Udall, Heinrich Join Legislation Requiring Airlines Return Billions to Consumers During Coronavirus Pandemic
Press Release
Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined legislation that would require major airlines and third-party ticket sellers to offer full cash refunds for all cancelled tickets during the coronavirus pandemic. The Cash Refunds for Coronavirus Cancellations Act of 2020, which was introduced by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), would require refunds be provided regardless of whether the airline cancelled an entire flight or the passenger cancelled their individual ticket.
When travelers proactively cancel their tickets to protect their own health and public health, the airline industry only provides vouchers, not cash. And even though airlines are required under federal law to offer cash when they cancel an entire flight, most airlines only offer to rebook passengers or provide a voucher as the default option instead, forcing customers to jump through hoops to actually get their money back.
A recent investigation further revealed that the airline industry could be holding onto over $10 billion of hard-earned money from American travelers.
"This bill is simple common sense. At a time when Americans need cash to pay for food, housing, and medical care, consumers should be able to receive cash refunds for travel arrangements that were made before they knew the full impact that the COVID-19 pandemic would have on not just travel plans, but also on their family's health and livelihood," said Udall. "When billions of dollars of taxpayer money was spent to help airlines stay afloat, the least airlines can do is give struggling New Mexicans and Americans their money back for cancelled trips."
"I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to uphold consumer protections and ensure that travelers receive a full cash refund for cancelled airline tickets during the coronavirus pandemic," said Heinrich. "I will keep fighting to put these dollars back in the pockets of hard-working New Mexicans and minimize financial uncertainties during what has become the greatest public health crisis of our generation."
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