How to get compensation for flight cancellations, according to the new DOT rules

Flight delays and cancellations are some of the most stressful issues you can face while traveling. More headaches? Trying to get flight cancellation compensation from the airline for your plane ticket or for any additional charges you paid for, e.g. checked baggage.

But now travelers have one less thing to worry about thanks to new automatic refund rules that officially went into effect on October 28, 2024. The Department of Transportation is now requiring airlines to provide automatic refunds to passengers if their flight is cancelled or changed significantly. This means that money will be automatically refunded if the passenger refuses the changed flight schedule, rebooking to an alternative flight or other compensation such as a flight voucher.

The DOT first announced the new federal rules on how – and when –airlines customers must pay back in April 2024. The new rules apply to flights to, from or within the United States on foreign or domestic carriersmaking them some of the most consumer-friendly regulations the industry has seen to date.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without the headaches or haggling,” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. said on X. “Airlines are required to provide immediate refunds without passengers having to request them.”

Here’s an overview of the new rules and their impact on passengers:

Refunds for significant flight changes and cancellations

Under the new rules, passengers are entitled to automatic reimbursement of their travel costs to flee that have been cancelled, significantly postponed or undergoing “significant change”. whatever reason– including ‘uncontrollable’ factors such as the weather. This only applies if no alternative transport or travel vouchers are available or are rejected by the passenger. That is the most important condition. If an airline can book you on another flight (on the same day or even the next day) and you accept this, the new rules do not apply. But if you refuse the rebooking, you are entitled to an automatic refund.

Additionally, the new rule defines for the first time what the DOT considers a “significant change.” Adjustments to a flight itinerary that meet any of the following criteria will be considered significantly modified and therefore entitled to a full refund:

• Changes in departure or arrival times exceeding 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally
• Departure or arrival from another airport
• Increase in the number of connections
• Instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service
• Connections at different airports or flights on different aircraft that are less accessible or suitable for a person with disabilities