01 · Practical guidance
Choose the outcome first
Ask whether the trip still works. A refund and continued travel are different paths. Before accepting a voucher or alternate flight, understand what rights or flexibility that choice changes.
Verify
Collect the current price, terms, and constraints.
Compare
Put realistic alternatives on the same basis.
Act
Choose the next move and document the follow-through.
02 · Practical guidance
Check the airline's commitments
Use the DOT dashboard and the airline's customer service plan to see what it promises for controllable cancellations or delays. Weather and other causes outside airline control may be treated differently.
03 · Practical guidance
Document every part of the disruption
Save the original itinerary, cancellation or delay notice, rebooking offers, chat transcripts, names, receipts, baggage reports, and proof that a paid ancillary service was unavailable.
A strong decision is not just cheaper. It is complete, usable, documented, and ready to carry out.
Your action plan
Make the next move without reopening the research.
- Save the original itinerary and disruption notice.
- Decide whether to travel or request a refund.
- Compare rebooking options before accepting one.
- Check the DOT dashboard and airline plan.
- Keep receipts and request eligible refunds or reimbursements in writing.
Questions people ask
Common questions, answered directly.
Do I have to accept a travel voucher?
No. When DOT refund rules apply, you may choose a refund instead of a voucher or alternative transportation.
Does the airline always owe a hotel after cancellation?
No. Commitments depend on the airline and the cause. Check the DOT dashboard and the airline's written customer service plan.
Can I receive a refund for paid seat or Wi-Fi service I did not receive?
DOT rules provide refunds for certain ancillary services that were unavailable through no fault of the passenger. Preserve the receipt and request.
Primary resources
Verify availability and terms at the source.
Use these independent primary resources to confirm rules, availability, and current details: