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. The choice is yours, not theirs. You do not have to accept a flight three days later or a connection through a city you did not book — you can demand the refund instead.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces this rule for all flights departing from or arriving in the United States. The airline must inform you of your options in writing before or when ready after the cancellation. If they do not, you still have the right to choose.

A refund means the airline returns the full ticket price to your original payment method. This is separate from any compensation for inconvenience — the refund is your money back, period. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you paid cash or with a debit card, the timeline may be longer, but you are may have access to to it.

Key Takeaways

  • The airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination or refund your full ticket price — you choose, not them.
  • If the cancellation was within the airline's control (mechanical failure, crew shortage, scheduling), you may be owed compensation of $400 to $800 depending on how long the delay is.
  • Weather, air traffic control delays, and security threats are considered outside the airline's control and do not trigger compensation, though rebooking or refund still applies.
  • Keep your booking confirmation, cancellation notice, and any receipts for meals or hotels — you will need them to claim compensation or a refund.
  • If the airline refuses to refund or rebook you, file a complaint with the DOT within two years of the cancellation.

When you are owed money beyond the refund

If the airline cancelled the flight because of something within its control — a mechanical problem, crew unavailability, a scheduling error, or overbooking — you are owed compensation. The amount depends on how late you arrive at your final destination.

If the airline gets you there one to three hours late, you receive $400. If you arrive more than three hours late, you receive $800. These are the federal minimums set by the DOT. The airline cannot reduce this amount or make you sign away the right to it.

Cancellations caused by weather, air traffic control delays, security threats, or other circumstances outside the airline's control do not trigger compensation. The airline still must rebook or refund you, but they owe you no additional money. The airline bears the burden of proving the cause was outside their control — if they cannot, you are owed compensation.

You do not have to ask for compensation. If you are may have access to to it, you can file a claim with the airline directly, or file a complaint with the DOT if the airline denies your claim or ignores it for 60 days.

How to request a refund from the airline

Contact the airline directly through the phone number on your booking confirmation, their website, or their customer service desk at the airport. Tell them you want a refund, not a rebooking. Have your confirmation number ready.

The airline may try to offer you a travel credit or voucher instead. You do not have to accept it. A voucher is not the same as a refund — it is a promise to let you fly with them later, and vouchers often expire or come with restrictions. If you want your money back, say so clearly.

If the airline refuses to refund you or does not respond within a reasonable time, file a complaint with the DOT. You can file online at the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website, or by mail. Include your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and any written communication with the airline.

What to do if you are stranded overnight

If the airline cannot rebook you on another flight until the next day or later, they must provide meals and hotel accommodations at no cost to you. This applies whether you choose rebooking or a refund — the airline still owes you care while you wait.

Ask the airline for a hotel voucher or direct booking before you leave the airport. If they do not offer one, book the hotel yourself and keep the receipt. You can also buy meals and keep those receipts. The airline must reimburse you for reasonable expenses.

If the airline refuses to pay for a hotel or meal, save all receipts and include them in your DOT complaint. The DOT can order the airline to reimburse you. Do not let the airline tell you that you have to pay out of pocket — you do not.

Compensation claims and how to file them

To claim compensation for a cancellation within the airline's control, start by contacting the airline directly. Send a written request (email or certified mail) with your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, your arrival time at the final destination, and the reason for the cancellation if the airline provided one.

The airline has 60 days to respond. If they deny your claim or do not respond, you can file a complaint with the DOT. The DOT does not pay you directly — they investigate the airline and can order the airline to pay you.

You can also pursue the claim in small claims court in your state. The amount owed ($400 or $800) fits within most small claims limits. You will need your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and proof of when you arrived at your destination.

What happens if you booked through a travel agent or third-party site

Your rights are the same whether you booked directly with the airline or through Expedia, Kayak, a travel agent, or any other intermediary. The airline is still responsible for rebooking, refunding, and compensation. The third-party site does not get to decide whether you receive these.

Contact the airline directly for rebooking and refunds. Do not rely on the third-party site to handle it — they often move slowly or claim they cannot help. You have a contract with the airline, not with the booking site.

If the third-party site refuses to help, contact the airline yourself using your confirmation number. The airline can look up your booking regardless of where you purchased it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the airline force me to take a flight three days later instead of refunding me?

No. The airline must offer you a choice: rebooking on the next available flight to your destination, or a full refund. You decide. If the next available flight is three days away and you want your money back, you are may have access to to it.

Do I get compensation if the airline cancels because of bad weather?

No. Weather is considered outside the airline's control, so no compensation is owed. However, the airline still must rebook you or refund your ticket. You are not left without options — you just do not receive the $400 or $800 payment.

What if I already paid for a hotel and rental car for my trip?

The airline is not responsible for those costs — only for your flight ticket, meals, and lodging while you wait for rebooking. If you lose money on a hotel or rental car, you may be able to recover it from the hotel or rental company if they have a cancellation policy, but the airline does not owe it.

How long does it take to get a refund?

The airline must process refunds within seven business days of your request. Credit card refunds usually appear within one to three billing cycles. Debit card and cash refunds may take longer — sometimes two to four weeks — depending on your bank.

What if the airline says the cancellation was my fault because I missed the flight?

A cancellation is when the airline cancels the flight, not when you miss it. If you did not show up for your flight, that is a no-show, and the airline can keep your ticket or charge you a change fee. A cancellation is different — the airline is not operating the flight at all.