In short
Intercity buses and Amtrak have no federal refund rule like the airline one. Your rights come from the carrier's own ticket terms, which usually give vouchers, not cash, when you cancel, and a refund only when the carrier cancels. Claim deadlines for lost or damaged bags are short and liability limits are low. Complain to the carrier first; bus companies can then be reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and a card dispute is the backstop when a cancelled trip is not refunded. Buy tickets only from the carrier's own website or app or its named partners.
How complaints work in this industry
- FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database takes complaints about interstate bus companies (and household goods movers). USA.gov: FMCSA
- Amtrak is a federally chartered railroad and FMCSA does not regulate it. Amtrak says a disability discrimination complaint can be filed directly with the Federal Railroad Administration's Office for Civil Rights. Amtrak: non-discrimination policy
- Tickets on greyhound.com are sold by FlixBus, Inc. as a broker for independent bus operators; the operator of each trip is shown during booking. Greyhound terms and conditions of purchase
- Megabus says "megabus.com" is a trade name, and the contract is with the regional operating carrier. megabus terms
- Greyhound says its ADA Compliance Specialist generally completes an investigation within 30 days of receiving a disability complaint. Greyhound: customers with disabilities
- Greyhound and FlixBus terms require individual AAA arbitration but exclude personal injury, lost or damaged luggage, ADA and Title VI claims. Greyhound terms and conditions of purchase, FlixBus terms
Your leverage
- When the carrier cancels, the terms favor you. Greyhound's purchase terms give a full refund of the fare, including fees, for involuntary cancellations. Greyhound terms and conditions of purchase FlixBus offers a money refund to the original payment method within 7 working days when it cancels the bus. FlixBus: delays and cancellations
- Greyhound's Terms & Conditions of Travel allow reimbursement of up to two nights of lodging, capped at $80 per night per ticketed customer, in the delay situations they describe. Greyhound terms and conditions of travel
- Amtrak refunds reserved fares in full to the original form of payment if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase and before departure, and Flex fares in full before departure. Amtrak: refund and cancellation policy
- With a doctor's note, Amtrak waives its normal change and cancellation policies for the ill passenger's whole party. Amtrak: refund and cancellation policy
- A card charge for a trip that was not provided as agreed can be disputed as a billing error if the issuer receives written notice within 60 days after the first statement that shows it (rule
fcba-billing-error). 12 CFR 1026.13
Traps
- Voluntary cancellations on Greyhound and FlixBus get a voucher for a share of the fare (20% less than 2 days before departure, up to 100% at 30 days or more), and booking and service fees are not refunded. Greyhound: ticket refunds and exchanges, FlixBus: changing or cancelling a booking
- If a Greyhound bus is delayed 120 minutes or more you can withdraw for a voucher or rebook free, but if you ride the delayed bus no refund is available. Greyhound: ticket refunds and exchanges
- Megabus does not refund or cancel reservations unless an operating carrier materially failed to provide the service, and carriers are not responsible for delays from traffic, road conditions or weather. megabus terms
- Baggage limits are low and claim windows short: Amtrak caps checked baggage at $500 per ticketed passenger and wants lost-bag claims within 30 days. Amtrak: limited liability for baggage Megabus caps liability at $250 and wants claims within 60 days of discovery. megabus terms
- Greyhound's purchase terms require written notice of a damages claim within 90 days of the event, but also contain a conflicting 21-day version; file as early as you can. Greyhound terms and conditions of purchase
- Amtrak fares cannot be changed or refunded after departure, and a no-show forfeits the full value of that segment. Amtrak: refund and cancellation policy
Scams to watch for
- Amtrak warns that criminals sell invalid discount Amtrak tickets on online auction sites and social media. Amtrak does not honor them; only tickets bought from Amtrak or its partners are valid. Amtrak: fraud alert
- The FTC says not to assume a phone number in search results is real: scroll past paid results and type the company's address into the browser. FTC consumer alert, April 3, 2025