Trump's DOT cancels compensation for airline delays and cancellations
Travelers who run into a flight delay or cancellation will not automatically be owed financial compensation, after a decision made this week by the Trump administration.
The U.S. Department of Transportation withdrew a proposed rule that would have required airlines to compensate passengers $200 or more for major flight disruptions for problems like maintenance or crew staffing.
Related: Airlines lobby DOT to remove passenger protections
Major airlines praised the move, previously arguing that the measure would have raised ticket prices.
First proposed late last year under the Biden administration and former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, this compensation rule would have required airlines to pay passengers between $200 and $300 for domestic flights delayed at least three hours.
Passengers would have been eligible for compensation for disruptions deemed the airline's fault — similar to protections enjoyed by passengers in the European Union.
The federal rule-making process for this policy was still underway when President Trump took office in January. But according to a filing this week, the administration elected not to move forward with implementing the new regulation.
In a statement to TPG, the DOT said it would "faithfully implement" all consumer protection policies mandated by Congress. That includes, a spokesperson said, tighter refund rules passed last year — which require airlines to automatically refund passengers who decide not to travel when their flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
"Some of the rules proposed or adopted by the previous administration, however, went beyond what Congress has required by statute, and we intend to reconsider those extra-statutory requirements," a DOT spokesperson said Friday, perhaps opening the door to rolling back additional Biden-era consumer protections.
A regulatory shift
The Biden administration took an aggressive approach to air travel consumer rights, putting sustained pressure on airlines — from delay and cancellation protections for travelers to family seating policies and carriers' treatment of passengers with disabilities.
A trade group for the largest U.S. airlines said Friday it looked forward to working with the Trump administration to implement its "deregulatory agenda."
"We are encouraged by this Department of Transportation reviewing unnecessary and burdensome regulations that exceed its authority and don't solve issues important to our customers," said Airlines for America, which earlier this year asked the DOT to roll back a wide range of other consumer protections for passengers.
What rights do consumers have?
Despite the apparent end of the government's push for flight delay compensation, passengers do still have refund rights — and options for recouping expenses paid out when they get stranded.
Air travel refund rules
DOT policy still requires airlines to refund passengers when their flight is canceled or significantly delayed and the passenger opts not to fly.
Under a law passed by Congress last year, refunds are due within seven days for customers who paid by credit card.
Consumer rights dashboard intact
Also still intact, at this point: the DOT's air travel consumer rights dashboard, which spells out airline policies for protections like meals, hotel and ground transportation costs when a flight is canceled or significantly delayed and the airline is deemed responsible.
The dashboard also grades airlines on their family seating policies.
Credit cards with travel insurance can come in handy
And, don't forget: there are plenty of travel credit cards that have built-in travel insurance protections, which can offset the cost of an unexpected hotel night or rideshare ride (along with other expenses) when you get stuck.
Notably, these protections can apply even when your travel disruption is due to bad weather — which few airlines offer any type of compensation for.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees