Can I get a refund for a delayed flight?

Yes, in many cases. DOT now requires airlines to provide refunds for significant delays, generally 3+ hours for domestic flights and 6+ hours for international flights, if you choose not to travel as a result. The refund must be in cash (or the original payment method), not a voucher. This is a newer rule strengthened in 2024 that many passengers are unaware of.

What if the airline only offers a voucher?

You are not required to accept a voucher for a canceled flight or a significant delay. You have the legal right to a cash refund (or refund to your original payment method). Politely decline the voucher, explicitly request a cash refund, and note the name of the agent you spoke to. If the airline refuses, file a DOT complaint, or let TravelStacks handle it for you.

How much can I get for being bumped from a flight?

DOT mandates cash compensation for involuntary bumping. If your replacement flight arrives 1-2 hours late on a domestic flight (or 1-4 hours on an international flight), you're owed 200% of your one-way fare, up to $1,075. If you arrive more than 2 hours late domestically (or 4+ hours internationally), you're owed 400% of your one-way fare, up to $2,150. This must be paid in cash immediately, not a voucher.

How long do I have to file a claim?

DOT does not set a fixed statute of limitations for refund claims, but acting quickly is always better. Most airlines have internal deadlines of 1-2 years for refund requests. For denied boarding compensation, you should request payment on the day of travel. TravelStacks can check eligibility for flights going back 1 to 6 years depending on the claim type and airline.

Does this apply to international flights?

US DOT rules apply to all flights departing from a US airport, regardless of the airline or destination. For flights arriving in the US from abroad, rules vary by airline and route. International departures from the EU or UK are also covered by EU261 or UK261, which may provide additional compensation. TravelStacks checks all applicable regulations for your specific flight.

What expenses can I be reimbursed for during a controllable delay?

For controllable delays, those caused by the airline's own operations rather than weather or air traffic control, airlines must reimburse reasonable expenses incurred while you wait. This typically includes meals and non-alcoholic beverages, hotel accommodation for overnight delays, and ground transport to and from the hotel. Keep all receipts. Submit your reimbursement claim to the airline within a reasonable time after the disruption.

Do US DOT rules apply to foreign airlines flying within the US?

Yes. US DOT rules apply to all carriers operating flights that depart from a US airport, including foreign airlines. If you flew on Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, or any other foreign carrier on a flight departing from a US airport, DOT refund rules, denied boarding rules, and tarmac delay rules all apply to that flight.

Can I claim baggage compensation separately from a flight disruption claim?

Yes. Baggage claims and flight disruption claims are handled separately. You file a baggage claim at the airport baggage office (or within a short window after the flight). Refund and reimbursement claims go through a different process. TravelStacks handles flight disruption claims, refunds, reimbursement, and denied boarding. Baggage claims must be filed directly with the airline.

Can I get a refund for a delayed flight?

Yes, in many cases. DOT now requires airlines to provide refunds for significant delays, generally 3+ hours for domestic flights and 6+ hours for international flights, if you choose not to travel as a result. The refund must be in cash (or the original payment method), not a voucher. This is a newer rule strengthened in 2024 that many passengers are unaware of.

What if the airline only offers a voucher?

You are not required to accept a voucher for a canceled flight or a significant delay. You have the legal right to a cash refund (or refund to your original payment method). Politely decline the voucher, explicitly request a cash refund, and note the name of the agent you spoke to. If the airline refuses, file a DOT complaint, or let TravelStacks handle it for you.

How much can I get for being bumped from a flight?

DOT mandates cash compensation for involuntary bumping. If your replacement flight arrives 1-2 hours late on a domestic flight (or 1-4 hours on an international flight), you're owed 200% of your one-way fare, up to $1,075. If you arrive more than 2 hours late domestically (or 4+ hours internationally), you're owed 400% of your one-way fare, up to $2,150. This must be paid in cash immediately, not a voucher.

How long do I have to file a claim?

DOT does not set a fixed statute of limitations for refund claims, but acting quickly is always better. Most airlines have internal deadlines of 1-2 years for refund requests. For denied boarding compensation, you should request payment on the day of travel. TravelStacks can check eligibility for flights going back 1 to 6 years depending on the claim type and airline.

Does this apply to international flights?

US DOT rules apply to all flights departing from a US airport, regardless of the airline or destination. For flights arriving in the US from abroad, rules vary by airline and route. International departures from the EU or UK are also covered by EU261 or UK261, which may provide additional compensation. TravelStacks checks all applicable regulations for your specific flight.

What expenses can I be reimbursed for during a controllable delay?

For controllable delays, those caused by the airline's own operations rather than weather or air traffic control, airlines must reimburse reasonable expenses incurred while you wait. This typically includes meals and non-alcoholic beverages, hotel accommodation for overnight delays, and ground transport to and from the hotel. Keep all receipts. Submit your reimbursement claim to the airline within a reasonable time after the disruption.

Do US DOT rules apply to foreign airlines flying within the US?

Yes. US DOT rules apply to all carriers operating flights that depart from a US airport, including foreign airlines. If you flew on Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, or any other foreign carrier on a flight departing from a US airport, DOT refund rules, denied boarding rules, and tarmac delay rules all apply to that flight.

Can I claim baggage compensation separately from a flight disruption claim?

Yes. Baggage claims and flight disruption claims are handled separately. You file a baggage claim at the airport baggage office (or within a short window after the flight). Refund and reimbursement claims go through a different process. TravelStacks handles flight disruption claims, refunds, reimbursement, and denied boarding. Baggage claims must be filed directly with the airline.

US DOT · Passenger Rights

Airlines Owe You Money. Most Never Pay.

90% of eligible US passengers never collect what airlines owe them. The DOT has rules requiring cash refunds for cancellations, cash compensation for involuntary bumping, and more. Airlines count on you not knowing. Here is what they owe you.

Check if my US flight qualifies

Free to check. No win, no fee for compensation claims.

What are my rights if a US airline cancels my flight?

If your flight is canceled, you are entitled to a full cash refund of your ticket price, no exceptions. Airlines often lead with vouchers or travel credits because most people accept them without questioning. You are not required to accept a voucher. This applies even to non-refundable tickets. If the airline cancels, the contract terms shift in your favor.

Do US airlines owe refunds for significant delays?

DOT now requires airlines to issue refunds for significant delays: generally 3+ hours for domestic flights and 6+ hours for international flights. This rule was strengthened in 2024 and airlines are required to proactively offer the refund, you shouldn't have to fight for it. If your flight was significantly delayed and you chose not to travel, you are owed a refund of the unused portion of your ticket.

How much do airlines owe for involuntary bumping under DOT rules?

If you are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, airlines must pay you cash compensation, not a voucher. The amount depends on how long the airline delays your arrival:

1-2 hour delay

Up to $1,075

200% of one-way fare

2+ hour delay

Up to $2,150

400% of one-way fare

International

Up to $2,150

Same rules apply

What are my rights during a tarmac delay?

Airlines cannot keep you on the tarmac for more than 3 hours on a domestic flight or 4 hours on an international flight without giving you the option to deplane. If they violate this rule, you may have grounds for a DOT complaint. Airlines face significant fines for tarmac delay violations, they take this rule seriously.

What compensation can I claim for lost or damaged baggage?

Airlines are liable for delayed, damaged, or lost baggage on domestic flights up to $3,800 per passenger. For international flights, the Montreal Convention applies with different limits. You must file a claim with the airline promptly, ideally before leaving the airport. Keep receipts for any expenses caused by delayed baggage (e.g., buying essentials while waiting).

How far back can I claim?

DOT does not set a single fixed statute of limitations for refund claims, but acting quickly improves your odds. Denied boarding compensation should be requested the day of travel. For refunds and reimbursement, most airlines have internal deadlines and TravelStacks can check flights going back approximately 1 year:

Refunds and reimbursement

~1 year

Practical filing window for most DOT claims

Denied boarding (IDB)

Day of travel

Request payment at the gate

EU261 / UK261 also applies?

2-6 years

If your flight departed from an EU or UK airport

What airlines don't want you to know

Airlines offer vouchers first because studies show most passengers accept them without asking for cash. A $300 travel credit costs the airline far less than $300 in cash, credits expire, have restrictions, and get forgotten. You almost always have the right to cash instead. Airlines are legally required to tell you this if you ask, but they are not required to lead with it. Ask for cash.

How TravelStacks helps

TravelStacks checks your flight eligibility automatically, tells you exactly what you're owed under DOT rules, and handles the entire claim process. We charge a $19 flat fee for refund and reimbursement claims, and 25% for denied boarding compensation, only if we recover something. No win, no fee.

Check if my US flight qualifies

US DOT passenger rights, frequently asked questions

Related passenger rights guides

EU261 passenger rights

Compensation up to 600 EUR for delays and cancellations on EU-covered flights.

UK261 passenger rights

The same framework as EU261 for UK airport departures, paid in GBP.

Compensation calculator

Estimate exactly how much your delay or cancellation is worth.

TravelStacks vs AirHelp

Side-by-side fee and coverage comparison before you decide who to use.

Check if your US flight qualifies
We handle everything. You keep more.

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Check if my US flight qualifies

Works for past flights too. US DOT: up to 1 year. EU261 and UK261: up to 6 years back.

Airlines Owe You Money. Most Never Pay.

What are my rights if a US airline cancels my flight?

Do US airlines owe refunds for significant delays?

How much do airlines owe for involuntary bumping under DOT rules?

What are my rights during a tarmac delay?

What compensation can I claim for lost or damaged baggage?

How far back can I claim?

US DOT passenger rights, frequently asked questions

Related passenger rights guides

Check if your US flight qualifiesWe handle everything. You keep more.

Check if your US flight qualifies
We handle everything. You keep more.