Most airline tickets are not refundable, but the rules depend on the fare type you bought and when you need to cancel

When you buy a plane ticket, you are usually purchasing a non-refundable fare. This means if you cancel, the airline will not return your money. Instead, most airlines let you use the ticket value as a credit toward a future flight on that same airline, though the credit may expire after one year.

Some tickets are refundable — usually the most expensive ones. If you bought a refundable ticket, you can cancel and get your money back to your original payment method, minus any change fees the airline charges. The problem is knowing which type you bought, because airlines do not always label them clearly at checkout.

The rules also changed after 2020. The U.S. Department of Transportation now requires airlines to refund you in cash if they cancel your flight, significantly delay it, or make a major schedule change — regardless of whether you bought a refundable ticket. This rule applies to flights departing from or arriving in the United States.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-refundable tickets (the cheapest fares) give you a credit toward future travel, not cash back, if you cancel.
  • Refundable tickets cost more but let you cancel and receive cash back to your original payment method.
  • Airlines must refund you in cash if they cancel your flight, delay it more than three hours, or make a major schedule change.
  • Your receipt or confirmation email shows which type of ticket you bought — look for "refundable" or "non-refundable" in the fare rules.
  • If you paid with a credit card and the airline refuses a refund you believe you are owed, you can dispute the charge with your card company.

How to tell if your ticket is refundable

Check your booking confirmation email or the airline's website. Log into your account, find the reservation, and look for a section labeled "Fare Rules," "Ticket Details," or "Cancellation Policy." The airline will state whether the ticket is refundable or non-refundable. If you cannot find this information, call the airline's customer service line — they can tell you in one call.

The price you paid is often a clue. Refundable tickets typically cost $50 to $300 more than non-refundable ones on the same route, depending on the airline and how far in advance you booked. Budget airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier often do not sell refundable tickets at all, or charge a large premium for them.

Some airlines use confusing names for their fare levels. United calls its refundable option "Basic Economy Plus" or "Economy Plus." American uses "Main Cabin" or "First Class." Delta uses "Comfort+" or higher. If the name does not clearly say "refundable," check the fare rules before assuming.

What happens when you cancel a non-refundable ticket

You lose the cash, but the airline usually lets you convert the full ticket price into a travel credit. This credit sits in your account and you can use it to book another flight on that same airline within a set time window — usually one year from the original ticket date, though some airlines have extended this during certain periods.

The credit is tied to the airline. If you bought a ticket on Delta, you can only use the credit for another Delta flight. You cannot transfer it to a friend or family member, and you cannot cash it out. If the credit expires and you have not used it, the money is gone.

Some airlines charge a change fee when you use the credit to rebook — typically $50 to $75 — though many suspended these fees during 2020 and 2021 and have not fully reinstated them. Check the airline's current policy before rebooking. If the new flight costs less than your original ticket, most airlines do not refund the difference; the credit simply covers the new ticket and any remainder stays in your account.

When airlines must refund you in cash

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund your money in cash if any of these happen:

  • The airline cancels your flight for any reason.
  • The airline delays your flight by three or more hours (for domestic flights) or six or more hours (for international flights) and you do not want to take the delayed flight.
  • The airline makes a significant schedule change — usually defined as a departure time change of more than one hour or a change to a different airport.

This rule applies even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. The refund must go back to your original payment method — your credit card, debit card, or bank account — within 30 days. You do not have to accept a travel credit or a seat on a later flight if you do not want to.

If the airline offers you a flight on a different airline as a substitute and you refuse it, you still have the right to a cash refund. The airline cannot force you to take a credit or a rebooking.

Refundable tickets and how to use them

A refundable ticket costs more upfront but gives you the most flexibility. If you cancel, you receive cash back to your original payment method, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You do not lose money; you simply do not fly.

Refundable tickets are most common in business travel, where plans change often. They are also available on many international flights, where the cost is already high and passengers often want the option to cancel without penalty. Domestic budget fares rarely include this option.

Even with a refundable ticket, read the fine print. Some airlines charge a small cancellation fee ($0 to $50) or require you to cancel within a certain window before the flight departs. A few airlines require you to cancel through their website or phone line; if you do not follow their process, they may deny the refund and issue a credit instead.

What to do if an airline refuses to refund you

First, gather your documentation. Save your booking confirmation, your receipt, the airline's cancellation policy from your confirmation email, and any emails from the airline about your flight. If the airline cancelled or significantly delayed your flight, take a screenshot of the new flight information showing the change.

Contact the airline in writing — email is best because it creates a record. Explain what happened, reference the specific rule or policy that entitles you to a refund, and ask for a response within 10 business days. Include your confirmation number and the date of your original flight. Many airlines respond to written complaints faster than phone calls.

If the airline denies your refund and you believe they are wrong, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. This is called a chargeback. Contact your card issuer, explain that you paid for a service (the flight) that did not occur or was materially changed, and ask them to reverse the charge. Most card companies will investigate and often side with the customer in refund disputes.

You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation at dot.gov/airconsumer. The DOT does not refund you directly, but complaints are tracked and can lead to enforcement action against airlines that repeatedly violate refund rules.

Travel credits versus refunds: what you should know

Airlines prefer to issue travel credits instead of refunds because the money stays with the airline. A credit is only valuable if you plan to fly that airline again. If you do not, or if the credit expires before you use it, you have lost your money.

A refund is cash in your pocket. You can use it for any airline, any trip, or anything else. If you have a choice between a credit and a refund, a refund is almost always better — unless you know for certain you will fly that airline again soon.

Some airlines have made credits non-transferable and non-refundable, meaning you cannot give them to someone else and you cannot cash them out. A few have added expiration dates as short as 12 months. Read the terms of any credit you receive so you know when it expires and what you can do with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I just change my mind about the trip?

Only if you bought a refundable ticket. Non-refundable tickets do not refund for cancellations initiated by the passenger — you get a travel credit instead. If the airline cancels or significantly delays the flight, you have the right to a cash refund regardless of ticket type.

Do I have to accept a travel credit, or can I insist on a refund?

If the airline cancelled your flight or made a major schedule change, you have the right to demand a cash refund. The airline cannot force you to take a credit or rebook on another flight. If you cancelled the ticket yourself and bought a non-refundable fare, the airline can offer only a credit.

What if I bought the ticket through a travel website like Expedia or Kayak?

The airline's refund policy still applies, but you may need to contact the travel website first. Some travel sites handle cancellations themselves; others direct you back to the airline. Check your confirmation email to see who to contact. If the airline owes you a refund, they must pay it even if you booked through a third party.

How long does it take to get a refund?

Airlines are required to process refunds within 30 days. Most refunds appear in your account within 7 to 10 business days if you paid by credit or debit card. Bank transfers can take longer. If 30 days have passed and you have not received your refund, contact the airline again and file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

Can I get a refund if I miss my flight?

No. If you do not show up for your flight, the airline keeps the money. This is true even for refundable tickets. The only exception is if the airline cancelled the flight or made a major schedule change before you were supposed to depart.