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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 offered but 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?

You have the 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 rebooking you can choose your money back instead.

Rebooking is standard but not strictly required in all cases

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

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.

Dont expect automatic compensation for inconvenience

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

And in situations like jet fuel shortages generally considered outside airline control you 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

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 increase without expanding your legal protections.

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 back but beyond that, much depends on airline policies, not federal law.

That makes planning and backup options more important than ever.

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.