Bills · S 5446
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 5446
Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act
The bill would set cash-refund rights, deadlines, and notice requirements for certain canceled, significantly delayed, or changed flights and for some passenger cancellations.AI-written
INTRO SEP 22· LAST ACTION SEP 22
PASSAGE CHANCESLONG SHOT
2%
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
tl;dr
AI-writtenCanceled or substantially changed flight? Eligible passengers could choose cash back, not just a voucher. The bill also creates refunds for some passengers who cancel at least 48 hours before departure.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThe bill would make cash, rather than travel credit, an available option when eligible passengers do not take a canceled, significantly delayed, or changed flight. It would also require airlines and ticket agents to notify passengers about refund rights and would prohibit expiration dates on vouchers or credits offered instead of refunds.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Passengers could choose a full cash refund, including taxes and extra fees, after an airline cancels a flight or makes a significant delay or change, if they do not take the altered or replacement flight or accept other compensation.
It establishes when passengers can choose money back rather than travel on a changed itinerary or accept another form of compensation.
PROVISION 02
Refunds would be due within 7 business days for tickets bought with a credit card and within 20 days for tickets bought with cash or another form of payment.
It sets a timeframe for airlines to return eligible payments.
PROVISION 03
A passenger who cancels a ticket at least 48 hours before departure would be offered a full cash refund if the ticket was sold by a covered carrier or ticket agent; the refund would be due within 30 days.
It creates a refund option for some passengers who cancel their own trip, not just those whose airline changes or cancels a flight.
PROVISION 04
Airlines and ticket agents would have to explain refund rights to passengers. A voucher or credit offered instead of a refund must have no expiration or use-by date and clearly explain that the passenger may reject it and choose a refund.
It sets conditions for alternative compensation and requires notice of refund rights.
PROVISION 05
The Transportation Secretary would have to issue a final rule applying specified refund requirements to ticket agents within one year after enactment. Violations would be subject to a civil penalty under 49 U.S.C. 46301(a).
It addresses how refund rules would apply when tickets are sold through agents and provides for penalties for violations.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 8
D· Massachusetts
YRS IN OFFICE
51
BILLS LED
164
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 7 REP 0 IND 1
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSSEP 22
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
SEP 22
Introduced in Senate
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 5446
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedSep 22, 2026
Last actionSep 22, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 22, 2026
Senate BillS 5446
Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act
The bill would set cash-refund rights, deadlines, and notice requirements for certain canceled, significantly delayed, or changed flights and for some passenger cancellations.AI-written
INTRODUCED SEP 22, 2026· LAST ACTION SEP 22, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
2%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
8
COMPLEXITY
Moderate