United sued by passenger for refusing to refund fare

United was sued by a passenger for refusing to issue refunds for canceled flights, three days after US regulators ordered airlines to reimburse customers. The passenger, Jacob Rudolph, filed the suit in federal court in Chicago on Monday, saying he was denied a refund request for three plane tickets he purchased in January to travel to Minneapolis/St. Paul from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on April 4. “United has engaged in unfair and deceptive conduct through its policy to issue refunds, limiting and forcing customers into a rebooked flight or travel voucher instead of returning their money,” Rudolph said in his suit, which seeks class-action status. Airline passengers throughout the US are increasingly taking to social media to air their frustration at not being able to get refunds for trips cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. The US DoT on Friday reminded carriers that they are required to reimburse fliers for fares and fees. Rudolph said he was denied a refund for the more than $1,500 he spent on the tickets and told he could rebook the flights or receive a credit for travel within a year of the original travel date. United spokeswoman Leslie Scott declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying the company hadn’t been served yet. <br/>