US Flight Cancelled? You Get Cash Back, Not a Voucher (DOT Rule)

US Flight Cancelled? You Get Cash Back — Not a Voucher

Since October 2024, the US Department of Transportation requires airlines to provide automatic cash refunds when they cancel your flight or make a significant change — no request forms, no phone queues, no vouchers unless you explicitly agree to one. This is separate from EU261 compensation; on a US–Europe flight, you may be owed both.

What counts as "significantly changed"

Domestic: departure or arrival shifted by 3+ hours.
International: shifted by 6+ hours.
Added connections, airport changes, or downgraded cabin.

The voucher trap

Airlines still default to offering travel credit or vouchers at cancellation — because most passengers accept them. Under the DOT rule, cash is the legal default. A voucher is only acceptable if you affirmatively choose it. If an agent says "we've issued a travel credit," you can say: "Under the DOT automatic refund rule, I'm entitled to a cash refund to my original payment method."

Watch out: if you already accepted a voucher before knowing this, you may still be able to convert it — contact the airline and cite the DOT rule. Success varies, but it's worth the email.

What "automatic" means

The airline must issue the refund without you asking — within 7 business days for credit card purchases, 20 days for other payment methods. If two weeks pass and nothing appears, that's when you escalate: first the airline (in writing), then a DOT complaint.

Refunds vs EU261 compensation

These stack. If your New York → Paris flight was cancelled:

DOT rule: full cash refund of your ticket (or rebooking).
EU261: €600 compensation on top (EU airline, or any airline departing the EU on the return).

One is your money back; the other is damages for the disruption. Claim both.

Per US DOT Airline Refund Rule (2024), 14 CFR Part 259/260 as amended. Last verified October 2026.