What does an airline owe you when it cancels your flight?
In the United States, the clearest federal right is the refund: when an airline cancels or significantly changes a flight and you reject the alternative transportation or other compensation offered, you are generally entitled to a refund of the ticket price and qualifying fees.
What matters most
Cancellation or significant change + you reject the alternative generally triggers a refund.
Credit-card refunds are generally due within 7 business days; other payment methods within 20 calendar days.
Accepting rebooking generally means you are choosing transportation instead of a refund for the unused trip.
There is no universal federal rule requiring cash inconvenience compensation, meals, or hotels in every cancellation.
Cancellation decision tree
Airline offers rebooking or another option.
Yes → travel on the new arrangement.
Generally → refund right for the unused transportation and qualifying fees.
Check airline commitments and the reason for the disruption.
Refund versus compensation
A refund returns money you paid for transportation or services you did not receive. Compensation is extra money or benefits for inconvenience. U.S. federal rules provide a strong refund right in qualifying situations but do not create a blanket cash-compensation system for every cancellation.
What counts as a significant change
DOT rules define circumstances that can qualify as a significant change, including certain schedule shifts, airport changes, added connections, and other material itinerary changes. The exact facts matter, so passengers should compare the original itinerary with the replacement.
Meals and hotels
Airlines publish customer-service commitments describing what they may provide during controllable disruptions. Those commitments can include meals, hotel accommodations, or ground transportation in certain situations, but the availability depends on the airline and circumstances. Weather and other events outside an airline's control can produce different outcomes.
Document the disruption
Keep the cancellation notice, original confirmation, replacement itinerary, receipts, and any messages from the airline. If a refund or reimbursement becomes disputed, contemporaneous documentation is far more useful than trying to reconstruct the event later.
Compare the moving parts
| Question | Typical answer | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Can I get my money back? | Usually yes if qualifying cancellation/change and you reject alternative | DOT refund rule |
| Can airline give a credit instead? | It may offer one; you do not have to accept it instead of an eligible refund | Terms of offer |
| Are meals guaranteed? | No universal federal guarantee | Airline commitments + cause |
| Is a hotel guaranteed? | No universal federal guarantee | Airline commitments + cause |
| What about bag/seat fees? | Qualifying unused ancillary fees can be refundable | What service was not provided |
Example: canceled outbound flight
Your nonstop flight is canceled and the airline offers a replacement the next evening. If you decide the trip no longer works and reject the replacement, the federal refund rule generally entitles you to a refund for the unused transportation and qualifying fees. If you accept the new flight, you are generally choosing transportation instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can the airline force me to take a voucher?
For an eligible refund situation, a voucher can be offered, but the passenger generally does not have to accept it instead of the refund.
Do I get cash compensation for inconvenience?
Not under a universal U.S. federal rule for every cancellation.
What if weather caused the cancellation?
The refund right can still apply when you reject the alternative, but meal/hotel commitments can differ for events outside airline control.
Should I keep receipts?
Yes, especially if you plan to seek reimbursement under an airline commitment, credit-card benefit, or travel-insurance policy.
Sources
IN60seconds uses primary or authoritative sources whenever possible. Changing figures, rules, prices, and product terms should be rechecked when this page is materially updated.