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Flight cancelled or changed: getting your money back
If an airline cancels your flight or changes it significantly and you decide not to travel, US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules say you're entitled to a refund, not just a voucher. Here's how it works for flights to, from or within the United States.
When a refund is owed
- The airline cancels your flight, or makes a significant change, and you don't accept the alternative offered (rebooking, voucher, other compensation).
- You paid for extra services you didn't get, such as seat selection or Wi-Fi that didn't work.
- Your checked bag was significantly delayed and you filed a mishandled baggage report: the bag fee is refunded.
What counts as a significant change
| Change | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Departure earlier or arrival later, domestic flight | 3 hours or more |
| Departure earlier or arrival later, international flight | 6 hours or more |
| Different departure or arrival airport | Any |
| More connections than the original itinerary | Any |
| Downgrade to a lower class of service | Any |
| Connection at airports or on aircraft less accessible for a passenger with a disability | Any |
How fast, and in what form
The refund goes back to your original form of payment, for the full fare plus taxes and fees: within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payments. You don't have to accept a voucher or travel credit instead.
What US rules don't give you
There is no federal cash compensation for delays or cancellations on top of the refund. Many airlines make their own commitments (meal vouchers, hotel, rebooking on another airline): check the airline's customer service plan and the DOT's Airline Customer Service Dashboard. Being bumped from an oversold flight is different: denied boarding compensation is set by DOT rules as a percentage of the one-way fare, up to a cap.
On a flight departing from Europe, or to Europe on a European airline, EU Regulation 261/2004 can give €250 to €600 per passenger for a long delay or late cancellation.
How to claim
- Ask the airline for a refund in writing, citing the DOT refund rule (14 CFR part 260), and keep proof.
- If it refuses or doesn't pay on time, file a complaint with the DOT. Airlines must acknowledge a DOT complaint within 30 days and respond within 60 days.
- If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge with your card issuer.
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