THE SPOKESMAN • TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 A11 RECORDS / COMMUNITY Tips for handling flight delays and cancellations By Better Business Bureau Pilot strikes, labor shortages and high travel demand have all contributed to a summer of chaos for the flight indus- try. On average, one out of five flights have experienced delays and over 116,000 flights have been canceled so far in 2022, according to FlightAware data. As airlines continue to try to accommodate stranded pas- sengers, the Better Business Bureau provides guidance to travelers who may be seeking compensation and refunds for cancellations. When are consumers enti- tled to a refund after a flight delay or cancellation? When a consumer is fly- ing domestically in the United States, rules regarding flight de- lays and cancellations are over- seen by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In general, there are no U.S. federal laws re- quiring airlines to provide pas- sengers with compensation for a delayed flight. Airlines may have their own policies and may provide better benefits if a flight was canceled or significantly de- layed within the airline’s scope of control. However, when flights are canceled by the airline, consum- ers are always entitled to a full refund according to USDOT. This includes a refund of any bag fees or extras, such as addi- tional legroom for a seat. If the airline offers a voucher in lieu of a refund, ask about expiration and blackout dates. Airlines may also have additional restrictions on the use of vouchers. Con- sumers are not obligated to ac- cept vouchers and may insist on a full refund instead. Typically, nearly all domestic airlines will try to accommodate passengers on the next avail- Getty Images Summer 2022 has been plagued by widespread flight cancellations. Don’t get caught without a backup plan. able flight, and sometimes (but rarely) on a different carrier. Essentially, consumers’ expe- riences will vary depending on the airline they choose. Some airlines have stronger reputa- tions than others for their ame- nities and coverages. Consumers can look up companies on BBB. org for ratings, consumer alerts, complaint trends, and examples of how the business responds to their customers. Plan for delays and look up route’s performance history Unfortunately, there are many variables that can affect scheduling that is outside of the airline’s control, therefore con- sumers must keep this in mind while planning their trip. Once you have a specific flights in mind, you can look up its performance and check the likelihood of a delay occurring. According to USDOT’s website, “On-time performance per- centages for individual flights of the larger U.S. airlines are available by phone from those airlines upon request. These airlines are also required to post this information on their websites, with special notice for flights that experienced serious delays or cancellations.” Check carrier and credit card terms While federal regulations don’t require airlines to reim- burse expenses such as rooms or food in the event a flight is canceled or severely delayed, the carrier and credit card compa- nies may have different policies. Purchase tickets with a credit card that offers trip protection or travelers insurance and check individual airline policies. Should you find your par- ticular incident is covered by a carrier or credit card company’s policy, BBB can help both par- ties come to a resolution using the BBB Online Complaint Sys- tem. Keep documentation Keep receipts and records for expenses incurred as a re- sult of a significantly delayed or canceled flight. Consumers should keep receipts for extra purchases, like a hotel room, so they can submit them to their airline or credit card company for reimbursement later. Check the carrier’s website Most airlines allow consum- ers to initiate refunds directly on the carrier’s website. Using a website may help a consumer obtain a refund or rebook a trip much faster than waiting for a consumer service agent in person or on the phone. Rules are different for for- eign flights Flights that were canceled while in another country will be affected by the laws of that nation. Check with the local country’s department of trans- portation while traveling inter- nationally. 70th anniversary: Doris and Malcolm Edmunson Doris and Malcolm Ed- munson of Bend will cele- brate their 70th wedding an- niversary on Sept. 17 with an open House from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at their family home in Bend. The couple were married September 14, 1952, at the Old Presbyterian Church in Redmond, OR. Mr. Edmunson is a retired county assessor. He grad- uated from the University of Oregon in 1957 and is a fourth generation Oregon born. His ancestors traveled over the Oregon Trail to set- tle in Oregon. Mrs. Edmunson moved with her family to Oregon at age 14, from South Dakota. She graduated from Red- mond High School in 1952 and worked at the Pentagon her first year of marriage when Malcom was assigned to Fort Belvoir in Washing- ton, DC. They were married when Submitted Photo Mr. Edmunson was home on leave from serving in Korean, then they left the next day for his next assignment in Wash- ington, DC Fort Belvoir for one year before returning to Oregon. After Mr. Edmunson re- tired from the LA County Assessor’s office, the couple moved back home to Bend 43 years ago. 50th anniversary: Renee and Bob Horton Renee and Bob Horton of Powell Butte celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 1. The couple were married July 1, 1972 at the United Methodist Church in Nyssa, Oregon. After the 1969 moon landing, the couple met while viewing a lunar rock display at Oregon State University. They have two children and four grandchildren: Rus- sell Horton and wife Ginette Lalonde of Tacoma, Washing- ton, and Rebecca Botaitis and husband John of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Horton retired from the Contact Industries in Prineville in 2012. His hob- bies include woodworking, travel and fishing. Mrs. Horton retired from Submitted Photo working at Safeway in Red- mond in 2013. Her hobbies include quilting, reading and traveling. She had been a PEO member for 31 years. They have lived in Central Oregon for 27 years. Police Log The Spokesman will update items in the Police Log when such a request is received. Any new information, such as the dismissal of charges or acquittal, must be verifiable. Redmond Police Department Friday, Aug. 5 9:35 a.m., NW Oak Tree Lane. Arrested Aimee Sahagun, 28, Redmond. Charge: Theft II 5 p.m.: NE Greenwood. Arrested: Missty Evon Foote, 40, Redmond. Charge: Reckless burning, arson II, resisting arrest, escape. 5:31 p.m.: SW Highway 97. James Michael Walker, 20, La Pine. Charge: Criminal mischief Sat., Aug. 6 9:40 p.m., car accident at SW Airport Way and 13th. Arrested: Wyzeas Jermaine Cooper, 43, Bend. Charge: DUII, reckless endangering. Sun., Aug. 7 2:25 p.m.: NW 9th and NW Kingwood. Arrested: Aaron John Ray Eisler. Charges: Violation of restraining order, giving false info to police, resisting arrest, misdemeanor attempt to elude Police 5:35 p.m., Veterans Way and Highway 97. Arrested: Kevin T Kismatali, 40, Redmond. Charge: Possession of stolen vehicle, felony attempt to elude. 10 p.m., SW Highland Ave. Arrested: Tara Lynn O’Keefe, 67, Bend. Charge: DUII, reckless driving. Mon., Aug. 8 1:30 a.m., NW Hazlewood Ave. Arrested: Esteven Arturo Hato Diaz, 33, Redmond. Charge: Coercion, misdemeanor assault 5 p.m., SW 31st. Arrest: Michael Edward Anderson, 24, Redmond. Charge: Unlawful possession of firearm. 10 p.m. SW Jackson, Deschutes. Arrest: Johnny Ray Phillips Sr., 61, Redmond. Charge: In-state warrant. Wed., Aug. 10 7:15 p.m. 2000 block S. Highway 97. Arrest: Bryson Verl Setzkorn, 33, Terrebonne. Charge: Coercion, harassment, parole violation. Thurs., Aug. 11 9:15 p.m., SW Sixth and SW Forest. Arrest: Yesenia Ramon Aquino, 24, Redmond. Charge: Harassment. Thefts From were reported from Aug. 5-11 on the following blocks in Redmond: NW 6TH ST SW 14TH ST NE GREENWOOD AVE/NE 17TH ST SW BLACK BUTTE BLVD SW YEW CT NW 4TH ST NW OAK TREE LN W ANTLER AVE SW 5TH ST SW 27TH ST NE 3RD ST SW VETERANS WAY NE 4TH ST SW MONKSHOOD LN SW 11TH ST SW FOREST AVE SW CANYON DR SW VETERANS WAY NW 6TH ST NW 7TH ST NW OAK TREE LN OBITUARY POLICY Death Notices are free, but specific guidelines must be followed. Local obituaries are paid advertisements submitted by families or funeral homes. 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