Airlines Soon May Be Forced to Refund Baggage Fees for Lost Luggage

By Linda Ripoll

With the rising cost of airline fees already hitting American travelers’ pockets pretty hard, there is a new push for airlines to start refunding baggage fees when travelers’ luggage doesn’t arrive on time as promised. Currently, there are no laws in place that force airlines to pay refunds to travelers who lose their luggage or have to wait for their luggage to arrive. According to a recent article on AJC.com, US Senator of New York, Democrat Charles Schumer wants airlines to take responsibility for lost luggage:

“The Democrat says that under a new rule airlines would only have to reimburse their baggage fees if the luggage is lost forever. That rule is scheduled to take effect in August. The fees range from $25 to $100. Schumer tells The Associated Press that airlines should voluntarily refund the fees upon request to passengers when their checked bags don't arrive when they do.”
 

Airlines have consistently raised fees on baggage and other amenities with the airlines making over $3.4 billion a year in fees alone. Hopefully this new action will cause airlines to give back to the customer especially when they haven’t delivered the service he/she initially paid for.