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Airline refunds: the rules, and the free way to use them
What US airlines owe you automatically when a flight is cancelled, changed or your bag is late. You do not need to pay anyone to get an airline refund. When the airline owes it, the rules require the airline to issue it automatically, without you asking.
The free official routeYou do not need to pay anyone to get an airline refund. When the airline owes it, the rules require the airline to issue it automatically, without you asking.
Frequently asked questions
Does airline refunds cost anything to claim?
You do not need to pay anyone to get an airline refund. When the airline owes it, the rules require the airline to issue it automatically, without you asking.
Is QuicklyClaim a government service?
No. QuicklyClaim is an independent publisher. We explain the official process and link straight to it.
Every rule we rely on
| A cancelled flight is a flight that was published in the airline's reservation system when the ticket was sold but was not operated by the airline. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.2 |
| A flight counts as significantly delayed or changed when the departure is moved at least 3 hours earlier on a domestic itinerary or 6 hours earlier on an international one, when arrival is at least 3 hours later domestic or 6 hours later international, when the airport changes, when connections are added, when the passenger is downgraded, or when an accessibility feature a disabled passenger needs is changed. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.2 |
| An automatic refund means the airline issues the refund without waiting for the passenger to ask, because the right to a refund is undisputed when the service was not provided. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.2 |
| A prompt refund means within 7 business days for a credit card purchase, and within 20 calendar days for cash, check, debit card or other forms of payment. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.2 |
| When a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed and the passenger declines the alternative flight or other compensation offered, the airline that sold the ticket must provide a full and prompt refund of the airfare, including taxes and ancillary fees. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.6 |
| An airline must not treat a passenger as having accepted travel credits, vouchers or other compensation instead of a refund unless the passenger affirmatively agrees to it. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.7 |
| If a passenger does choose a voucher or credit instead of a refund, it must stay valid and redeemable for at least five years. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.6 |
| A checked bag counts as significantly delayed when it is not delivered within 12 hours for a domestic flight, 15 hours for a shorter international flight, or 30 hours for a longer international flight. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.2 |
| A checked bag fee refund is due automatically when the bag is significantly delayed, the passenger has filed a mishandled baggage report, and any required notice between airlines has been given. The refund must be at least the fee the passenger paid to check the bag. | 14 C.F.R. § 260.5 |
Guides
- My flight was cancelled. How long does the airline have to refund me?
- The airline gave me a voucher. Can I still get my money back?