Flight help

Flight cancelled: refund or another flight?

Decide whether you still want to travel before accepting an offer.

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An editorial guide by The Caribbean Bible · Reviewed 9 October 2026

Illustrative photo: An aircraft wing seen through a cabin window.

The short answer

A refund, rerouting and compensation are different things. Ask for the available choices in writing before accepting a voucher or cancelling the booking yourself.

If you still need to reach the island

On a cancelled flight covered by EU rules, the choice normally includes a refund or rerouting, with conditions for each option. Ask about the earliest available journey and any airport change. Before buying a replacement independently, record the airline’s response and ask how reimbursement will work.

If you decide not to travel

Check what happens to the unused parts of your booking and any separately booked hotel. For flights to, from or within the US, DOT refund rules apply when the airline cancels and you decline travel alternatives. Accepting and taking an alternative flight generally removes the ticket-refund entitlement under those rules.

Keep the cancellation message

Record when you were notified, the reason and the replacement itinerary. Compensation is a separate assessment and is not guaranteed. Ask what meals or accommodation are available while waiting. Tell your accommodation and activity providers about the disruption, and check insurance before assuming other bookings will be reimbursed.

Explore your next step

You can contact the airline directly or explore optional help with a claim.

Flight problems →

Sources & method

Sources reviewed on 9 October 2026. The references below support the factual details; trip suggestions are editorial choices. This is a desk-researched guide, not an on-site inspection. Conditions and provider terms can change.

Our method & corrections

FLIGHT HELP GUIDES