Flight cancelled? Here's what you're owed
A cancellation triggers more than a rebooking — it triggers money the airline owes you, and most travelers never claim it. Under the U.S. DOT's automatic refund rule, cancellations and major schedule changes now come with a right to cash back, and stranding often adds hotels, meals, and more. Here's exactly what you're owed and how to collect it while you also get rebooked.
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- No usable plan? Full money-back refund
1. Claim your automatic cash refund
Under the DOT automatic refund rule, a cancelled flight entitles you to a full cash refund to your original form of payment if you choose not to travel — even on a non-refundable ticket. Refunds must be issued within 7 business days for credit cards and 20 calendar days otherwise. You don't have to accept a voucher.
2. Know that a big schedule change counts too
A refund isn't just for full cancellations. If the airline significantly changes your flight — a domestic delay of 3+ hours or an international delay of 6+ hours — you can decline the new schedule and take the full cash refund instead. You choose: fly the change or get your money back.
3. Claim hotel, meals, and transport if stranded overnight
When the cancellation is within the airline's control and you're stuck overnight, U.S. carriers' own commitments generally require them to cover a hotel, meals, and ground transport. Keep receipts and ask at the desk — coverage is often provided but rarely offered without a request.
4. Check whether you're owed cash compensation
Beyond a refund, some routes carry cash compensation. On flights covered by EU261 (departing the EU, or arriving in the EU on an EU carrier), a cancellation within the airline's control can owe you up to €600. This is separate from your refund — you can claim both.
5. Document everything and rebook in parallel
Screenshot the cancellation notice, save your original itinerary, and keep every receipt. Getting rebooked and claiming compensation are separate tracks — don't wait on one to start the other. Lock in your seat first, then file your refund and expense claims.
Get home first, then claim what you're owed
Compensation is easier to chase once you're moving. Paste your cancelled itinerary and arrival deadline, and Reroute hands you a ranked recovery plan in minutes — free preview — so you can lock in a seat and pursue your refund and expenses without missing either.
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- Scans 40+ carriers
- No usable plan? Full money-back refund
Get a backup route emailed for an upcoming flight
Already saw your instant recovery route above? This is for a trip that hasn't broken yet. Paste an upcoming itinerary and we'll email a ranked backup route to keep on hand — so if that flight melts down at the gate, you already know your fastest way home.
Frequently asked questions
- Am I entitled to a refund if my flight is cancelled?
- Yes. Under the DOT automatic refund rule, a cancelled flight entitles you to a full cash refund to your original form of payment if you choose not to travel — even on a non-refundable ticket. You don't have to accept a voucher or travel credit.
- Do I get cash compensation for a cancelled flight in the US?
- U.S. rules guarantee a refund, and airlines' own commitments generally cover hotels, meals, and transport when a controllable cancellation strands you overnight — but there's no federal cash-compensation mandate like EU261. On EU-covered routes, a cancellation within the airline's control can owe up to €600 on top of your refund.
- Can I get a refund if my flight was delayed, not cancelled?
- Yes, for a significant change. Under the DOT rule, a domestic delay of 3+ hours or an international delay of 6+ hours lets you decline the new schedule and take a full cash refund instead of flying.
- How long does the airline have to refund me?
- Under the DOT rule, automatic refunds must be issued within 7 business days for credit card payments and 20 calendar days for other payment methods, to your original form of payment.
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