Your airline must rebook you or refund your ticket

When your flight is cancelled, the airline is required by law to either put you on another flight to your destination at no extra cost, or refund your ticket price. This applies whether the cancellation is their fault or caused by weather. The key difference is what happens next: if the airline caused it, you may also be owed compensation; if weather or another "act of God" caused it, you get the rebooking or refund but no extra payment.

The airline must tell you about your options before you rebook anything yourself. Many airlines now send this information by text or email automatically. If you do not hear from them within a few hours, call the airline directly or go to the ticket counter if you are at the airport. Do not book a new ticket on your own and expect reimbursement later—that almost never works.

Write down the cancellation reason if the airline states one. This matters later: weather, mechanical failure, crew issues, and air traffic control delays all have different rules about whether you get money beyond the rebooking.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination or refund your full ticket price—you choose which one.
  • If the airline caused the cancellation (not weather or safety), you may be owed compensation of $250 to $1,350 depending on how late you arrive.
  • Ask the airline to cover meals, hotels, and ground transportation while you wait; they must pay for these if the cancellation was their fault.
  • Keep all receipts and the cancellation notice; you will need them to file a claim for compensation or reimbursement.
  • If the airline refuses to rebook you or refund you within a reasonable time, contact your state's attorney general or the Department of Transportation.

How to get the airline to pay for meals and hotels

If your flight is cancelled and the airline caused it, they must cover the cost of meals and a hotel room while you wait for the next flight. This applies if the next available flight is more than a few hours away. The airline does not have to give you cash upfront; instead, they typically give you a voucher or direct you to a hotel they have an agreement with.

At the airport, go to the airline's customer service desk and ask for meal vouchers and hotel accommodation. Say the words "I need meals and hotel covered due to the cancellation." Write down the name and employee ID of the person who helps you, and ask them to note in the system that you requested this. If they refuse, ask to speak to a supervisor.

If the airline says the cancellation was weather-related, they are not required to pay for meals or hotels under federal law, though some airlines do anyway. If you believe the airline is lying about the reason, keep all documentation and file a complaint with the Department of Transportation later.

When you are owed money beyond the rebooking

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to pay compensation if they cancel a flight and it is their fault—not weather, not a safety issue, not air traffic control delays. The compensation is $250 if you arrive one to two hours late, $400 if you arrive two to three hours late, and $650 if you arrive more than three hours late. These amounts explore to flights within the U.S.; international flights have different rules.

The airline does not automatically send this money. You have to file a claim. Most airlines have a form on their website under "Customer Relations" or "Compensation Claims." Fill it out with your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and proof of when you actually arrived. Keep copies of everything.

If the airline denies your claim or does not respond within 30 to 60 days, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation at dot.gov. You can also take the airline to small claims court in your state; the filing fee is usually under $100, and you do not need a lawyer.

What to do if the airline will not rebook you

Some airlines, especially during widespread cancellations, become overwhelmed and cannot rebook passengers for days. If the airline tells you they have no flights available for several days, you have the right to a refund instead. Ask for it in writing—email the airline's customer service address or use their website form. State your booking reference, the cancelled flight number, and the date, and write: "I request a full refund of my ticket price due to the cancellation."

The airline must process the refund within seven business days. If they do not, file a complaint with your credit card company (if you paid by card) or with the Department of Transportation. Your credit card company can often reverse the charge faster than the airline will refund it.

If the airline offers you a travel credit instead of a refund, you do not have to accept it. You are may have access to to cash back. Travel credits often expire and come with restrictions, so push for the refund unless you know you will use the credit.

How to file a complaint if the airline does not follow the rules

If the airline refuses to rebook you, will not refund your ticket, or denies compensation you believe you are owed, you can file a formal complaint with the Department of Transportation. Go to dot.gov and look for the Aviation Consumer Protection Division. You will need your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and any emails or receipts showing what the airline promised or refused.

The Department of Transportation does not refund you directly, but they investigate the airline and can fine them. A complaint on record also helps if you take the airline to small claims court later, because it shows you gave them a chance to fix the problem.

You can also contact your state's attorney general office. Many states have consumer protection divisions that handle airline complaints. A complaint to the attorney general sometimes moves faster than the federal process.

What happens with connecting flights

If your cancelled flight was a connection—meaning you were supposed to change planes—the rules are the same: the airline must rebook you on the next available route to your final destination. They cannot just rebook you to the connection city and leave you there.

If you missed a connection because your first flight was delayed (not cancelled), the airline should rebook you on the next flight to your final destination. If they do not, treat it the same way: ask for a refund or escalate to the Department of Transportation.

Protecting yourself before you travel

You cannot prevent a cancellation, but you can prepare. Take a screenshot of your booking confirmation and the airline's cancellation policy before you travel. Most airlines now have apps that send cancellation alerts by text; turn these on. If you book through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, also check the airline's website directly for cancellation notices, because third-party sites sometimes lag.

If you are flying during a season with high cancellation risk—winter, summer holidays, or during known weather patterns in your region—consider buying trip insurance that covers cancellations. Read the fine print: some policies only cover cancellations caused by specific events, not all cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I booked through a travel website like Expedia?

The airline is still required to refund you, but you may have to request it from the airline directly rather than through Expedia. Contact the airline with your booking reference. If they refuse, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation naming both the airline and the travel website.

What if the airline cancels my flight the night before I am supposed to leave?

You have the same rights: rebooking or refund, plus compensation if the airline caused it. Call the airline when ready or go to the airport early. If they cannot rebook you until the next day, ask for a hotel. If you miss an important event because of the delay, document it, but note that airlines are not required to reimburse you for event tickets or other losses—only for the flight itself and reasonable expenses while waiting.

Do I get compensation if weather cancelled my flight?

No. Weather is considered an "act of God," and airlines are not required to pay compensation in that case. However, they must still rebook you or refund your ticket. If you believe the airline is falsely claiming weather as the reason, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation and include any evidence—news reports, airport records, or airline communications that contradict their story.

How long do I have to file a complaint or claim?

There is no strict federal important date, but airlines often deny claims filed more than a year after the cancellation. File as soon as possible. The Department of Transportation accepts complaints indefinitely, but the sooner you file, the more likely you are to have documentation and memory of the event.

What if the airline offers me a travel voucher instead of money?

You can refuse it and ask for cash compensation instead. Travel vouchers often expire, have blackout dates, or come with restrictions. If the airline insists on a voucher, get the expiration date and restrictions in writing before you accept it.