As airline fares rise, so do refunds for getting bumped

Ninette Sosa, CNN

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 17, 2008 at 1:04 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 17, 2008 at 1:04 PM EST

(CNN) — Flying the friendly skies is more expensive than ever. But the refund for getting bumped off your flight is higher, too.

If you get bumped from your flight, you could pocket some big bucks.

Under new rules being mandated by the Department of Transportation, domestic passengers who involuntarily have to give up their seat would get up to $400 from their airline if they are rescheduled to reach their destination within two hours of their original time. If the delay is longer, the payment could climb as high as $800.

Ticket prices will determine how much a bumped passenger gets. The changes also benefit international fliers. The Transportation Department says the new rules go into effect next month.

If you fly on United ticket prices just went up. The carrier says it has raised its domestic fuel surcharge from $10 to $20 on round trip tickets. United says it made the move to offset rising fuel costs.

And another airline is adding new fees. U.S. Airways will charge extra for an aisle or window seat. Passengers will have to pay $5 per flight for those seats in the first several rows. The new fee starts in May.

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