Airline refund letter builder: get what you're owed
Pick what happened, and this tool tells you what US airlines owe you under DOT rules and writes the refund or compensation letter for you: cancelled flights, delays of 3+ hours, late bags, and getting bumped.
Rules checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Free airline letter templates
Prefer to write it yourself? Copy one of these and fill in the brackets.
Cancelled flight refund letter
Subject: Refund request: cancelled flight [FLIGHT] on [DATE], confirmation [CODE]
Hello [AIRLINE] Customer Relations, My flight [FLIGHT] from [FROM] to [TO] on [DATE] (confirmation [CODE]) was cancelled. I did not accept the alternative you offered, and I am requesting a full refund of [AMOUNT] to my original form of payment, including taxes, fees, and any extras I paid for and could not use. Under the U.S. Department of Transportation's refund rule (14 CFR Part 260), passengers are entitled to a full cash refund when an airline cancels a flight and the passenger chooses not to travel on the alternative. Refunds to a credit card are due within 7 business days, and within 20 calendar days for other payment methods. Please confirm the refund in writing. If I don't receive it in that time, I will file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Thank you, [NAME] [CONTACT]
Significant delay refund letter
Subject: Refund request: flight [FLIGHT] on [DATE] delayed [HOURS] hours, confirmation [CODE]
Hello [AIRLINE] Customer Relations, My flight [FLIGHT] from [FROM] to [TO] on [DATE] (confirmation [CODE]) was delayed by [HOURS] hours. Because of this significant change, I chose not to travel, and I am requesting a full refund of [AMOUNT] to my original form of payment. Under the U.S. Department of Transportation's refund rule (14 CFR Part 260), a departure or arrival change of 3 or more hours on a domestic flight, or 6 or more hours on an international flight, is a significant change, and a passenger who declines it is entitled to a full refund. Please confirm the refund in writing within 7 business days for credit card payments. If I don't receive it, I will file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Thank you, [NAME] [CONTACT]
Delayed bag refund and expense letter
Subject: Bag fee refund and expense claim: flight [FLIGHT] on [DATE], baggage file [FILE]
Hello [AIRLINE] Baggage Services, My checked bag on flight [FLIGHT] from [FROM] to [TO] on [DATE] (confirmation [CODE], baggage file [FILE]) was delivered [HOURS] hours after my arrival. Under the U.S. Department of Transportation's refund rule (14 CFR Part 260), the checked bag fee must be refunded when a bag on a domestic flight is delivered more than 12 hours after the flight arrives. Please refund my [BAGFEE] bag fee to my original form of payment. I also had reasonable expenses while I waited for my bag, totaling [EXPENSES]. My receipts are attached. Please reimburse these as well. Thank you, [NAME] [CONTACT]
Bumped flight compensation letter
Subject: Denied boarding compensation: flight [FLIGHT] on [DATE], confirmation [CODE]
Hello [AIRLINE] Customer Relations, I was involuntarily denied boarding on flight [FLIGHT] from [FROM] to [TO] on [DATE] (confirmation [CODE]) because the flight was oversold, and I arrived at my destination [HOURS] hours later than originally scheduled. Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules (14 CFR Part 250), I am entitled to denied boarding compensation of [PERCENT] of my one-way fare, up to [CAP]. My one-way fare was [FARE], so I am owed [OWED]. Please pay this by check or to my original form of payment. I do not accept a travel voucher in place of this compensation. Thank you, [NAME] [CONTACT]
If the airline won't pay
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Airlines must respond to DOT complaints, and refunds are the most common complaint category. Read more about your rights.
Quick answers
- How do I write a refund letter to an airline?
- State your flight, date, and confirmation code, say you declined the alternative, ask for a full refund to your original payment method, and cite the DOT refund rule (14 CFR Part 260). The claim builder writes it for you.
- Can an airline give me a voucher instead of a refund?
- Only if you agree to it. If the airline cancelled or significantly changed your flight and you didn't take the alternative, you're owed cash.
- How much compensation do you get for being bumped?
- On a domestic flight, 200% of your one-way fare up to $1,075 if you arrive 1 to 2 hours late, or 400% up to $2,150 if more than 2 hours late, paid in cash or check.
- Do I get my bag fee back if my bag is late?
- Yes, on a domestic flight if your checked bag is delivered more than 12 hours after arrival.