US airlines are required to refund you for a canceled flight automatically

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5. According to the rules, once you accepted the alternate flight, A DAY LATER, you were

no longer entitled to a refund. They didn't tell you that. Back then, it was UP TO YOU to figure it out for yourself AND REQUEST IT YOURSELF. Now, "the airlines" MUST give all domestic passengers with delays of more than 3 hours (YES, EVEN DUE TO WEATHER) a FULL CASH REFUND. The new rules just went into effect.

I can see lots of Thanksgiving and Xmas flights getting automatically refunded now.

From the USA Today link in the OP.


Refunds for canceled flights

Even before the new rule was announced, the DOT required airlines to provide refunds to travelers whose flights were canceled, so long as they chose not to take alternative flights offered by the airline.

The DOT's policy clarifies how and when these refunds need to be processed. Under the latest guidelines, an airline must provide the refunds automatically, without passengers specifically requesting them. Airlines and ticket agents are also required to complete the refund within seven days for credit card purchases, and 20 days for other forms of payment.

The refunds must be made to the original form of payment – they cannot be covered by airline vouchers or credits if the tickets weren't paid for that way. And, the refunds must cover the full, unused value of the ticket. Airlines will not be required to issue refunds for segments of an itinerary that were already flown before the trip was canceled.