Your rights (quick read)

• No federal law requires cash compensation for delays, but airlines must give timely/accurate info about delays and diversions.

• New DOT rule: if a delay becomes a “significant change” and you choose not to travel, you’re entitled to a cash refund to your original form of payment (includes taxes/fees and unused extras like bags/seat).

• For controllable delays (airline-caused, e.g., crew/scheduling/maintenance), most U.S. airlines voluntarily provide care (meals/hotels/rebooking).

• If you accept a rebooking, you keep the care benefits; if you decline and don’t travel, you can take the refund instead.

In the moment (do this)

• Ask: “Is this controllable or uncontrollable (weather/ATC)?” Get the reason written in your record.

• If 3+ hours and controllable: request meal voucher; if overnight: request hotel + ground transport.

• Ask for free rebooking (same day, same cabin). If limited options, ask about rebooking on another airline where available.

• If you’d rather not travel, say: “I’m invoking my refund right for a significant change.”

• Screenshot app alerts/boards and keep receipts for reasonable expenses; file with airline first, then DOT if needed.

Airline Delay Commitments (controllable delays only)

• Alaska Airlines

  • Meals for delays over 3 hours

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Free rebooking on Alaska flights or partner airlines

• American Airlines

  • Meal vouchers after 3 hours

  • Hotel accommodations for overnight delays

  • Free rebooking, including other airlines if required

• Delta Air Lines

  • Meal vouchers for delays of 3+ hours

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Often proactive with automatic rebooking

• Frontier Airlines

  • No meal or hotel guarantee

  • Will rebook you on next available Frontier flight only

• JetBlue Airways

  • Meals or vouchers after 3 hours

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Will rebook on JetBlue only

• Southwest Airlines

  • Meal vouchers after 3 hours

  • Hotel accommodations for overnight delays

  • Will rebook on Southwest only

• Spirit Airlines

  • Vouchers only for controllable delays over 3 hours

  • No hotel guarantee unless overnight delay is airline-controlled

  • No partner airline rebooking

• United Airlines

  • Meals after 3 hours

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Rebooking on United or partner airlines available

Official sources (clickable):

• DOT Final Rule: Automatic Refunds & Consumer Protections (what counts as “significant change,” refund speed, etc.) — https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/refundsfinalruleapril2024 Department of Transportation

• DOT “What Passengers Need to Know” explainer — https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/what-airline-passengers-need-know-about-dots-automatic-refund-rule Department of Transportation

• DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard (who gives meals/hotels/rebooking) — https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-cancellation-delay-dashboard

Your rights (quick read)

• If your flight is canceled for any reason and you don’t accept the alternative offered, you’re entitled to a full cash refund to your original form of payment (ticket + taxes/fees + unused extras).

• For controllable cancellations, most U.S. airlines commit to care (meals/hotel) and free rebooking; some will rebook on partners. (see below)

In the moment (do this)

• Ask for the reason and a written note in your record.

• Decide: refund (don’t travel) or rebooking (do travel). If rebooking is far out, ask for partner airline options where available.

• If overnight and controllable: request hotel + ground transport and meal vouchers.

• Keep receipts and screenshots; if refused, file a complaint with DOT.

Airline Delay Commitments (controllable delays only)

(Controllable Cancellations Only — e.g., staffing, maintenance, scheduling)

• Alaska Airlines

  • Meals for cancellations

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Free rebooking on Alaska flights or partner airlines

• American Airlines

  • Meal vouchers after cancellation

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Free rebooking, including on other airlines if required

• Delta Air Lines

  • Meal vouchers for cancellations

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Often proactive with automatic rebooking

• Frontier Airlines

  • No meal or hotel guarantee

  • Will rebook you on the next available Frontier flight only

• JetBlue Airways

  • Meals or vouchers after cancellation

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Will rebook on JetBlue only

• Southwest Airlines

  • Meal vouchers after cancellation

  • Hotel accommodations for overnight cancellations

  • Will rebook on Southwest only

• Spirit Airlines

  • Vouchers only for controllable cancellations

  • No hotel guarantee unless overnight delay is airline-controlled

  • No partner airline rebooking

• United Airlines

  • Meals after cancellation

  • Hotel accommodations if overnight

  • Rebooking on United or partner airlines available

Official Resources:

• DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard

• DOT Refund Rules