If you have an upcoming trip, the recent government shutdown and ongoing flight disruptions may be causing serious stress.
Should you cancel your plans, wait it out or hope for the best? More importantly, what happens if your airline cancels your flight?
Your rights under the Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation, or DOT, regulates airlines and has made it clear: if an airline cancels your flight or delays it by more than three hours, you are entitled to a full refund — not a credit, a full cash refund.
If you don’t want to risk waiting to see whether your flight will be canceled, some airlines are proactively allowing customers to cancel and receive refunds.
Here’s a quick breakdown of current airline policies
American Airlines: Customers traveling between Nov. 6 and Nov. 14 can change their trip or request a full refund.
Delta Airlines: Tickets booked for travel through Nov. 9 can be changed, canceled or refunded without penalty.
United Airlines: Passengers booked through Nov. 13 out of IAH can cancel for a full refund, even if their flight is not affected.
Southwest Airlines: Refunds are not being offered, but travelers with trips between Nov. 7 and Nov. 12 can rebook within 14 days of the original departure without paying any fare difference.
READ MORE: How United, Southwest, Delta, and American are adjusting to FAA flight limits
Things to keep in mind
Airline policies and dates are changing daily as the situation evolves.
Importantly, because flight disruptions caused by external factors like a government shutdown are not the airlines’ fault, they are not required to reimburse secondary costs, such as hotel stays or other parts of your trip that may be affected.
For anyone with upcoming travel, it’s best to check your airline’s policy frequently and know your rights — especially if a cancellation or delay could impact your plans.
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