Unlike the EU's fixed-amount compensation rules, the US has no law requiring airlines to pay cash for a delay or cancellation itself. What you ARE entitled to is more specific than most people realize: an automatic cash refund under DOT's 2024 rule if you don't accept an alternative, plus meal and hotel guarantees the 10 largest US airlines committed to for controllable disruptions. Answer a few questions below to see exactly what applies to your situation.
Many travelers assume the US has EU261-style fixed cash compensation (e.g. €600 for a long delay). It doesn't. What changed in October 2024 is the automatic-refund rule: if your flight is significantly delayed (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) or canceled and you don't accept the airline's alternative, you're owed your money back automatically — no request required, and not just a travel credit.
Only if the cause was within the airline's control (not weather or air traffic control) and only for airlines that committed to it on DOT's Customer Service Dashboard — check your specific airline's commitment.
If you accept the airline's rebooking or alternative, you generally aren't owed the automatic refund — the refund applies when you decline the alternative and don't fly.
Check live TSA wait times before your next flight, or plan ahead with the Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck tool.