--- title: Canceled Flight? Know Your Rights description: Has your airline canceled your flight because of the global pandemic? Here's what you need to know about getting your money back. image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-07-24T114513.722.jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - 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Know Your Rights ** [Tracy Scott](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/tracy-scott) ** Aug 01, 2020 ![canceled flight at gate](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-07-24T114513.722.jpg) The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/noticescovid19) (CDC) recently published guidance to help protect your health if you travel by plane during the global pandemic. But how do you protect your finances if your flight gets canceled due to this public health emergency? The [U.S. Department of Transportation](https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/refunds) (DOT) clarifies which situations qualify passengers for a full refund and which ones don't. ## **Know Your Rights** Understanding your rights as an air traveler isn't easy, especially when flights are changed or canceled daily. In many cases, it's outright confusing. [Will you receive a full refund](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/should-you-pay-for-travel-insurance)? Is a travel voucher your only option? Or, do you lose the money you paid on the original ticket? Thanks to [DOT's April 3 Enforcement Notice](https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-04/Enforcement%20Notice%20Final%20April%203%202020.pdf), travelers experiencing significantly delayed* or canceled flights can rest easy. Ticketed passengers do not have to accept bonus air miles, discounts, or travel vouchers instead of a refund. The notice reminded airlines that despite COVID-19's impact on air travel, their "...obligation to refund passengers for canceled or significantly delayed flights remains unchanged." Remember that you are only entitled to a refund if the *airline* itself cancels or significantly delays your flight. If *you* cancel, change your trip, or choose not to travel, airlines do not have to process refunds or provide credit toward another flight. ## **How to Get a Refund for a Canceled Flight** While you might be eligible for a refund, that doesn't mean it will be processed automatically. Some airlines may attempt to satisfy you with alternatives to a full refund, such as flight credits or  promises of future discounts. If you prefer to receive an actual refund, be sure to: - Contact the airline as soon as possible. If you're part of the airline’s frequent flyer program, reach them using the email or telephone number reserved for members. - Refer to [DOT's April 3 Enforcement Notice](https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-04/Enforcement%20Notice%20Final%20April%203%202020.pdf) if you receive pushback from the airline's customer service regarding the refund request. If the airline fails to process a legitimate claim, they may be subject to adverse action by the DOT's Aviation Enforcement Office. Passengers are encouraged to follow the [DOT Consumer Complaint Process](https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/complaint-process), if needed. - Keep records of who you spoke to and when since you may need to refer to this information if you don't receive your refund in a timely manner. Expect a refund within seven business days if you originally paid by credit card or 20 business days if you paid by cash or check. *A "significant delay" is open to interpretation. The DOT will review refund requests that fall into this category on a case-by-case basis. [![Learn More About Credit Union Membership](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/da1d0378-41ba-4a30-924c-6c86c258f1e7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/da1d0378-41ba-4a30-924c-6c86c258f1e7) Others are reading: - [6 Reasons to Check Your Credit Card Statements](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/credit-card-statements) - [ Top 5 Tips for a Successful Balance Transfer](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/successful-balance-transfer) - [5 Good Reasons to Use Your Credit Card](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-reasons-to-use-your-credit-card) - [Enjoy These Benefits With Your CASH + REWARDS World Mastercard](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/enjoy-these-travel-benefits-with-your-cash-rewards-world-mastercard) - [Smart Money Moves to Make in Uncertain Times](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/money-moves-uncertain-times) ** [Government](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/government), [Travel](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/travel) [** 5 Things You Need to Know About Buying a New Condo ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-buying-a-new-condo) [** How to Prepare for a Second Wave of COVID-19 ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-second-covid-19-outbreak) ### About Author ![Tracy Scott](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Tracy-Scott-headshot.jpg) Tracy Scott Tracy Scott is a freelance writer who specializes in personal finance and higher education. Her reading list always includes a seemingly odd mix of financial literacy articles and sweet romance novels. Tracy holds a BA in Psychology from UT Austin and has a background in higher education regulatory compliance. 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Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tracy Scott" }, "dateModified" : "July 23, 2021, 12:14:50 PM", "datePublished" : "2020-08-01 11:30:00", "description" : "Has your airline canceled your flight because of the global pandemic? Here's what you need to know about getting your money back.", "headline" : "Canceled Flight? Know Your Rights", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/118438/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-07-24T114513.722.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://go.hfcu.org/blog/canceled-flight-know-your-rights", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg" }, "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" } } ```