Whether you can get a refund depends on the airline's policy and the type of ticket you bought
Most airlines in the United States do not refund money for tickets you simply change your mind about. The airline keeps the fare if you don't show up to your flight. However, if the airline cancels your flight, significantly delays it, or changes your schedule in a major way, you have a right to a refund under federal law — not just a credit toward a future flight.
The refund rules are different depending on whether you bought a basic economy ticket, a refundable ticket, or a ticket purchased through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia. The airline you flew with makes the final decision, not the booking site. If you bought directly from the airline's website, you deal with them. If you booked through a travel agent or reseller, you may need to contact them first, though the airline ultimately controls whether money comes back.
Key Takeaways
- Airlines are required by federal law to refund your money if they cancel your flight or make a significant schedule change, regardless of ticket type.
- If you cancel a non-refundable ticket yourself, the airline keeps the money, though you may be able to use it as a credit toward a future flight with that airline.
- Refundable tickets cost more but let you cancel and get your money back without restrictions, usually up until a few hours before departure.
- If you booked through a third-party site, contact that site first, but know that the airline controls the refund decision.
- Refund requests for airline cancellations or major changes can take weeks or months to process, and you may need to follow up multiple times.
When the airline must refund your money
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund your full fare if the airline cancels your flight for any reason. This applies to all ticket types, including basic economy and non-refundable fares. You do not have to accept a flight credit or a rebooking on a different flight — you can demand cash back.
You also have a right to a refund if the airline makes a significant change to your flight schedule. "Significant" usually means a departure time change of three or more hours for a domestic flight, or six or more hours for an international flight. Some airlines define it differently in their contract, so check your confirmation email. If the airline changes your flight time by that much and you do not want the new time, you can request a full refund instead of rebooking.
If your flight is delayed on the ground for more than three hours (domestic) or six hours (international) and you do not reach your destination, you are also may have access to to a refund. This is different from a delay that clears up — if the airline eventually gets you there, even hours late, the refund rule does not automatically apply, though you may be owed compensation under other rules depending on the reason for the delay.
Non-refundable tickets and what you can do instead
A non-refundable ticket means the airline will not give you cash back if you cancel. However, most airlines will let you use the ticket value as a credit toward a future flight with that same airline. The credit is usually good for one year from the original ticket date, though some airlines extended this during the pandemic and may have different rules now.
The credit typically covers the base fare only, not taxes and fees. If your original ticket was $250 plus $50 in taxes and fees, your credit might be $250, and you would pay the taxes and fees again on the new flight. Some airlines charge a change fee on top of that — usually $75 to $100 — though many suspended change fees during the pandemic and have not fully reinstated them. Check your airline's current policy on their website.
If you do not use the credit within the time limit, the airline keeps the money. There is no refund of unused credits. If your circumstances have changed and you know you will not fly again with that airline, you may want to give the credit to a family member or friend, since many airlines now allow you to transfer credits to another person.
Refundable tickets and how to cancel them
A refundable ticket costs more than a non-refundable one but gives you the right to cancel and receive your money back. The refund window varies by airline and ticket type. Most refundable tickets can be cancelled up until a few hours before departure — often two to four hours — and you will receive a full refund to your original payment method.
To cancel a refundable ticket, log into your account on the airline's website or call their customer service line. You can usually cancel online without speaking to anyone. The refund does not happen instantly; it typically takes five to seven business days to appear in your bank account or credit card, though some airlines take longer. If you do not see the refund after two weeks, contact the airline again with your confirmation number.
If you bought the refundable ticket through a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, you may be able to cancel through that site, but the refund still comes from the airline. It can take longer because the third-party site has to process it and then send it to you. Going directly to the airline's website is usually faster.
How to request a refund for a cancelled or changed flight
If the airline cancelled your flight or made a significant schedule change, start by checking your email for a message from the airline. Most airlines send you options: a refund, a rebooking on another flight, or a flight credit. If you want a refund, look for a link in that email or log into your account on the airline's website and select the refund option.
If you do not see an option to request a refund online, call the airline's customer service number. Have your confirmation number ready. Tell them the flight was cancelled or significantly changed and you want a refund, not a credit or rebooking. Write down the name of the person you spoke with, the date, and what they told you. Airlines sometimes deny refund requests incorrectly, so documentation helps if you need to follow up.
Refunds for airline cancellations can take four to twelve weeks to process. Some airlines are faster; others are slower. If you do not see the refund after twelve weeks, contact the airline again. You may need to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation if the airline refuses to refund you or ignores your request.
Refunds through third-party booking sites
If you booked your ticket through Expedia, Kayak, Priceline, or another travel site, contact that site first to report the cancellation or change. The third-party site is responsible for getting you the refund from the airline. However, the airline makes the final decision about whether to refund, and the third-party site cannot force them to pay.
Third-party sites sometimes take longer to process refunds because they have to request the money from the airline and then send it to you. If the third-party site tells you the airline denied the refund, ask them to explain why. If the reason does not match the federal rules — for example, if they say the airline does not refund for cancellations — that is incorrect, and you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.
Keep all your emails from the third-party site and the airline. If there is a dispute about whether you are owed a refund, you will need proof of what happened to your flight and what you were told.
What to do if the airline refuses to refund you
If the airline cancelled your flight or made a significant change and refuses to refund your money, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Go to the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website and submit a formal complaint. Include your confirmation number, the flight details, proof that the flight was cancelled or changed, and documentation of your refund request and the airline's response.
The DOT investigates complaints and can pressure airlines to comply with federal refund rules. However, the process can take several months. While you wait, you can also try disputing the charge with your credit card company if you paid by card. Credit card companies can sometimes recover the money faster than the airline will refund it.
If you paid with a debit card or bank transfer, your options are more limited. You can still file a DOT complaint, but the airline is less likely to feel pressure to refund quickly. Some people hire a lawyer or use a small claims court, though the cost may not be worth it for a single ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I just don't want to fly anymore?
Not if you bought a non-refundable ticket. The airline keeps the money. If you bought a refundable ticket, you can cancel and get your money back, usually up until a few hours before departure. Check your ticket type on your confirmation email or your airline account.
What if the airline changed my flight time by two hours instead of three?
A two-hour change for a domestic flight usually does not meet the federal definition of "significant," so you may not have a right to a refund. However, some airlines have their own policies that are more generous. Check your airline's contract of carriage on their website, or call and ask whether they will refund for a two-hour change.
How long does it take to get a refund?
If you cancelled a refundable ticket yourself, expect five to seven business days for the money to appear in your account. If the airline cancelled your flight, refunds typically take four to twelve weeks. If you booked through a third-party site, add another week or two because the site has to process it first.
Can I transfer my ticket credit to someone else?
Many airlines now allow you to transfer credits to a family member or friend, though the rules vary. Log into your account on the airline's website or call customer service to ask whether your credit can be transferred and what steps you need to take. Some airlines charge a small fee to transfer.
What if I paid cash at the airport?
The refund process is the same whether you paid cash, credit card, or debit card. However, cash refunds are less common. Most airlines refund to the original payment method, so if you paid cash, ask the airline how they will refund you. You may need to provide a bank account or accept a check.