[abutterfinger25]

Actually, I believe Monkey is more concerned with schedule changes, not weather or mechanical related delays.

The Department takes the position that if a carrier makes a substantial change to a schedule, then the passenger is entitled to a full refund of his fare, even if it is a non-refundable ticket.

Substantial changes would be changing a non-stop into a connections, arriving or departing to a different airport, arriving at a destination in such a fashion that it would make the trip pointless (ex. flying to a meeting and the schedule change would make you arrive after the meeting). And possible others. I suggest that you contact the carrier for the refund in these situations and if that does not work, than contact DOT.

Monkey: Carriers state in their contract of carriage that they do not guarantee their schudules. Passengers, on the other hand, always have the option to buy tickets that allow for penalty free changes. But of course, these non-restrictive tickets do cost more.