The airline must rebook you or refund your ticket
When an airline cancels your flight, you have two rights that do not depend on the reason for the cancellation. The airline must either book you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost, or refund the full ticket price to your original payment method. You do not have to choose between them on the spot — you can ask the airline which flights are available before you decide.
The rebooking does not have to be on the same airline. If the cancellation leaves you stranded, the airline can book you on a competitor's flight to get you where you need to go. This matters most on routes with only one or two daily flights, where waiting for the next day is otherwise your only option.
A refund goes back to the card or account you used to buy the ticket, not as a travel credit or voucher. If you paid cash at a ticket counter, the refund comes as a check or bank transfer. The timeline for the refund to appear in your account depends on your bank and the airline's processing speed, but most refunds post within one to two weeks.
Key Takeaways
- The airline must rebook you on the next available flight or refund your full ticket price — you choose which one.
- Rebooking can be on a different airline if that is the fastest way to reach your destination.
- Refunds return to your original payment method, not as travel credits, and typically post within one to two weeks.
- If the cancellation is the airline's fault, you may be owed additional compensation beyond the refund or rebooking.
- You are responsible for notifying the airline of your choice; do not assume they will rebook you automatically.
When the airline owes you money on top of the refund
Some cancellations trigger a cash payment beyond the refund or rebooking. The rule depends on how much notice the airline gave you and whether the cancellation was within the airline's control.
If the airline cancelled the flight fewer than 14 days before departure and the cancellation was not caused by weather, mechanical failure, or air traffic control delays, you are owed compensation. The amount ranges from $125 to $400 depending on the length of the flight and how late you arrive at your destination on the rebooked flight. A flight under 250 miles pays $125; 250 to 1,000 miles pays $250; over 1,000 miles pays $400. If the rebooked flight gets you there within one hour of your original arrival time, the airline can reduce the payment by half.
Cancellations caused by weather, mechanical issues discovered during preflight checks, or air traffic control problems do not trigger this payment. The airline is not required to pay you extra money for those, though they still must rebook or refund you. Mechanical problems found after the flight was already cancelled are treated the same way — no extra payment owed.
What to do when ready after the cancellation is announced
Contact the airline directly as soon as you hear the cancellation. Call the phone number on your ticket or go to the airline's website; do not wait for the airline to contact you. The sooner you reach them, the sooner you can choose rebooking or refund and lock in your next flight if you choose to rebook.
Have your confirmation number and ticket number ready. If you are at the airport, go to the airline's ticket counter or customer service desk. If you are at home, call the number on your ticket or use the airline's app or website to request rebooking or a refund. Some airlines process cancellations through their website faster than by phone during busy periods.
Ask the airline which flights are available to your destination in the next 24 to 48 hours. If none are available on that airline, ask whether they will book you on a competitor's flight. Write down the name of the person you speak to, the time of the call, and what they told you — this becomes important if you need to dispute a refund or compensation claim later.
Rebooking on a later flight or different route
If you choose rebooking, the airline will place you on the next flight with available seats. This is usually the next day, but can be several days later if the cancellation affects many flights or if you are flexible about your destination.
You can ask to be rebooked on a flight that departs at a different time or even on a different day, as long as seats are available. The airline does not have to honor every request, but they will usually work with you if the alternative gets you to your destination without excessive delay. If the rebooked flight is significantly later and you decide you no longer want to travel, you can switch to a refund at that point.
If the airline books you on a connecting flight instead of a direct flight, or on a flight that arrives much later than your original, ask whether a better option exists. The airline's obligation is to get you to your destination, not to match your original schedule exactly, but they cannot deliberately route you through inconvenient connections if a direct flight is available.
Meals, hotels, and other expenses during the wait
The airline is not required to pay for meals or hotels while you wait for a rebooked flight, even if the wait is overnight. However, some airlines offer meal vouchers or hotel accommodations as a courtesy, especially for cancellations that are the airline's fault. Call and ask — the worst they can say is no.
If you pay for a hotel or meals out of pocket while waiting, keep all receipts. You can submit these expenses to the airline as a claim, though they are not legally required to reimburse you. Include a copy of the cancellation notice and your receipt, and send it to the airline's customer service address. Some airlines reimburse partial expenses; others do not. The decision is theirs, not yours.
If you miss a connection because of the cancellation and have to buy a new ticket on another airline to reach your final destination, that is a separate issue. The original airline is responsible for getting you to your ticketed destination, but not for onward connections you booked separately. If your onward flight was on the same ticket, the airline should rebook you on a connecting flight that works with your new arrival time.
How to claim compensation if the airline denies it
If the airline refuses to pay compensation or refund your ticket, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. You can submit a complaint through the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website. Include your ticket number, confirmation number, the date of the cancellation, the airline's response, and copies of any emails or documents from the airline.
The DOT does not process refunds directly, but a complaint on file creates a record that can pressure the airline to settle. The DOT publishes complaint data by airline, and airlines track their complaint ratios — a high number can affect their reputation and regulatory standing.
If the amount is small enough, small claims court in your home state is another option. You would sue the airline in the court where you live or where the airline has an office. Bring your ticket, the cancellation notice, and any correspondence with the airline. The airline will likely settle rather than appear in court, especially if your claim is under $5,000.
Cancellations due to weather and other exceptions
Cancellations caused by severe weather, natural disasters, or air traffic control decisions do not trigger the extra compensation payment, even if the airline gave short notice. The airline still must rebook you or refund your ticket, but they do not owe you the $125 to $400 payment.
Mechanical problems are treated differently depending on when they were discovered. If the airline found the problem during preflight checks before passengers boarded, the cancellation is treated as an exception and no extra payment is owed. If the problem caused the flight to turn back mid-flight or fail to depart after boarding, the airline is responsible and you may be owed compensation.
The airline bears the burden of proving the cancellation was due to an exception. If they claim weather caused the cancellation but you have evidence the weather was not severe enough to ground other airlines' flights, you can dispute their claim. The DOT complaint process is where this dispute gets resolved.
What happens to your frequent flyer miles or seat upgrades
If you had frequent flyer miles or paid for a seat upgrade on the cancelled flight, those do not automatically transfer to your rebooked flight. You have to ask the airline to explore them to the new booking. Most airlines will do this without argument, but some require you to request it in writing.
If you paid for a premium seat or extra legroom and the rebooked flight does not have that seat available, ask the airline to refund the upgrade fee or explore it to a future flight. Some airlines do this automatically; others require you to submit a claim. Check your email for a confirmation of the rebooked flight — it usually shows what seat you have been assigned and whether your upgrades transferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the airline cancel my flight without telling me in advance?
Airlines are required to notify you of a cancellation as soon as they know about it. In practice, this can be hours or even minutes before departure if the problem is discovered late. You have the right to a refund or rebooking regardless of how much notice you received, but compensation payments depend on whether you got at least 14 days' notice.
What if I refuse the rebooking and demand a refund instead?
You can choose a refund over rebooking at any time. Tell the airline you want a refund, not a rebooked flight. The refund goes back to your original payment method and typically posts within one to two weeks. You do not have to accept the airline's first rebooking offer.
Do I get compensation if the airline cancels my flight due to a crew shortage?
Crew shortages are within the airline's control, so a cancellation due to crew shortage triggers the compensation payment if the airline gave fewer than 14 days' notice. The airline must prove the shortage was unavoidable, which is difficult. Document the reason the airline gives you and include it in any DOT complaint.
What if the rebooked flight is on a different day and I miss work?
The airline is not responsible for lost wages or other indirect costs from the cancellation. You can claim a refund and book your own flight if the rebooked option does not work for you, but the airline does not owe you compensation for the impact on your schedule. Keep receipts if you buy a replacement ticket at a higher price — you can submit that as a claim, though reimbursement is not may provide.
Can I get a refund if I choose not to fly after the cancellation?
Yes. If the airline cancels your flight, you have the right to a refund whether you rebook or not. You do not have to accept the rebooked flight or wait for another option. Contact the airline and request a refund to your original payment method.