DOT proposes sweeping rules for how airlines handle passengers' wheelchairs
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed new rules Thursday surrounding how airlines transport wheelchairs and accommodate passengers who rely on them.
The proposed rules, which the DOT characterized as "the largest expansion of rights for airline passengers who use wheelchairs since 2008," would sharply penalize airlines for mishandling passengers' wheelchairs while imposing new training and operating standards for carriers.
"The basic promise of transportation is the idea that everyone should be able to travel safely and freely to the places that they need to be," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Wednesday during a conference call with media ahead of the announcement. "If a person is not able to travel, simply because someone else decides that it's too hard to accommodate them, the world shrinks."
"Despite real progress, transportation is still inaccessible for far too many people," Buttigieg added.
The proposed rule would consider any mishandling of a wheelchair by an airline as a violation of the Air Carrier Access Act, which prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers because of a disability. Buttigieg said the violation would entail a fine potentially over $120,000 per incident.
Along with requiring airlines to repair or replace damaged wheelchairs and provide adequate loaners during delays — enhancing existing regulations — the new rule would mandate new annual training for airline employees and contractors who typically assist passengers or handle wheelchairs.
While most wheelchairs arrive at their destination safely — in 2022, the last full year for which data are available, 741,582 wheelchairs were carried by the 10 biggest airlines, while 11,389, or 1.5 percent, were damaged, lost or significantly delayed — any mishandling can have severe consequences for passengers, particularly those who use customized or more advanced wheelchairs.
In late 2021, Engracia Figueroa, 51, a disability advocate, died several months after a United Airlines flight on which airline workers accidentally damaged her $30,000 custom wheelchair. While sitting in a loaner wheelchair at the airport — a broken manual wheelchair — she allegedly developed a pressure sore, which her family argues led to complications that ultimately resulted in her hospitalization and death.
United has since added several new features aimed at improving the travel experience for wheelchair users, and the DOT has proposed several rules surrounding wheelchair accommodation.
Still, it remains an ongoing problem. While data for 2023 are still being compiled, more than 11,000 wheelchairs were mishandled in the year, according to a senior Biden administration official.
The proposed new rule is open for public comment for 60 days, and could be revised based on feedback before being submitted for additional comment. There is no set timeline for the final rule's implementation, and many proposed rules are never fully adopted, meaning that the new rules surrounding wheelchair transport may not actually come to fruition.
Buttigieg, however, said that he respects the rulemaking process but is eager to see action taken on this proposal — and suggested that he's optimistic.
"Input during the comment period will be important to getting this proposed rule right, and getting it over the finish line," Buttigieg said. "It's an important part of how we change the way that airlines operate and change the way that travelers with disabilities can move around the country and around the world."
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.