The airline must rebook you or refund your ticket
When an airline cancels your flight, you have two rights: the airline must either book you on another flight to your destination at no extra cost, or refund your ticket price in full. The airline chooses which option to offer, though you can request the refund instead if rebooking does not work for you. This applies whether the cancellation is the airline's fault or caused by weather, mechanical issues, or crew problems.
The refund must go back to your original payment method — the credit card, debit card, or bank account you used to buy the ticket. If you paid cash or with a gift card at an airport counter, the airline will refund to that same method. The refund should arrive within 7 to 10 business days, though some airlines take longer.
If the airline books you on a later flight and you need to get to your destination sooner, you can ask them to book you on a competitor's flight instead. They are not required to do this, but many will if the next available seat on their own airline is more than a few hours away. Ask at the ticket counter or call the airline's customer service line before you leave the airport.
Key Takeaways
- The airline must rebook you on another flight at no cost or refund your full ticket price — you do not have to accept whichever option they offer first.
- If the rebooking puts you more than a few hours behind schedule, ask the airline to book you on a competitor's flight instead, though they can refuse.
- Refunds return to your original payment method and typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
- You may be owed additional compensation (meals, hotel, ground transport) depending on how long the delay is and whether the cancellation was the airline's fault.
- Keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any receipts for expenses — you will need them to request compensation.
When the airline owes you money beyond the refund
If the cancellation is the airline's fault — mechanical failure, crew scheduling, overbooking, or other operational issues — you may be owed compensation beyond the ticket refund. The amount depends on how far you were traveling and how long the delay is. For domestic flights, compensation ranges from $125 to $250 per person. For international flights, the amount is higher and depends on distance.
The airline does not automatically pay this compensation. You must request it in writing, usually through the airline's website or by mailing a letter to their customer service office. Include your booking confirmation number, the original flight date, the cancellation reason if you know it, and your contact information. Keep copies of everything you send.
Weather, air traffic control delays, and security issues are not the airline's fault, so you do not may have access to for compensation in those cases — only rebooking or a refund. If the airline tells you the cancellation was weather-related but you suspect otherwise, ask for written documentation. The airline's own records will show the real reason.
Meals, hotel, and transportation while you wait
If your rebooking means you will arrive more than a few hours late, the airline must cover reasonable meals and refreshments while you wait. This typically means a meal voucher or reimbursement for food you buy at the airport. Keep your receipts — you will need them to request reimbursement.
If the rebooking requires you to stay overnight, the airline must pay for a hotel room. They will either book it directly or give you a voucher to use at a hotel near the airport. Some airlines cover ground transportation to and from the hotel as well; others do not. Ask the airline what they will cover before you book anything yourself.
If you book your own hotel or meals because the airline cannot provide them when ready, save every receipt. You can request reimbursement from the airline after your trip, though you may need to follow up multiple times. Airlines often deny the first request, so include a copy of your booking confirmation and the cancellation notice in your claim.
How to request compensation and reimbursement
Start by contacting the airline directly through their website. Most airlines have a "flight compensation" or "customer relations" form where you can upload your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and receipts. Fill out the form completely and include your name, booking reference, flight date, and the amount you are requesting.
If the airline denies your claim or does not respond within 30 days, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. Visit the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website, fill out their online complaint form, and attach copies of your correspondence with the airline. The DOT will forward your complaint to the airline and track their response.
Some people use third-party compensation services that handle the claim for you in exchange for a percentage of the payout — usually 25 to 30 percent. These services are useful if you do not want to manage the claim yourself, but you will receive less money. If you have time and the amount is significant, handling it yourself costs nothing.
What to do if the airline will not rebook you
In rare cases, an airline will cancel a flight and claim they cannot rebook you for days or offer only flights at inconvenient times. If this happens, ask to speak with a supervisor or manager at the ticket counter. Explain that you need to reach your destination and ask what options they have on other airlines.
If the airline still refuses to help, you can book your own flight on a competitor and request reimbursement from the original airline. Send them a letter with your original booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and a copy of the new ticket you purchased. Explain that you had to buy a replacement ticket because they could not rebook you. The airline may deny the request, but you can escalate it to the DOT if they do.
Keep in mind that the airline is only required to rebook you to your original destination, not to pay for a flight you book yourself — unless you can show they refused to rebook you after you asked. Document everything in writing: emails, ticket counter receipts, and the names of any airline staff you spoke with.
Cancellations due to weather and other airline-exempt reasons
If the airline cancels because of severe weather, air traffic control delays, security threats, or other circumstances outside the airline's control, you are not owed compensation money. However, the airline still must rebook you or refund your ticket. You are also not owed meals or hotel unless the rebooking means you will arrive more than a few hours late.
Airlines sometimes claim weather caused a cancellation when the real reason was mechanical failure or crew scheduling. If you suspect this, ask the airline for written documentation of the weather condition. Request the specific time the weather occurred, which airport it affected, and any public records that confirm it. The National Weather Service website has historical weather data you can check.
If you believe the airline misrepresented the reason for cancellation, file a complaint with the DOT. Include the airline's written explanation, your own evidence (weather service records, news reports, photos), and explain why you think the airline's story does not match the facts. The DOT investigates these complaints and can fine airlines that lie about the reason for cancellations.
Protecting yourself before you book
Some airlines cancel flights more often than others. Before you book, check the airline's on-time performance record on the DOT website. Look for cancellation rates, not just delays. Airlines with high cancellation rates are riskier, especially during busy travel seasons.
Consider buying trip insurance if you are traveling for an important event or have a tight connection. Trip insurance covers non-refundable costs if you need to cancel for a covered reason, though cancellations caused by the airline are usually not covered. Read the policy carefully before you buy.
Book flights with at least a two-hour connection if you are connecting to another flight. This gives you time to rebook if your first flight is cancelled. If you are flying to a city with only one or two daily flights on that airline, book an earlier flight when possible — if it cancels, you have more rebooking options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to accept the flight the airline rebooks me on?
No. If the rebooking does not work for you — wrong time, wrong airport, or too many connections — you can request a refund instead. Tell the airline you want the refund before you leave the ticket counter. Some airlines will also rebook you on a competitor's flight if you ask, though they are not required to.
What if I already paid for a hotel or rental car for my original arrival date?
The airline is not responsible for those costs. However, if the cancellation was the airline's fault, you can request compensation money and use it to cover your losses. Keep receipts for the hotel and rental car cancellation fees. If you cannot cancel, you may be able to claim the cost as a business expense or dispute the charge with your credit card company.
How long does the airline have to rebook me?
The airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination, which could be the same day or several days later depending on how many seats are open. If the next flight is more than a few hours away, ask them to book you on a competitor's flight. There is no legal important date for rebooking, but the airline must offer it before you leave the airport.
Can I get compensation if the airline cancels because of a mechanical problem they knew about?
Yes. Mechanical failures are the airline's responsibility, not an exempt reason. If the airline knew about the problem before the flight was scheduled and cancelled anyway, that is negligence. Request compensation in writing and include any evidence that the airline knew about the mechanical issue in advance.
What if the airline cancels my flight and I miss a connection?
The airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination, even if it means booking you through a different city or on a competitor's flight. Tell them about your connection when ready. If you miss it because of their cancellation, they must rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination at no cost.