When a flight is delayed or cancelled altogether – whether due to weather, an aircraft problem or an unexpected technical failure – it is of course an inconvenience. But do you actually get anything for all your trouble?
As it turns out, it is possible. “In April 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a number of new protections for air travelers, including automatic refunds for canceled flights and, in some cases, flight delays,” said US News and World ReportThese rules will come into force on October 28th.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to air travel and what you can do in the meantime if you encounter a problem at the airport.
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Can you get anything if your flight is delayed or cancelled?
Simply put, yes. “Previously, the Department of Transportation (DOT) had determined that airlines in the U.S. were not required to compensate passengers if a flight was delayed or canceled – the companies were only required to pay compensation if you were rebooked or turned away from an overbooked flight,” said MarketWatch GuidesHowever, since the rule change, airlines must promptly refund cash to their passengers if they are entitled to such an amount.
A cash refund is due in the event of a cancellation or “significant change” to the flight. This includes the following situations:
- A departure or arrival time that differs from the original time by more than three hours for domestic flights or more than six hours for international flights.
- A change of departure or destination airport
- Increasing the number of flight connections
- A downgrade to a lower service class
- A connection to an airport with less accessibility or flights on an aircraft with less accessibility for a person with a disability
If you experience flight problems before these rules come into force, the type of compensation you receive may depend “on the reason for your trip disruption and the airline you are flying with,” said NerdWalletWhile “some protections are universal – such as the ability to get a full refund if your flight is cancelled” – compensation for a delay is not a guarantee.
Rather, “airlines are not currently legally required to reimburse you for a flight delay unless the U.S. Department of Transportation classifies the delay as ‘significant,’ a term that is defined on a case-by-case basis,” says U.S. News & World Report.
What steps should you take if your flight is cancelled or delayed?
If you are unfortunate enough to have your flight delayed or canceled, your first step should be “to call your airline’s customer service hotline or go to the customer service desk at the airport to file a claim,” according to MarketWatch Guides.
During this conversation, keep your rights in mind. Even before the proposed rule change takes effect, “under federal law, you are entitled to a cash refund if the airline cancels your flight and you are forced to change your travel plans,” says U.S. News & World Report. Still, don’t be surprised if airlines initially try to “offer a credit for future travel instead.”
Rest assured, the process will become less cumbersome in the near future. When the new rule comes into effect, airlines will be “obliged to automatically issue a refund without a passenger having to request one,” said Travel + Leisure. These “refunds must be made within seven business days for credit card purchases and within 20 calendar days for other payment methods.”
Is there anything you can do to avoid delays or cancellations?
While upcoming rule changes (and awareness of your rights) may make the situation of a delayed or cancelled flight easier to manage, you may be wondering if there is a way to avoid this hassle in the first place.
Of course, there are some factors that you (and the airline) cannot control, but there are still some precautions you can take:
Consider a credit card that offers some protection. “Several travel-related credit cards offer travel delay insurance that covers exactly these types of delays,” NerdWallet said.
Take out travel insurance. “Consider purchasing travel insurance with flight coverage — even a cheap travel policy can protect your investment,” said U.S. News & World Report. Depending on the policy, you may be covered if there are delays due to “bad weather, airline maintenance or personal medical issues,” said NerdWallet, and “some travel insurance policies even allow you to cancel a trip for any reason.”
