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Flight Disruption Survival Kit
Three letters, for the three disruptions where the law gives you something specific to demand. Each one cites the provision it rests on, fills in from your own booking, and is written to be sent as-is. Copy the text straight off this page — you do not need to give us an email address to read any of it.
Not sure which applies to your flight? Answer four questions and the checker will tell you.
Template 1 of 3
Refund demand after a cancelled or significantly delayed US flight
- When to send it
- Your flight was cancelled, or delayed 3 hours or more on a domestic itinerary or 6 hours or more on an international one, and you chose not to travel.
- What it turns on
- The refund is owed because you declined the alternative. If you accept a rebooking, voucher or travel credit, the entitlement ends — so ask for the refund before accepting anything.
Fill in [YOUR NAME], [CONFIRMATION CODE], [FLIGHT NUMBER], [FLIGHT DATE], [ROUTE], [WHAT HAPPENED], [AMOUNT PAID]. Authority: 14 CFR § 260.6
English
Subject: Refund request under 14 CFR Part 260 — [CONFIRMATION CODE] To whom it may concern, I am writing about flight [FLIGHT NUMBER], [ROUTE], scheduled for [FLIGHT DATE], booked under confirmation code [CONFIRMATION CODE] in the name [YOUR NAME]. [WHAT HAPPENED]. I am not accepting the alternative transportation, voucher or travel credit offered. I am requesting a refund of the unused portion of my ticket, including taxes and any ancillary fees paid for services I did not receive, in the amount of [AMOUNT PAID]. Under 14 CFR § 260.6, a carrier must provide a refund where a flight is cancelled or significantly changed and the passenger does not accept the alternative offered. I am exercising that right rather than accepting a credit. Please issue the refund to the original form of payment, as required by 14 CFR § 260.2. I understand that provision to require a refund within 7 business days for a credit card purchase and within 20 calendar days for other payment methods. Please confirm in writing that the refund has been processed. If it is not, I will file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]
Español
Asunto: Solicitud de reembolso conforme a 14 CFR Parte 260 — [CONFIRMATION CODE] A quien corresponda: Escribo en relación con el vuelo [FLIGHT NUMBER], [ROUTE], programado para el [FLIGHT DATE], reservado con la clave [CONFIRMATION CODE] a nombre de [YOUR NAME]. [WHAT HAPPENED]. No acepto el transporte alternativo, el vale ni el crédito de viaje ofrecidos. Solicito el reembolso de la parte no utilizada de mi boleto, incluidos impuestos y cualquier cargo accesorio pagado por servicios que no recibí, por un monto de [AMOUNT PAID]. Conforme a 14 CFR § 260.6, la aerolínea debe otorgar el reembolso cuando un vuelo se cancela o se modifica de forma significativa y el pasajero no acepta la alternativa ofrecida. Ejerzo ese derecho en lugar de aceptar un crédito. Le solicito emitir el reembolso a la forma de pago original, según lo exige 14 CFR § 260.2. Entiendo que esa disposición exige el reembolso en un plazo de 7 días hábiles para compras con tarjeta de crédito y de 20 días naturales para otros medios de pago. Le pido confirmar por escrito que el reembolso fue procesado. De no ser así, presentaré una queja ante la Aviation Consumer Protection Division del Departamento de Transporte de Estados Unidos. Atentamente, [YOUR NAME]
Template 2 of 3
Indemnification demand for a cancelled or long-delayed Mexican flight
- When to send it
- Your flight departed Mexico, or was operated by a Mexican carrier under a Mexican permit, and was cancelled or delayed more than 4 hours for a reason within the airline's control.
- What it turns on
- The choice of remedy is yours, not the airline's: refund, the next available flight, or travel on a later date. Where you take the refund or the later date, an indemnification of at least 25% is owed on top. It is owed only where the cause was within the carrier's control — not for weather or air traffic control.
Fill in [YOUR NAME], [CONFIRMATION CODE], [FLIGHT NUMBER], [FLIGHT DATE], [ROUTE], [WHAT HAPPENED], [CHOSEN REMEDY], [TICKET PRICE]. Authority: Ley de Aviación Civil, Art. 47 Bis, fracción V
English
Subject: Claim under Article 47 Bis of the Mexican Civil Aviation Law — [CONFIRMATION CODE] To whom it may concern, I am writing about flight [FLIGHT NUMBER], [ROUTE], scheduled for [FLIGHT DATE], booked under confirmation code [CONFIRMATION CODE] in the name [YOUR NAME]. The ticket price was [TICKET PRICE]. [WHAT HAPPENED]. Under Article 47 Bis, section V of the Mexican Civil Aviation Law, where a flight is cancelled or delayed more than four hours for a reason attributable to the carrier, the choice of remedy belongs to the passenger: a refund of the ticket or of the unflown portion; transport on the next available flight; or transport on a later date to the same destination. I elect: [CHOSEN REMEDY]. Where the passenger takes the refund or the later-date option, the carrier additionally owes an indemnification of no less than 25% of the ticket price or of the unflown portion. I am claiming that indemnification. I understand the indemnification must be settled within ten calendar days of this claim. Please confirm in writing. If I do not receive a satisfactory response, I will file a complaint with PROFECO, the Mexican federal consumer protection agency. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]
Español
Asunto: Reclamación conforme al Art. 47 Bis de la Ley de Aviación Civil — [CONFIRMATION CODE] A quien corresponda: Escribo en relación con el vuelo [FLIGHT NUMBER], [ROUTE], programado para el [FLIGHT DATE], reservado con la clave [CONFIRMATION CODE] a nombre de [YOUR NAME]. El precio del boleto fue de [TICKET PRICE]. [WHAT HAPPENED]. Conforme al artículo 47 Bis, fracción V, de la Ley de Aviación Civil, ante una cancelación o un retraso superior a cuatro horas por causa atribuible al concesionario o permisionario, corresponde al pasajero elegir entre: el reembolso del boleto o de la parte no realizada del viaje; el transporte en el siguiente vuelo disponible; o el transporte en fecha posterior hacia el mismo destino. Elijo: [CHOSEN REMEDY]. Adicionalmente, cuando el pasajero opta por el reembolso o por el transporte en fecha posterior, la aerolínea debe pagar una indemnización no inferior al 25% del precio del boleto o de la parte no realizada del viaje. Reclamo dicha indemnización. Entiendo que la indemnización debe cubrirse dentro de un plazo máximo de diez días naturales contados a partir de esta reclamación. Le solicito confirmar por escrito. En caso de no recibir respuesta satisfactoria, presentaré una queja ante la Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (PROFECO). Atentamente, [YOUR NAME]
Template 3 of 3
Cash demand after being involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight
- When to send it
- You held a confirmed reservation on an oversold flight departing the United States, did not volunteer, and the replacement itinerary was planned to land more than an hour late.
- What it turns on
- Payment is 200% of your one-way fare (capped at $1,075) if the replacement lands 1–2 hours late domestically, or 400% (capped at $2,150) beyond that — 1–4 and over 4 hours on international itineraries. Nothing is owed if you are rebooked to land within an hour. You may decline a voucher and take a cheque instead.
Fill in [YOUR NAME], [CONFIRMATION CODE], [FLIGHT NUMBER], [FLIGHT DATE], [ROUTE], [ORIGINAL ARRIVAL TIME], [ACTUAL ARRIVAL TIME], [ONE-WAY FARE]. Authority: 14 CFR §§ 250.5, 250.8
English
Subject: Denied boarding compensation due under 14 CFR Part 250 — [CONFIRMATION CODE] To whom it may concern, On [FLIGHT DATE] I held a confirmed reservation on flight [FLIGHT NUMBER], [ROUTE], under confirmation code [CONFIRMATION CODE] in the name [YOUR NAME]. The flight was oversold and I was denied boarding involuntarily. I did not volunteer to give up my seat. My original flight was scheduled to arrive at [ORIGINAL ARRIVAL TIME]. The alternative transportation offered was planned to arrive at [ACTUAL ARRIVAL TIME]. The fare to my destination was [ONE-WAY FARE]. Under 14 CFR § 250.5, denied boarding compensation is calculated as a percentage of the fare to my destination or first stopover, subject to the liability limits in force. Those limits are $1,075 and $2,150, as revised at 89 FR 84818 effective 22 January 2025. Please calculate the amount due on the arrival delay stated above and confirm the figure. Under 14 CFR § 250.8, that payment is due by cash or immediately negotiable cheque on the day and at the place the denied boarding occurred, or within 24 hours by mail where the alternative transportation departed before payment could be prepared. I did not receive payment. I was not given the disclosures required by 14 CFR § 250.5(c) before any travel credit was offered. I decline any voucher, travel credit or free transportation in lieu of payment, and I am requesting the cash or cheque payment as provided by § 250.5(c)(2). Please confirm the amount and the date of payment in writing. If payment is not made, I will file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]
Español
Asunto: Compensación por denegación de embarque conforme a 14 CFR Parte 250 — [CONFIRMATION CODE] A quien corresponda: El [FLIGHT DATE] tenía una reservación confirmada en el vuelo [FLIGHT NUMBER], [ROUTE], con la clave [CONFIRMATION CODE] a nombre de [YOUR NAME]. El vuelo estaba sobrevendido y se me denegó el embarque de forma involuntaria. No me ofrecí voluntariamente a ceder mi asiento. Mi vuelo original tenía llegada programada a las [ORIGINAL ARRIVAL TIME]. El transporte alternativo ofrecido llegaría a las [ACTUAL ARRIVAL TIME]. La tarifa a mi destino fue de [ONE-WAY FARE]. Conforme a 14 CFR § 250.5, la compensación por denegación de embarque se calcula como un porcentaje de la tarifa a mi destino o primera escala, sujeto a los límites de responsabilidad vigentes. Esos límites son $1,075 y $2,150 USD, según la revisión publicada en 89 FR 84818, vigente desde el 22 de enero de 2025. Le solicito calcular el monto debido con base en el retraso de llegada indicado y confirmar la cifra. Conforme a 14 CFR § 250.8, ese pago debe hacerse en efectivo o mediante cheque de cobro inmediato el mismo día y en el lugar donde ocurrió la denegación de embarque, o dentro de 24 horas por correo cuando el transporte alternativo partió antes de poder preparar el pago. No recibí ningún pago. No se me proporcionaron las divulgaciones que exige 14 CFR § 250.5(c) antes de ofrecerme cualquier crédito de viaje. Rechazo cualquier vale, crédito de viaje o transporte gratuito en lugar del pago, y solicito el pago en efectivo o cheque conforme al § 250.5(c)(2). Le pido confirmar por escrito el monto y la fecha de pago. Si el pago no se realiza, presentaré una queja ante la Aviation Consumer Protection Division del Departamento de Transporte de Estados Unidos. Atentamente, [YOUR NAME]
Want the whole kit on your phone for the return leg?
The templates above are yours already — copy them now, nothing is held back. If it would help to have all three in one email you can find later, without airport wifi, put your address in below.
Before you send one of these
- A refund is not compensation. US law requires the airline to give your money back in the situations above. It does not require a payment for the disruption itself, the way EU 261 does. A letter demanding “compensation” under part 260 can be refused correctly, which is why template 1 asks for a refund.
- Ask before you accept anything. Taking a rebooking, voucher or travel credit ends the refund right. The same is true of a bumping voucher: once accepted, the cash claim under part 250 is gone.
- Keep the evidence. Your boarding pass, the booking confirmation showing the original times, any gate announcement or app notification giving a reason, and receipts for what you spent because of the delay.
- Denied boarding amounts are capped percentages. 200% or 400% of your one-way fare, up to $1,075 and $2,150 respectively. A cheap fare produces a small payment; the caps are ceilings, not awards. DOT revises them roughly every two years, and the $1,550 figure still quoted in a lot of travel advice was superseded in January 2025.
- These templates are general information, not legal advice, and sending one does not create any relationship with us. We are not a claims agency and we take no percentage of anything you recover.