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US DOT rules require airlines to issue automatic cash refunds when they cancel or significantly change a flight and you decline the alternative. A voucher is not a lawful substitute unless you accept it. Refundable fares and 24-hour cancellations also produce cash. Everything else normally produces travel credit.
Key Travel Facts & Insights
Cash refund is owed if the airline cancelled, significantly changed the schedule, or you are cancelling within 24 hours of booking, or you hold a refundable fare. If none of those apply, a voluntary cancellation normally produces travel credit instead.
When an airline cancels a flight it will typically present a voucher as the default option. Accepting it generally waives your right to the cash refund. If you want money back, decline the voucher and state that you are requesting a refund to the original form of payment.
Use the airline's online refund form rather than calling. A written request creates a dated record, which matters if you later need to escalate. Include the confirmation number, the flight details, the reason and the words "refund to original form of payment".
DOT rules require refunds within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 days for cash or cheque. If nothing has arrived after that, follow up in writing referencing the original request date.
File a complaint with the US Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division. Airlines are required to respond to DOT-filed complaints, and this route resolves a large share of stalled refund cases without any further effort from you.
The DOT defines a significant change to include a departure or arrival time change of more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally, a change to the departure or arrival airport, an increase in the number of connections, or a downgrade to a lower class of service.
Any of these entitles you to a full refund if you decline the alternative — including on a non-refundable ticket, and including on Basic Economy.
These are different things and confusing them is common. A refund returns the money you paid for a service you did not receive. Compensation is an additional payment for the disruption itself.
US rules require refunds but, for domestic flights, do not require cash compensation for delays. Flights touching the EU, UK or Canada are a different matter entirely — those regimes do require cash compensation on top of any refund, and it can be substantial.
If you paid for a checked bag that was never delivered, a seat assignment you did not receive because the aircraft changed, or Wi-Fi that did not work, those fees are refundable separately from the fare.
Airlines rarely refund these proactively. Request them explicitly, itemised, in the same written request.
No. When an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you decline the alternative, US DOT rules require a refund to your original form of payment. A voucher is only valid if you affirmatively choose it. Decline it and request the cash refund in writing.
DOT rules require airlines to process refunds within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 days for cash or cheque payments. If that has passed, follow up in writing, then file with the DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division.
Only within the 24-hour window or on a refundable fare. A voluntary cancellation outside those cases normally produces travel credit rather than cash — but cancel anyway, because not cancelling usually forfeits the ticket entirely.
Our US travel consultants handle changes, cancellations, refunds and claims directly. No charge to ask.