On November 30 the Chilean government issued Law No. 21392, a regulation that modifies the aeronautical code, to allow air tickets’ endorsement or transfer, as well as its full refund.

The rule in question states that the passenger may freely endorse or transfer his air ticket, for one-way and/or round trips, at no cost.

The passenger can endorse or transfer the ticket up to 1 day prior to the flight.

The transfer of the right in question may is possible only between people and only once for each ticket.

During a year, the passenger may only assign his right up to a maximum of 2 times per carrier, at the rate of one transfer per semester.

On the other hand, passengers will have the right to unilaterally terminate the air transport contract, nullifying the ticket and receiving a full refund, without penalty.

This procedure can be done within 48 hours after purchasing the ticket, for trips that are purchased at least 7 calendar days before the date and time of the scheduled departure.

In case the scheduled departure is within a period equal to or greater than 180 days from the purchase of the ticket, the withdrawal period must be done within 7 days after the air ticket’s purchase.

In case the air ticket was purchased in cash, the carrier must use the passenger’s payment method to make the reimbursement.

This refund must be done within a maximum period of 10 days from the moment the passenger indicates to the carrier the method to make the reimbursement.

In case of unjustified delay, the refund will be recharged with an extra air ticket’s 50% value in favor of the passenger every 30 days.

The rule states that as well as the endorsement or transfer and the full refund procedures, can be carried out through a digital form, or personally at the ticket sales offices, airport counters and authorized agencies that the carrier has.

Chilean Airlines Change Its Fare Policies

Due to the change in the regulation for the endorsement or transfer and the full refund procedures, Chilean low-cost carriers were the first to accept the new reality and change their fare policies.

Even though this rule must be applied by all airlines operating within Chile, LATAM has not made public any changes to its fare policies.

The first airline to make fare policies changes was Sky Airline, by allowing the ticket’s endorsement or transfer to another person with no additional cost for the passenger, once per semester and up to 48 hours before the flight, as well as including the tickets’ full refund, change date and route.

On the other hand, JetSmart has published its new “SMARTicket” policy, which indicates that, on domestic flights, the passenger can change the date, time and route with less than 19 days in advance with an additional cost, and with more than 19 days without cost, but paying the rate difference.

“SMARTicket” allows passenger to ask for a free of charge full refund up to 24 hours before the flight and within that period with an additional cost.

Likewise, JetSmart now allows you to cancel the purchase up to 48 hours after making it or request a giftcard for the ticket’s value, within the period of 7 to 180 days before the flight.