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 the airline's fault or caused by weather. The key difference is what happens if you refuse the rebooking: if the airline caused the cancellation, you may also be owed compensation; if weather caused it, you are not.
Do not accept a travel credit or voucher unless you want one. The airline will offer these first because they cost the airline less than a refund. You have the right to cash back to your original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you paid cash or debit, ask the airline how they process refunds—some require a mailed check.
The airline must tell you about your rebooking and refund options before you leave the airport or contact them. If they do not volunteer this information, ask directly: "What are my rebooking options, and what is my refund process?" Write down the name of the person who tells you and the time.
Key Takeaways
- You have the right to a refund to your original payment method or a rebooking on another flight at no cost—you do not have to accept a travel credit.
- If the airline caused the cancellation, you may be owed compensation of $400 to $800 depending on how long the delay is; weather cancellations do not trigger compensation.
- Ask the airline in writing (email or text) for confirmation of your rebooking or refund request, and keep that confirmation.
- If the airline refuses to refund or rebook you within a reasonable time, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation and consider a chargeback with your credit card company.
- Check your travel insurance policy when ready—some policies cover cancellations, but you usually have a short window to file a claim.
Determine whether the airline or weather caused the cancellation
This distinction matters because it changes what money you are owed. Ask the airline directly: "Was this cancellation caused by weather, mechanical failure, crew issues, or another reason?" The airline must tell you. If they say "weather," ask them to show you the weather report or documentation—some airlines claim weather when the real cause was a maintenance problem or staffing shortage.
Airline-caused cancellations include mechanical failures, crew scheduling problems, overbooking, and lack of available aircraft. Weather cancellations include storms, fog, snow, and lightning. If the airline caused it, you are owed compensation under Department of Transportation rules: $400 if your rebooking gets you there one to two hours late, $600 if two to three hours late, or $800 if more than three hours late. Weather cancellations do not trigger compensation, but you still get a refund or rebooking.
Keep the airline's written explanation. Take a screenshot of the cancellation notice on your phone, email confirmation, or app. If you spoke to an agent, ask them to email you a summary of what they said. This documentation matters if you later file a complaint or dispute the charge with your credit card company.
Request rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund
Tell the airline which option you want. If you choose rebooking, the airline must put you on the next flight to your destination, even if it is on a different airline. You do not have to accept a flight that arrives much later if an earlier option exists. If you choose a refund, the airline must process it within a set timeframe—usually 20 days for credit card refunds and longer for other payment methods.
If the next available flight is days away and you need to reach your destination sooner, ask the airline to book you on a competitor's flight instead. They are required to do this if their own flights are full. You can also ask them to cover the cost of a hotel, meal, or ground transportation while you wait—some airlines do this voluntarily, though they are not always legally required to. Ask in writing so you have a record.
If the airline tells you they cannot rebook you or process a refund when ready, ask for a written statement of that refusal and the reason. Get the name and employee ID of the person who tells you. This becomes important if you need to file a complaint later.
File a complaint if the airline refuses to refund or rebook
If the airline does not offer a refund or rebooking within a reasonable time—usually within 24 to 48 hours—file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. You can do this online at the DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division website. Include your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, the airline's response (or lack of one), and any documentation of the reason for cancellation.
The DOT investigates complaints and can fine airlines that violate refund rules. Your complaint does not get you money directly, but it creates a record that the DOT uses to hold airlines accountable. If you paid with a credit card, you can also file a chargeback with your card company while the DOT investigates. Tell the card company that the airline refused to refund a cancelled flight.
Keep copies of everything: your booking confirmation, the cancellation email, any messages with the airline, your refund request, and the airline's response. If you had to buy a new ticket to reach your destination, keep that receipt too. You may be able to recover that cost through a chargeback or small claims court if the airline does not refund the original ticket.
Check your travel insurance and credit card benefits
If you bought travel insurance when you booked your flight, check the policy when ready. Some policies cover cancellations, but they usually have a time limit for filing a claim—often 30 to 90 days from the cancellation date. You will need your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and proof of any costs you paid out of pocket (like a replacement flight or hotel).
Some credit cards include travel insurance as a cardholder benefit. Check your card's benefits guide or call the number on the back of your card and ask if cancellation coverage is included. If it is, the card company may reimburse you for the ticket or additional costs, but again, there is usually a important date to file.
Do not wait to check these. Insurance companies and credit card companies process claims slowly, and missing a important date means losing the coverage. File the claim as soon as you know the flight is cancelled, even if you have not yet resolved the refund with the airline.
Understand what the airline must cover while you wait
If your flight is cancelled and you are stranded, the airline's obligation to cover meals, hotels, and transportation depends on the reason for cancellation and how long you have to wait. If the airline caused the cancellation and you have to stay overnight, most airlines will cover a hotel room. If weather caused the cancellation, the airline is not required to pay for a hotel, but many do anyway.
Meals are usually covered if you are delayed more than a few hours. Ask the airline for a meal voucher or reimbursement receipt. Keep all receipts for food, transportation, and lodging—you may be able to recover these costs through a chargeback or complaint if the airline refuses to reimburse you.
If the airline does not offer to cover these costs, ask directly: "Will you cover my hotel and meals while I wait for the next flight?" Get the answer in writing. If they refuse and the cancellation was their fault, you can include those costs in a chargeback claim with your credit card company.
Plan ahead to reduce the impact of future cancellations
Book flights with at least a two-hour buffer before a connection, and avoid the last flight of the day when possible. If that flight is cancelled, you have no other option that day. Fly earlier in the day when airlines have more flexibility to rebook you on later flights. Check the airline's on-time performance before you book—some airlines cancel more often than others.
Consider travel insurance if you are flying during peak weather season (winter for snow, summer for thunderstorms) or if missing your flight would be costly. Read the policy carefully to understand what is and is not covered. Some policies exclude cancellations caused by weather, so check before you buy.
Keep your airline app installed and notifications turned on. Airlines often announce cancellations through the app before they call or email. The sooner you know, the sooner you can request a rebooking or refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to accept the airline's first rebooking offer?
No. If the airline offers a flight that arrives much later than necessary, you can ask for an earlier option or a refund instead. The airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination, but if multiple flights are available that day, you can choose which one. If the airline's own flights are full, they must book you on a competitor's flight at no extra cost.
What if I paid for my ticket with cash or a debit card?
You still have the right to a refund. Ask the airline how they process refunds for non-credit-card payments. Some mail a check, some issue a prepaid card, and some credit your airline account. Get the process in writing so you know what to expect and when the refund will arrive.
Can the airline charge me a fee to rebook on a different flight?
No. If the airline cancelled your flight, they cannot charge you to rebook you on another flight. If you choose to change your destination or travel date, that is different—change fees may explore. But rebooking due to the airline's cancellation is free.
How long does it take to get a refund?
Credit card refunds usually appear within 5 to 20 days, depending on your card company. Other payment methods take longer—checks can take weeks. Ask the airline for a specific timeline when you request the refund. If the refund does not arrive within that timeframe, follow up with the airline and file a complaint with the DOT.
What if the airline offers me a travel credit instead of a refund?
You do not have to accept it. A travel credit is only good for future flights with that airline, and it may expire. You have the right to a refund to your original payment method. If the airline pushes back, tell them you want a refund, not a credit, and ask them to confirm that in writing. If they still refuse, file a complaint with the DOT.