How to Get a Flight Refund — Your Rights and the Process
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The short answer
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
- Airline cancels and you decline the rebooking: cash refund is required, automatically
- Significant schedule change also triggers the refund right
- A voucher is only valid if you choose it — you can decline and ask for cash
- Refunds must be issued within 7 business days for card payments under DOT rules
Step by step
- 1
Establish which category you are in
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.
- 2
Decline the voucher explicitly
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.
- 3
Submit the request in writing
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".
- 4
Wait the required period, then chase
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.
- 5
Escalate to the DOT if ignored
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.
What counts as a significant change
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.
Refunds versus compensation
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.
Ancillary fees are refundable too
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.
Common questions
Can an airline force me to take a voucher?
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.
How long should a refund take?
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.
Can I get a refund if I choose not to fly?
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.
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