US: Congress introduces new bill requiring cash refunds from airlines — regardless of who cancels the trip

In response to the growing number of consumer complaints to the US DoT over flight refunds in light of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of Democratic senators have signed on to a bill that would require major airlines and third-party ticket sellers to offer full cash refunds for all cancelled tickets ⁠ — regardless of whether the airline canceled the overall flight or the passenger canceled their individual ticket. The Cash Refunds for Coronavirus Cancellations Act would allow airlines to pay for the refunds using emergency money made available by Congress as long as the money designated for employee benefits and payroll by the Cares Act remains untouched. “Americans need cash in their pockets to pay for food, housing, and prescriptions, not temporary credits toward future travel,” Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) said in the bill announcement. “In light of this pressing need, and an unprecedented multi-billion dollar bailout, it’s absolutely unconscionable that the airlines won’t give consumers their money back.”<br/>