What is your delayed flight actually worth?

What a delayed flight is actually worth

How much am I owed for a delayed flight?

For a delay that crosses the significant threshold, three hours or more on a domestic flight and six hours or more internationally, you are entitled to a full cash refund of your fare and any fees if you decline rebooking or a voucher. There is no separate fixed payout in the United States the way Europe pays a set sum under EU 261; what you recover is the money you actually paid, plus recoverable out-of-pocket costs. Enter your numbers above and the calculator estimates the total.

Does the airline owe me extra cash on top of the refund?

Not under federal rule. A proposed U.S. rule that would have required carriers to pay $200 to $775 in additional cash for controllable delays was formally withdrawn in November 2025, so no large U.S. airline guarantees a cash payment beyond the refund. Some carriers offer goodwill credits voluntarily, and a delay caused by something within the airline's control can still support a claim for documented expenses through your card benefits or travel insurance.

What if my delay was under three hours, or weather-related?

A shorter delay usually falls below the automatic refund threshold, though out-of-pocket costs can sometimes be recovered through a travel credit card or an insurance policy. Weather and air-traffic events sit outside airline control, so they rarely trigger a fare refund; even then, trip-delay insurance and card protections may apply. If a claim was denied and you believe it was wrong, see how to appeal and win, or have us recover it for you.