the U.S. On all other purchases, you'll earn 1x points. Chase is incredibly generous with what is considered a travel or dining purchase; everything from restaurants to cafes to university dining halls to vending machines can count as dining, and everything from flights to hotels to campsites to public transportation and parking can be considered a travel expense.

Note that grocery stores, bakeries, and in-flight meals are among the expenses that do not count as dining purchases, and sightseeing activities or in-flight goods are among the expenses that are not considered travel purchases. Even so, the earning and redeeming potential for CSR is pretty decent; especially because you can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points with a variety of partners for even more value.

The Insurance

Besides these great benefits, why would a frequent traveler rely so heavily on this card? The benefits are good, but as it turns out, the suite of insurances can be even better if you wind up needing to use them. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card that carries primary car rental insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuation and relocation services. These benefits automatically kick in when I book my flights, hotels, transportation, etc. with my CSR.

Because I already have coverage with the CSR, I don't need to hesitate while booking non-refundable travel through an airline, hotel, or other booking agency. I can also decline any external insurances provided through airlines or car rentals because those trips are already covered when I use my CSR. And I don't have to worry if I get caught up in a delay due to weather or a mechanical issue.

It's nice to be covered during emergency situations, but I particularly appreciate the package of delay insurances. Nobody likes a delay, but when you travel as much as I do, delays can become par for the course. It gives me peace of mind to know that if I need to make some last-minute changes or purchases, I'll be covered.

The card's trip delay reimbursement applies when my common carrier travel is delayed by six hours or more, or when the delay results in a necessary overnight stay. In the event of a significant trip delay, CSR will cover my meals and lodging up to $500. For families traveling together, the coverage extends to the immediate family for up to $500 per ticket. This is the main reason why I always book my travel with my Sapphire Reserve.

If the itinerary goes as scheduled but my baggage is delayed or misdirected for six hours or more, CSR will cover any emergency clothing or toiletry purchases up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days. Similar to the trip delay insurance, coverage extends to the immediate family.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred

If you are a Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholder, a few of the benefits and insurances differ from the CSR but this card still offers great insurance coverage — all with a lower $95 annual fee. Other card highlights include: 2x on travel and 3x on dining worldwide; earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening; 1.25x when redeemed for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; and similar travel and purchase protections as the CSR. CSP is another spectacular card and, depending on your investment into learning about credit card rewards, it could be a better fit for you than the CSR.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card review

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred are powerhouse cards that carry important travel coverage packages. If you are a frequent traveler, I suggest picking up one of these cards and enjoying the benefits, rewards, and coverage for yourself.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which card is right for you?

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”  

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes. 

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.  
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.  
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.  

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.    
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease. 

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Watch CBS News

New airline rules will make it easier to get refunds for canceled flights. Here's what to know.

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 25, 2024 / 12:56 PM EDT / CBS News

New consumer protection rules will soon entitle airline passengers to automatic refunds when flights are canceled or significantly delayed, while also requiring airlines to reveal  junk fees  upfront.

In total, the new rules could save travelers $500 million annually, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday, describing the regulations as "the biggest expansion of passenger rights in the department's history."

They take aim at some of the most common complaints against airlines, such as delays and difficulties getting refunds. Airlines will also have to disclose all possible fees, such as added costs for seat selection, when advertising a fare.

The regulations are likely to effect in October, officials said. Here's what to know about the new rules and what they mean for you.

You'll get an automatic refund for delayed or canceled flights

The first rule mandates that airlines promptly refund customers when flights are meaningfully disrupted or delayed. Airlines will have to refund customers the full ticket prices, including airline-imposed fees, as well as government taxes and fees.

In theory, passengers are already entitled to such refunds, but in practice airlines don't always provide them, Buttigieg noted. He said the new rule benefits infrequent fliers in particular, who may be less familiar with their rights. 

This rule will save customers the hassle of dealing with a chatbot or completing a cumbersome claims process to receive refunds they're entitled to anyway when flights don't take off as scheduled.

Airlines often offer customers compensation in the form of vouchers or miles with values that are less than the flight's original cost. And passengers often must engage with customer service agents or chatbots to secure refunds, which can lead them to give up on the process altogether, according to Buttigieg.

How long of a delay will qualify for a refund? 

The new rule defines what constitutes a "significantly changed" flight: a delay of at least three hours for a domestic flight, and at least six hours for an international flight. That was previously left to the discretion of the airline. 

The rule says passengers will get automatic refunds in those cases as long as they don't accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered by the airline.  

Passengers will also be entitled to refunds for other significant flight changes, according to the Department of Transportation. 

These changes include flights whose departure or arrival airports change, that add connections or downgrade passengers to a different level of service. If a flight requires a passenger with a disability to make a connection at an airport or on a flight that is less accommodating, that also qualifies for a refund.

How long will it take to get a refund?

Airlines will have seven days to automatically refund passengers who purchased their tickets with a credit card, and 20 calendar days for other payment methods, the Transportation Department said.

"No more defaulting to vouchers or credits when consumers may not even realize they're entitled to cash," Buttigieg said. 

Can I get a refund for delayed bags? 

Yes, checked bag delays are also covered. 

When bags aren't delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight's arrival at its gate, passengers will get a refund for their checked bag fee.   On international flights, bags that don't arrive within 15 to 30 hours, depending on a flight's length, are covered by the rule. 

What other refunds will be available? 

Airlines must also refund the costs of services customers paid for but then didn't receive on the flight, such as wifi, seat selection or in-flight entertainment, the Transportation Department said.

For instance, if passengers buy wifi access but it doesn't work properly, they are entitled to a refund for the service.

What is happening with surprise fees? 

Transportation officials also announced a second rule on Wednesday that targets "junk" or surprise fees, which are charges that aren't typically disclosed to a consumer ahead of purchase. 

Under the rule, airlines must disclose all fees the first time that airfare is advertised on an airline's site. Hyperlinks don't count, according to the agency.

The rule is designed to protect consumers against confusion caused by "drip pricing"  by requiring airlines to disclose how much these additional fees will cost up front. That includes amounts airlines charge consumers to check bags, carry on bags, select seats, and change or cancel flights.

The rule is designed to help make it easier for passengers to estimate the full cost of flying so they can make an informed purchase.

Are seats guaranteed if I buy a ticket?

Under the second rule, airlines will also have to make clear to customers that if they buy a ticket, they're guaranteed a seat — even if they don't fork over additional money to choose where on the plane that seat is located. 

How will I know I'm seeing the actual flight price?

The second rule also bars airlines from advertising artificially low prices that don't factor in mandatory fees. 

The Transportation Department said this will end "discount bait-and-switch tactics" that dangle deceptive discounts to convince travelers to buy tickets.

What do airlines say about the new rules?

Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. carriers, noted that refund complaints to the Transportation Department have fallen sharply since mid-2020. 

A spokesperson for the group said airlines "offer a range of options — including fully refundable fares — to increase accessibility to air travel and to help customers make ticket selections that best fit their needs."

The group said the 11 largest U.S. airlines issued $43 billion in customer refunds from 2020 through 2023.

While Buttigieg said airlines aren't "enthusiastic" about being held to a higher standard, he believes the new rules will build passenger confidence in companies and ultimately benefit the industry as a whole.

Buttigieg also said he hopes the new rules will push carriers to improve the consumer experience. For example, if an airline knows it will automatically owe customers refunds for canceled flights, it might invest more in precise scheduling, and ultimately reduce the number of cancellations overall. 

—With reporting by the Associated Press.

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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How refunds and returns work on a credit card.

Returning a product you purchased on your credit card seems simple. After all, as long as you are within the retailer or store's return policy, you can typically return the item for a full refund. However, depending on the circumstances of your purchase and your return, the refund process on your credit card can involve some extra steps and factors. From understanding the impact to your reward point earnings to being responsible for foreign transaction fees on international purchases, here are a few things you should know about making a return on your credit card.

How do returns work on a credit card?

When returning a product to a store using a credit card, the retailer processes the transaction through your credit issuer. When you initially made the purchase, the retailer verified that your credit card details were up to date, checked to see if your card was active and then processed the payment from the credit card company.

Because of this, if you want to return an item, you will probably need to either accept store credit, or present the original credit card that you used during the initial purchase. Some retailers allow you to request a cash refund if you process a return transaction with a debit card, but you will not be able to do this with a credit card.

What if I made a return on a purchase made internationally?

If you were traveling internationally when you purchased and returned an item for a refund on your credit card, you may still incur a foreign transaction fee. Although it can vary depending on the credit card company, this fee typically is about 3 percent of the total amount purchased. With this in mind, you might want to contact your credit card company to learn its policies before you travel. For example, while many cards charge foreign transaction fees, some travel credit cards may waive them.

How long does it take for a refund to appear on a credit card?

Once you have returned the item to the retailer, you will receive a statement credit on your credit card account. This statement credit may show up on your online account within a few days, although the exact time frame will vary depending on both your credit card issuer and the merchant. It should also appear on your monthly statement within one or two billing cycles.

How does a refund show up on a credit card?

If you were carrying a balance on your credit card before your return, the return will likely appear as a credit on your account, and will reduce your total unpaid balance.

On the other hand, if you paid off your entire credit card balance before you made the return, the statement will appear on your credit card as a negative balance. This means that the credit issuer owes you this amount since you already paid for the balance. In this case, you can continue to use the card and have payments toward future purchases reduced by the credit. Or, alternately, you can also submit a request to your credit issuer if you'd like your credit returned to you in the form of a check or statement credit.

Will I lose my reward points if I make a return?

The reward points earned through the purchase will be deducted from your point earnings (which can include bonus points) once the transaction has posted to your account. If you had redeemed all your reward points before making the return, this will be reflected through a negative balance in your reward point accumulation in your online portal.

By being aware of how credit card returns work, you can better keep track of updates to your monthly statements and your credit reward earnings as well as become more informed of which credit cards to use internationally.

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Biden admin's new airline rules to require cash refunds for canceled flights, fees disclosed up front

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The Biden administration announced new rules that mandate automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights and protect consumers from surprise junk fees in air travel. 

"These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed, and save consumers over half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees," the White House said in a statement released early Wednesday. 

"Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. "Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers."  

The first rule requires airlines "to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed because their flights are cancelled or significantly changed, their checked bags are significantly delayed, or the ancillary services, like Wi-Fi, they purchased are not provided." Newly required by the Department of Transportation (DOT), the change is supposed to prevent consumers from having to "navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how to make the request, filling out extra ‘digital paperwork,’ or at times waiting for hours on the phone," the White House said. 

MARYLAND GOVERNOR WARNS BRIDGE COLLAPSE WILL HAVE 'MASSIVE IMPACT' ON US ECONOMY ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES

American Airlines Boeing jets are seen at John F. Kennedy Airport on Jan. 8, 2024. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Without the new rule, the White House noted how passengers often received a travel credit or voucher by default from many airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or canceled "without navigating a cumbersome request process."  The DOT is also now requiring airlines and ticket agents to tell consumers upfront what fees they charge for checked bags, a carry-on bag, for changing a reservation or canceling a reservation. The White House said the second new rule "ensures that consumers can avoid surprise fees when they purchase tickets from airlines or ticket agents, including both brick-and-mortar travel agencies or online travel agencies." 

President Biden, left, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during an event at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

NEW CALIFORNIA BILL WOULD BAN LINE SKIPPING SERVICE CLEAR FROM AIRPORTS IN NAME OF EQUITY

It requires airlines to disclose baggage, change and cancelation fees upfront, explain fee policies before ticket purchase, share fee information with third parties, inform consumers that seats are guaranteed, provide both standard and passenger-specific fee information and end discount bait-and-switch tactics "that some airlines use to disguise the true cost of discounted flights." The White House estimates that this rule will save consumers "over half a billion dollars every year that they are currently overpaying in airline fees." 

A United Airlines plane is taxiing for takeoff as a Lufthansa Airlines plane takes off at San Francisco International Airport on April 22, 2024. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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Since President Biden took office, the DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022, the White House said. The department also has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.

Fox News' Caroline McKee contributed to this report.