Information, not legal advice. RefundRules summarizes US DOT rules from 14 CFR Part 260. It does not know your ticket, the airline's records, or facts you leave out. Confirm with the airline and the DOT before relying on it.

Voucher or cash refund? What US rules say about airline credits

Airlines may offer vouchers, but must tell you about your refund right; accepting one ends it.

Vouchers offered instead of a refund

A voucher or credit offered as an alternative must come with notice of the right to a refund and stay valid for at least five years.

14 CFR 260.6(c)

Accepting an alternative ends the refund right

If the consumer flies the changed flight, accepts rebooking, or affirmatively accepts a voucher, credit or other compensation, no fare refund is owed under 260.6.

14 CFR 260.6(a)(1); 14 CFR 260.7

Form of refund

Refunds go back in the original form of payment unless the consumer agrees to a cash equivalent. No processing fee may be kept.

14 CFR 260.10

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Add RefundRules as a remote MCP server and describe what happened. It returns a verdict with citations.

{
  "mcpServers": {
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Official sources: DOT refunds, DOT automatic refund rule, file a DOT complaint.

Rules from 14 CFR Part 260 (eCFR Title 14 Part 260, up to date as of 2026-10-16). Retrieved 2026-10-20.