Can I get cash instead of travel credit?

So the airline has offered you a voucher, which is perfectly legal, but you'd rather just have the cash. You'll need to proactively ask your airline for a cash refund in writing. The same goes for if you've booked through an online travel agency like Expedia. They are also covered under DoT rules.



People Also Ask

What's the law? The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) is clear on the issue of refunds: if your flight is canceled by the airline and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund. That means the dollar amount you paid, not a voucher for the equivalent to use with the airline.

MORE DETAILS

So the airline has offered you a voucher, which is perfectly legal, but you'd rather just have the cash. You'll need to proactively ask your airline for a cash refund in writing. The same goes for if you've booked through an online travel agency like Expedia. They are also covered under DoT rules.

MORE DETAILS

There is no limit to the amount of money or vouchers that the airline may offer, and passengers are free to negotiate with the airline.

MORE DETAILS

A former flight attendant has warned travelers in the US not to take vouchers if they are ever involuntarily bumped from a full flight — because they're entitled to cold, hard cash.

MORE DETAILS

Involuntary Bumping If you are involuntarily bumped, the DOT requires each airline to compensate involuntarily bumped passengers via check or cash. The amount you receive from the airline depends on the price of the ticket you purchased and the length of the delay.

MORE DETAILS

Non-refundable tickets - Consumers who purchase non-refundable tickets are not entitled to a refund unless the airline makes a promise to provide a refund or the airline cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change.

MORE DETAILS

While credits can be used on as many flights as needed until they're fully used, vouchers can be used only on one flight, with any leftover value going to waste.

MORE DETAILS

If you choose to cancel a flight, most airlines will give you your money back in the form of a voucher or travel credit equivalent to the value of your ticket. Be aware, though: Some airlines will try to get you to accept a voucher when they cancel – or make a significant change to – your flight.

MORE DETAILS

Is it better to get a travel voucher or points? Voucher: Far more limited than a refund, these are generally valid for future travel. They may have an expiration date and may be non-transferable. Miles: Usually awarded to frequent flyers, these can be redeemed for award flights on airlines.

MORE DETAILS

Sometimes, when an airline asks for volunteers to give up their seats and fly on a different flight, there are not enough volunteers. When this occurs, the airline will select passengers to give up their seats. This is called “involuntary denied boarding” or “bumping.”

MORE DETAILS

Overbooking flights in the US Here's what you need to know: Only boarding denials due to overbooked flights are covered. US regulations are quite strict: passengers are only eligible for compensation if they are denied boarding due to the airline overbooking the flight in question.

MORE DETAILS

If there are not enough passengers who are willing to give up their seats voluntarily, an airline may deny you a seat on an aircraft based on criteria that it establishes, such as the passenger's check-in time, the fare paid by the passenger, or the passenger's frequent flyer status.

MORE DETAILS

Moreover, every airline in the United States overbooks its flights at least some of the time. All but one, that is. JetBlue Airways (JBLU 2.70%) is the one holdout that chooses not to overbook its flights -- to be more customer-friendly.

MORE DETAILS

If there are not enough passengers who are willing to give up their seats voluntarily, an airline may deny you a seat on an aircraft based on criteria that it establishes, such as the passenger's check-in time, the fare paid by the passenger, or the passenger's frequent flyer status.

MORE DETAILS