Refunds

Flight delay compensation: what US airlines owe you

US law gives you a refund for a long delay if you choose not to fly, not automatic cash compensation. Here is how refunds, airline commitments and DOT complaints work.

October 16, 20267 min read

When a US flight is delayed

U.S. DOT guidance, checked Oct. 16, 2026

Domestic, 3+ hoursRefund if you don't fly

International, 6+ hoursRefund if you don't fly

You flew anywayCheck airline commitments

Airline's faultMeals or hotel, per its plan

Not resolvedAirline, then DOT complaint

Quick answer

In the US, airlines do not have to pay cash compensation for a delayed flight. You are entitled to a refund if your flight is significantly delayed (3 or more hours on a domestic flight, 6 or more on an international one) and you choose not to travel. If you take the flight, any meals, hotel or credits come from the airline's own commitments, which DOT lists on its Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard. If the airline does not resolve your problem, you can file a complaint with DOT.

Refunds, compensation and airline commitments are different

People use "flight delay compensation" to mean three different things, and US rules treat them differently:

A refund returns what you paid for a trip you did not take. DOT requires it in specific cases.
Compensation is extra money, credit or miles on top of your trip. No federal rule requires it for delays in the US.
Commitments are the meals, hotel stays, rebooking and other services an airline promises in its customer service plan for delays it controls. DOT says airlines must honor them.

When a delay gets you a refund

According to DOT's refund rules, you are entitled to a refund if the airline cancels your flight for any reason, or significantly delays or changes it, and you choose not to travel and do not accept a credit, voucher or other compensation. DOT counts these as significant changes:

Arriving 3 or more hours late on a domestic flight, or 6 or more hours late on an international flight.
Departing 3 or more hours early on a domestic flight, or 6 or more hours early on an international flight.
Leaving from or arriving at a different airport, or having more connections than your original itinerary.
Being moved to a lower class of service. If you still fly, you are owed the fare difference.

If you take the delayed flight, you are not owed a refund for the ticket. Accepting a voucher or credit instead also gives up the refund.

How to request your refund

Tell the airline you will not take the changed flight and do not accept a rebooking, credit or voucher. DOT says airlines must notify you of a cancellation or significant change and of your right to a refund.
If you bought the ticket directly from the airline, the refund is automatic once the airline knows you do not accept the change.
Expect the money within 7 business days for a credit card purchase, or 20 business days for other payment methods.
Ask about extras. DOT says fees for extra services you paid for but could not use through no fault of your own are refundable, and bag fees are refundable if your bag is significantly delayed.
Watch your statement for the credit. Our guide to tracking a refund shows how to follow it until it posts.

What airlines commit to for delays they control

If you take the delayed flight and the delay was within the airline's control, you may get meals, a hotel stay or other services. What you get depends on the airline's customer service plan.

DOT's Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard shows what each large US airline commits to provide. Check it for your airline instead of relying on lists elsewhere, since airlines can change their plans. DOT says these commitments do not affect your right to a refund.

A 2024 federal law requires DOT to direct airlines to set policies on reimbursing meals, lodging and transportation to and from lodging when a cancellation or significant delay is the airline's fault.

Is cash compensation for delays required?

No. DOT had asked for public comment on possibly requiring airlines to pay cash compensation and cover other costs when they cause a significant disruption. On Nov. 17, 2025, DOT withdrew that proposal in the Federal Register. It said the law does not authorize it to require reimbursement or compensation for flight disruptions beyond having airlines set their own policies.

In the same notice, DOT said some of the largest US airlines voluntarily commit to credits, travel vouchers or frequent flyer miles for cancellations and significant delays they control. Those are airline policies, not federal requirements.

How to file a DOT complaint

Contact the airline first and give it a chance to fix the problem. Under DOT rules, airlines must acknowledge a complaint within 30 days and send a written response within 60 days.
If that does not work, file with DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection on its complaint page. Include your confirmation number, flight details, what happened and what you want.
You can also write to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590, or call 855-368-4200.

DOT sends your complaint to the airline and asks it to respond to you. It does not investigate every individual complaint. DOT also publishes a monthly Air Travel Consumer Report.

Flights in Europe or the UK

Different rules apply. EU air passenger rights cover flights within the EU, flights departing the EU on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU from outside it on an EU airline. If you arrive 3 or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as bad weather.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority explains a similar rule, UK261, with fixed amounts based on flight distance. You claim directly from the airline, since compensation is not paid automatically.

Keep track of the money

Note the date you turned down the changed flight and the amount you are owed, then check that the refund posts within DOT's time limits. If it does not, contact the airline, then file a DOT complaint.

If you have lost track of older refunds or checks from any company, our guide to finding unclaimed money explains how to search state records for free.

Where Compass+ fits

Compass+ does not track flights, file claims or request refunds. Today, the Compass assistant runs inside Gerald with a read-only bank connection that can show transactions, including refunds that have posted.

Standalone Compass+ is waitlist-only while broader money-finding features are being built.

Frequently asked questions

Flight delay FAQ

Do US airlines have to pay compensation for a delayed flight?

There is no federal rule requiring cash compensation for delays. DOT withdrew its proposal on compensation for flight disruptions in November 2025, saying the law does not let it require compensation. Some airlines commit to credits, vouchers or miles for delays they control, so check DOT's Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard.

When can I get a refund for a delayed flight?

DOT says you are entitled to a refund if the airline significantly delays your flight and you choose not to travel and do not accept a credit, voucher or other compensation. A significant delay means arriving 3 or more hours late on a domestic flight or 6 or more hours late on an international flight.

How long does an airline have to refund me?

Under DOT's rules, refunds are due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 business days for other payment methods. For tickets bought directly from the airline, the refund is automatic once the airline knows you do not accept the changed flight or an alternative.

Will the airline pay for my meals or hotel during a delay?

It depends on the airline and on whether the delay was within its control. DOT's dashboard shows which services each large US airline commits to, such as meal vouchers and hotel stays. DOT says airlines must honor the commitments in their customer service plans.

How do I file a complaint with DOT about a flight delay?

Give the airline a chance to fix the problem first. If it does not, file a complaint with DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection online, by mail or by phone. DOT asks the airline to respond to you, but it does not investigate every individual complaint.

Does EU261 cover flights to or from the US?

The EU's rules cover flights departing the EU on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU from outside it on an EU airline. A flight from the US to Europe on a US airline is not covered, but a flight from Europe to the US is. The UK has a similar rule, called UK261.

Sources

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