Holiday Travel Cancelled Flight Guide: Thanksgiving and Christmas

Despite what some airline agents may imply during chaotic holiday periods, your DOT refund rights and EU261 compensation rights are exactly the same during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and every other holiday. There is no "holiday exception" that reduces airline obligations.

Airlines sometimes use holiday chaos to push passengers toward vouchers instead of cash refunds. Do not fall for it. Your right to a cash refund for a cancelled flight is absolute, regardless of the time of year. See our voucher vs. cash guide.

1. 1

   Act immediately. Holiday flights fill to capacity. When a flight is cancelled, available seats on alternatives disappear within minutes.

2. 2

   Call while you wait in line. Get on the phone with the airline while standing in the rebooking line.

3. 3

   Consider nearby airports. If your destination airport has alternatives within driving distance, checking those can reveal options.

4. 4

   Check alliance partners. Ask the airline to check partner carriers for availability.

5. 5

   Know when to take the refund. If all alternatives are fully booked for days, a refund plus a rental car or train may get you there faster.

Winter storms are the primary cause of holiday cancellations. While weather does not affect your refund right, it can affect the airline's obligation to provide hotel accommodation (only required for controllable delays under DOT commitments) and EU261 fixed compensation (weather is an extraordinary circumstance).

For detailed weather delay guidance, see our weather compensation guide. For what to do at the airport, read our cancellation survival guide. For overnight delays, see our hotel guide. Check your flight for eligibility.