Refunds under the 2024 DOT auto-refund rule, bumping pay under 14 CFR 250 (up to $2,150), baggage liability up to $3,800, and tarmac delay rights.
Under the 2024 DOT auto-refund rule (effective October 2024), if your flight is cancelled and you choose not to accept rebooking, the airline must refund the original form of payment automatically — no haggling, no vouchers, within 7 business days for credit cards.
What next: Decline rebooking in writing if offered. Refund must be issued automatically. If not received within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 days (cash/check), file a complaint at transportation.gov/airconsumer.
The US has no UK261/EU261-style fixed-amount delay payouts. DOT regulations cover four distinct scenarios — cancellation refunds, denied boarding, baggage liability, and tarmac rules.
Cancellation or significant change (3+ hr domestic / 6+ hr international, or origin/destination change). Refund is automatic to original payment method — not vouchers. Effective October 2024.
Involuntary denied boarding on US carriers. 200% of one-way fare (capped $1,075) for 1–2 hr delay domestic / 1–4 hr international. 400% (capped $2,150) for longer.
Domestic checked-bag liability cap (14 CFR 254). International is ~$1,800 (1,288 SDR under Montreal Convention). File a claim with the carrier within 24 hours for damage, 21 days for delayed bags.
No. The US has no statutory cash-compensation scheme for plain delays. The 2024 DOT auto-refund rule covers cancellations and significant changes (3+ hr domestic / 6+ hr international) by mandating a full refund, but there’s no equivalent of the UK/EU $250–$650 fixed payout for a delayed-but-operated flight. If your itinerary touches Europe or the UK, the foreign rule may still apply — check our passenger-rights guide.
A change that, in DOT’s words, materially alters your trip: a 3+ hour delay on domestic, 6+ hours on international; a change of origin or destination airport; an additional connection or downgrade in service class; or a connection that creates significantly longer travel time. The airline must offer the choice between rebooking and a full refund — you cannot be forced into a voucher.
14 CFR 250 only triggers when the airline involuntarily denies you boarding because the flight is oversold and not enough volunteers came forward. If you accept a voucher to volunteer, you’re outside the rule. Involuntary bumping pays 200% of the one-way fare (capped at $1,075) if the airline gets you there 1–2 hr late domestic or 1–4 hr international, or 400% (capped $2,150) if longer. The airline must offer cash or check — not just vouchers.
The DOT’s public dashboard at transportation.gov tracks each US carrier’s commitments for controllable cancellations and delays (mechanical, crew, IT). Most major US airlines have committed to meal vouchers after 3 hours and hotel accommodation for overnight delays caused by the airline. These are airline policies, not federal mandates — check the dashboard for the specific carrier.
Under DOT’s tarmac delay rule (14 CFR 259), domestic flights cannot stay on the tarmac more than 3 hours, international 4 hours, before passengers must be allowed to deplane. Airlines must provide food and water within 2 hours and operable lavatories. Civil penalties for violations are up to $27,500 per passenger — though paid to the government, not to you.
Baggage damage claims must be reported within 24 hours of arrival; delayed bags within 21 days. There’s no fixed federal statute of limitations for refund claims, but practical limits are 6 months to 2 years depending on the airline. File via DOT’s consumer complaint portal at transportation.gov/airconsumer if the airline refuses.