DOT refund rules after the 2024 overhaul
The US Department of Transportation strengthened refund requirements: if your flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you decline rebooking or alternate transportation, the airline must refund the full fare to your original payment method within seven business days for credit cards. Vouchers may be offered but cannot be the only option.
The US Department of Transportation strengthened refund requirements: if your flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you decline rebooking or alternate transportation, the airline must refund the full fare to your original payment method within seven business days for credit cards. Vouchers may be offered but cannot be the only option.
Significant change definitions include departure or arrival shifts of several hours (exact thresholds vary by carrier policy aligned with DOT guidance), route changes that add connections, and downgrades in cabin class. Document the original itinerary and the change notification email.
Delays vs cancellations — what you are not owed
Unlike EU261 and UK261, US law does not entitle you to fixed cash compensation for delays — even multi-hour or overnight delays — unless the airline voluntarily offers it. Your remedies during a delay are rebooking, refund if the delay becomes a cancellation, and whatever customer service commitments the airline publishes.
Unlike EU261 and UK261, US law does not entitle you to fixed cash compensation for delays — even multi-hour or overnight delays — unless the airline voluntarily offers it. Your remedies during a delay are rebooking, refund if the delay becomes a cancellation, and whatever customer service commitments the airline publishes.
Check the DOT airline customer service dashboard for each carrier's commitments on controllable delays: meal vouchers, hotel rooms, and rebooking priority. These are contractual promises, not statutory compensation like €600 under EU261.
How to get a refund instead of a voucher
When an airline cancels, say clearly that you want a refund to your original form of payment, not a travel credit. Process through the airline website cancellation flow or call — get a confirmation number. If stonewalled, cite the DOT refund rule and file a complaint at airconsumer.dot.gov.
When an airline cancels, say clearly that you want a refund to your original form of payment, not a travel credit. Process through the airline website cancellation flow or call — get a confirmation number. If stonewalled, cite the DOT refund rule and file a complaint at airconsumer.dot.gov.
Credit card chargebacks are a last resort if the airline refuses a refund you are entitled to. Section 75 protections apply differently in the US than the UK — document all communication before disputing with your bank.
Travel insurance and credit card trip protections
Because US delay compensation is weak, trip delay and cancellation insurance fill the gap. Premium travel cards often reimburse expenses after a 6–12 hour delay up to a per-trip cap. Standalone policies cover non-refundable hotels and tours when the airline delay causes a missed connection.
Because US delay compensation is weak, trip delay and cancellation insurance fill the gap. Premium travel cards often reimburse expenses after a 6–12 hour delay up to a per-trip cap. Standalone policies cover non-refundable hotels and tours when the airline delay causes a missed connection.
Read exclusions: weather delays may not trigger controllable-delay airline policies or insurance payouts. "Cancel for any reason" upgrades cost more but protect against plans changing independent of airline fault.