Short answer: if an airline changes your flight time, your rights depend on the size of the change and where you fly. In the US, a change of 3+ hours on a domestic trip or 6+ hours on an international one means you can refuse the new flight and get a cash refund, even on a non-refundable ticket. Under EU261 and UK261, a change made less than 14 days before departure can also earn €250 to €600 (UK: £220 to £520) in compensation on top of a refund or new flight.
Affiliate note: Some links in this guide are affiliate links to claim services and travel insurance. If you use them, The Finer Route may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. You never need a claim service to get a refund or compensation: we show how to claim directly, and we link to the official rules.
Schedule changes are the quiet cousin of cancellations. You get an email that says your 9:05 a.m. flight now leaves at 1:40 p.m., or that your nonstop now connects in Chicago, and the airline asks you to "accept the change." Many travelers click accept without knowing that the change may give them the right to a full refund, a free move to a better flight, or a cash payment in Europe. This guide covers the US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, EU261 and UK261, as of October 2026.
The 60-second rights check
Answer three questions: where does the flight depart, how big is the change, and how much notice did you get?
| Your situation | Refund if you refuse the change? | Cash compensation? |
|---|---|---|
| US domestic flight moved 3+ hours (earlier departure or later arrival) | Yes, cash to your original payment | No federal right to compensation |
| International flight from the US moved 6+ hours | Yes | Only if EU261/UK261 also applies |
| US flight with a new airport, an extra connection or a lower cabin | Yes, whatever the time change | No federal right |
| Flight from the EU or UK changed 14+ days before departure | Yes (refund or new flight) | No |
| Flight from the EU or UK changed 7 to 13 days before departure | Yes | Yes, if you leave 2+ hours earlier or arrive 4+ hours later than planned |
| Flight from the EU or UK changed under 7 days before departure | Yes | Yes, if you leave 1+ hour earlier or arrive 2+ hours later than planned |
EU261 coverage in one line: it protects every flight departing from an EU airport (plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU when the airline is based in the EU. A United flight from Newark to Paris is not covered; the same airline's flight from Paris back to Newark is.
US rules: when a schedule change means a cash refund
Since the DOT's refund rule took effect, airlines must refund passengers in cash when they cancel a flight or make a significant change and the passenger does not accept the alternative. According to the DOT refunds page, a significant change is any of these:
- You depart 3 or more hours earlier (domestic) or 6 or more hours earlier (international) than originally scheduled.
- You arrive 3 or more hours later (domestic) or 6 or more hours later (international).
- You depart from or arrive at a different airport (for example, Newark instead of JFK).
- Your itinerary has more connections than the one you bought.
- You are downgraded to a lower cabin, for example from premium economy to economy.
- For passengers with a disability: different connecting airports, or a replacement aircraft that lacks the accessibility features you need.
What the airline must do
- Tell you about the change and that you have a right to a refund if you do not accept it, using the alerts you signed up for (app, text or email).
- Refund automatically if you reject the new itinerary or do not respond to it. You do not have to ask twice.
- Pay quickly: within 7 business days for credit card purchases and within 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
- Refund in the original form of payment. A travel credit or voucher is only allowed if you choose it. If you do, DOT says credits must be valid for at least five years.
- Refund extras you could not use, such as seat fees and bag fees.
What US rules do not give you
There is no federal right to cash compensation for a delay or schedule change in the US. If you accept or fly the changed flight, you generally lose the DOT refund right. Changes smaller than the thresholds (say, a domestic flight moved by 90 minutes) do not trigger the federal rule, but many airlines' own policies let you switch flights or cancel for free after a schedule change of an hour or two. It is always worth asking.
For delays and cancellations caused by the airline, also check the DOT cancellation and delay dashboard, which lists what each large US airline has committed to provide, such as meal vouchers and free rebooking.
EU261 and UK261: when a change pays compensation
Under Regulation (EC) 261/2004, a major change to your flight time is treated like a cancellation of the original flight. That gives you two separate things: the right to choose between a refund within seven days or a new flight (Article 8), and, depending on the notice, the right to compensation (Article 7).
Compensation depends on notice and on the new times
| When the airline told you | No compensation if the new flight... | Otherwise you can claim |
|---|---|---|
| 14 days or more before departure | (no compensation in any case) | Refund or new flight only |
| 7 to 13 days before | leaves no more than 2 hours earlier and arrives less than 4 hours later | €250 to €600 |
| Less than 7 days before | leaves no more than 1 hour earlier and arrives less than 2 hours later | €250 to €600 |
The amount depends on the distance: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for longer flights, such as Paris to New York. The airline may cut the amount by half if the replacement flight gets you to your destination within 2, 3 or 4 hours of the original arrival time, depending on the distance band.
Flights moved earlier count too. In December 2021 the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that a flight brought forward by more than one hour is a cancellation for compensation purposes. An earlier departure can wreck a trip as badly as a late one: you miss the flight because you planned to arrive at the airport for the old time.
Extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security threats can release the airline from paying compensation, but not from refunding you or offering a new flight. A schedule change made for commercial reasons, such as merging two half-empty flights, does not qualify as extraordinary.
UK261
After Brexit, the UK kept the same rules in its own law. Flights departing the UK, and flights to the UK on UK or EU airlines, are covered. The amounts are £220, £350 and £520, using the same distance bands, notice periods and time windows.
Is EU261 changing?
EU institutions reached a provisional deal on reforming passenger rights in June 2026, but as of October 2026 it has not been formally adopted and is not in force. The current rules above still apply to every flight you take today. We will update this guide when the new rules have a start date.
Accept or reject the new flight?
This is where most travelers lose money, so decide before you tap "accept" in the app.
Reject it if...
- You want your money back and you can book something better elsewhere.
- The new time breaks your plans: a missed connection, a hotel night or a cruise departure.
- The airline also offers alternatives: ask for a different flight first, then decide.
Accept it if...
- The new time still works and fares for other flights have gone up.
- You fly from the EU or UK and still qualify for compensation: under EU261, flying the changed flight does not cancel your right to compensation when the notice and time conditions above are met.
- The airline offers a free move to a better flight that you prefer.
Ask for a better alternative first. Airlines often have more options than the app shows. Call or use chat and ask for a specific flight number at a time that works. In the US, if the airline cannot offer anything acceptable, you still keep the refund right as long as you have not accepted.
How to claim, step by step
- Screenshot everything: the original booking, the change email with its date and time, and the new itinerary. The date of the email decides the notice period under EU261.
- Do not cancel the booking yourself. If you cancel, the airline can treat it as your voluntary cancellation and apply fare rules. Reject the change instead.
- Use the airline's refund form or chat and say you are rejecting the change and requesting a refund under the DOT refund rule (US) or Article 8 of EU261 (Europe).
- Booked through an online travel agency? Contact the agency first, since it holds the ticket, but airlines are still responsible under DOT rules.
- Claim EU or UK compensation separately on the airline's claim form. You need the booking reference, flight numbers and names of all passengers.
- Wait about 6 to 8 weeks. If the airline refuses or does not answer, escalate: in the US, file a complaint with the DOT; in Europe, contact the national enforcement body of the country you departed from; the EU's Your Europe site explains how. In the UK, see the Civil Aviation Authority.
Time limits for EU261 claims are set by national law and range from about one year to six years, depending on the country where you file. Claim as soon as you can.
Copy-paste messages to your airline
These short messages work in airline chat, a web form or email. Fill in the details in brackets.
US flight: reject the change and request a refund
Booking reference: [ABC123] Passenger(s): [Names] You changed flight [AA1234] on [date] so that it now [departs X hours earlier / arrives X hours later / connects in ___ / leaves from ___]. This is a significant change under the DOT refund rule. I do not accept the new itinerary. Please refund the full ticket, plus seat and bag fees, to my original form of payment.
EU or UK flight: refund or rerouting plus compensation
Booking reference: [ABC123] Flight: [AF1234] on [date], [origin] to [destination] On [date of notice] you informed me that my flight was rescheduled from [old time] to [new time]. This is less than [14 / 7] days before departure and counts as a cancellation under Regulation (EC) 261/2004. I request [a refund under Article 8 / rerouting on flight ___] and compensation of [EUR 250 / 400 / 600] under Article 7 for each passenger listed.
Claim yourself or use a service?
Claiming directly costs nothing, and for a simple US refund you should always do it yourself. For EU or UK compensation, airlines sometimes reject first claims or never reply. Claim services handle the paperwork and, if needed, court action, in exchange for a share of the payout. They are worth it if you do not want to chase the airline for months, or if you have several passengers and flights.
AirHelp
One of the largest claim services. Enter your flight to check eligibility in a few minutes; you pay a fee only if the claim succeeds.
Compensair
Covers EU261, UK261 and several other passenger-rights laws. Also no-win, no-fee; useful as a second opinion on a borderline case.
Before you sign up, read the fee on the service's site and check that you have not already started a claim with the airline, because two parallel claims cause confusion.
Prepaid hotel or tour lost because of the new time? Airline compensation does not cover them. Trip interruption cover in travel insurance such as EKTA may, depending on the plan. Read the policy wording before you buy, and see our travel insurance guide.
FAQ
Can I get compensation if my flight time changes?
In the EU and UK, yes, if the airline told you less than 14 days before departure and the new times fall outside the allowed windows; amounts are €250 to €600 (UK £220 to £520). In the US there is no federal right to cash compensation, but a significant change gives you the right to a cash refund.
How many hours of schedule change qualify for a refund in the US?
Under DOT rules, 3 hours or more for domestic itineraries and 6 hours or more for international itineraries, earlier departure or later arrival. A different airport, an extra connection or a downgrade also qualifies whatever the time change.
Do I lose my refund if I accept the new flight?
In the US, generally yes: the refund right applies when you reject the change or do not respond. Under EU261, flying the rescheduled flight does not by itself remove your right to compensation if the notice and time conditions are met.
How long does the airline have to refund me?
In the US, 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other forms of payment. Under EU261, refunds are due within seven days.
Does EU261 apply if my flight was moved earlier?
Yes. The Court of Justice of the EU ruled in 2021 that a flight brought forward by more than one hour counts as a cancellation for compensation purposes.
Can the airline give me a voucher instead of a refund?
Only if you agree. You can insist on a refund to your original form of payment. In the US, if you do accept a travel credit, DOT says it must be valid for at least five years.
Should I use AirHelp or claim myself?
Claiming directly is free and works well for simple refunds. A claim service such as AirHelp or Compensair takes a share of the compensation but handles follow-ups and legal action, which helps when an airline delays or rejects your claim.
Related reading
- Flight cancelled? What to do in the first 30 minutes
- Flight delay compensation: who qualifies for up to €600
- Airline strikes in Europe and your rights
- Thanksgiving travel 2026: best and worst days to fly
- Travel insurance: what it covers
Sources
- US DOT: Refunds
- US DOT: What passengers need to know about the automatic refund rule
- US DOT: Airline cancellation and delay dashboard
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (EUR-Lex)
- Your Europe: Air passenger rights
- UK Civil Aviation Authority: Delays and cancellations
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to travel partners, including AirHelp, Compensair and EKTA. If you use them, The Finer Route may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
