Your 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 rebooking offer—you can ask for a flight on a different airline if the original carrier cannot get you there within a reasonable time, and the airline must pay for it.

The airline must inform you of your options in writing before you leave the airport. If they do not, ask a gate agent or call their customer service line to request the policy in writing. Keep that document; you will need it if you file a complaint later.

A refund means the airline returns the full ticket price to your original payment method. This is separate from any compensation you may be owed for the inconvenience—refunds are about getting your money back, not payment for your trouble.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline must rebook you on another flight at no cost or refund your full ticket price within a set timeframe.
  • You can request a flight on a competing airline if your original airline cannot get you to your destination within a reasonable time.
  • The airline must provide written notice of your rebooking and refund options before you leave the airport.
  • Compensation for inconvenience (hotel, meals, ground transportation) is separate from the ticket refund and depends on the reason for cancellation.
  • Keep all cancellation notices, receipts, and correspondence—you will need them to file a complaint or claim compensation.

When the airline must pay for your hotel and meals

If your flight is cancelled and the airline cannot rebook you on another flight until the next day or later, the airline must cover the cost of a hotel room and meals while you wait. This applies whether the cancellation was the airline's fault or caused by weather or other circumstances beyond their control.

You do not need to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. Tell the airline you need a hotel and meal vouchers before you leave the airport. If they refuse or say they will reimburse you later, ask for that refusal in writing—it strengthens a complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The airline is not required to pay for ground transportation (taxi, rideshare, rental car) to get to the hotel or airport, though some airlines do as a courtesy. Ask, but do not expect it. If you pay for transportation yourself, keep the receipt in case you decide to file a complaint.

How to get compensation for the cancellation itself

The U.S. Department of Transportation does not require airlines to pay compensation for cancelled flights. However, some cancellations may may have access to you to money under specific circumstances. If your flight was cancelled because the airline overbooked (sold more tickets than seats), you are owed compensation ranging from $400 to $1,350 depending on how late you arrive at your destination. If the airline cancelled the flight for maintenance or crew scheduling reasons, you may also be owed compensation under some airline policies or state laws.

Cancellations caused by weather, air traffic control delays, or security threats do not trigger compensation requirements. These are considered "acts beyond the airline's control," even though the airline still must rebook or refund you.

To pursue compensation, file a written complaint with the airline first. Include your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and any receipts for expenses the airline did not cover. Send it to the airline's customer relations department, not the general customer service line. Keep a copy for yourself.

Filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation

If the airline denies your compensation claim or does not respond within 30 days, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. You do not need a lawyer. The complaint is free and takes about 15 minutes to file online.

Go to the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website and select "File a Complaint." You will need your booking confirmation number, the airline name, the flight number, the scheduled departure date, and a description of what happened. Attach copies of your cancellation notice, any written responses from the airline, and receipts for expenses.

The DOT forwards your complaint to the airline, which then has 30 days to respond. The DOT reviews both sides and issues a finding. This is not a court case—the DOT cannot force the airline to pay—but a finding in your favor creates a record that can be useful if you decide to pursue the claim in small claims court.

When to pursue a claim in small claims court

If the airline owes you compensation and refuses to pay, you can sue in small claims court. The amount you can recover depends on your state; most states allow claims up to $5,000 to $10,000. You will need to prove the airline cancelled the flight and that you are owed compensation under federal law or the airline's own policy.

Bring your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, any written communication from the airline, receipts for unreimbursed expenses, and a copy of the DOT complaint and response if you filed one. The court will decide whether the airline owes you money and how much.

Small claims court is designed for people without lawyers, and you do not need one to file. However, the process varies by state and county, so call your local courthouse to ask about filing fees and important date before you start.

What to do when ready after a cancellation

Take a photo or screenshot of the cancellation notice on the airline's website or app. Write down the date, time, and name of any airline employee you spoke to. If you are at the airport, ask the gate agent for a written statement of the cancellation reason—some airlines print this automatically, others will write it by hand if you ask.

Before you leave the airport, confirm your rebooking in writing. Ask the airline to email you a new booking confirmation. If they say they will call you later with a new flight, ask them to send that confirmation by email instead—email is proof of what was promised.

If you paid for any expenses the airline did not cover (hotel, meals, transportation, phone calls), keep every receipt. Take photos of receipts if you think they might fade. Write down the date, time, and amount of each expense on the back of the receipt or in a note on your phone.

Cancelled flights and travel insurance

Travel insurance policies vary widely. Some cover hotel and meal costs during a cancellation; others do not. Some reimburse you for the ticket price if the airline cancels; others only cover cancellations you initiate yourself. Read your policy before you buy it, and read it again after the cancellation to understand what it covers.

If you have travel insurance, file a claim with the insurance company at the same time you pursue a claim with the airline. You can recover from both—the airline for the ticket and expenses they are required to cover, and the insurance company for what the policy promises. However, most insurance policies will not pay if the airline already reimbursed you for the same expense.

Keep all receipts and documentation. Insurance companies require proof of the cancellation, proof of your expenses, and proof that you pursued the airline's own compensation process first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if the airline rebooks me on a flight that leaves the next day?

Yes. You can choose a refund instead of rebooking, even if the new flight is only a few hours later. The airline must offer you both options in writing. A refund takes longer to process—usually 7 to 10 business days—but you get your money back to your original payment method.

What if the airline rebooks me on a flight with a different airline?

That is allowed if your original airline cannot get you to your destination within a reasonable time. The original airline pays for the ticket on the other airline. You do not pay the difference if the new ticket costs more, and you do not get a refund if it costs less.

Do I have to accept the hotel the airline books for me?

No. The airline must pay for a hotel, but you can choose a different one if you prefer. Keep the receipt and submit it to the airline for reimbursement. Most airlines will reimburse you for a reasonable hotel in the airport area, though they may question very expensive choices.

How long does it take to get a refund after a cancellation?

Federal law requires refunds within 7 business days if you paid by credit card, and within 30 days for other payment methods. In practice, many airlines take the full 30 days. If you do not see the refund after 30 days, contact the airline's customer service and ask for a refund status.

Can I claim compensation if the airline cancelled the flight due to weather?

No. Weather is considered beyond the airline's control, so federal law does not require compensation. However, the airline still must rebook you or refund your ticket, and still must pay for hotel and meals if you are delayed overnight. Check your airline's policy—some airlines voluntarily offer compensation for weather cancellations.