Update: DoT has issued an enforcement notice that airlines must provide a refund.
JetBlue has made a huge change to its schedule change policy. Previously you were eligible for a full cash refund if your schedule was changed by more than two hours. For flights departing on or before May 31st the schedule change needs to be more than 24 hours and 1 minute otherwise no refund will be given, this new policy is in effect until April 15th.
If this seems familiar it’s because it is, United made this exact same change. Quickly followed by four more changes on advice from their legal team that it wouldn’t hold up:
- On March 8th United made it so that a schedule change of 25 hours was required for a refund. Previously 2 hours was required. United also decided it was a good idea to apply this to existing tickets
- United then said that schedule changes of 2-25 hours would result in a travel credit
- United then said it would be determining who was eligible for a refund on a ‘case by case basis’.
- United then said that flights changed by more than 6 hours would receive a credit and flights changed by 2 – 6 hours would receive a travel credit
- United Changes Schedule Change Policy For The 5th Time (Keeping Your Money For 1 Year)
If this new policy from jetBlue affects you I’d recommend doing the following:
- Asking them to honor the original terms listed
- File a complaint with the DoT
- File a chargeback with your credit card issuer
It’s extremely disappointing to see jetBlue following United’s lead here, especially when relief for airlines is already being funded by tax payers. Forget extra conditions on receiving those bailouts, at this stage I’d settle for them being forced to follow existing laws.
Hat tip to @scottsflights via OMaaT
