United States passenger rights
US DOT flight compensation: Cash refund
US law does not require cash compensation for delays or cancellations. It does require a cash refund when an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you choose not to travel.
Rules last checked October 27, 2026
Amounts
What you are owed under US rules
| Flight cancelled and you decline rebooking or a voucher | Full cash refund |
|---|---|
| Departure or arrival changed by 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international) | Full cash refund |
| Checked bag delivered 12+ hours late (domestic) or 15–30+ hours late (international) | Bag fee refund |
Refunds must be automatic and in the original form of payment: within 7 business days for card payments and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
Who is covered
Flights covered by US DOT
- Flights within, to and from the United States sold by US and foreign airlines and ticket agents.
- Applies when the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you do not accept the alternative offered.
When you can claim
Disruptions that qualify
- Your flight was cancelled and you did not accept a replacement flight or travel credit.
- Your flight was significantly delayed or changed and you chose not to travel.
- You were moved to a lower class of service, or your connection airport changed.
Exceptions
When nothing extra is owed
- Cash compensation for delays is not required by US law. Some airlines offer meal vouchers, hotels or miles under their own customer service commitments.
- If you accepted the replacement flight or a voucher, the refund right no longer applies.
Always owed
Rights you keep regardless
- A cash refund instead of a voucher if your flight is cancelled and you choose not to travel.
- Compensation set by DOT rules if you are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight.
Claim steps
How to claim under US DOT
Claiming directly from the airline is free. KeenVPN does not file claims or take a cut.
Decline the alternative if you do not want it
Accepting a replacement flight or travel credit gives up your refund right. If you want your money back, say so clearly.
Check for an automatic refund
The airline must refund you automatically. Card refunds should arrive within 7 business days.
Check the airline’s own commitments
The DOT airline customer service dashboard lists which airlines cover meals, hotels or compensation during controllable delays.
Complain to the DOT if you are not refunded
File a free complaint with the DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.
Official resource
Read the official US DOT guidance
Refunds are due automatically. If one does not arrive, contact the airline and file a DOT complaint promptly.
FAQ
US DOT questions
Do US airlines have to pay compensation for delays?
No. Unlike the EU, UK and Canada, US law only requires refunds, not cash compensation. Some airlines voluntarily offer more.
My US flight was to or from the EU or UK. Am I covered there?
Possibly. A flight departing the EU or UK is covered by EU261 or UK261 on any airline, and flights into the EU or UK are covered on EU or UK airlines.
What is a significant delay under the refund rule?
A departure or arrival change of 3 or more hours for domestic flights, or 6 or more hours for international flights.
Other passenger rights
Flying elsewhere?
Looking for a specific airline? See our airline-by-airline compensation guides.
Never miss a claim again
KeenVPN members can connect Gmail or Outlook. We spot flight bookings, check what happened to each flight, and alert you when compensation may be owed.