Storm season, air traffic control outages, airline IT meltdowns — US travellers have had no shortage of reasons to sit at the gate this year. But according to a guide from Condé Nast Traveler, federal rules now give passengers far more power than most realise, and the fine print matters.

Since 2024, the Department of Transportation has required every airline flying to, from, or within the US to issue automatic refunds for cancelled or significantly changed flights — regardless of the cause. That includes weather, which many travellers wrongly assume lets airlines off the hook. The catch: 'significant' means a delay of more than three hours on domestic routes or six hours internationally, plus changes like a departure from a different airport, extra connections, or a downgrade in cabin class.

Here's the trap that catches people out: if your airline rebooks you and you accept the new flight — or take a travel voucher — you generally forfeit the cash refund. To get your money back, you have to decline the alternative. Vouchers are rarely the better deal anyway, since they're usually worth only the unused portion of your fare and lock you into the same carrier. As AirHelp's chief legal officer Eric Napoli puts it, passengers should always ask for cash instead of settling for miles or credits.

The rules also cover things people rarely claim. If your checked bag arrives more than 12 hours after a domestic flight (15 to 30 hours for international, depending on route length), you can reclaim your baggage fee — but only if you file a mishandled baggage report, which starts with a Property Irregularity Report at the airport baggage service office. Paid for Wi-Fi, seat selection, or entertainment that didn't work? You're owed a refund for those add-ons too. And if a doctor advises you not to fly because of a serious communicable disease like COVID-19 or norovirus, most airlines will issue a travel credit valid for at least five years — though you'll need documentation and to cancel before departure.

Timing is regulated too. Refunds must land within seven business days for credit card purchases, or 20 calendar days for other payment methods, and must cover the full amount paid including taxes and fees.

What airlines are not required to provide: hotels, meals, or transport during delays. Many carriers offer these voluntarily, and the DOT maintains an online dashboard comparing each airline's commitments — promises listed in a carrier's customer service plan are enforceable, so it's worth checking before you book.

If an airline stonewalls you, document everything: boarding passes, screenshots of delay notifications, receipts, and the stated reason for the disruption. A formal complaint to the DOT can trigger fines and mass refunds, and officials do process them. The difference between US rules and those in Canada or Europe is significant, so travellers used to fixed EU-style compensation should recalibrate expectations — but with the right paperwork, US passengers are far from helpless.