Holiday flight checklist: ID, bag fees and refunds if your flight is canceled

By Max BasariaPublished November 6, 2026How we write guides

Holiday flights are the ones you least want to go wrong. Fares are high, planes are full, and if something breaks there are fewer empty seats to rebook onto. Most problems can be headed off with a few checks before you leave, and federal rules spell out what the airline owes you when it is the one that changes the plan.

This checklist covers three things: the ID you need at security, what happens if you do not have it, and your refund rights for cancellations, long delays and late bags.

1. Check your ID weeks before you fly

Since May 7, 2025, travelers need a REAL ID compliant license or another acceptable document to board domestic flights, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

• Look for the star. USAGov says a driver’s license or state ID with a star in the upper right corner is already REAL ID compliant.
• No star? Use a passport. A valid passport is an acceptable alternative for domestic flights. TSA publishes the full list of other accepted documents on its website.
• Getting a REAL ID takes time. Your state’s licensing agency issues them, and holiday weeks are a bad time to discover the next appointment is weeks away, so check now.
• Check every adult in your party. It is easy to remember your own license and forget that a spouse or grown child renewed theirs without the star.

2. If you have no acceptable ID: TSA ConfirmID and the $45 fee

Travelers who show up without a REAL ID or other acceptable document can pay to have TSA try to verify their identity another way. The program is called TSA ConfirmID.

• The fee is $45. It covers one 10 day period, per the TSA notice in the Federal Register. USAGov says the verification is valid for 10 days from your departure date, which can cover a short round trip.
• It is for adults. USAGov describes the option as being for travelers 18 and over who do not have a REAL ID.
• Pay before you get to the airport. USAGov advises paying in advance to avoid delays at the checkpoint.
• It is not a guarantee. The Federal Register notice says paying does not guarantee that your identity will be verified or that you will get through. You may still face extra screening.
• No refunds. TSA will not refund the fee, in whole or in part, even if verification fails.

ConfirmID is a fallback, not a plan. If you can get a passport or REAL ID in time, that is cheaper and far more predictable.

3. Know when the airline owes you a refund

The Department of Transportation’s refund rules are clearer than many travelers realize. You are entitled to a refund of your ticket, even a non-refundable one, in these situations, as long as you do not accept the alternative the airline offers:

• The airline cancels your flight, for any reason.
• It makes a significant change. DOT counts these as significant:
  • departure moved 3 or more hours earlier, or arrival 3 or more hours later, on a domestic flight (6 hours for international);
  • a different departure or arrival airport;
  • more connections than your original booking;
  • an involuntary downgrade to a lower class of service.

What you do next matters. If you accept the rebooked flight, a travel credit or a voucher, you generally give up the cash refund. If you would rather have your money back, decline the alternative and ask for a refund.

You are not owed a refund if the flight operates as scheduled and you decide not to go on a non-refundable ticket, or if you simply had a bad experience on a flight you took.

How and when the money arrives

• Refunds go back to your original form of payment, not as a voucher, unless you choose otherwise.
• Airlines must refund credit card purchases within 7 business days and other payment types within 20 days.
• If you booked through an online travel agency, the company named on your card statement (the merchant of record) handles the airfare refund. Refunds of bag fees and other extras come from the airline.
• If you do take a credit or voucher, DOT says it must be valid for at least five years.

4. Bag fees and extras

Checked bag fees can add up fast on a family trip. DOT rules mean you can get the fee back if your bag is significantly delayed:

• Domestic flights: the bag is not delivered within 12 hours of arrival.
• International flights: 15 hours for flights of 12 hours or less, and 30 hours for longer flights.

You must file a mishandled baggage report with the airline to qualify, so do it at the airport before you leave. Fees for extras you paid for but did not get, such as seat selection on a canceled flight or onboard Wi-Fi that did not work, are also refundable.

5. Use the 24 hour rule when you book

For tickets bought at least seven days before departure, DOT requires airlines to either let you cancel for a full refund within 24 hours or hold the fare for 24 hours without payment. That gives you a short window to fix a wrong date or grab a cheaper fare you spot later. DOT notes the rule does not apply to tickets booked through travel agents, so check the agency’s own policy.

Quick printable checklist

1. Every adult has a starred license or a valid passport.
2. Anyone without one has a plan: a REAL ID appointment, a passport, or ConfirmID paid in advance.
3. Booking confirmation saved, with the fare type and bag allowance noted.
4. Airline app installed with notifications on, so you see schedule changes quickly.
5. You know the 3 hour domestic and 6 hour international thresholds for a significant change.
6. You know to decline vouchers if you want cash back.
7. Bag tags photographed, and you know to file a report at the airport if a bag is missing.
8. Receipts kept for any bag fees and paid extras.

Common questions

Does the airline have to pay for my hotel if my flight is canceled?

DOT’s refund rules cover your ticket and fees, not hotels or meals. Some airlines offer those for problems within their control, so check the airline’s customer service commitments, and consider whether travel insurance makes sense for an expensive trip.

Can I still find a cheaper flight this close to the holidays?

Sometimes, especially if you can fly on the holiday itself or from a nearby airport. Our guide to finding cheap flights covers fare types and timing, and you can compare last-minute flights here.