You get a refund or a rebooking, depending on the airline and the reason for cancellation
When an airline cancels your flight, you have the right to either a cash refund for your ticket or a rebooking on another flight at no extra cost. The airline must offer you one or the other—you do not have to accept a travel credit or voucher if you want your money back. The catch is that refunds are not automatic; you have to request one, and the timeline depends on how the airline processes claims.
The rules differ slightly between domestic and international flights, and between airlines. U.S. carriers are required by the Department of Transportation to refund you if they cancel a flight, but they can sometimes avoid paying out by offering a rebooking instead. International flights fall under different rules depending on where you are flying from and to, and the airline's home country.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. airlines must refund your ticket price or rebook you on another flight at no cost when they cancel—you can choose which one.
- A refund is the full ticket price you paid, not a travel credit or voucher, and you must request it in writing or through the airline's website.
- Airlines are not required to pay refunds for cancellations caused by weather, mechanical issues, or other circumstances they classify as "acts of God," though some do anyway.
- Refund processing typically takes two to four weeks for credit card refunds and longer for other payment methods, but you can follow up if it takes more than 30 days.
- International flights have different refund rules under EU Regulation 261/2004 or other agreements, depending on the airline and route.
When the airline must refund you versus when they can rebook you instead
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund you if they cancel a flight, but the airline can choose to rebook you on a later flight instead—and many do, because rebooking costs them nothing. You have the right to refuse the rebooking and demand a refund instead. The airline cannot force you to accept a travel credit, voucher, or flight on a different airline without your permission.
If the airline offers you a rebooking and you accept it, you lose your right to a refund for that ticket. If you refuse the rebooking and ask for a refund, the airline must process it. Some airlines will push back or make the refund process difficult, but the rule is clear: you can have the money back if you want it.
What counts as a cancellation the airline has to pay for
Airlines are required to refund you for cancellations caused by their own decisions or failures: overbooking, crew scheduling problems, maintenance issues they could have caught earlier, or straightforward deciding to cancel a route. They are not required to refund you for cancellations caused by weather, air traffic control delays, security threats, or other events the airline classifies as outside their control.
In practice, this distinction matters less than it sounds. Many airlines refund passengers anyway for weather cancellations, especially if the passenger pushes back. The airline's initial position is often "this is weather, we don't have to pay," but that is a starting point, not a final answer. If you believe the airline had other options—like flying a different route or using a different aircraft—you can dispute their claim.
How to request a refund
Do not wait for the airline to offer one. Go to the airline's website, find the "refunds" or "cancelled flight" section, and submit a claim. Most major U.S. carriers (United, American, Delta, Southwest) have online refund request forms. You will need your confirmation number and the email address or phone number you used to book.
If the website form does not work or you do not get a response within two weeks, call the airline's customer service line and ask to speak to someone about a refund claim. Have your booking confirmation and the cancellation notice ready. Some airlines process refunds faster if you call; others are equally slow either way. Keep records of every communication—screenshots of emails, confirmation numbers from phone calls, dates and times.
If the airline refuses to refund you and you believe they should have, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. The DOT has a consumer complaint database and will investigate if you have evidence the airline violated the refund rule. This does not may provide a refund, but it creates a record and sometimes prompts the airline to reconsider.
How long refunds take and what payment method you get
Refunds to a credit card typically take two to four weeks to appear in your account. Refunds to a debit card can take longer—sometimes four to six weeks. If you paid by check or bank transfer, the timeline varies widely depending on the airline's processing speed and your bank. Some airlines are faster than others; Southwest and JetBlue tend to process refunds within two weeks, while others take the full month or longer.
The airline will refund you to the same payment method you used to book. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card. You cannot ask them to send it to a different card or as a check instead. If your card has been closed or replaced since you booked, contact your bank to let them know a refund is coming; they can usually redirect it to your new card.
If more than 30 days have passed and you have not seen the refund, follow up with the airline again. Ask for a refund status and a specific date when you can expect it. If they cannot give you one, escalate to their customer relations department or file a complaint with your credit card company's dispute process.
International flights and different refund rules
If you are flying from Europe to anywhere, or to Europe from anywhere, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies. Under this rule, the airline must refund your ticket price if they cancel, regardless of the reason—even weather. The refund is the full ticket price, and it is not optional for the airline.
If you are flying on a non-European airline on a route that does not touch Europe, different rules explore depending on the airline's home country and any agreements it has signed. Some airlines voluntarily follow the EU rule even on non-EU routes. Others follow the U.S. rule (refund or rebook, but not for weather). Check your airline's policy or contact them directly to find out what applies to your specific flight.
For international flights, the refund process is often slower than domestic, and airlines sometimes claim they need more documentation. Provide what they ask for, but if they delay beyond 60 days, escalate to your country's aviation authority or consumer protection agency.
Travel credits and vouchers are not the same as refunds
Some airlines will offer you a travel credit or voucher instead of a refund. This is not the same thing. A travel credit is a promise to let you fly with them again; a refund is your money back. You have the right to refuse a travel credit and demand a refund instead. The airline cannot force you to accept a credit in place of a refund.
Travel credits often come with restrictions: they expire after a year, they cannot be transferred to another person, they cannot be used on partner airlines, or they cannot be combined with other discounts. A refund has none of these restrictions—it is your money, and you can use it however you want. If the airline offers a credit first, ask for a refund. If they refuse, ask why, and consider filing a complaint with the DOT.
What happens if you booked through a travel agent or third-party site
If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Costco Travel, or another third-party site, the refund process is more complicated. The airline will refund the third-party site, not you directly. The third-party site is then supposed to refund you. In practice, this often takes longer, and some third-party sites are slower to process refunds than others.
Contact the third-party site first and ask them to request a refund from the airline on your behalf. Provide them with your booking confirmation. If they do not respond within two weeks, contact the airline directly with proof of your booking and ask them to refund you instead of the third-party site. Some airlines will do this if you can show you paid them (even through an intermediary). Keep all receipts and confirmation emails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if the airline cancels but offers me a flight the next day?
Yes. The airline can offer you a rebooking, but you do not have to accept it. You can refuse the rebooking and request a refund instead. The airline must give you one or the other, and you get to choose.
What if I already accepted a travel credit—can I change my mind and ask for a refund?
It depends on the airline's policy and how long ago you accepted the credit. Some airlines will convert a credit back to a refund if you ask within a certain window (often 30 to 90 days). Contact the airline and explain your situation. If they refuse, you can file a complaint with the DOT, though the outcome is not may provide.
Do I get refunded for a flight that was delayed, not cancelled?
No. Refunds are only for cancellations. For delays, you may be owed compensation under certain rules (like EU 261/2004 for European flights), but that is different from a refund. Compensation is a payment for the inconvenience, not a return of your ticket price.
What if the airline says the cancellation was weather and refuses to refund?
Weather is one of the few reasons airlines can legally refuse a refund under U.S. rules. However, you can dispute this if you have evidence the airline had other options. You can also file a complaint with the DOT. If you are flying on a European route, weather does not exempt the airline—you get a refund regardless.
How do I know if my refund was processed if I do not see it in my account?
Contact your bank or credit card company and ask if a refund from the airline is pending. Refunds sometimes show as "pending" for a few days before they appear in your balance. If your bank has no record of a pending refund after 30 days, follow up with the airline again and ask for proof the refund was sent.