By the PromptLeadz editorial team. Last reviewed 20 September 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Your flight's been cancelled. The airline app offers you a voucher, or a new flight in two days, and a button that says "accept". Don't press it yet. In Europe and the UK you may be owed three things: your money back or a new flight of your choice, care while you wait, and a fixed cash compensation on top. In the US, a real refund if you don't want the new flight.
Your choice: refund or new flight
Under EU261 and UK261, when a flight is cancelled you choose, not the airline:
- A full refund of the ticket, paid within 7 days, or
- A new flight to your destination at the earliest opportunity, or at a later date that suits you.
A voucher is only fine if you actually want one. You can refuse it and ask for cash.
While you wait for a new flight, the airline owes you care: meals and drinks, and a hotel with transport if you're stuck overnight. If they don't provide it, keep receipts for reasonable costs and claim them back.
Compensation on top
You're also owed fixed compensation (EUR 250 / 400 / 600, or GBP 220 / 350 / 520 under UK261, depending on distance) unless:
| When they told you | No compensation if... |
|---|---|
| 14 days or more before departure | Always exempt |
| 7 to 13 days before | They offered a new flight leaving no more than 2 hours early and arriving no more than 4 hours late |
| Less than 7 days before | They offered a new flight leaving no more than 1 hour early and arriving no more than 2 hours late |
Or the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances: severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security issues. Most technical faults and crew shortages don't count. Ask the airline to state the reason in writing.
In the US
If your flight is cancelled and you don't accept the alternative offered, you're entitled to a cash refund, not a voucher, under Department of Transportation rules. Airlines must pay it back to your card within 7 business days, or within 20 days for other payment methods. There's no federal cash compensation for cancellations, but check the airline's own commitments on the DOT's airline dashboard.
Worked example
Léa's Nice to Amsterdam flight was cancelled four days before departure. The new flight offered arrived 9 hours later, so outside the 2-hour window. Distance about 1,000 km. She took the new flight, claimed the 2 meals she paid for at the airport, and claimed EUR 250 in compensation. The airline said "operational reasons", which isn't an extraordinary circumstance.
The claim letter
Subject: EU261 claim, cancelled flight [number] on [date], booking [reference]
My flight [number] from [city] to [city] on [date] was cancelled on [date I was told]. [I was rebooked on flight [x], arriving [x hours] later / I chose a refund.]
Under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 I claim: compensation of EUR [amount] per passenger for [number] passengers, [the ticket refund of EUR x,] and EUR [x] in care costs (receipts attached). Please state the exact cause of the cancellation if you consider it an extraordinary circumstance.
Please pay EUR [total] to [card or account] within 14 days. Otherwise I will refer this to [enforcement body or mediator].
If they refuse
France: the Médiateur Tourisme et Voyage, then the DGAC. UK: the airline's dispute scheme or the CAA. US: a complaint to the Department of Transportation. Anywhere: your card company, if you paid by card and the refund never came. Our guide to chargeback vs Section 75 covers that route.
Sources and further reading
- UK Civil Aviation Authority: passenger rights
- Your Europe: air passenger rights (EU261)
- US Department of Transportation: air consumer protection
Let your AI handle it
Custom AI to Get Your Money Back turns ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot into a claims coach: it finds the rule, works out what you're owed, writes the letter and tracks every deadline. Flights, deposits, cards, bills, faulty orders.
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