Ask an airline for a refund or credit after a canceled or delayed flight

Get a clear, polite request that cites what happened and what you are asking for, so you are not stuck on hold arguing.

The problem

When a flight is canceled or badly delayed, travelers often accept a voucher they did not want or give up after a long hold time. Airlines respond better to a short, specific written request with dates and confirmation numbers.

Step by step

1. 1Gather the facts: airline, confirmation number, flight number, date, what happened (canceled, delayed and by how long, schedule change, lost or delayed bag) and what you paid for out of pocket. Keep receipts.
2. 2Look up your rights on the U.S. Department of Transportation site FlightRights.gov, which explains when airlines owe you a cash refund and each airline's own commitments for delays and cancellations.
3. 3Paste the facts into ChatGPT or Claude with the prompt below. Leave out your card number and date of birth.
4. 4Read the draft and remove anything that is not true or not in your records. Do not claim compensation you are not sure you are owed; ask for it instead.
5. 5Send it through the airline's refund or complaint form (not just a phone call) and keep a copy. If they do not respond in a few weeks, you can file a complaint with the DOT through FlightRights.gov.

Copy-paste prompt

Help me write a refund or compensation request to an airline. Airline: [name]. Confirmation number: [number]. Flight: [number, route, date]. What happened: [canceled / delayed by X hours / schedule change / bag delayed], and what the airline offered: [voucher, rebooking, nothing]. What I accepted or declined: [details]. Out-of-pocket costs: [hotel, meals, rides, with amounts]. What I want: [cash refund of $X / reimbursement / miles or credit]. Write a short, polite, firm message under 250 words with the facts in order, what I am asking for, and a request for a written reply. Do not invent laws or rights; if a right depends on the situation, phrase it as a question. Then list the documents I should attach.

Tips and watch-outs

• Rules change; check FlightRights.gov from the U.S. Department of Transportation for current refund rules and each airline's commitments.
• Keep it factual and polite, and only claim what your records show.
• Send it in writing through the airline's form and keep a copy and any case number.

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