Holiday travel problems with Southwest? Here’s how to get your money back

Have your major holiday travel plans been canceled, delayed or disrupted this year due to Southwest Operations Crisis? If so, you’re not alone.

Friday marked the first day since Christmas that Southwest Airlines did not have a double-digit cancellation rate, a number that CEO Bob Jordan attributed to an “unprecedented storm for all.” airlines” during a financial crisis. interview with “Good Morning America.” More than 15,000 Southwest flights have been canceled, leaving thousands of travelers reeling during the busiest travel season of the year.

Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg, however, said in a tweet that cancellations in the Southwest are “not weather related” and so the company has to cover not only the cost of the airfare but also the meals, transportation and hotel if you are stranded far from home.

Southwest has pledged to reimburse its customers for canceled flights, as well as costs such as car rentals, hotels, and airfares booked through other airlines. The executive said other costs would be handled on a case-by-case basis.

If you are one of the thousands of people stuck, here’s how you can get your money back.

According to the Southwest website, “In the event that your flight is canceled or significantly delayed during travel between December 24, 2022 and January 2, 2023, you may request a refund of your unused fare. their use of the original form of payment.” To get started, you will have to fill out an online form with your name and booking confirmation number.

You will receive your refund immediately.

“By law, Southwest is required to provide an immediate refund when it cancels a passenger’s flight or makes a substantial change to the flight, regardless of the reason, unless the passenger accepts the rebooking,” Buttigieg said in a statement. a letter sent to Southwest earlier this week. “This means Southwest must issue a refund within seven business days if a passenger pays by credit card and within 20 days if a passenger pays by cash, check or other means.”

You can also fill in a distinct form if you are separated from your luggage or other belongings while traveling.

Southwest said it will honor “reasonable requests for refunds for meals, hotels, and alternative transportation (such as rental cars or tickets from other airlines)” that arise. due to cancellation, according to their website. For that, you will have to email the Southwest helpline directly with your request and attach copies of your expenses for review.

Then: Sit still. Southwest says it is experiencing a backlog of complaints and, unfortunately, it can take a while for all issues to be resolved.

Related: What you can ask for from the airline after a flight delay or cancellation

If you are still waiting beyond the designated time frame, Buttigieg advises travelers File a consumer complaint with the Department of Transportation. DOT requires airlines to acknowledge a consumer complaint within 30 days of receipt and send consumers a written response within 60 days.

Some credit cards also offer travel insurance protection like flight late, baggage delay, Trip cancellation and trip interruption only for these types of situations.

If you’re having trouble getting reimbursement for your expenses from Southwest, check that the credit card you used to book your flight offers any travel insurance, and be sure to check the list. our books about the Best credit cards with travel insurance to help reduce future disasters.