16 European airlines agree to faster passenger refunds for canceled flights
You might be eligible for a faster refund if you had a flight canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After talks with the European Commission and Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC), a group of 16 European airlines finally agreed to clear their refund backlogs and only issue flight vouchers when passengers choose them over a cash refund. According to the Commission, many of these airlines' refund backlogs are now cleared and that those due a refund will now be paid within 7 days, per EU law.
Airlines involved with the talks include Aegean Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, EasyJet, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair, TAP Portugal, Vueling and Wizz Air.
The airlines also agreed to better inform travelers when they cancel flights. The Commission notes that airlines now have to more clearly distinguish flights canceled by the passenger and flights canceled by the airline. In the case of flights canceled by the airline, airlines must offer rerouting or a refund in cash and can offer a voucher option if they'd like.
Another interesting thing from the report: European passengers who book flights through an "intermediary" can now request refunds directly from the airline if they have trouble obtaining a refund from the intermediary. This should make getting refunded a lot easier when booking through an Online Travel Agency (OTA).
According to the Commission, this is the largest CPC action in the organization's history.
Related: How long does it take for airlines to refund miles and taxes?
Will this make it easier for me to get a refund for a canceled flight?
It depends on where you're flying to/from, and the airline you're flying to your destination.
European Union Regulation (EC) 261/2004 on air passenger rights largely dictates when a traveler is subject to a refund or other compensation due to a flight cancellation or other mishap. This applies to nearly all intra-Europe flights regardless of carrier, and select flights to/from Europe.
Specifically, it covers flights starting in the EU or a flight operated by an EU carrier and all flights departing Europe, regardless of the carrier. An EU carrier is an airline headquartered in the EU. So, if you're booked on an Air France flight from the U.S. to Europe and your flight is canceled, you should be eligible for a timely cash refund under these regulations. But if your flight is operated by United, you're subject to U.S. regulations.
If you're still awaiting a refund from an EU airline, it's worth reaching out again and asking for a cash refund. Nowdays, it should come quickly after this CPC action.
Related: Airline coronavirus change and cancellation policies: A complete list of major carriers
Bottom line
This news is great for travelers waiting for refunds for canceled European flights during the coronavirus pandemic.
Early in the pandemic, airlines canceled thousands of flights due to low demand and ongoing border closures. This left many travelers with flight vouchers instead of cash refunds, effectively locking up customer funds until travel reopened.
I'd like to see stricter regulations be put into place here in the States. While airlines are required to refund passengers when the airline cancels flight, it's often a long process that could lead to it taking months to get your money back. Requiring refunds to be processed within 7 days puts pressure on the airlines to actually follow through with refunds without dragging out the process.
Plus, these regulations can be good for the airlines too. When a customer knows they are eligible for a cash refund in case of a flight cancellation, they may be more likely to book airfare during these uncertain travel times.
Feature photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images
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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. |
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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.