What Expedia will refund depends on what you booked and when you cancel

Expedia's refund policy is not one policy — it is a stack of different rules depending on whether you booked a hotel, flight, car rental, or package deal, and whether the supplier (the airline, hotel, or rental company) set the terms or Expedia did. Most refunds go back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after Expedia processes the cancellation, but some bookings are non-refundable by design and will not return money under any circumstance.

The fastest way to know what you can get back is to log into your Expedia account, find the booking, and click "Cancel" — Expedia will show you on screen whether a refund is possible and how much you will receive. If you booked more than a few days ago and do not remember the terms, this is faster than calling.

Key Takeaways

  • Hotels and flights booked on Expedia often have different refund rules depending on the rate type you chose at purchase — "free cancellation" rates refund in full, while "non-refundable" rates do not.
  • Expedia processes refunds to your original payment method, and the money typically appears in your account within 5 to 10 business days after cancellation is confirmed.
  • If the airline or hotel changed your booking (canceling a flight, changing dates without your consent), you may be owed a refund or credit even if you originally booked a non-refundable rate.
  • Expedia charges a cancellation fee on some bookings, which reduces the refund amount you receive.
  • If Expedia made an error in the booking or charged you twice, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company as a backup if Expedia does not refund within the stated timeframe.

How refunds work for hotels booked through Expedia

When you book a hotel on Expedia, the refund terms are set by the hotel itself, not by Expedia. At the time you book, Expedia shows you the cancellation policy for that specific rate — usually labeled "Free Cancellation" or "Non-Refundable." If you chose a free cancellation rate, you can cancel up until the date specified (often the day before arrival) and receive your full payment back. If you chose a non-refundable rate to get a lower price, Expedia will not refund that money if you cancel.

Some hotels allow you to cancel a non-refundable rate if you do so within 24 hours of booking. Check your confirmation email — it will state whether this option applies. If you cancel outside the window, the hotel keeps the money and Expedia cannot override that decision.

If the hotel cancels on you (closes, overbooks, or changes your room type without consent), you are owed a full refund regardless of the rate type. Contact Expedia's customer service with proof of the cancellation, and they will process a refund or rebook you at no cost.

How refunds work for flights booked through Expedia

Expedia does not own the airlines — it is a booking agent. The airline's refund policy applies to your ticket, not Expedia's. Most airlines now distinguish between refundable and non-refundable fares. A refundable fare returns cash to your account if you cancel; a non-refundable fare typically converts to a credit (a voucher valid for future travel on that airline) instead of a refund.

If you cancel a non-refundable flight, Expedia will process the airline's credit and hold it in your Expedia account. You can use that credit to rebook another flight through Expedia, but you cannot withdraw it as cash. Some airlines allow you to transfer the credit to another person; check the airline's website to confirm.

If the airline cancels your flight or changes the departure time by more than a few hours, you are may have access to to a refund under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, even if you booked a non-refundable fare. Expedia will initiate the refund, but the airline controls the timeline — refunds can take 30 days or longer. If Expedia does not file the refund request within a week of the cancellation, contact the airline directly and reference your booking confirmation number.

Refunds for car rentals and package deals

Car rental refund policies vary by company and rate type, just like hotels. Expedia shows the cancellation policy at booking. Most car rentals allow free cancellation up to 24 or 48 hours before pickup; after that, you forfeit the deposit or full payment depending on the rate. If you cancel within the free window, Expedia refunds the full amount.

Package deals (flight + hotel, or flight + hotel + car) are treated as separate bookings under the hood. Expedia refunds each component according to its own supplier's policy. If you cancel a package, you may receive a partial refund (the hotel refunds but the flight does not, for example). Expedia will show you the breakdown on the cancellation screen before you confirm.

Expedia's cancellation fees and what they deduct

Expedia sometimes charges a cancellation fee when you cancel a booking, even if the underlying supplier (hotel, airline, car company) allows cancellation. This fee is Expedia's own charge, separate from the supplier's policy. The fee amount varies but is often $50 to $100 for hotels and flights. Expedia discloses this fee on the cancellation confirmation screen before you finalize the cancellation, so you can see the net refund amount.

If Expedia charged you a cancellation fee and you believe it was incorrect, you can dispute it by contacting Expedia's customer service with your booking confirmation. They will review whether the fee was warranted under their terms. If you paid by credit card, you can also dispute the charge with your card issuer if Expedia does not reverse the fee within 30 days.

What to do if your refund is delayed or missing

Expedia states that refunds appear in your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If more than 10 business days have passed and the money has not arrived, log into your Expedia account and check the booking status — it may show "Refund Pending" or "Refund Processed." If it shows processed but the money is not in your account, contact your bank or credit card company; sometimes refunds are delayed on their end.

If Expedia's system shows the refund was not processed, contact Expedia's customer service with your booking confirmation number and cancellation date. Have your bank statement or credit card statement ready to show when you originally paid. Expedia can reissue the refund or investigate whether the cancellation went through.

If Expedia charged you twice for the same booking, report it immediately to Expedia customer service and your payment provider. Do not wait — credit card companies have time limits for disputing charges (usually 60 days from the charge date). Expedia can reverse a duplicate charge, but if they do not respond within 15 days, file a dispute with your card issuer.

When Expedia cannot refund you

Expedia will not refund a non-refundable booking unless the supplier (airline, hotel, car company) cancels or changes the terms. If you booked a non-refundable rate to save money and then changed your mind, that money is gone. This is by design — non-refundable rates are cheaper precisely because they cannot be reversed.

If you cancel after the free cancellation window has closed, Expedia will not refund. If you booked a package deal and only one component is refundable, you will only receive a refund for that component. Expedia cannot override the supplier's policy, even if you have a good reason for canceling.

If you booked through a third-party site (not Expedia.com directly) or used a travel agent, that site or agent may have its own refund policy on top of Expedia's. Check your original confirmation email to see who processed the booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a refund from Expedia?

Expedia processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days after you cancel. The money then goes to your original payment method, which may take an additional 3 to 5 business days depending on your bank. In total, expect 10 to 15 business days from cancellation to seeing the money in your account.

Can I get a refund if I booked a non-refundable rate?

Not unless the supplier (hotel, airline, car company) cancels or changes your booking without your consent. Non-refundable rates are locked in at purchase. If you cancel, the money stays with the supplier. Some hotels allow cancellation within 24 hours of booking; check your confirmation email.

What if the airline or hotel changed my booking?

You are owed a refund or rebooking at no cost. Contact Expedia with proof of the change (email, screenshot, or confirmation number showing the new date or room type). Expedia will file a refund request with the supplier. If the supplier does not respond within 14 days, escalate to Expedia's customer service team.

Can I get a refund as a credit instead of cash?

For flights, yes — most airlines issue credits (vouchers) for non-refundable fares instead of cash refunds. You can use the credit to rebook on that airline through Expedia. For hotels and car rentals, Expedia refunds cash to your original payment method; credits are not an option unless you request one.

What if Expedia charged me a cancellation fee I did not expect?

Expedia discloses cancellation fees on the cancellation screen before you confirm. If you were not shown a fee and one appeared on your statement, contact Expedia customer service with your booking confirmation. They can reverse it if it was applied in error. If they do not respond within 30 days, dispute the charge with your credit card company.