Last checked: November 14, 2026. Every fact on this page comes from the official sources listed at the bottom.
Not legal advice. This page is a plain-language summary of official rules for general information. Rules change and individual situations differ. Always confirm with the official source linked below before you travel.
These rules come from the US Department of Transportation (DOT). They cover flights to, from and within the United States.
Automatic refunds
If your flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you do not accept the new flight, a rebooking, a voucher or credit, or other compensation, the airline must refund the full fare, including taxes and fees for extras. Airlines must issue it without you having to ask for it. Refunds are due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and within 20 calendar days for other payment methods, such as debit card, cash or check.
What counts as a significant change
| Change | Domestic itinerary | International itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves earlier than scheduled | 3 hours or more | 6 hours or more |
| Arrives later than scheduled | 3 hours or more | 6 hours or more |
| Different departure or arrival airport | Yes | Yes |
| More connections than the original trip | Yes | Yes |
| Downgraded to a lower class of service (if you still fly, you get the fare difference instead of a full refund) | Yes | Yes |
| For travelers with a disability: different connecting airport, or a substitute aircraft missing needed accessibility features | Yes | Yes |
Bags and extras
| Situation | Your refund |
|---|---|
| Checked bag significantly delayed: not delivered within 12 hours (domestic), 15 hours (international flights of 12 hours or less) or 30 hours (longer international flights) | The checked bag fee, once you file a mishandled baggage report |
| Checked bag declared lost | The checked bag fee |
| Paid extra (Wi-Fi, seat selection, entertainment) and did not get it | The fee for that service |
Other rules worth knowing
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| 24-hour hold or cancel | If you buy from the airline at least 7 days before departure, the airline must let you either hold the fare without paying or cancel for a full refund without penalty for 24 hours. The airline picks which. This does not apply to tickets bought through travel agents or booking sites. |
| Vouchers instead of refunds | An airline may offer a voucher or credit instead of a refund, but must tell you that you are entitled to a refund. A voucher accepted in place of a refund must be valid for at least 5 years. |
| Tarmac delays | Airlines must let you get off the plane before a tarmac delay passes 3 hours (domestic) or 4 hours (international), with safety and security exceptions. |
The federal regulation (14 CFR 260.2) sets the non-card refund window at 20 calendar days. One answer on DOT's Refunds page says "20 business days"; we follow the regulation, which DOT's own page also uses elsewhere.
Official sources
- US DOT: Refunds (last updated Nov 7, 2025, read directly Nov 14, 2026)
- US DOT: Final rule requiring automatic refunds (press release)
- eCFR 14 CFR 260.6: Refunding fare for cancelled or significantly changed flights
- eCFR 14 CFR Part 260 (definitions incl. prompt refund: 7 business days card, 20 calendar days other; read directly Nov 14, 2026)
- eCFR 14 CFR 259.5: Customer Service Plan (24-hour rule)
- eCFR 14 CFR 259.4: Tarmac delays
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