Consumer News: What are passkeys? Hint: They're faster and safer than passwords

During widespread disruptions, options may be limited

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Youre entitled to a refund if your flight is canceled and you dont take the airlines rebooking

• Airlines usually dont owe extra cash compensation for cancellations caused by fuel shortages or other factors outside their control

• Rebooking and basic assistance may be offeredbut its not guaranteed by law in the U.S.

A surge in jet fuel prices and potential shortages linked to global conflicts and supply disruptions are already forcing airlines to cut routes and cancel flights in 2026. For travelers, the big question is: what are your rights when the cancellation isnt your fault, but isnt really the airlines fault either?

1. You have a right to a refundno matter the reason

Under a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule finalized in 2024, airlines must provide automatic cash refunds when a flight is canceled or significantly changed, if you decline alternatives.

That applies even if the disruption is caused by:

• Fuel shortages

• Weather

• Air traffic control issues

• Geopolitical events

You dont have to accept a voucher or rebookingyou can choose your money back instead.

2. Rebooking is standardbut not strictly required in all cases

Most airlines will try to put you on the next available flight at no extra charge. Thats industry practiceand often your fastest way to reach your destination.

The catch

But heres the catch:

• U.S. law does not guarantee rebooking on another airline

• Policies vary by carrier

• During widespread disruptions (like fuel shortages), options may be limited

Travelers are often advised to check airline apps quickly and consider alternatives before accepting changes.

3. Dont expect automatic compensation for inconvenience

Unlike Europe, the U.S. does not require airlines to pay cash compensation for cancellationseven when the airline is responsible. (

And in situations like jet fuel shortagesgenerally considered outside airline controlyou typically wont get:

• Compensation for lost time

• Reimbursement for missed hotel stays or tours

• Automatic coverage of meals or lodging

Some airlines may offer:

• Meal vouchers

• Hotel stays (more likely if the airline caused the issue)

But for fuel-related disruptions, these extras are often optional, not guaranteed.

The complications

4. Why fuel shortages complicate your rights

Jet fuel shortages are different from mechanical failures or staffing issues. Airlines can argue theyre uncontrollable events, similar to weather.

That matters because:

• Uncontrollable = refund required, but little else mandated

• Controllable (like maintenance issues) = airlines are more likely to provide assistance

With fuel costs doubling and airlines cutting schedules, cancellations may increasewithout expanding your legal protections.

5. What consumers should do now

If your flight is canceled due to fuel issues:

• Decide quickly: refund vs. rebooking

• Document everything: receipts, delays, communications

• Check alternatives: other airlines, nearby airports

• Consider travel insurance: it may cover expenses airlines wont

Even as jet fuel shortages disrupt travel worldwide, U.S. passenger rights remain limited. Youre guaranteed your money backbut beyond that, much depends on airline policies, not federal law.

That makes planningand backup optionsmore important than ever.

Eligible consumers will be compensated automatically

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A federal judge has granted final approval to a $425 million Capital One settlement tied to its 360 Savings accounts.

• Millions of current and former customers will receive compensation automatically no claim form is required.

• Consumers should still verify their account and contact details to avoid delays in receiving payment.

A federal court has given final approval to a $425 million class-action settlement resolving claims that Capital One misled customers about interest rates on its 360 Savings accounts, clearing the way for payments to begin later this year.

The ruling, issued by a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, follows years of litigation alleging the bank failed to raise rates on older 360 Savings accounts, while offering significantly higher yields on similarly named 360 Performance Savings accounts.

What the lawsuit alleged

Plaintiffs claimed Capital One marketed its 360 Savings accounts as high-yield while quietly maintaining much lower interest rates than newer accounts, causing customers to miss out on substantial earnings.

The bank denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle, with the revised deal increasing the total payout to $425 million and adding provisions to align interest rates going forward.

Who is eligible for compensation

The settlement covers consumers who held a Capital One 360 Savings account at any point between September 18, 2019, and June 16, 2025.

Both current and former account holders are included, with payments based on factors such as account balance and how long the account was open.

Unlike many class-action settlements, most eligible consumers do not need to file a claim to receive compensation. Payments will be issued automatically using Capital Ones records.

However, there are still a few key steps consumers should take:

• Check your eligibility.Log in to your Capital One account or review past statements to confirm you held a 360 Savings account during the covered period.
• Make sure your contact information is current.Payments may be sent by check or electronically, so an outdated mailing address or payment preference could delay delivery.
• Watch for official communications.Settlement administrators may send notices or updates, including payment timing or instructions. Ignoring these could lead to missed payments.
• Be aware of deadlines that have already passed.The deadline to select electronic payment or update details was March 30, 2026, meaning consumers who did not act may receive payment by check if eligible.

When payments will arrive

If there are no appeals, payments are expected to begin around July 2026, though timing may vary depending on processing and verification.

With final approval now secured, the Capital One 360 Savings settlement is moving into the payout phase. While no claim is required, consumers should take simple steps like confirming account details and watching for updates to ensure they receive any money theyre owed.

Most children involved in a clinical trial experienced big improvements

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The first FDA-approved gene therapy for hearing loss targets a rare inherited form of deafness.

• The treatment restored hearing in most children in the trials, with some detecting whispers.

• The breakthrough could open the door to broader genetic hearing-loss treatments.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first-ever gene therapy to treat a rare form of genetic hearing loss, marking an advancement for both hearing research and the rapidly advancing field of genetic medicine.

The newly authorized therapy, developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, is designed for children born deaf due to mutations in a gene critical for transmitting sound signals from the ear to the brain.

The treatment works by delivering a functional copy of the faulty gene directly into the inner ear, enabling hair cells to produce a protein necessary for hearing. Without that protein, sound cannot be effectively relayed to the brain.

Clinical results show dramatic improvements

In clinical trials, the therapy demonstrated significant results: 11 of 12 children treated experienced meaningful improvements in hearing, and some were able to detect soft sounds such as whispers.

The improvements were often rapid, appearing within weeks of treatment, and in some cases allowed children to begin developing speech after previously being unable to hear.

Todays approval is a significant milestone in the treatment of genetic hearing loss, said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary.

Through the national priority voucher pilot program, the agency is accelerating therapies for rare diseases with unmet medical needs, while proving we can successfully review even the most complex submissions such as novel dual vector gene therapies and combination products requiring coordination across multiple offices and centers in significantly shortened timeframes.

Researchers say the results challenge long-held assumptions about the limits of treatment. While earlier thinking suggested gene therapy would only work in very young children, the trial included teenagers who also showed hearing gains.

A rare condition but broader implications

The therapy targets hearing loss caused by mutations in the OTOF gene, a rare condition affecting an estimated 20 to 50 newborns in the United States each year.

Still, scientists and regulators see broader implications. Genetic causes account for roughly half of all hearing loss cases, and researchers are already exploring whether similar approaches could treat other forms of deafness.

Recent studies outside the U.S. have reinforced that promise. In one large international trial, about 90% of participants with inherited deafness showed significant hearing improvement after gene therapy, including some who achieved near-normal hearing.

Fast-tracked under FDA priority program

The therapys approval was accelerated under the FDAs Commissioners National Priority Voucher program, which is designed to speed up the review of treatments addressing urgent unmet medical needs.

The program can compress the typical review timeline from up to a year to just a few months, reflecting the agencys increasing emphasis on breakthrough therapies.

Gene therapy has long been viewed as a potential way to treat diseases at their root cause by correcting faulty genes rather than managing symptoms. However, until now, no gene therapies had been approved specifically for hearing disorders.

Regeneron has indicated it plans to continue studying the therapy and explore its use in additional forms of genetic hearing loss. Meanwhile, researchers are working to refine gene-delivery methods and expand treatment to more common types of deafness.

For families affected by rare genetic hearing disorders, the approval offers something that until recently seemed out of reach: the possibility of restoring hearing, not just managing its loss.

But because of home prices, affordability remains an issue

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.23%, the lowest level of the past three spring home-buying seasons.

• Declining rates are beginning to boost purchase applications, refinancing, and pending home sales, signaling improving market momentum.

• Despite recent declines, rates are expected to remain above 6% in the near term, with gradual easing possible later in 2026.

Mortgage rates moved lower again this week, providing a measure of relief to homebuyers as the critical spring selling season gets underway.

Freddie Mac said that the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 6.23%, down from 6.30% the previous week, and well below 6.81% a year ago. The 15-year fixed rate also declined to 5.58%.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined again to 6.23%, said Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater, noting rates are now at their lowest level in three spring home-buying seasons.

Early signs of renewed housing activity

The easing in borrowing costs is already showing up in housing data. Freddie Mac pointed to increases in purchase applications, refinancing activity, and pending home sales as evidence of improving demand.

Other data reinforce that trend. Pending home sales rose in March and inventory is increasing, while prices have begun to soften in some regions, giving buyers more leverage.

At the same time, the long-standing lock-in effect where homeowners with ultra-low pandemic-era mortgage rates were reluctant to sell is beginning to ease, helping bring more listings to market.

Still, the recovery remains uneven. Overall, home sales are near multi-decade lows following the sharp rise in rates since 2022, and affordability challenges persist.

Whats driving rates right now

Mortgage rates have been volatile in recent months, largely tracking movements in the 10-year Treasury yield and broader economic uncertainty.

Recent declines have been tied to lower bond yields and easing inflation fears, although geopolitical tensions particularly involving energy markets continue to create upward pressure.

Rates briefly dipped below 6% earlier this year but have since rebounded as inflation concerns linger.

Looking ahead, economists expect mortgage rates to remain relatively stable in the low-to-mid 6% range in the near term, barring major changes in inflation or Federal Reserve policy.

The Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady for now, after cutting them late in 2025, which should help prevent another sharp rise in mortgage costs.

Forecasts suggest rates could drift down toward the high 5% range by late 2026, but not quickly enough to dramatically improve affordability in the short run.

Impact on the housing market

Lower mortgage rates are likely to support a gradual rebound in housing activity, but not a full recovery.

• Buyers: Slightly improved affordability and more inventory may encourage more purchases, especially as prices stabilize.

• Sellers: Easing of the lock-in effect could bring more homes to market, improving supply.

• Overall market: Activity is expected to pick up modestly, though still constrained by high home prices and economic uncertainty.

While falling mortgage rates are providing a welcome tailwind, the housing markets trajectory will depend heavily on inflation trends, Federal Reserve policy, and global economic conditions in the months ahead.

The average repair bill is now about $415

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. drivers are facing record-high check engine repair costs driven largely by aging vehicles.

• The most common repair replacing a catalytic converter can cost more than $1,300.

• Average vehicle age has reached a record 12.6 years, increasing the likelihood of expensive fixes.

When the check engine light comes on, do you ignore it or take your vehicleto a mechanic? The data suggest its mostly the former, not the latter.

Americans are paying more than ever to fix check engine light problems as the nations vehicle fleet continues to age, according to a new CarMD report.

The companys latest Vehicle Health Index, based on more than 31 million diagnostic records, found that older cars are driving a rise in costly repairs, even as some overall average costs fluctuate.

Americas vehicle fleet is getting older

The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads has climbed to a record 12.6 years, a trend that is contributing to more frequent and expensive repairs. As cars get older, major components wear out, increasing the likelihood of high-ticket fixes tied to check engine warnings.

"Keeping up with routine maintenance and addressing dashboard warning lights early are two simple ways to help keep your vehicle running safely and efficiently as it ages," said David Rich, CarMD vice president of automotive technology. "Even small issues can reduce fuel economy, which is something drivers are paying close attention to as gas prices rise."

Among the most common and costly repairs is replacing a catalytic converter, which now averages about $1,348 including parts and labor. That repair typically affects older or poorly maintained vehicles and often stems from unresolved issues such as faulty spark plugs or oxygen sensors.

Other frequent repairs include replacing oxygen sensors (about $254), ignition coils and spark plugs (around $400), and mass air flow sensors (about $323). At the lower end, some issues like a loose gas cap can cost little or nothing to fix if addressed early.

Heres a list of some average repair costs, according to CarMD:

1. Catalytic Converter: $1,511

2. Oxygen (O) Sensor: $287

3. Ignition Coil & Spark Plug(s): $480

4. Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Replacement: $346

5. Ignition Coil:$256

6. EVAP Canister Purge Control Valve: $172

7. Fuel Injector(s): $572

8. ABS Wheel Speed Sensor:$314

9. Thermostat:$324

10. Spark Plug(s): $299

The average repair costs $415

Despite the rise in expensive individual repairs, overall average check engine-related repair costs declined slightly in the most recent data, falling about 3% to roughly $415. The drop was largely driven by a 5% decrease in parts'prices, though labor costs increased by about 1.4% due to more complex and time-consuming repairs.

CarMD analysts say the growing complexity of modern vehicles is also contributing to higher labor costs, as technicians require more time and expertise to diagnose and fix problems.

The report warns that costs could climb again if tariffs or supply chain pressures push parts' prices higher.

Automotive experts emphasize that ignoring a check engine light can lead to more severe and more expensive problems. Addressing issues early, they say, remains the best way for drivers to avoid escalating repair bills as vehicles continue to age.