travel cancelled by common carrier

Common carrier trip cancellation/ trip interruption

Terms and conditions.

Reimbursement Level: Up to $5,000 for common carrier fare portion of the trip.

DESCRIPTION OF COVERAGE

THE PLAN: As a UBS Visa Infinite Business cardholder, you, your spouse or domestic partner, and your dependent children will automatically be insured against Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption.

ELIGIBILITY: This insurance plan is provided to UBS Visa Infinite Business credit cardholders, their Spouse and Dependent Children automatically when the entire cost of the passenger fare(s) are charged to UBS Visa Infinite Business credit card while the insurance is effective. It is not necessary for you to notify UBS Financial Services Inc., the administrator or the Company when tickets are purchased.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Your insurance becomes effective on the date on which you first meet the eligibility criteria as an eligible cardholder. Insurance for you automatically terminates on the earliest of: the termination date of the policy, or the date on which you no longer meet the eligibility criteria as an eligible cardholder.

THE COST: This insurance plan is provided at no additional cost to eligible UBS Visa Infinite Business credit cardholders. UBS Financial Services, Inc. pays the full cost of the insurance.

THE BENEFITS: In the event of a Common Carrier Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption, We will pay up to the Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Benefit

Amount of (up to $5,000 per common carrier fare). In no event will We pay more than either: 1) the actual Non-Refundable amount paid by the Insured Person for a Common Carrier passenger fare(s); or 2) the Trip Cancellation/Interruption Benefit amount of $5,000.

The Insured Person will relinquish to us any unused vouchers, tickets, coupons or travel privileges for which we have reimbursed the Insured Person.

The Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption of the Insured Person must be caused by or result from death, accidental injury, disease or physical illness of the Insured Person or an Immediate Family Member of the Insured Person; or default of the Common Carrier resulting from Financial Insolvency.

The death, accidental injury, disease or physical illness must be verified by a Physician and must prevent the Insured Person from traveling on a Common Carrier Covered Trip.

This benefit does not apply to loss caused by or resulting from: 1) a Pre-Existing Condition; or 2) Accidental Bodily Injuries arising from participation in interscholastic or professional sports events, racing or speed contests, or uncertified scuba diving; or 3) cosmetic surgery, unless such cosmetic surgery is rendered necessary as a result of a loss covered under this policy; or 4) the Insured or an Immediate Family Member being under the influence of drugs (except those prescribed and used as directed by a Physician) or alcohol; or 5) the Insured or an Immediate Family Member: a) traveling against the advice of a Physician; or b) traveling while on a waiting list for specified medical treatment; or c) traveling for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment; or d) traveling in the third trimester (seventh month or after) of pregnancy.

Definitons:

Account means UBS Visa Infinite Business credit card account as set forth in the policy.

Benefit Amount means the amount which applies to you at the time the entire cost of the fare is charged to your Account during the policy period, for the applicable hazard.

Cardholder means an individual who is named on the account card issued by the policyholder.

Common Carrier means any motorized land, water or air conveyance organized and licensed for the transportation of passengers for hire and operated by an employee or an individual under contract.

Common Carrier Covered Trip means travel on a Common Carrier when the full fare for such transportation less any redeemable frequent flyer miles, coupons or certificates has been charged to the Insured Person’s Account issued by the Policyholder. If frequent flyer miles, coupons or certificates are redeemed a charge of at least $1.00 or the full amount due for the trip, whichever is greater, must be charged to the Account for travel to be considered a Common Carrier Covered Trip.

Company means Federal Insurance Company.

Conveyance means any motorized craft, vehicle or mode of transportation licensed or registered by a governmental authority with competent jurisdiction.

Credit Card means a payment medium that takes the form of a credit card, credit plate, charge plate, courtesy card or other identification card or device issued to you. You may use the credit card to purchase, hire, rent or lease property or services. Credit Card does not include a debit card.

Dependent Child means the primary insured person’s unmarried child, dependent on the primary insured person for maintenance and support, under the age of 19, under the age of 25 if enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher learning or classified as an incapacitated dependent child.

Domestic Partner means a person designated by the primary insured person who has executed an affidavit of Domestic Partnership; is registered as a domestic partner or legal equivalent under the laws of any jurisdiction or who is at least 18 years of age and competent to enter into a contract; is not related to the primary insured person by blood; has exclusively lived with the primary insured person for at least 12 months prior to the date of enrollment; is not legally married or separated and as of the date of enrollment has with the primary insured person at least 2 of the following financial arrangements: a joint mortgage or lease, a joint bank account, joint title to or ownership of a motor vehicle or status as a joint lessee on a motor vehicle lease or a joint credit card account with a financial institution. Neither the primary insured person or domestic partner can be married to, nor in a civil union with, anyone else. 

Financial Insolvency means the inability of an entity to provide travel services because it has ceased operations either following the filing of a petition  for bankruptcy, whether voluntary or involuntary, or because it has ceased operations as a result of a denial of credit or the inability to meet financial obligations.

Incapacitated Dependent Child means a child who, as a result of being mentally or physically challenged, is permanently incapable of self-support and permanently dependent on the

Primary Insured Person for support and maintenance. The incapacity must have occurred while the child was: under the age of nineteen (19); or under the age of twenty-five (25) if enrolled as a full-time student at an Institution of Higher Learning.

Institution of Higher Learning means any accredited public or private college, university, professional trade or vocational school beyond the twelfth (12th) grade.

Immediate Family Member means the Insured Person’s: 1) Spouse or Domestic Partner; 2) children including adopted children or stepchildren; 3) legal guardians or wards; 4) siblings or siblings-in-law; 5) parents or parents- in-law; 6) grandparents or grandchildren; 7) aunts or uncles; 8) nieces and nephews. Immediate Family Member also means a Spouse’s or Domestic Partner’s children, including adopted children or stepchildren; legal guardians or wards; siblings or siblings-in- law; parents or parents-in-law; grandparents or grandchildren; aunts or uncles; nieces or nephews.

Insured Person means a person qualifying as a class member, as listed in the policy, who elects insurance or for whom insurance is elected and on whose behalf premium is paid.

Loss of Property means Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption which occurs while the Insured Person is insured under this policy which is in-force.

Physician means a licensed practitioner of the healing arts, acting within the scope of his or her license to the extent provided by the laws of the jurisdiction in which medical treatment is provided. Physician does not include: 1)the Insured Person; 2) an Immediate Family Member; 3) the Insured Person’s employer or business partner; or 4) the Policyholder. 

Proof of Loss means written evidence acceptable to us that an accident, accident bodily injury or loss has occurred.

Spouse means your husband or wife or domestic partner who is recognized as such by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the primary insured person resides.

Trip Cancellation means the cancellation of a Common Carrier travel arrangements when the Insured Person is prevented from traveling on a Common Carrier Covered Trip on or before the departure of the Common Carrier Covered Trip.

Trip Interruption means the interruption of the Insured Person’s Common Carrier Covered Trip either on the way to the point of departure or after departure of the Common Carrier Covered Trip.

War means hostilities following a formal declaration of war by a governmental authority; in the absence of a formal declaration of war by a governmental authority, armed, open and continuous hostilities between two countries or armed, open and continuous hostilities between two factions, each in control of territory or claiming jurisdiction over the geographic area of hostility.

We, Us and Our means Federal Insurance Company.

EXCLUSIONS: This insurance does not apply to any Loss of Property when: 1) the United States of America has imposed any trade or economic sanctions prohibiting insurance of any of Property; or 2) there is any other legal prohibition against providing insurance for any Loss of Property; or Loss of Property caused by or resulting from, directly or indirectly, a declared or undeclared War.

CLAIM NOTICE: Written claim notice must be given to us within 20 days after the occurrence of any loss covered by this policy or as soon as reasonably possible. Failure to give notice within 20 days will not invalidate or reduce any otherwise valid claim if notice is given as soon as reasonably possible.

CLAIM FORMS: When we receive notice of a claim, we will send you forms for giving proof of loss to us within 15 days. If you do not receive the forms, you should send us a written description of the loss.

CLAIM PROOF OF LOSS: Complete proof of loss must be given to us within 90 days after the date of loss, or as soon as reasonably possible.

CLAIM PAYMENT: We will pay you or your beneficiary the applicable benefit amount within 60 days after we receive complete proof of loss and if you, or the Policyholder have complied with all the terms of this policy.

Answers to specific questions can be obtained by writing the Plan Administrator. To make a claim please contact the Plan Administrator:

Plan Administrator cbsi Card Benefit Services 550 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 309 Harrison, NY 10528

PLAN UNDERWRITTEN BY Federal Insurance Company a member of the CHUBB GROUP OF INSURANCE COMPANIES 15 Mountain View Road, P.O. Box 1615 Warren, New Jersey 07061-1651

POLICY #: 9907-74-39

Form No. CCA7000NJ-Travel (Ed.07/04)

This website uses cookies to make sure you get the best experience on our website. You can find more information under the Privacy Statement  and our  cookie notice . You are free to change your cookies' settings in the privacy settings.

You are now on the English website

Once you are done reading, you can return to the previous page by using your browser's back button.

Select your domicile

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Mainland China
• Hong Kong SAR
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• More branches and offices in Middle East Africa

June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova, Republic of; North Korea, Democratic People's Rep; Russia; Israel

This is a test environment. Please proceed to AllianzTravelInsurance.com and remove all bookmarks or references to this site.

Use this tool to calculate all purchases like ski-lift passes, show tickets, or even rental equipment.

Trip Delay, Trip Interruption and Trip Cancellation Insurance Explained

What does trip delay insurance cover?

The travel delay  benefit helps you get through short(ish), unexpected pauses in your travel plans. It can reimburse you for lost pre-paid expenses as well as eligible costs you incur because of the delay, including meals, accommodations, communication and transportation. Note that for such an event to be considered a delay, it must last for the minimum time stated in your plan. Also, the delay must have been caused by a covered reason as listed in your plan, such as a travel carrier delay or lost travel documents.

How does trip delay insurance work in real life? Let’s say your 6 p.m. flight to Orlando is grounded due to a storm, and the next available flight doesn’t leave until 9 a.m. the next morning. Here’s what trip delay insurance may cover:

• Your dinner and breakfast
• Your hotel room for the night
• Your cab ride to the hotel from the airport and back
• The cost of the hotel room you had booked for your first night in Orlando (if the hotel won’t refund your money)

There are limits, of course: travel delay benefits reimburse reasonable expenses up to the limit shown on your letter of confirmation, for example $200/day. Don’t expect your travel insurance to pay for a lavish sushi dinner and a stay at the Ritz-Carlton.

But wait: Why do you even need travel insurance for this scenario? Aren’t airlines supposed to pay for your hotel room and meals if your flight is delayed? Not necessarily.

Most U.S. airlines have agreed to provide travelers with a hotel voucher and/or meal voucher when they experience a controllable flight cancellation or delay of a certain length. A controllable delay/cancellation is one that was caused by a reason within the airline’s control, such as a crew shortage or a mechanical issue. If the delay/cancellation is caused by a reason out of the airline’s control, they’re not obligated to offer you anything other than a refund (if you choose not to fly) or a seat on a different flight. That’s why you need travel insurance!

What does trip interruption insurance cover?

A  trip interruption  occurs when a traveler must unexpectedly cut short their trip and return home. Additionally, interruption can cause you to stay at your destination longer than originally planned (not always a bad thing, right?) Trip interruption insurance can refund lost prepaid costs, minus any available refunds and up to the maximum benefit amount, and cover the cost of your extra accommodations and/or your trip home.

Trip interruption benefits only apply if the interruption is caused by a covered reason. Allianz Travel Insurance plans list many covered reasons for interrupting or canceling your trip. Some common covered reasons include the serious covered illness or injury of the traveler, traveling companion or a family member; a natural disaster that renders your home or your destination uninhabitable; and the cessation of services by your airline, cruise line or other carrier, causing you to miss more than half your trip.

Trip interruption insurance is essential for those travel emergencies you just can’t predict. Imagine you’re in the middle of a week-long  safari in the Serengeti  when you receive word that your mom has been hospitalized with pneumonia. You need to return home ASAP! With the help of the travel experts on our 24-hour assistance team, you can get on the first available flight out of Kilimanjaro and travel back to the U.S. Trip interruption insurance can help cover the cost of the flight and reimburse you for the unused portion of your safari.

One key condition to keep in mind with trip interruption is that, in order to take full advantage of the benefit, you need to inform all your travel suppliers (hotels, tour operators, etc.) within 72 hours of finding out your trip will be interrupted. So, in the heat of the moment, be sure to keep your cool and communicate your change of plans as needed.

What does trip cancellation insurance cover?

Trip cancellation  insurance covers situations when you must cancel your trip before you leave for a covered reason (generally, the same covered reasons that apply to trip interruption coverage.) Trip cancellation benefits can refund the prepaid, nonrefundable costs of your trip, such as airfare, cruise tickets, tour bookings and hotel reservations. Plus, if you prepaid for shared accommodations, and your travel companion needs to cancel their trip for a covered reason, you can be reimbursed additional accommodation fees, which is huge if you’re taking a cruise.

Similar to trip interruption, the 72-hour notification rule applies here as well. So be sure to let your airline, tour operator, cruise line and others know about the trip cancellation in a timely fashion.

What else should you know when your trip doesn't go as planned?

It’s possible for a trip delay to turn into a trip interruption if you’ve lost more than half the total length of your trip scheduled trip length due to a covered travel delay. Let’s say you’re about to about to leave for a five-day Caribbean cruise, but a blizzard grounds your Miami-bound plane for two days. By the time you get to Florida, your ship is long gone, and you can’t find a flight to its next port of call. You may be able to make a trip interruption claim.

Just remember that when your trip is delayed or interrupted, you need to do everything you can to continue your scheduled plans. Try to catch up with your cruise ship or tour group (our hotline staff can help). Document your efforts. Keep your receipts. And as we’ve mentioned, notify all your travel providers and your insurer as soon as possible once you cancel your trip. Here are some  tips on how to use your trip delay benefit —and how you know it’s time to cancel the trip.

Always read your plan documents carefully so you understand your coverage, and call Allianz Global Assistance if you have any questions. Travelers covered by our insurance plans can access 24-hour assistance anytime via the Allyz ® TravelSmart app or by calling 1-800-654-1908 (from the U.S.) or 1-804-281-5700 (collect). Wishing you safe—and uninterrupted—travels!

Related Articles

• Tips For Dealing With a Trip Cancellation
• Travel Insurance for Cancelled Flights
• 5 Reasons Your Trip Cancellation Insurance Won't Cover You

Get a Quote

{{travelBanText}} {{travelBanDateFormatted}}.

{{annualTravelBanText}} {{travelBanDateFormatted}}.

If your trip involves multiple destinations, please enter the destination where you’ll be spending the most time. It is not required to list all destinations on your policy.

Age of Traveler

Ages: {{quote.travelers_ages}}

If you were referred by a travel agent, enter the ACCAM number provided by your agent.

Travel Dates

{{quote.travel_dates ? quote.travel_dates : "Departure - Return" | formatDates}}

Plan Start Date

{{quote.start_date ? quote.start_date : "Date"}}

Share this Page

• {{errorMsgSendSocialEmail}}

Your browser does not support iframes.

Popular Travel Insurance Plans

• Annual Travel Insurance
• Cruise Insurance
• Domestic Travel Insurance
• International Travel Insurance
• Rental Car Insurance

View all of our travel insurance products

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

Return To Log In

Your session has expired. We are redirecting you to our sign-in page.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Frugal Traveler

What to Do if Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled

It’s never fun. But there are things you can do to mitigate the pain.

By Lucas Peterson

As menacing clouds hung heavy over Lower Manhattan, I cruised toward the Holland Tunnel on my way to Newark Liberty International Airport. I refreshed the flight status for my United Airlines flight, and the airline’s app showed an on-time departure. Two minutes later, I refreshed it. A red bar suddenly appeared on my smartphone — the flight had gone from “on time” to “canceled.” A United rep confirmed by phone that my flight was, indeed, canceled , and I was rebooked on a 6 a.m. flight the following day. I apologized to my Lyft driver, who turned around and took me back to the hotel I’d left just 20 minutes earlier.

Cancellations and delays like that one can leave travelers feeling hapless and helpless. Weather and mechanical delays often leave passengers wondering what, if any, recourse they have. And while you’re typically at the mercy of the airline, there are a few tips for mitigating the pain.

The reason for the delay matters

Bad weather is not your friend, especially when it comes to delays and cancellations. While airlines may offer to pay for hotel and meals during an overnight delay when the reason is the airline’s fault — mechanical problems, for example — they typically will not do so when the reason is weather-related. Be prepared to fend for yourself. Use the airline’s app, call the customer service number or speak to a gate agent to figure out your options.

Know the rules, know your rights

Flight schedules are not guaranteed, and under U.S. law, airlines aren’t obliged to provide any compensation for delays or cancellations — even when it’s their fault. And it can get much worse than a weather delay: In a particularly odd scenario earlier this year, Sun Country airlines canceled its final seasonal flights from Mexico to the United States. It refunded fares and left stranded passengers to find their own way home.

There are exceptions to the no-compensation rule. If your U.S.-based carrier is flying in from Europe, you follow European Union rules , which are far more customer-friendly. That means that if your flight from, say, Dublin to New York is canceled or delayed for more than three hours, you could be entitled to a 600 euro ($700) payout from the airline.

The other exception is if you’re involuntarily denied boarding, otherwise known as getting “bumped” from a flight, which may result from airline overbooking. If this happens to you and the airline cannot arrange to get you to your destination within an hour of your original arrival time, it’s required to compensate you in cash, up to $1,350, depending on the length of the delay.

Two more important notes: When a gate agent asks for volunteers to take a later flight in exchange for a voucher and you accept, you will not be entitled to additional compensation. Another thing to keep in mind is that the number of involuntarily bumped passengers has plunged since Dr. David Dao was infamously removed from a United Airlines flight last year. Between January and March 2017 , 900 passengers were involuntarily denied boarding on United flights; this year during the same time period, only 27 people got bumped.

Check in 24 hours ahead of time

One exception to the bumped-passenger compensation rule is if you didn’t check into your flight on time (different carriers have different cutoffs). You should get into the habit of checking in the day before your flight. (You’ll typically get an email from the airline prompting you to do so.)

Download the app

When you get wind of a long delay or cancellation, your first move should be to speak with someone — either in person, at the gate or on the phone. But phone waits can be epic when bad weather strikes an entire geographic region, as can in-person lines. While it isn’t foolproof, it’s never a bad idea to download the app of the carrier you’re traveling with. You can check departure statuses and sometimes easily change itineraries within the app itself.

Certain credit cards offer protection

Some credit cards, like Chase Sapphire Reserve and the United Explorer Card, offer a trip-delay benefit for common carrier travel (this would exclude things like taxi, commuter rail, and rental vehicle travel) purchased through the card. The delay threshold, which is 12 hours for some cards and six for others, will provide reimbursement up to $500 for reasonable expenses incurred during a delay. This includes lodging, food, transportation and other necessities. It’s worth noting that some high-end travel cards, like American Express Platinum, do not offer this benefit.

If filing a claim, prepare for a slog

For my Newark cancellation, I filed a claim online through Chase Card Benefit Services (you can also begin your claim over the phone), which is administered by Allianz Global Assistance. You’ll need a considerable amount of information to collect on your claim, including proof of round-trip travel, your old itinerary, your new itinerary, credit card statements and receipts for expenses incurred. Keep itemized receipts for meals and don’t expect to be reimbursed for alcohol or gratuities. There’s no reason not to take yourself out to a nice meal, however: After my flight cancellation, I had a somewhat un-frugal late lunch at Balthazar that ran about $50 before tax and tip.

Sending credit card statements is an annoyance, as they sometimes won’t post for weeks after you’ve made a purchase. Some people put off filing a claim until their statements post and forget to follow through — which is exactly what insurance companies bank on. Don’t make that mistake: You can file your claim immediately, even if you don’t have all the supporting documents. You can submit them later, provided it’s in within the required time frame (in Chase’s case, 100 days).

You’ll need a statement from your common carrier stating the reason for the delay — again, not the most convenient thing to obtain. Write the airline’s customer service email address to request verification of why your flight was delayed or canceled. It may take one or two follow-up emails, but they should oblige.

Finally, persistence is the key with collecting on insurance claims. Photograph receipts and screenshot boarding passes. My claim, which was filed weeks ago with over a dozen attachments, still shows as “pending” in their system. I’ve called several times to follow up, and if I don’t hear back by the end of the week, I’ll call again.

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve

Think you deserve compensation for something? Ask for it. When a mechanical issue forced an overnight delay on a recent flight to Los Angeles, I went to the podium and requested hotel and food vouchers. I received a $109 hotel voucher as well as three $20 food vouchers, redeemable within the airport and at the Holiday Inn Express where I ended up staying. This wouldn’t have happened had I not spoken to a gate agent and asked. The point is: While you may get turned down, you should always (politely) ask for what you think you deserve.

Airline customer service is a stressful job, and the vast majority of employees do their best to get passengers where they need to go in a timely manner. So when it’s your turn at the desk, take a deep breath, smile and remember that the person you’re speaking to did not personally cause that maintenance issue — or thunderstorm.

Lucas Peterson is the Frugal Traveler columnist. He has written for GQ, Lucky Peach, Eater, LA Weekly and Food Republic. His video series for Eater, "Dining on a Dime," is now in its 11th season. More about Lucas Peterson

Luxury Travel, VIP Perks

• Top 10 London Luxury Hotel Offers 2024
• Relais & Chateaux Preferred Partner Benefits 2024
• Top 25 Hyatt Privé Luxury Hotel Offers, 2024
• DOT Compensation Rule: Airlines Must Refund Cancelled, Delayed Flights
• AMEX 30% Transfer Bonus to Virgin Atlantic, with Caveats

Chase Sapphire Reserve Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance Benefit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance Coverage , and it's one of the card's benefits that I'm asked about most. Since (thankfully) I haven't had occasion to file a claim, I called the 888-675-1461 number on the Guide to Benefits and also looked at Flyertalkers' experiences with getting reimbursed to put together the following FAQ.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Coverage

What is Covered for Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption?

The Sapphire Reserve's trip cancellation coverage kicks in if one of the following happens to you or an immediate family member (spouse or domestic partner, children including adopted children or step-children, siblings or siblings-in-law, parents or parents-in-law, grandparents or grandchildren, aunts or uncles, nieces or nephews):

• Accidental bodily injury, loss of life or sickness affecting you, a traveling companion, or immediate family member of you or a traveling companion
• Severe weather that prevents a reasonable and prudent person from beginning or continuing on a Covered Trip
• Change in military orders for you, your Spouse, or your Domestic Partner
• A terrorist incident or hijacking
• A call to jury dutyor receiving a subpoena from the courts, neither of which can be postponed or waived
• Your or your Traveling Companion's dwelling becomes uninhabitable
• Quarantine imposed by a Physician for health reasons
• Financial insolvency of the Travel Supplier, Tour Operator or Travel Agency you used to book the trip
• Common Carrier, Tour Operator or Travel Agency cancels or changes your trip arrangements UNLESS the cancellation is the result of severe weather or an organized strike affecting public transportation
• You or your Traveling Companion change your travel plans, or have a change in financial circumstances or in your business or contractual obligations, such as a job loss
• A health issue that is linked to any type of pre-existing condition for you, your Traveling Companion or your immediate family
• Any accident, bodily harm or loss caused by or resulting from an illegal act, participating in a speed contest or professional sporting activity for which money is received, rocket propelled flight, suicide or attempted suicide, declared or undeclared war, or when the U.S. has imposed trade or economic sanctions or other legal prohibition prohibiting insurance of any Accident, Accidental Bodily Injury or loss
• Traveling against the advice of a Physician
• Traveling while on a waiting list for a medical treatment or traveling in order to obtain medical treatment
• Traveling in the third trimester (7th month or later) of pregnancy
• Traveling with a Pre-Existing Condition
• Common Carrier caused delays UNLESS they are a result of an organized strike that affects public transportation
• Travel arrangements canceled or changed by a Common Carrier, travel agent or Tour Operator UNLESS the cancellation is the result of severe weather or an organized strike affecting public transportation
• Confirmation of the cancellation of Common Carrier tickets/reservations, including the non-refundable common carrier tickets and travel reservations
• Cancellation or refund policies of Common Carrier/Travel Supplier
• Copy of your credit card statement showing at least partial purchase of the Common Carrier ticket or travel arrangements with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, also showing your name and address
• Completed physician form (see below) if applicable
• Date of accident, injury or illness
• Please describe the nature of the patient's injuries or illness
• Was this a referral from another doctor? If yes, provide the date of referral
• Was the patient hospitalized? If yes, list the names and locations of all hospitals and all admission/discharge dates
• Was the patient recommended by you to curtail their trip/travel due to this condition? If yes, provide the travel restriction dates advised.
• Did this travel restriction affect any other family members or travel companions? If yes, why did family member/travel companion need to curtail their travel?
• Did the patient have any condition (including pregnancy) prior to trip booking that contributed to their present condition? If yes, please describe.
• For pregnancy, provide estimated date of conception.
• At what date did patient originally begin treatment with this previous condition?
• Was the patient's previous condition stable at least 60 days prior to booking the trip? Please describe

What Is an Actual Experience with a Trip Cancellation Claim?

Need  Award Booking  Help? Our fee is as low as $75 per ticket if you book your hotel through us.

If you enjoyed this, join 200,000+ readers: please  follow TravelSort on Twitter  or   like us on Facebook  to be alerted to new posts. 

Become a TravelSort Client  and Book Your Hotel with Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred VIP Amenities

Copyright © 2024 TravelSort

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.

More from CBS News

Southwest says it's pulling out of 4 airports. Here's where.

Amazon Ring customers getting $5.6 million in refunds, FTC says

TikTok could soon be sold. Here's how much it's worth.

China-U.S. ties "beginning to stabilize," but it won't be an easy road

Trip Cancellation Benefits

What is trip cancellation protection.

AXA Travel Protection trip cancellation coverage can offer reimbursement to travelers who are compelled to cancel their trips due to unforeseen events before their trip departure. This coverage extends to various scenarios, each covered under specific conditions.  

 Let's explore these situations and understand the invaluable protection they provide below:

Trip Cancellation Qualifications

1. Health-Related Cancellations: If you, as a traveler, experience sickness, accidental injury, or face a tragic event resulting in death or a certified physician deems it necessary to impose medical restrictions preventing your participation in the trip due to the reasons above, this coverage comes to your aid.  

 Crucially, a physician must advise trip cancellation on or before the scheduled departure date. 

2. Family and Travel Companion Health: This coverage also applies if a family member or traveling companion booked to join you on the trip falls ill, sustains accidental injuries, and requires necessary medical treatment, leading to the cancellation of your trip. 

3. Non-Traveling Family Member: In unfortunate circumstances where a non-traveling family member experiences sickness, accidental injury or death, this coverage can offer coverage. 

4. Host at Destination: If the host at your trip's destination passes away or is hospitalized within 30 days of your trip's date, this coverage can apply. 

5. Employment-Related Cancellations: Employment-related issues, such as termination or layoff from full-time employment after one year of continuous service through no fault during your trip, are covered. 

6. Employment Transfer: If your employment requires a transfer of 250 miles or more, and the transfer necessitates relocating your home, this coverage applies. 

7. Military Duty: If a previously approved military leave is revoked or a military reassignment during the trip, this coverage offers coverage. It excludes incidents related to war. 

8. Natural Disasters and Weather: Unforeseen weather conditions, leading to the complete cessation of services for at least 48 consecutive hours by your common carrier or a natural disaster at your destination rendering accommodations uninhabitable make you eligible for coverage. Notably, this coverage does not apply if the natural disaster has been forecasted or a storm has been named before purchasing the policy. 

9. Terrorism: A terrorist incident occurring in your departure city, or a city listed on your trip itinerary within 30 days before your scheduled departure date qualifies for coverage. It is important to note that benefits are not provided if the travel supplier offers a substitute itinerary. This excludes flight connections and other transportation arrangements to reach your destination. Your departure date must be at most 15 months beyond your effective date. Incidents on in-flight aircraft are not covered. 

10. Assault and Other Incidents: If you or your traveling companion are victims of felonious assault, experience hijacking, quarantine, jury duty, subpoena, or if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a natural disaster or burglary within ten days before your departure, this coverage applies. 

11. Traffic Accident: A direct involvement in a traffic accident en route to departure, substantiated by a police report provided to AXA, is a valid reason for trip cancellation coverage. 

12. Travel Supplier Default: The coverage extends to cases of bankruptcy or default of a travel supplier, leading to a cessation of travel services. Benefits will be paid due to bankruptcy or default of an airline only if no alternative transportation is available. If alternate transportation is available, benefits will be limited to the change fee charged to allow you to transfer to another airline to reach your intended destination. This benefit only applies if your scheduled departure date is no more than 15 months beyond your policy's effective date. 

13. Common Carrier Strike: In the event of a strike by the common carrier with whom you or your traveling companion are scheduled to travel, resulting in complete cessation of services for at least forty-eight (48) consecutive hours, this coverage comes into play. 

Exclusive to Platinum Policy Holders 

 1. Business Disruption: In cases where your or your traveling companion's company becomes unsuitable for business due to fire, flood, burglary, vandalism, or other natural disasters, and you are responsible for policy and decision-making within the company and are actively involved in disaster recovery, this coverage is here for support. 

2. Required Work: If you or your traveling companion are required to work during the trip, substantiated by a notarized statement from an officer of the employer, this benefit provides coverage. It is unavailable to independent contractors, temporary employees, self-employed individuals, or company owners or partners. 

3. Company Events: If your or your traveling companion's company is directly involved in a merger, acquisition, government-required product recall, bankruptcy or default proceedings, and you are an active employee directly involved in said event, you are eligible for coverage. 

Is Trip Cancellation coverage necessary?

Whether Trip Cancellation coverage is necessary depends on the individual circumstances and needs. Some people need to cancel their trip due to unexpected events such as sickness, work emergencies, or changes in personal plans. 

In general, having a Trip Cancellation is a personal decision that should be based on the traveler's specific needs and circumstances. It's a good idea to consider Trip Cancellation coverage, especially if the trip involves a significant investment of time and resources.

Get a free Travel Insurance quote today to ease your mind before and during your trip.

Do I need Trip Cancellation coverage?

Having Trip Cancellation coverage is a clever idea. It offers coverage and assistance for multiple reasons. All three of AXA’s travel plans include Trip Cancellation, maximum coverage per person up to:

Maximum Benefit: 100% of Insured Trip Cost Airline Reissue or Cancelation Fees: $100

Maximum Benefit: 100% of Insured Trip Cost Airline Reissue or Cancelation Fees: $100 Reinstate Frequent Traveler Awards: $200

Explore our Silver , Gold , and Platinum plans.

  why choose axa travel protection.

With a presence in over 30 countries worldwide, AXA provides assistance with a wide range of features that include:  •    Extensive knowledge of local health risks and medical facilities to respond swiftly in the event of a medical emergency •    24/7 global team of travel experts that offers assistance and assurance while traveling

Compare Travel Insurance Plans

Get covered against Trip Delays, Medical Emergencies, Lost Baggage, and more!

Trip Cancellation Insurance FAQs  

What types of vacations does trip cancellation apply to.

Trip Cancellation is applied to any vacation. Whether you are going on a cruise, tour destination, flight, domestic travel, or international travel, Trip Cancellation coverage is applied.

  When does Trip Cancellation Coverage begin?

Two things must occur before coverage can begin: Trip Cancellation Coverage begins when a specific travel package has been selected, and Trip Cancellation coverage begins on the day after the authorized representative receives the required premium for such coverage.

When does Trip Cancellation Coverage end?

Trip Cancellation Coverage will end if any of the following occurs: •    When you depart for your trip on the scheduled departure time on the scheduled departure date or •    The date and time you cancel your trip, or Two (2) days prior to the scheduled departure time on the scheduled departure date of your trip.  

How to get a Travel Protection Quote

Receive a  free quote  within minutes Or call us at  855-327-1441  to speak with our licensed Travel Insurance Advisors. Monday-Saturday, 8 AM-7 PM Central Time

Need Help Choosing a Plan?

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual Insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip. From Medical Coverage to Trip Cancellation protection, our team of travel experts will help you choose the right coverage.

Please update your browser.

We don't support this browser version anymore. Using an updated version will help protect your accounts and provide a better experience. 

Update your browser

We don't support this browser version anymore. Using an updated version will help protect your accounts and provide a better experience.

We’ve signed you out of your account.

You’ve successfully signed out

We’ve enhanced our platform for chase.com. For a better experience, download the Chase app for your iPhone or Android. Or, go to System Requirements from your laptop or desktop.

Credit Cards

Checking Accounts

Savings Accounts

Chase for Business

Commercial Banking

• ATM & branch
• Show Search

Travel Protection

Please turn on javascript in your browser.

It appears your web browser is not using JavaScript. Without it, some pages won't work properly. Please adjust the settings in your browser to make sure JavaScript is turned on.

• United Card Events from Chase
• Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
• Cardmember offers
• Manage your account

United℠ Explorer Card

United℠ Explorer Cardmembers enjoy built-in travel protection benefits that give you peace of mind while traveling near and far.

Baggage Delay Insurance

Reimburses you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over 6 hours by passenger carrier up to $100 a day for 3 days. 

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

If you or an immediate family member check or carry-on luggage that is damaged or lost by the carrier, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses made with your United Explorer Card, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares, if your trip is cancelled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations.

Travel Accident Insurance

When you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your United Explorer Card, you’re eligible to receive accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $500,000.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your United Explorer Card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.

For assistance with all United Explorer Card protection benefits, please call 1-888-880-5844 or 1-804-673-1691 . International charges may apply; please contact your service provider for additional details.

Chase Survey

Your feedback is important to us. Will you take a few moments to answer some quick questions?

You're now leaving Chase

Chase's website and/or mobile terms, privacy and security policies don't apply to the site or app you're about to visit. Please review its terms, privacy and security policies to see how they apply to you. Chase isn’t responsible for (and doesn't provide) any products, services or content at this third-party site or app, except for products and services that explicitly carry the Chase name.

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard

The U.S. Department of Transportation has created a dashboard to ensure the traveling public has easy access to information about services that U.S. airlines provide to mitigate passenger inconveniences when the cause of a cancellation or delay was due to circumstances within the airline’s control. A green check mark on the dashboard means an airline has committed to providing that service or amenity to its customers. A red “x” means the airline has not made that commitment. However, airlines with a red “x” may provide these services and amenities in some instances in their discretion.

Commitments for Controllable Cancellations

Commitments for controllable delays.

Please click this link for an alternative text version of the dashboard . 

These ten large U.S. airlines and their regional operating partners, which operate flights for them but do not sell tickets, account for approximately 96 percent of the domestic scheduled passenger air traffic.

Use the above dashboard to learn about the amenities that the U.S. airline that you are flying on has promised to provide should there be a controllable flight cancellation or delay. You can also use the dashboard to compare amenities that the airlines commit to provide in the event of a controllable flight cancellation or delay when deciding which airline to fly.

A controllable flight cancellation or delay is essentially a delay or cancellation caused by the airline. Examples include: maintenance or crew problems; cabin cleaning; baggage loading; and fueling.

Airlines are required to adhere to the promises that they make in their customer service plan, including commitments to care for customers in the event of controllable delays or cancellations. The Department will hold airlines accountable if they fail to do so.

Remember these commitments do not impact your entitlement to a refund. If an airline cancels a passenger’s flight or makes a significant change in the flight, regardless of the reason , airlines are required to provide a prompt refund to a ticketed passenger, including those with non-refundable tickets, should the passenger choose not to accept the alternative offered, such as rebooking on another flight. Learn more about your right to a refund . If you have a problem obtaining a refund that you believe that you are entitled to receive, you may file a complaint with the DOT . If you are an airline passenger with a disability looking for more information regarding your rights during air travel,  please follow this link to our disability webpage .

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I entitled to money or other compensation beyond a refund from an airline if my flight is significantly delayed or cancelled?

• Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed or cancelled passengers. If an airline has made a commitment to provide a particular service or compensation, then the Department can hold the airline accountable. The Airline Customer Service Dashboard provides a summary of the commitments made by U.S. airlines to mitigate passenger inconveniences for controllable delays and cancellations.
• If your flight is experiencing a long delay or is cancelled, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room or compensate you for your time. While some airlines offer these amenities to passengers, others may not provide amenities to stranded passengers. The Department has initiated a rulemaking that would require airlines to provide compensation and cover certain expenses such as meals and hotels when the airline causes the flight disruption.

When and how do I find out how long my flight will be delayed or cancelled?

• Airlines are required to provide passengers with information about a change in the status of the flight in various ways in a timely manner.
• If the flight is scheduled to depart within 7 days, airlines are required to provide status updates 30 minutes (or sooner) after the airline becomes aware of a status change. The flight status information must, at a minimum, be provided on the airline's website and by the airline's telephone reservation system. Also, the airline must update all flight status displays and other sources of flight information at U.S. airports that are under the airline's control within 30 minutes after the airline becomes aware of the problem.
• For travel itinerary changes involving passengers whose flights are scheduled more than a week in the future, notification should be provided to the passengers as soon as practical. A specific timeframe or method for providing that information has not been set forth in law.

Why are flights sometimes delayed for several hours or cancelled?

• While airlines want to get passengers to their destinations on time, problems like bad weather and mechanical issues can and sometimes do make it difficult for flights to arrive on time or result in flights being cancelled.
• When there are delays, it is sometimes difficult for an airline to estimate how long a delay will be during its early stages. When a flight delay unexpectedly becomes longer and longer, this is called a “creeping delay.” During “creeping delays,” unexpected developments can cause a delay to be longer than anticipated. For example, weather that was supposed to improve can instead become worse, or a mechanical problem can turn out to be more complex than the airline originally thought.

See below for detailed information about airline customer service commitment plans.

Airlines' Customer Service Plans

• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

• Travel Advice
• Travel Insurance FAQ

My travel insurance includes a benefit for "common carrier". What is this?

Last Updated: March 5, 2008 March 28, 2018

Many travel insurance policies include benefits for Common Carrier and/or Air Flight Accident AD&D. Common Carrier coverage pays in the event of death or dismemberment while you are traveling on ANY form of public transport. This differs from Air Flight Accident which provides coverage ONLY for the flight portion of your trip.

The Federal Register

The daily journal of the united states government, request access.

Due to aggressive automated scraping of FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov, programmatic access to these sites is limited to access to our extensive developer APIs.

If you are human user receiving this message, we can add your IP address to a set of IPs that can access FederalRegister.gov & eCFR.gov; complete the CAPTCHA (bot test) below and click "Request Access". This process will be necessary for each IP address you wish to access the site from, requests are valid for approximately one quarter (three months) after which the process may need to be repeated.

An official website of the United States government.

If you want to request a wider IP range, first request access for your current IP, and then use the "Site Feedback" button found in the lower left-hand side to make the request.

Business | Airlines now must pay automatic refunds for…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Investigative Reporting
• Environment

Business | Airlines now must pay automatic refunds for canceled flights

Complaints about airlines and ticket agents rejecting or delaying refunds made up 87% of all air-travel service complaints in 2020..

By Allyson Versprille | Bloomberg

Airlines will now have to provide automatic refunds to travelers if their flights are canceled or significantly altered under new US Department of Transportation rules.

The final regulations released Wednesday outline the circumstances where passengers are entitled to refunds for all travel to, from and within the US. The goal is to make it easier for people to get money back and to make refund policies more consistent from one airline to the next.

Also see:   JetBlue’s new checked bag fees now depend on the day

According to the department, complaints related to airlines and ticket agents rejecting or delaying refunds made up 87% of all air-travel service complaints at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

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

Under the new rule, passengers will be entitled to refunds if there is a “significant change” to their flights. These include:

• Departure or arrival time that moves by more than three hours domestically or six hours for international flights
• Being downgraded to a lower class than originally purchased, as from first class to economy
• Change of departure or arrival airport
• Increase in number of connections
• Changes to connecting airports or planes flown if they are less accommodating for people with disabilities

Travelers will also get refunds for checked bag fees if the bag is lost and not delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight’s gate arrival. International flights will have from 15 to 30 hours to return a lost bag, depending on their length.

More on airlines:   American raising bag fees, changing how customers earn frequent-flyer points

Anyone who pays for a service, such as in-flight Wi-Fi or entertainment, and doesn’t receive it will also get their money back.

In addition, DOT made changes to make it easier for the passengers to receive the money they’re owed by requiring prompt automatic refunds in cash or through the original form of payment. Buttigieg said during a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Wednesday that the bulk of the new requirements will go into effect in about six months.

The Airlines for America trade group said in a statement that its member carriers already abide by and often exceed regulation on consumer protection.

Also see:   Southwest reaches $140 million settlement for December 2022 flight-canceling meltdown

“US airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” the group said in a release.

Also on Wednesday, the department released a final rule requiring airlines to clearly communicate their extra fees upfront for checked luggage, carry-on bags or for canceling or changing reservations. According to DOT, airlines saw a 30% increase in revenue from baggage fees between 2018 and 2022.

“Airlines should compete with one another to secure passengers’ business — not to see who can charge the most in surprise fees,” Buttigieg said in a separate statement, adding that the rule will save travelers more than half a billion dollars a year.

Buttigieg told reporters at the news conference that more rules are on the way, including to expand rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and to allow parents to sit with their children on flights without being charged a fee.

DOT will also continue to pursue more aggressive enforcement when airlines violate rules, he said, pointing to the department’s $140 million record fine against Southwest Airlines Co. for a meltdown in its operations that left more than 2 million passengers stranded in December 2022.

• Newsroom Guidelines
• Report an Error

More in Business

Housing | Here are the common occupant mistakes made in real estate

Housing | Berkshire Hathaway to pay $250 million to settle real estate commission lawsuits

Business | US probe wants to know if Tesla Autopilot recall did enough to get drivers to pay attention

Business | Kaiser Permanente may have sent private patient data to Google, Microsoft and X

4 times your credit card's travel insurance can help with summer travel woes, and 7 times it won't

Travel is more unpredictable than ever this summer. I've been lucky that none of my summer trips so far have been incredibly affected by delays or cancellations. But, air travel is a total nightmare right now , and staffing is still an issue for many travel providers — so it's likely only a matter of time.

Other TPG staffers have recently experienced issues. For example, TPG's Sean Cudahy got caught in last week's travel mess , while TPG's Nick Ewen spent time in New Jersey instead of Greece due to weather-related delays.

If you've been reading TPG for a while, you may already know that some credit cards provide travel insurance when you use your card to book your flights (or pay the taxes and fees on award flights ). And you may even be using one of these cards to book your trips. But you may not know what is and isn't covered by these benefits when your travel doesn't go smoothly.

In this guide, I'll give a high-level overview of some scenarios where you can — and can't — expect your credit card's travel insurance benefits to assist.

Sign up for our daily newsletter for more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox.

Credit card travel insurance

We've written entire articles about credit cards that provide travel insurance . So, I recommend checking out the following stories to learn more about the travel insurance provided by top travel rewards cards :

• What your credit card's trip protection covers — and what it doesn't
• Flight delayed? Remember these 4 things if you want trip delay reimbursement from your credit card
• Flight delayed or canceled? Here are the best credit cards with trip delay reimbursement
• When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections

But, the protections provided by each card are different. So I recommend reading — or at least skimming — your card's guide to benefits before your next trip to familiarize yourself with those specifics. You can call the number on the back of your card for a physical copy or link if needed.

Cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express provide excellent travel protections. But, I believe the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides the best travel insurance overall.

In this guide, I'll discuss how the benefits offered to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders (see the Chase Sapphire Reserve guide to benefits here ) would help (or not) in several scenarios. If you generally pay for your travel with a different card, consider how the benefits on your card may differ.

Related: Travel is tricky right now — here are 7 mistakes to avoid on your next trip

4 times when your credit card's travel insurance can help

If your travel doesn't go smoothly this summer, benefits from your travel rewards credit card may offer reimbursement or other help. Here are four real-life scenarios where your credit card's travel insurance may come in handy.

Your flight is significantly delayed or canceled

First, the bad news: You'll need to work with your airline to get rebooked if your flight is canceled. And if your flight is significantly delayed, you'll need to either wait out the delay or work with your airline to get rebooked on a different flight.

But, the good news is that some cards offer trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your flight (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket). And this benefit can help as you wait for your delayed or rebooked flight.

For example, if you used the Chase Sapphire Reserve to book your original flight, Chase may reimburse you for "reasonable expenses incurred during the delay." In particular, you can get up to $500 per ticket when you're delayed for more than six hours or your delay forces you into an overnight stay. Chase says reasonable expenses include "meals, lodging, toiletries and medication."

But, you'll only be covered if you are delayed due to "equipment failure, inclement weather, strike [or] hijacking/skyjacking." So, if you're delayed due to the crew timing out during inclement weather, you'll be covered. But if the airline simply can't find any crew to operate your flight and doesn't provide you documentation stating the delay or cancellation is due to one of the aforementioned eligible reasons, you won't be covered.

Related: Chase paid for my $1,100-per-night hotel room thanks to built-in trip delay coverage

Your baggage is significantly delayed

Once again, let's discuss the bad news first: You must report your delayed baggage to the travel supplier. For example, if your checked baggage doesn't appear on the belt after your flight, you'll need to go to the airline's baggage office and fill out a report.

Usually, the airline will start trying to locate your baggage at this point. But often, the airline won't offer to reimburse you for any essentials you might need while you're separated from your baggage.

Luckily, some credit cards cover baggage delays . For example, if you used the Chase Sapphire Reserve to book your flight, Chase may reimburse you "for the emergency purchase of essential items, such as toiletries, clothing, and chargers for electronic devices (limit one per device)."

In particular, Chase may reimburse you up to $100 per day for up to five days. To qualify for this coverage, your baggage must be "delayed or misdirected" for at least six hours.

The items you purchase and include for reimbursement should be "essential." But, Chase excludes some items from reimbursement, including hearing aids, artificial teeth, prosthetic devices, tickets, jewelry, electronics and recreational equipment.

Related: What to do when your luggage is delayed or lost by an airline

You must cancel or interrupt a trip

First things first: No credit card offers " cancel for any reason " trip insurance as a complimentary benefit. But, if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for specific reasons, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders might be eligible for reimbursement of "nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses charged by a travel supplier" and "redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program administrator." And in the case of trip interruption, cardholders can be reimbursed change fees and costs to return a vehicle to their residence or the closest rental agency.

Many credit cards offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance . But, you'll only be eligible for reimbursement if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for specific reasons listed in the guide to benefits. For example, you may be eligible for reimbursement if you can't postpone or waive a call to jury duty or subpoena from the courts, and you prepaid for nonrefundable travel expenses with your Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Related: American Express adds new 'cancel for any reason' coverage option on flights

Your luggage is lost or damaged

Earlier, I discussed a scenario where your baggage is delayed. But, it's also possible that your luggage becomes lost, stolen or damaged. As with delayed baggage, you'll need to file a claim with the travel provider once you discover the issue.

Some travel providers will provide reimbursement to repair or replace your luggage. But, if the reimbursement isn't enough, you can also seek additional reimbursement via the baggage insurance offered by your credit card. If you booked your travel with your Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could get up to $3,000 per traveler per trip.

Related: The airline couldn't find my luggage — luckily I had Apple AirTags

7 times your credit card's travel insurance won't help

Of course, your credit card's travel insurance won't help you in every situation. Although you may still find relief through your travel provider or individual travel insurance , here are some real-world scenarios where you wouldn't be covered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel protections :

• You want to be on a different flight: Flight delays and cancellations are frustrating. But, you'll need to work with your airline to get on a different flight. None of the trip delay insurance offered by credit cards will let you buy a new flight and then reimburse it.
• Staffing issues lead the airline to delay or cancel your flight: According to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's guide to benefits, only delays to your trip that are caused by "equipment failure, inclement weather, strike [or] hijacking/skyjacking" are eligible for trip delay reimbursement. So, if the airline can't find crew for your flight due to its employees being sick, for example, you won't be covered.
• Your lodging canceled on you: It's frustrating to be walked from a hotel or have your lodging canceled on you. After all, you may face much higher prices if you need to book a new stay. But, except in specific cases covered by trip cancellation and interruption insurance — such as if your lodging at your trip's destination is "made uninhabitable" — your credit card benefits aren't going to help.
• Your common carrier or travel insurance policy already provides what you need: As an example, if you are delayed overnight and the airline provides you with hotel and meal vouchers, you can't claim reimbursement for these same expenses through your credit card's trip delay benefit . The Chase Sapphire Reserve's guide to benefits states the trip delay benefit "applies to reasonable expenses incurred during your delay not otherwise covered by your common carrier, another party or your primary personal insurance policy."
• Your delay caused you to miss things you already paid for: Trip delays may cause you to miss shows, activities, separately booked flights, hotel nights and more. But, the Chase Sapphire Reserve's trip delay benefit is only for reasonable expenses you incur during your delay. As such, any prepaid trip expenses won't be covered.
• You have to cancel or interrupt your trip for a noncovered reason: As discussed above, the trip cancellation and interruption insurance offered by credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve only covers you if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for select reasons. So, if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for other reasons, your credit card's travel insurance won't help. For example, you wouldn't be covered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve's insurance if you didn't obtain a necessary visa or your airline became financially insolvent.
• You left an item or bag behind on the train, airplane or boat: Although some Amex cards include recently purchased items you lose under purchase protection insurance , most travel insurance offered by credit cards won't reimburse you for items you inadvertently left behind.

Travel insurance benefits vary from card to card, though. And, only select family members may be covered along with you for some benefits. So take a look at your card's guide to benefits or call the number on the back of your credit card to learn whether your specific scenario will be covered.

Related: 8 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Of course, this article assumes you used a credit card with travel insurance to pay for your trip, and the exact protections vary from card to card. But hopefully, this guide gave you an idea of the types of help you may get from your credit card's travel insurance if things go wrong with a trip this summer or beyond.

Finally, some premium travel cards offer an additional perk that may help if you face troubles this summer: lounge access . It can be much more relaxing to wait out a delay in the comfort of a lounge. Plus, you may gain access to agents that can help you rebook or handle complicated bookings if you have access to your airline's lounge.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply