English edition · checked 2026-10-18

U.S. flight cancellations and significant changes: refund steps

When a U.S.-covered airline cancels a flight or makes a significant change, first decide whether you will travel on the offered itinerary. Keep the ticket, notice and response together.

Check the scope

This guide summarizes the U.S. Department of Transportation’s published refund guidance for covered airline tickets. Other countries have different rules. A points award, package booking, agency purchase or separately ticketed itinerary may involve additional terms and a different responsible seller.

Identify what changed

Save the original itinerary and the airline’s notice. Record whether the airline cancelled the flight, changed its schedule, offered a replacement itinerary or issued a travel credit. ‘Delayed’ and ‘significantly changed’ are not interchangeable labels; use the DOT page and the airline’s written options for the exact situation.

Choose before accepting an alternative

If you want to travel, compare the proposed route, airport, date, connection and arrival time, then confirm the itinerary in writing. If you do not want the alternative, state clearly that you are declining the rebooking and request the applicable refund through the party that sold the ticket. A voucher or credit is a choice; do not accept it without checking whether it fits your plans.

If you booked through an agent

Start with the ticket seller and ask who will process the refund. Keep the agency invoice, airline ticket number, cancellation notice and written response. The DOT describes different handling for direct airline purchases and travel-agent bookings, so do not assume the airline’s self-service form can resolve every agency ticket.

Keep the case moving

1. Save the booking receipt and the original and revised schedules.
2. Use the airline or seller’s stated refund channel and keep the case number.
3. Ask for an itemized explanation if the refund omits a separately purchased service.
4. Check the payment account and follow up in writing if the expected refund does not post.
5. Use the DOT Aviation Consumer Protection resources if you need to understand or report a U.S. airline-consumer issue.

Official sources

• U.S. DOT: refunds.
• U.S. DOT: Aviation Consumer Protection.
• Checked 18 October 2026. This is a process guide, not a determination of an individual claim.

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