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š¦šŗšŗšø Australia & USWhat am I actually owed for this flight?
Airlines are quick to offer a travel credit and slow to mention a cash refund. The single most valuable thing to know after a delay, cancellation, downgrade or denied boarding is whether youāre entitled to your money back ā not just a voucher you have to spend with the same airline.
In the United States that question has unusually clear answers, because the Department of Transportation sets them by regulation. If an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you decline what they offer instead, the refund is automatic, in cash, to your original form of payment ā and the cause does not matter, weather included. If you are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, the DOT sets a cash figure based on your fare and how late you arrive. Both of those are rights US passengers routinely get talked out of.
The flip side, and the thing to be clear-eyed about: there is no US federal compensation for a delay itself. Nothing in US law resembles EU261ās fixed payout for a late flight. What a long delay buys you is the right to walk away and be refunded, not a payment for the time you lost.
In Australia the framing is different again ā the Australian Consumer Lawās service guarantees rather than a prescriptive refund regulation. Pick your country below and the tool will apply the right rulebook, and flag EU/UK 261 where your route might also qualify for it.
This tool tells you which category of entitlement youāre likely in and where to check the current specifics; it does not compute an exact compensation figure.
This decides which rulebook applies ā the DOTās or the Australian Consumer Lawās.
Only relevant for international flights.
Frequently asked questions
US: my flight was cancelled for weather. Do I still get a refund?
Yes. This is the most commonly misunderstood point in US air travel. The DOT refund rule does not care why the flight was cancelled ā if the airline cancels and you decline the alternative they offer, you are owed a refund to your original form of payment. What weather does change is the extras: meals, hotels and ground transport are tied to disruptions within the airlineās control, so for a genuine weather cancellation the airline generally does not owe those.
US: is there any compensation just for being delayed?
No, not under US federal law. There is no American equivalent of EU261ās fixed payout for a late flight. If a delay is significant ā more than 3 hours domestic, 6 hours international ā you can decline to travel and get your money back, and a controllable delay triggers whatever meals and hotel the airline publicly committed to. But if you take the flight and arrive late, there is generally no payment for the lost time.
US: I was bumped from an oversold flight. What is that worth?
If the bumping was involuntary, the DOT sets the figure: 200% of your one-way fare for a shorter arrival delay and 400% for a longer one, each subject to a cap, paid on top of your ticket. You are entitled to it as cash or a cheque. If you volunteered to be bumped in exchange for a voucher, that was a negotiated deal and these rules do not apply ā which is exactly why gate agents ask for volunteers first.
US: who do I complain to if the airline says no?
The Department of Transportation, at secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint. This is one of the few consumer areas where your state attorney general generally cannot help ā federal law largely preempts state consumer protection claims against airlines, so the DOT is the venue that matters. Airlines are required to respond to complaints filed there.
US: can I cancel a ticket I just booked?
Yes. The DOTās 24-hour rule lets you cancel for a full refund within 24 hours of booking, as long as you booked at least 7 days before departure. It applies regardless of the fare type, including basic economy.
Am I owed a refund or just a travel credit?
It depends on the cause and how the airline responds, but a service you paid for and didnāt receive points toward a refund right under the Australian Consumer Law. A credit voucher is the airlineās preferred outcome, not necessarily your only option ā you can generally ask for cash back if a credit isnāt useful to you.
Does it matter if the delay was weather-related?
Yes, it affects how strong your compensation claim is, but it doesnāt erase your rights entirely. Airlines still generally owe care (meals, accommodation) for long disruptions regardless of cause, and you can still ask for a refund if the service wasnāt provided.
What is EU261 and does it apply to me in Australia?
EU261 (and the UKās equivalent) are European passenger rights rules that can apply to flights departing the EU/UK, or arriving there on an EU/UK carrier, regardless of where you live. It sits on top of your Australian Consumer Law rights, not instead of them ā check with the operating carrier whether your specific route qualifies.
Can I complain if I already accepted a travel credit?
Often yes. Accepting a credit doesnāt automatically waive your right to ask whether the original response was fair ā you can still raise the issue, especially if the credit doesnāt reflect what you were legally owed.
What if the airline denies my complaint?
Put the complaint in writing, ask for the specific reason for the refusal, and if that doesnāt resolve it, escalate to the Airline Customer Advocate, the independent complaints body for Australian airline disputes.
Do I need proof to make a claim?
Keep your booking confirmation, the airlineās cancellation/delay notice, boarding passes, and any receipts for meals or accommodation you paid for yourself while stranded.
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screwtheman.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This tool gives general information on consumer rights and dispute pathways based on public guidance. For complex legal matters, consult a qualified lawyer or the relevant regulator.