Flight delayed 3 or 6 hours? When it becomes a refund

A delay by itself rarely earns cash in the US. A long enough delay, or a big change, can earn you a refund if you choose not to travel.

What counts as a significant change

• A schedule change over the thresholds above.
• A different departure or arrival airport.
• Added connections.
• A material downgrade, such as a lower class of service.

The catch most people miss

If you fly the delayed flight, you have used the ticket. There is no refund after that. Decide before you board.

If you flew anyway

You are not without options. The airline may owe care it has promised for delays it controls, and many travel credit cards pay hotel, meals and essentials after a long delay. See card protections and hotels and meals.

What you will not get

There is no fixed US payout for a delay. The Biden-era proposal to create one was withdrawn in Nov 2025. Be wary of anyone promising a payout the US rules do not provide.

International trips

International flights may fall under the Montreal Convention for proven damages. Flights departing the EU or UK can also fall under EU or UK passenger rights, which include fixed cash payments for some delays.