3 On Your Side: New Federal Rules In Store Concerning Lost Luggage
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Between higher fees and frequent delays, if you ask most people, they'll tell you flying isn't what it used to be.
Now some changes are coming next month that are supposed to protect us.
Awaiting your luggage can lead to anxious moments, especially if your bags have ever gone missing. Travelers shelled out $3.5 billion dollars to check luggage last year alone, a price some feel should come with peace of mind. But currently, those fees don't provide any guarantees.
Right now, if an airline loses your luggage, they're not obligated to refund those bag check fees, but starting next month that will change when new federal regulations take effect.
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"The DOT has come up with new rules that say, basically, if your bag is lost and you have paid a baggage fee, the airline has to reimburse you," said Anne Banas with SmarterTravel.com.
Though you're not likely to get cash compensation.
"Most airlines will do this in the form of a voucher, or a you know, a coupon kind of thing which might have black out dates and applies for future travel," said Banas.
And if your baggage is just delayed, you're not entitled to anything.
Under these new regulations, the airlines will be required to post all potential fees on their websites, everything from luggage and meals to cancellation fees.
The new rules will also limit the amount of time a flight can sit on a tarmac and raise the compensation for passengers who are bumped from oversold flights.
Reported by Jim Donovan, CBS3
