New Consumer Protections Could Save You Hundreds on Your Next Flight

Learn how new consumer protections can help you get refunds, rebook faster, and stress less when you fly.

What protections do you have if your flight is delayed, canceled, or your bag goes missing? How do you know if your airline will rebook you or leave you stranded? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dive into a new report revealing which airlines get the most complaints and why more travelers are speaking up. But first, they unpack the latest travel news, including World of Hyatt’s new boutique hotel additions, American Express and American Airlines debuting grab-and-go lounge concepts, and Bilt Rewards launching a luxury hotel booking platform.

Then, Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, joins Meghan and Sally to discuss new federal rules that give flyers stronger rights, clearer refund standards, and better support when things go wrong. They unpack the biggest traveler protections in decades, including automatic cash refunds for delays, a legal definition of “significant delay,” mandatory 24/7 customer support, and which airlines will rebook you with a competitor. To wrap the episode, Meghan and Sally answer a listener’s question about the Disney Dining Plan, including how to decide when it’s worth the cost, how to maximize snack credits, and which deal could let kids eat free in 2026.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

• Citi AAdvantage Executive Review: Your Key to the Club https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi-aadvantage-executive 

• Bilt Credit Card Review: Charge Rent and Earn Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/bilt-credit-card 

• The Platinum Card® from American Express

https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum 

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Guide to World of Hyatt Brands https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/the-guide-to-world-of-hyatt-brands 

• The Guide to Disney Dining Plans https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/guide-disney-dining-plan 

• Hacking The Disney Dining Plan: Deal Hunter Saved $200 On Disney Food https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/hack-disney-dining-plan 

• Disney World Free Dining Plan Offer for 2026 is Shockingly Good https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/disney-dining-plan-2026 

Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.  

In this episode, the Nerds discuss: flight refund rules, flight cancellation compensation, new airline passenger protections 2024, DOT flight rights, how to get a refund for delayed baggage, how to avoid third-party booking scams, airline complaint statistics 2024, Disney Dining Plan review, Disney Dining Plan tips, how to save money on food at Disney World, Disney kids eat free deal, air travel consumer rights, best airline for fewest complaints, rebooking after flight cancellation, airport lounge grab and go, Bilt Rewards hotel booking, Admirals Club Provisions lounge, travel credit card perks 2024, how to avoid being bumped from a flight, flight rights dashboard, how to file an airline complaint, refund for delayed luggage, tips for using travel points on hotels, Disney World 2026 deals, passenger protections for wheelchair users, and overbooked flight compensation.

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