JetFools / Your rights
Your rights as a US air traveler
Airlines owe you a cash refund if they cancel or significantly change your flight and you don't take the alternative, and up to $2,150 if you're bumped involuntarily. US law doesn't require cash compensation for delays.
Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Cancelled flight refundIf a US airline cancels your flight or significantly changes it and you decline the rebooking, you're owed a full cash refund to your original payment method, not a voucher.Flight delaysUS law doesn't require airlines to pay cash compensation for delays.Bumped from a flightIf you're involuntarily bumped from an oversold US flight and arrive more than an hour late, the airline must pay 200% of your one-way fare (up to $1,075) or 400% (up to $2,150), depending on the delay.Lost or delayed bagReport a missing bag before you leave the airport.
If an airline won't follow the rules, you can file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation.