Thursday, June 13, 2024 Travel Tech pushes for rapid airline refunds, urging the DOT to enforce new rules after recent legislation to enhance traveler rights. Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) dispatched a letter to Secretary Pete Buttigieg, urging the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) to initiate the rulemaking procedure mandated by the recently enacted Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. This act, which Congress approved and President Joe Biden ratified, requires airlines to swiftly reimburse ticket agents. “Ticket agents’ core purpose is to serve consumers and act on their behalf in merchant-of-record situations,” said Laura Chadwick, Travel Tech President & CEO.
“When refunds are required, consumers are due back their money from airlines and no one else. We are thankful Congress has directed DOT to take up this new rulemaking to protect consumers and ticket agents alike.” On April 26, 2024, the DOT released its final rule on Refunds and Other Consumer Protections but opted not to mandate immediate refunds from airlines to consumers when ticket agents are recorded as the merchant.
This decision results in a scenario where ticket agents are compelled to refund consumers even though they haven’t yet retrieved the funds from the airlines. In response, influenced by Travel Tech’s advocacy, a specific directive was included in the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. This directive i.
