How much will be deducted for ticket refund? Full analysis of the latest refund rules
Recently, as the summer travel season ends and the National Day holiday approaches, the issue of ticket refunds and changes has once again become a hot topic. Many consumers complained on social media about airlines' high refund fees and opaque rules. This article will combine the hot discussions on the Internet in the past 10 days to sort out the latest refund policies of major airlines.
1. Comparison of refund rates of mainstream airlines in September 2023
| airline | Refund fee for full-price economy class tickets | Refund fee for economy class discount tickets (50% off) | First class refund fee | Special offer ticket refund and change rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | Before departure: 5% | Before departure: 30% | Free return | No refund |
| China Eastern Airlines | Before departure: 10% | Before departure: 40% | Free return | Tax refund only |
| China Southern Airlines | Before departure: 8% | Before departure: 35% | Free return | No refund |
| Hainan Airlines | Before departure: 15% | Before departure: 50% | 5% handling fee | Charge 90% |
2. Recent hot ticket refund dispute cases
1."A 1,000-yuan ticket refund will only result in a 100-yuan refund" incident: A passenger purchased a discounted ticket on a third-party platform and applied for a refund due to a change in itinerary. The 1,200 yuan ticket was only refunded with a total of 100 yuan for the airport construction fee and fuel surcharge, which triggered a heated discussion on the Internet.
2.Flight delay and refund disputes: On September 5, heavy rains in Chengdu caused many flight delays. Some passengers reported that the airline refused to refund the ticket in full and only provided ticket change services. The related topic has been read more than 5 million times.
3. Key points of the latest changes in refund rules
| Adjustment items | old rules | new regulations | Effective date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy class refund time division | 2 hours before departure | 24 hours before departure | 2023.8.1 |
| Special cancellation policy during the epidemic | Provide free returns and changes | Completely canceled | 2023.3.1 |
| Children's ticket refund and change rules | Same standard as adults | Enjoy a higher refund rate | 2023.6.1 |
4. Consumers’ strategies to save money by refunding tickets
1.Pay attention to Airline Membership Day: There are often refund and change discounts on fixed dates of each month (such as the 28th for China Southern Airlines and the 8th for China Eastern Airlines), with up to 50% reduction in refund fees.
2.Purchase refund insurance: Refund insurance of RMB 20-50 can cover 80% of refund losses, and is especially suitable for travelers who are unsure of their itinerary.
3.Make good use of the "delayed refund" rule: If your flight is delayed for more than 4 hours, you can apply for a full refund. There have been many delays due to weather conditions recently, so please pay more attention.
4.Contact the airline directly: Compared with third-party platforms, airline official channels often provide more flexible refund and change solutions.
5. Expert advice
Wang Ming, director of the Civil Aviation Consumer Affairs Center, said: "Consumers should pay special attention to the terms on the ticket when purchasing tickets. Special-price tickets have many restrictions on refunds and changes. It is recommended that passengers with uncertain itineraries purchase full-price tickets or discounted tickets that can be refunded and changed. If you encounter disputes, you can call 12326 civil aviation service quality supervision hotline to complain."
Legal experts remind that according to the "Regulations on the Administration of Domestic Transport Services for Civil Aviation Passengers", airlines should publish the fee standards for cancellations and changes in a prominent position on their official websites. If the actual fees are found to be inconsistent with the publicity, consumers have the right to request a refund of the difference.
As the National Day holiday approaches, it is expected that the number of inquiries about ticket cancellations and changes will increase significantly. Passengers are advised to plan their itinerary in advance, read the cancellation and change rules carefully, and purchase refundable and changeable air tickets if necessary to avoid unnecessary losses.
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