VA flight - US 24-hr cancellation policy ?
Jul 18, 2016, 4:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX|AKL|AMS|GVA|AGP|CPT - or somewhere in between
Programs: DL DM; 2MM
Posts: 2,418
VA flight - US 24-hr cancellation policy ?
Can anyone confirm that a US resident purchasing a VA flight in the USA - when originating in Australia (or anywhere else outside the US) - is NOT eligible for the 24-hr-cancel/refund policy ?
Jul 18, 2016, 11:49 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,992
VA don't have a 24 hours policy.
They have a "Same-Day" cancellation policy.
This is hinted at here: Void, Cancellation and Refund Policy - MARCH 2016
HOWEVER, they cannot avoid DOT regulation with their USA flights and the 24Hour rule does apply to bookings for travel to and from the USA only. (http://www.transportation.gov/sites/...al20130530.pdf)
They have a "Same-Day" cancellation policy.
This is hinted at here: Void, Cancellation and Refund Policy - MARCH 2016
HOWEVER, they cannot avoid DOT regulation with their USA flights and the 24Hour rule does apply to bookings for travel to and from the USA only. (http://www.transportation.gov/sites/...al20130530.pdf)
Originally Posted by DOT
This notice provides guidance to U.S. and foreign air carriers regarding compliance with the customer service rule that requires carriers to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be cancelled within 24 hours without penalty (the "24-hour reservation requirement"). The 24-hour reservation requirement is mandated by the Department of Transportation’s consumer rule "Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections" (14 CFR 259.5(b)(4), 76 Fed. Reg. 23110, 23166, Apr. 25, 2011) and applies to all reservations made seven days or more prior to the flight’s scheduled departure time.1 To comply with the regulation, carriers may not deceive consumers about the 24-hour reservation requirement when consumers inquire about cancelling or changing a reservation within 24 hours of making or paying for that reservation. This guidance also clarifies that the Department’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) considers the failure to notify such consumers of the 24-hour reservation requirement to be unfair and deceptive in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 41712. It also considers the failure to offer a passenger a full refund in the original form of payment in the event of a cancellation request covered by the 24-hour reservation requirement to be an unfair and deceptive practice.
Last edited by serfty; Jul 19, 2016 at 12:07 am
Jul 19, 2016, 9:46 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX|AKL|AMS|GVA|AGP|CPT - or somewhere in between
Programs: DL DM; 2MM
Posts: 2,418
VA don't have a 24 hours policy.
They have a "Same-Day" cancellation policy.
This is hinted at here: Void, Cancellation and Refund Policy - MARCH 2016
They have a "Same-Day" cancellation policy.
This is hinted at here: Void, Cancellation and Refund Policy - MARCH 2016
Last edited by Travelomania; Jul 19, 2016 at 8:14 pm
Jul 20, 2016, 3:16 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,992
But if there are any flights to/from/within the USA as part of the booking then the DOT rule does apply.
Last edited by serfty; Jul 20, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Aug 25, 2016, 12:19 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
It depends. If the passenger books a VA fare through a website or phone center targeted to US consumers then regardless of if any flights touch the US, DOT rule applies.
Thus if booked on say the US version of an airlines website the 24hr rule applies. If booked through a call center in the US again it applies. However if you book through the AU version then unless a flight to/from the US is included it doesn't apply.
Of course regardless of above, if any flights purchased in the reservation are to/from the US then the rule applies.
Thus if booked on say the US version of an airlines website the 24hr rule applies. If booked through a call center in the US again it applies. However if you book through the AU version then unless a flight to/from the US is included it doesn't apply.
Of course regardless of above, if any flights purchased in the reservation are to/from the US then the rule applies.
Last edited by flyerCO; Aug 27, 2016 at 12:47 am