How to Get a Refund for a Delayed or Canceled Flight

last updated December 19, 2024

Before you take to the air this holiday, learn your flight refund rights. AAA expects this to be an extremely busy travel season, with a record 119.33 million people traveling between now and the end of the year.

Whether you're headed to a country where the dollar is strong or one of Kiplinger's great places to live in Texas to see family, there's a good chance you could experience flight delays or cancellations due to high travel volume and potential winter weather. So, how can you get your money back if you're affected?

Storms could disrupt travel

With much of the country incurring winter weather, it's common for storms to pop up. If you live in or plan to travel in an area where winter weather is common, make sure to pay close attention to weather forecasts.

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Even with preparation, things can happen that cause delays: Airline staffing issues, computer glitches and delays from connecting airports can cause a ripple effect that could add time to your travel.

Airlines aren't always prepared to respond, despite years of warnings. Compensation for passengers can be slow and painful to extract.

So educate yourself before you head to the airport, and use the compensation guidance below if your travel plans get derailed.

How to get your refund

So your flight was canceled or delayed — now what? Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) Airline Customer Service Dashboard, where you can compare the refund and reimbursement policies of the 10 biggest U.S. airlines.

According to the DoT's information, Alaska and JetBlue are the top carriers in terms of assisting customers with disrupted travel plans, while Frontier is by far the worst.

Find your airline in the tables below and check if your disruption is covered under their policies.

Airline flight cancellation compensation policies

Airline customer service list

Once you've determined whether your airline covers your situation, contact them via their respective customer service website:

Holiday travel tips:

Download your airline's app: If your flight delays, chances are customer service phone and physical lines will be long. Often, you can reschedule flights through your airline on their app quicker.
Consider an airport lounge: Airports charge excessive prices for food and water. Instead of waiting in long lines, an airport lounge gives you a quiet place to relax, have a good meal, and even with a delay, you can rest comfortably.
Have a credit card with trip insurance: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer trip cancellation insurance if a flight cancels due to unexpected inclement weather, sickness and other covered events.

Ben Demers manages digital content and engagement at Kiplinger, informing readers through a range of personal finance articles, e-newsletters, social media, syndicated content, and videos. He is passionate about helping people lead their best lives through sound financial behavior, particularly saving money at home and avoiding scams and identity theft. Ben graduated with an M.P.S. from Georgetown University and a B.A. from Vassar College. He joined Kiplinger in May 2017.