What does an airline owe you when it cancels your flight?
For a qualifying cancellation or significant change, if you reject the alternative transportation offered, U.S. DOT rules generally require a prompt refund to the original form of payment.
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Quick Answer
Under a U.S. Department of Transportation rule that airlines have had to follow since October 28, 2024, U.S. and foreign airlines operating flights to, from or within the United States must automatically refund passengers — without them having to ask — when a flight is canceled or “significantly changed” and the passenger doesn’t accept the alternative offered. DOT defines a significant change precisely: a departure or arrival more than 3 hours off schedule domestically (6 hours internationally), a different departure or arrival airport, added connections, a downgrade in class of service, or, for passengers with disabilities, a less accessible airport or aircraft. Refunds go back to the original form of payment: within 7 business days for credit cards and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
By the Numbers
Key Facts
- Airlines must comply since
- October 28, 2024 (the rule itself took effect June 25, 2024)
- “Significant change” means
- More than 3 hours off schedule domestically (6 internationally), a different airport, added connections, or a downgrade
- Refund must be
- Automatic, in cash, to the original payment method — no request required
- Delayed bags
- Your bag fee is refunded if a domestic bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours (15 or 30 hours internationally)
Flight canceled? What to do
- Decide: new flight or refund
If you accept the airline’s rebooking or choose a travel credit, the cash refund no longer applies. Decline, and you’re owed your money back.
- Don’t wait to be asked
The refund should arrive automatically; you don’t need to file a request.
- Watch the deadline
Credit-card refunds are due within 7 business days; other payment methods within 20 calendar days.
- Check your extras
Paid for a seat or Wi-Fi you didn’t get, or did your checked bag arrive very late? Those fees are refundable too.
- Escalate if needed
If the money doesn’t arrive, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Refunds are now automatic, not optional
Before this rule, many airlines defaulted to offering vouchers or credits and made passengers explicitly request a cash refund. The 2024 DOT rule flips that: airlines must proactively issue a cash refund once a flight is cancelled or significantly changed and the passenger doesn't accept the rebooking offered — no request, no chasing customer service.
The rule finally defines "significant"
Airlines previously had wide latitude to decide what counted as a big enough schedule change to trigger a refund. DOT's rule sets specific thresholds for the first time: delays past 3 hours domestic or 6 hours international, a different departure or arrival airport, extra connections, or a downgrade to a lower service class.
It covers fees too
The refund obligation extends beyond the ticket price to extra service fees the passenger paid for and didn't receive — things like seat-selection or baggage fees for a flight that no longer works with the new itinerary.
2026 update: parts of the rule are under review
DOT is revisiting parts of the rule. Since December 2025 it has paused enforcement for flights that are merely renumbered with no significant change to the schedule, a pause now extended to July 7, 2027, and it has opened a new rulemaking that could revise definitions such as “cancellation” and “significant change.” The core automatic-refund requirement remains in force; check DOT’s refunds page for the latest rules before you fly.
Myth vs. Fact
MythThe airline can just give me a voucher.
FactIf you decline the rebooking after a cancellation or significant change, you’re owed cash back to your original payment method. A voucher is only an option if you choose it.
MythI have to ask for my refund.
FactRefunds must be issued automatically, without a request.
The Bottom Line
If your flight to, from or within the U.S. is canceled or significantly changed and you turn down the alternative, the airline owes you a cash refund automatically. You don’t have to ask, and you don’t have to take a voucher.