The airline must rebook you or refund your ticket

When your flight is cancelled, the airline is required by federal law to either put you on another flight to your destination at no extra cost, or refund your ticket price. You do not have to accept the first option they offer—you can ask to be rebooked on a different airline if that gets you there sooner, or you can request a refund instead. The airline must tell you these options clearly, usually through email, text, or the airline app.

The refund must be issued to your original payment method within a set timeframe. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you paid cash or with a debit card at the airport, you may need to request the refund in writing or through the airline's website, and it can take longer to process. Keep your booking confirmation and any receipts—you will need them to prove what you paid.

Key Takeaways

  • The airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no cost, or refund your full ticket price—you choose which option.
  • If the airline rebooks you on a flight more than three hours later than your original arrival time, you may be may have access to to compensation of $400 to $800 depending on the flight distance.
  • The airline must cover meals, phone calls, and hotel lodging if the cancellation forces you to stay overnight, but only if the cancellation was not caused by weather or other circumstances beyond the airline's control.
  • You should contact the airline when ready through their app, website, or phone line to request rebooking or a refund, because phone lines fill up quickly after cancellations.
  • Keep all receipts for food, lodging, and transportation—you may be able to claim reimbursement from the airline even if they did not offer to pay upfront.

When you are may have access to to cash compensation

If the airline rebooks you on a flight that arrives more than three hours after your original scheduled arrival time, you may receive compensation. The amount depends on how far you were flying. For flights of 250 miles or less, the compensation is $400. For flights between 250 and 1,500 miles, it is $400. For flights over 1,500 miles within the United States, it is $800. For international flights, the amount varies based on distance and the country's rules.

This compensation does not explore if the cancellation was caused by weather, a security threat, an air traffic control decision, or a mechanical problem the airline discovered before the flight was scheduled to depart. The airline must prove that one of these exceptions caused the cancellation—they cannot straightforward claim bad weather without evidence. If you believe the airline is wrongly denying you compensation, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

What the airline must pay for if you are stranded

If your cancellation forces you to stay overnight, the airline must cover the cost of a hotel room near the airport, unless the cancellation was caused by weather or another circumstance outside the airline's control. The airline should book the hotel for you directly, but if they do not, keep your receipt and submit it for reimbursement. The hotel must be reasonable—a luxury resort is not required, but a safe, clean room is.

The airline must also pay for meals and refreshments while you wait, and for phone calls or internet access to contact family or reschedule connections. If you need ground transportation to the hotel or airport, that is covered too. Do not assume the airline will offer to pay—many do not volunteer this information. Keep every receipt, including for food, taxis, and any other expenses directly caused by the cancellation, and submit them to the airline with your booking number and a brief explanation of what happened.

How to request a refund instead of rebooking

You have the right to a refund instead of rebooking, even if the airline pushes you toward another flight. To request a refund, contact the airline through their website, app, or phone line and state clearly that you want your money back, not a rebooking. Write it down in an email or save a screenshot of the chat conversation so you have proof of your request.

The airline must process the refund to your original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, it typically appears within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with cash or debit, the timeline can be longer—sometimes two to three weeks. If the refund does not arrive within 30 days, contact the airline again with your booking confirmation and request a status update. You can also file a complaint with the Department of Transportation if the airline refuses to refund you.

What to do if the airline will not rebook you quickly

If the airline cannot rebook you on another flight for several days, you have options. You can book your own flight on a different airline and ask the original airline to reimburse you for the difference in price, as long as the new flight gets you to your destination on a similar timeline. Keep the receipt for the new ticket and submit it to the airline with a written request for reimbursement. The airline is not required to reimburse you for a more expensive ticket, but many will if the delay was their fault.

If you need to reach your destination urgently and the airline cannot help, you can also pursue the refund route and book a new flight on your own dime, then dispute the original charge with your credit card company if the airline refuses to refund you. This is slower but gives you control over your travel plans. Document everything—save confirmation numbers, emails, and receipts—because you may need them to prove your case.

Cancellations caused by weather or other exceptions

If the airline proves the cancellation was caused by weather, a natural disaster, a security threat, or an air traffic control decision, they are not required to pay you compensation. However, they still must rebook you on another flight or refund your ticket. They must also cover meals and lodging if you are stranded overnight, even in these situations.

The distinction matters: the airline owes you a way to reach your destination and basic care while you wait, but not cash compensation. If you believe the airline is wrongly claiming weather as the cause, ask to see the weather report or air traffic control documentation. Airlines sometimes blame weather for delays they could have prevented, so it is worth questioning if the story does not match what you saw or heard.

How to file a complaint if the airline does not cooperate

If the airline refuses to rebook you, denies a refund, or will not reimburse you for meals and lodging, you can file a formal complaint with the Department of Transportation. Go to the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website, fill out the complaint form, and include your booking confirmation, receipts, copies of emails with the airline, and a clear description of what happened and what you are asking for.

The DOT investigates complaints and can pressure airlines to comply with federal rules. Complaints typically take several weeks to months to resolve, so this is not a fast process, but it is free and does not require a lawyer. You can also dispute charges with your credit card company if you paid by card and the airline refuses to refund you—the card company will investigate and may reverse the charge on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to accept the first flight the airline offers to rebook me?

No. You can ask to be rebooked on a different airline or a later flight if it works better for your schedule. The airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination, but you can negotiate if that flight is inconvenient. If the airline refuses to offer alternatives, you can request a refund instead.

What if I had a connecting flight and missed it because of the cancellation?

The airline that cancelled your first flight is responsible for getting you to your final destination, even if it means booking you on a different airline for the connection. If you booked both flights with the same airline, they should handle this automatically. If you booked them separately, contact the first airline and explain the situation—they may still be required to help you reach your final destination.

Can I get compensation if the airline rebooks me on a flight that leaves the same day?

Only if the rebooking flight arrives more than three hours after your original scheduled arrival time. If the new flight gets you there within three hours of when you were supposed to arrive, you are not may have access to to cash compensation, though you can still claim reimbursement for meals and other expenses caused by the cancellation.

How long do I have to request a refund after a cancellation?

There is no strict important date, but you should request it as soon as possible. Airlines process refunds faster if you ask within a few days of the cancellation. If you wait months, the airline may claim they cannot locate your booking or may process the refund more slowly. Request it in writing through the airline's website or app so you have a record of your request.

What if the airline cancels my flight the day before I am supposed to travel?

The airline must notify you and offer rebooking or a refund. If they rebook you on a flight the next day and you arrive more than three hours late, you are may have access to to compensation. If they rebook you on a flight that departs the same day and arrives on time, you are not may have access to to compensation, but you can still claim reimbursement for any meals or other expenses caused by the schedule change.