Traveler Rights
Flight Delay & Cancellation Rights
If your US flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a full cash refund — not just a voucher. For delays over 3 hours, major airlines must provide meal vouchers and hotel accommodation when the disruption is within their control.
Source: US Department of Transportation (DOT) · Updated June 2026
Note: Airline policies shown reflect voluntary commitments made to the DOT dashboard and may change. Always verify directly with your airline.
When Are You Entitled to a Cash Refund?
The DOT's refund rule (effective 2024) requires airlines to issue automatic cash refunds — without requiring passengers to request them — in the following situations:
- Flight cancelled for any reason
- Domestic flight delayed 3 or more hours
- International flight delayed 6 or more hours
- Departure or arrival airport changed
- Number of connections increased
- Passenger downgraded to a lower cabin class
- Connecting flight missed due to a significant change
Source: DOT Passenger Rights
What Airlines Must Provide for Controllable Delays
All major US airlines have committed to the following for controllable delays (mechanical, crew, aircraft swap — not weather):
| Airline | Meal (3hr+) | Hotel (overnight) | Rebooking |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
| United Airlines | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
| Southwest Airlines | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
| JetBlue | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
| Spirit Airlines | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
| Frontier Airlines | Yes (3hr+) | Yes (controllable) | Yes (next flight) |
Data from DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard · June 2026
Involuntary Bumping (Denied Boarding) Compensation
| Delay at Destination | Compensation | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 hours (domestic) | 200% of one-way fare | $775 |
| 2+ hours (domestic) | 400% of one-way fare | $1,550 |
| 1–4 hours (international) | 200% of one-way fare | $775 |
| 4+ hours (international) | 400% of one-way fare | $1,550 |
Applies to involuntary bumping on US domestic and international flights operated by US carriers. Source: DOT
Frequently Asked Questions
- Am I entitled to a cash refund if my flight is cancelled?
- Yes. Under DOT rules, if an airline cancels your flight or makes a significant change, you are entitled to a full cash refund to your original payment method — even on non-refundable tickets. You do not have to accept a voucher.
- What qualifies as a 'significant change' that entitles me to a refund?
- The DOT defines a significant change as: a delay of 3+ hours for domestic or 6+ hours for international flights, a departure/arrival airport change, an increase in connections, or a downgrade to a lower cabin class.
- Does the airline have to pay for my hotel if my flight is delayed overnight?
- Only if the delay is caused by something within the airline's control (mechanical issue, crew shortage). Weather delays are not controllable — airlines are not required to cover hotels for weather-caused delays.
- What is denied boarding compensation?
- If you are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, DOT rules require compensation of 200% of your one-way fare (up to $775) for short delays and 400% (up to $1,550) for longer ones. This is cash, not vouchers.
- Do I have rights for delays on international flights to the US?
- EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to flights departing the EU — including US carriers flying from European airports. It provides €250–€600 compensation for delays over 3 hours. Flights arriving in the US from Europe are not covered by EU261.
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