FAQ
Questions people ask first
Last verified: November 10, 2026.
How these sources were checked
Checked November 10, 2026. The eCFR, Federal Register, CFPB, and the December 2024 DOT small-entity guide were opened directly. transportation.gov blocked a direct request from the network used for this check, so the DOT consumer pages were read from Internet Archive captures: the Refunds page as archived on November 2, 2026 (the page itself says it was last updated November 7, 2025), and the complaint pages as archived on May 8, 2026 (those pages say they were last updated August 1, 2025). The live DOT page controls if it has changed since the capture. The eCFR is not the official legal edition of the Code of Federal Regulations.
These answers use the same sources as the refund rules page. They are not advice about your trip.
Is a travel voucher the same as a refund?
No. Under 14 CFR 260.6 and 260.7, a voucher or credit can be offered instead of a refund only with a clear notice of the refund right, and the carrier cannot treat you as having accepted it unless you affirmatively agree. A voucher offered this way has to stay valid for at least five years. Details are on the rules page.
What if I already took the rebooked flight?
DOT’s Refunds page says that if you chose to take the significantly changed flight or an alternative flight, you are not entitled to a ticket refund under these rules. Read the cancellations and significant-change sections before you describe your trip.
I booked on a ticket agent’s website. Who refunds the ticket?
DOT’s Refunds page says to look at who charged your card. That merchant of record refunds the airfare when a refund is due. Bag fees and other optional fees are different: DOT says to ask the airline even if a ticket agent charged the fee.
How fast should a refund that is due arrive?
14 CFR 260.2 says 7 business days for a credit-card purchase and 20 calendar days for cash, check, debit card, or other forms of payment. One sentence on DOT’s Refunds page says 20 business days for cash. The regulation’s 20 calendar days is the rule. The timing section explains the clock.
Does a late checked bag refund the whole ticket?
Part 260’s bag section refunds the fee charged to transport a lost or significantly delayed checked bag. It uses 12, 15, or 30 hours depending on the itinerary, and it depends on a mishandled baggage report. It is not a refund of the airfare.
Does Beanhand send the letter or file a DOT complaint?
No. The letter stays in your browser until you copy, download, or print it. You send it. DOT complaints go through DOT’s own complaint page, linked from Next steps.
Is this legal advice?
No. Beanhand is general information and a letter template. It is not a law firm, and using the site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Check the official sources and your own records.