What to do if your flight is canceled
When you’re traveling, timing is often of the essence. For instance, you may need your flight to leave Philadelphia on time so you can board your cruise ship before it leaves for Alaska.
Flight disruptions can complicate most any travel itinerary. So take a few minutes to learn about your options.
What you’ll learn:
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If your flight is canceled, the Department of Transportation (DOT) says most airlines will rebook your flight at no additional cost.
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The DOT requires airlines to offer automatic refunds when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.
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Depending on coverage, travel insurance may cover flight cancellations or delays.
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Airline apps can help keep you informed by notifying you about canceled and delayed flights before you leave for the airport.
What happens if your flight is canceled?
The DOT says about 77% of flights in 2024 were on schedule. And about 1.5% of flights were canceled.
When airlines cancel a flight, the DOT says most airlines will rebook you on the first available flight to your destination. That’s typically at no cost to you. But because that’s not always the case, it can help to know your options.
How to find out if your flight is canceled or delayed
Like lots of people, you may keep your phone close at hand while you’re traveling. If so, it could be a key source of information about flight cancellations and delays.
You may want to download your airline app or a third-party travel app for updates. You could also sign up for flight-status text alerts from your airline, if they’re available. And once you arrive at the airport, you may want to check the arrival and departure signs throughout.
What to know if your flight has been canceled
Here are some helpful things to know before you experience a flight cancellation or delay.
How DOT protections can help travelers
A DOT rule requires airlines to offer refunds when flights are canceled or significantly delayed by more than three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights. The DOT says the rule also applies to:
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Departures or arrivals from a different airport
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Increases in the number of connections
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Instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service
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Connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability
The agency also protects passengers when baggage is significantly delayed, or when purchased services like Wi-Fi or in-flight entertainment are not provided.
How to get a refund for a canceled flight
The DOT requires that refunds be automatic, without the need for passengers to request them from an airline.
The DOT also says refunds need to be:
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Issued promptly: Refunds must be issued “within 7 business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.”
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Offered in full: Refunds must be for the full amount of the ticket price, with the value of any portion of transportation already used subtracted.
- Paid in cash or the original form of payment: Refunds must be provided in cash or the original payment method including credit card rewards miles.
How to rebook a flight
If you need to rebook a canceled flight, you’ll typically have a number of options. If you bought your ticket from an airline, you could rebook using its app, website or customer service phone number. You could also try rebooking at the airline’s ticket counter.
If you didn’t book directly through an airline, you could contact the travel agency, online travel portal or service provider that you used.
Before you rebook, it may help to check the DOT’s airline cancellation and delay dashboard. It informs travelers about services, fees and vouchers that major airlines provide for cancellations and delays.
How to book a hotel after a flight cancellation
Some airlines provide hotel accommodations for overnight delays and cancellations. They may also offer free ground transportation to and from the hotel.
What to do if your flight is canceled FAQ
Want to know more? Review these frequent questions about flight cancellations.
Does travel insurance cover canceled flights?
Some travel insurance may cover flight cancellations or delays. It may also cover things like lost luggage, trip cancellations due to illness, and medical emergencies that happen while you’re traveling. Coverage depends on the policies of the insurance provider and the specifics of the policy.
Can you get a refund through Capital One Travel for a canceled flight?
If a flight you booked through Capital One Travel has a cancellation or delay within 72 hours of departure, Capital One can help. First, you’ll be alerted of the flight disruption by phone and email. Next, a support team member can help with rebooking your flights. But the airlines must authorize refunds.
Key takeaways: What to do if your flight is canceled
Canceled flights can disrupt your travel plans and leave you scrambling for another option. That’s why it can help to know how to proactively deal with the situation. Understanding federal protections could help, too.
If you want to make your next getaway more rewarding, you can see if you’re pre-approved for a travel rewards credit card from Capital One. New Venture and Venture X cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles when they spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
