If you're traveling by air this holiday season, you know delays are common. With more people traveling, there's a higher likelihood of something getting lost or switched with someone else's stuff.
But do you know your rights as a traveler? The U.S. Public Interest Research Group put together a few infographics to explain.
1) When booking tickets, many airlines will hold tickets for 24 hours without payment. They may also let you cancel your reservation and get a refund in that 24-hour time frame, so you can search for and get the best deal.
2) Major airlines are required to provide their on-time performance on their website. You can take that information into consideration when booking your flight.
But there are also rules for when you're at the airport.
1) If your flight is delayed more than 30 minutes, airlines must give your regular updates. If you're delayed on the tarmac, airlines have to provide medical attention and working bathrooms the entire time. After two hours, you must have food and water.
And three is the magic number because after three hours, you must be in the air or back in the airport or the airline faces fines.
2) What about changing flights? You can take an airline's offer, but remember any offer is first come, first serve. If you're involuntarily bumped, airlines must give you a list of your rights and compensate you according to how long your flight will be delayed.
3) Did you know that if you're involuntarily bumped from a flight, you're owed money? But only if the delay is more than an hour.
If the new flight is one to two hours later domestically, you're owed 200-percent of the one way fare. You're owed that same 200 percent if your international flight is delayed one to four hours. The refund amount increases to 400 percent of your one way fare.
But that's for a domestic flight over two hours or an international flight over four hours after your original flight.
As with anything, policies can vary by airline and there may be exclusions. But these are guidelines that can save you time and headaches on your travels.
LOST LUGGAGE RIGHTS:
Under the law, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group says you have more rights than you might think.
If your luggage is delayed overnight, airlines are required to reimburse you for reasonable expenses. That includes toiletries, like tooth paste or shampoo, or even a change of clothes.
Worst case scenario, your bags are lost. If that's the case, airlines must refund any checked baggage fees you paid, and also has to pay you back for the lost items. The airline has to cover up to $3,400 worth of lost property.
