U.S. DOT rules
U.S. Flight Delay Rights: Refunds, Not Cash Compensation
This is the most misunderstood corner of passenger rights. The United States has no EU-style cash compensation for delays, and the proposed federal cash-compensation rule was withdrawn. What you do have is a strong automatic-refund right and denied-boarding pay — real money, just structured completely differently from Europe.
Reviewed June 2026 · Source: the U.S. Department of Transportation (transportation.gov), 2024 refund rule
What you're owed
Automatic cash refunds + fee refunds; no fixed delay payout
Enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
There is no cash compensation for delays
Unlike Europe, U.S. law does not pay you a fixed sum for a delayed flight. The Biden-era proposal to create one was withdrawn. Any airline that pays for a delay is doing so under its own policy, not a legal requirement.
Automatic refund for significant changes
Under the 2024 DOT rule, if your flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you choose not to travel, you're owed an automatic cash refund. A “significant change” includes:
- A domestic departure 3+ hours earlier, or arrival 3+ hours later than booked
- An international departure/arrival shifted by 6+ hours
- A changed departure or arrival airport
- Added connections, or a downgrade in service class
Refunds must be cash and automatic
The refund must be in the original form of payment (not a voucher you have to accept), and automatic: within 7 business days for credit-card purchases and 20 days for other payments. You don't have to fight for it.
Refund of fees for services you didn't get
Separately, airlines must refund fees you paid for services you didn't receive — a checked bag that arrived very late, Wi-Fi that didn't work, or a seat selection you couldn't use.
Denied boarding (involuntary bumping)
If you're involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, U.S. rules require cash (not a voucher): roughly 200% of your one-way fare (up to a cap) for shorter delays and 400% (higher cap) for longer ones. You can decline a travel voucher.
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Check my compensationFrequently asked questions
Do U.S. airlines pay compensation for delays?
Not as a legal requirement. There is no U.S. equivalent of EU261's cash compensation, and the proposed federal rule was withdrawn. You may be owed a refund (if you don't travel) and refunds of unused fees, and some airlines offer goodwill vouchers — but no statutory delay payout exists.
What if the airline only offers a voucher?
For a cancelled or significantly changed flight you didn't take, you're entitled to a cash refund in your original payment method — you don't have to accept a voucher. If the airline pushes one, request the cash refund and, if refused, file a complaint with the U.S. DOT.