12 Flight Cancellation Refund Rules Every Passenger Should Know (2025 Update)

7. Refunds for itinerary changes that break connections

Rule summary: If an airline changes your itinerary in a way that removes or lengthens a connection, causing missed plans or extra costs, you may be entitled to a refund for the affected segments. This includes airport changes that add long transfer times or force overnight stays. The DOT’s definitions of significant change cover many of these situations, giving passengers a clear path to refunds. How to evaluate: compare the original and new itineraries carefully, paying attention to the connection window and any additional transfers. If the change introduces a risk of missed connections or significant extra transit time, treat it as a sizable schedule alteration and request a refund for the unusable segment. Document taxi or hotel expenses caused by the change, because those records help when disputing partial refunds or seeking reimbursement. Action steps: ask the agent to confirm whether the new routing qualifies for a refund under DOT rules. If they refuse, get the agent’s explanation in writing or a screenshot of the new itinerary and then submit a formal refund request referencing the regulation.