Answer a few questions to see what US rules actually entitle you to — refund, meals, hotel — no EU261 myths. Verified July 2026.
Reality check: the US has no EU261-style fixed cash payout for delays. What you're actually owed is a full refund (if you don't accept a rebooking) plus whatever meal/hotel commitments that specific airline has voluntarily made to the Department of Transportation. This tool checks both.
4 questions, 20 seconds.
1. DOT's automatic refund rule (since Oct 2024)
A flight is "significantly delayed" at 3+ hours late (domestic) or 6+ hours late (international). If your flight is significantly delayed, canceled, or significantly rescheduled, and you don't accept the airline's substitute flight, you're owed an automatic cash refund of your ticket (and any fees for services you didn't receive) — issued within 7 business days for card payments or 20 calendar days otherwise, with no request required.
2. Airline Customer Service Dashboard commitments
Separately, the 10 largest US airlines have each made individual, voluntary commitments — tracked by DOT — on rebooking on a partner airline at no cost, meals after a 3+ hour wait, and hotel + ground transport for overnight delays. These only apply to controllable disruptions (mechanical issues, crew problems — not weather or air traffic control), and exact coverage varies airline by airline.