Most airline tickets are nonrefundable, but the airline or the reason for your cancellation determines what you actually get back

A nonrefundable ticket does not mean you lose the money entirely. It means the airline will not give you cash back if you change your mind. What you receive instead depends on why the ticket went unused and which airline sold it to you.

If the airline cancels the flight, you have a legal right to a refund under U.S. Department of Transportation rules. If you cancel, the airline typically offers a travel credit (a voucher for a future flight) instead of cash. Some airlines have changed their policies in recent years, so the terms printed on your receipt matter more than general reputation.

Key Takeaways

  • Nonrefundable tickets become travel credits if you cancel, but the airline must refund cash if they cancel the flight.
  • The U.S. Department of Transportation requires cash refunds for airline cancellations, regardless of ticket type.
  • Refundable tickets cost more but return your money as cash if you do not fly, with no restrictions.
  • Travel credits from nonrefundable tickets usually expire one to three years after purchase and may not transfer to another person.
  • Airline change fees have been eliminated by most major carriers, so you can rebook on a different flight at no extra cost if the airline changes your schedule.

The difference between refundable and nonrefundable tickets

Refundable tickets cost more upfront but return your full payment as cash if you do not use them. You can cancel anytime before departure and receive a refund to your original payment method within one to two weeks. These tickets have no restrictions on changes—you can rebook on a different date or time without penalty.

Nonrefundable tickets cost less but lock you into that specific flight. If you cancel, you do not receive cash back. Instead, the airline issues a travel credit (voucher) for the ticket price, minus any taxes and fees the airline cannot refund. You must use the credit to book another flight on that airline within a set window—usually one to three years, depending on the carrier.

Most tickets sold today are nonrefundable. Major carriers including American, Delta, Southwest, and United stopped charging change fees several years ago, so you can rebook on a different flight for free if you need to travel on another date. The catch is that you still cannot get cash back; you simply move the credit to a new reservation.

When the airline must refund your cash

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund cash—not a credit—if the airline cancels your flight, significantly delays it, or makes a major change to your schedule. This applies to all tickets, refundable or nonrefundable. The refund must go back to your original payment method.

A "significant delay" is typically defined as three or more hours for domestic flights and six or more hours for international flights, though the exact threshold varies by airline. If the airline reschedules your flight to a time that no longer works for you, you can refuse the new time and request a refund instead of rebooking.

If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak, Expedia, or Costco Travel, the refund goes to that site first, and you may need to contact them to receive it. The airline processes the refund to the booking agent, not directly to you. This can add one to two weeks to the timeline.

What happens to your money if you cancel

When you cancel a nonrefundable ticket, the airline converts your payment into a travel credit. The credit amount equals your ticket price minus taxes and airline fees that cannot be refunded. Taxes paid to the government and facility charges are typically nonrefundable, so your credit is usually 10 to 20 percent less than what you paid.

You must use the credit to book a new flight on the same airline. Most airlines allow you to rebook online through their website or by calling their reservation line. Some airlines charge a small fee to process the rebooking, though many have eliminated this charge in recent years.

Travel credits have an expiration date. Most major U.S. carriers set this at one to three years from the original ticket purchase date, not from when you received the credit. If you do not use the credit by that date, you lose it—the airline keeps the money. A few airlines allow you to extend the expiration if you contact them before it expires, but this is not standard practice.

Travel credits and who can use them

A travel credit is tied to the person named on the original ticket. You cannot transfer it to a family member or friend, even if you purchased it as a gift. The name on the credit must match the name on the new reservation.

Some airlines allow you to hold a credit in your frequent flyer account and book multiple trips with it over time. Others require you to use the entire credit in a single booking. Check your airline's policy on their website or by calling their customer service line.

If the original ticket was purchased by a business or organization, the credit may be transferable to other employees or members, but this depends on the airline and how the account was set up. Contact the airline directly to confirm before assuming you can reassign it.

Special situations: death, medical emergencies, and military deployment

Some airlines have policies that allow cash refunds for nonrefundable tickets in specific hardship cases. These typically include the death of a family member, a serious medical condition that prevents travel, or military deployment orders. You will need to provide documentation—a death certificate, a letter from a doctor, or military orders—to request the refund.

These policies vary widely by airline. Southwest, for example, has a history of being more flexible with refunds in hardship cases. Other carriers may require you to use a travel credit instead. Contact the airline's customer service department and ask about hardship refund options; do not assume they will deny the request without asking.

Travel insurance purchased separately from the ticket may also cover cancellations due to medical emergencies or other covered events, depending on the policy. Review your insurance documents to see what situations may have access to for reimbursement.

How to request a refund from the airline

If the airline cancelled your flight, log into your account on the airline's website and look for a "Refund" or "Manage Booking" option. Most airlines now allow you to request a refund online without calling. Select the cancelled flight and choose "Refund" instead of rebooking. The refund will be processed to your original payment method within one to two weeks.

If you booked through a third-party site, start by contacting that site's customer service. They can initiate the refund request with the airline on your behalf. If the third-party site is unresponsive, you can also contact the airline directly with your confirmation number and ask them to process the refund.

Keep your booking confirmation, receipt, and any cancellation notices from the airline. If a dispute arises about whether you are owed a refund, these documents prove your case. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a complaint process if an airline refuses to refund you after a cancellation—you can file a complaint on their website at transportation.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, not as cash. If you purchased a nonrefundable ticket and decide not to go, you receive a travel credit instead. You can use that credit to book a different flight on the same airline within the expiration window, usually one to three years. If you purchased a refundable ticket, you can cancel anytime and receive cash back to your original payment method.

What if I miss my flight because I arrived late at the airport?

Missing your flight due to your own actions is not refundable. The airline will not return your money or issue a credit. You would need to purchase a new ticket to fly. Some airlines allow you to rebook on a later flight the same day at no charge, but this is a courtesy, not a may provide. Check your airline's policy.

Do I get a refund if the airline changes my flight time?

If the airline changes your flight time significantly—typically three or more hours for domestic flights—you can refuse the new time and request a cash refund. If the change is minor (less than three hours), most airlines do not offer a refund, only the option to rebook on a different flight. Review the change notice the airline sends you to see your options.

How long does it take to receive a refund?

Refunds typically take one to two weeks to appear in your account after the airline processes them. If you booked through a third-party site, add another week because the refund goes to the site first. Credit card refunds may take longer depending on your bank. Check your airline's refund status page or contact customer service if more than three weeks have passed.

Can I use my travel credit on a different airline?

No. Travel credits are airline-specific and can only be used to book flights on the airline that issued them. If you need to fly on a different carrier, you would need to purchase a new ticket. Some airline partnerships allow you to book partner airlines with miles or points, but travel credits do not work this way.