What to do when an airline changes your flight

Airlines change their schedules constantly. Sometimes it’s a five-minute tweak to your departure time; other times, a direct flight becomes a two-stop nightmare, or your flight is cancelled entirely.

If an airline significantly changes or cancels your flight, you have specific rights under US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules.

Your Right to a Refund

If an airline cancels your flight or makes a “significant” schedule change, and you choose not to accept the alternative they offer, you are entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment. You do not have to accept a travel voucher.

The DOT defines a “significant” change as:

• A departure or arrival that is 3 hours or more earlier/later than the original schedule (for domestic flights) or 6 hours (for international flights).
• A change that increases the number of connections.
• A change from one airport to another.
• A downgrade in the class of service.

Negotiating a Better Alternative

Before you hit “accept” on the airline’s automated rebooking (which often puts you on the least convenient routing possible), research alternative flights operated by that airline. Airlines will often waive fare differences and let you manually switch to a better routing if their schedule change disrupted you.

If you booked through a travel advisor, this is where they earn their fee. They can look up the airline’s specific schedule-change policies and re-protect you on better flights, saving you hours on hold.

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