The Department of Transportation requires airlines to make refunds for purchased airline tickets and related services automatic, prompt, and within 20 days. A passenger is entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel. Travel experts also advise against standing in rebooking lines at airports and sending direct messages to airlines on social media during major weather events. Travelers can also receive refunds if a bag for a domestic flight is delayed for more than 12 hours, or 15-30 hours for international flights, if they choose to fly during a major storm. Travel expert Clint Henderson recommends using credit card claims and being proactive about finding a future flight. He also recommends keeping an airline's customer service number to your customer service.