Most airlines will not refund a ticket you bought and then cancelled yourself

When you buy a plane ticket directly from an airline and then decide not to fly, the airline is not required to give your money back. Most tickets sold today are non-refundable. If you cancel, you lose the fare. The airline keeps it.

What you may get instead is a credit toward a future flight with that same airline, usually valid for one year. Some airlines call this a "travel credit" or "airline credit." The credit typically covers the base fare but not taxes and fees, which vary by airline. You must use the credit yourself — you cannot transfer it to another person or get cash back.

The only time an airline must refund your money in cash is when the airline cancels the flight, significantly changes the departure time, or changes your destination. In those cases, federal law (in the United States) requires the airline to offer a refund. You do not have to accept a credit or a rebooking on another flight.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-refundable tickets cannot be refunded if you cancel; you lose the money unless the airline offers a travel credit.
  • Refundable tickets (which cost more) can be refunded to your original payment method within a set timeframe, usually 7 to 30 days after cancellation.
  • If the airline cancels the flight or makes a major schedule change, you have the right to a cash refund, not just a credit.
  • Taxes and fees are sometimes non-refundable even when the base fare is, so check your airline's policy before you cancel.
  • Third-party booking sites (like Expedia or Kayak) have their own refund rules that may differ from the airline's, and disputes go through the booking site, not the airline.

The difference between refundable and non-refundable tickets

When you buy a ticket, the airline offers you a choice: pay less for a non-refundable ticket, or pay more for a refundable one. Most people choose non-refundable because the price is lower. Non-refundable tickets cannot be turned into cash if you cancel. Refundable tickets can be.

A refundable ticket means the airline will return your money to the credit card, debit card, or bank account you used to buy it. The timeline varies: some airlines process refunds within 7 days, others take up to 30 days. A few take longer. Check your airline's website or your confirmation email for the specific timeframe.

You can usually tell which type you bought by looking at your confirmation email or receipt. It will say "refundable" or "non-refundable" clearly. If you are unsure, log into the airline's website, find your booking, and look for the fare rules or ticket details section. That section will state the refund policy for your specific ticket.

When the airline must refund you, regardless of ticket type

Federal law in the United States requires airlines to refund your money (not just a credit) in these situations: the airline cancels your flight, the airline delays your flight by more than three hours at arrival, or the airline makes a significant change to your flight time or routing. "Significant" usually means a departure time change of more than one hour, though some airlines define it differently.

If any of these happen, you have three options: take a refund in cash, accept a credit toward a future flight, or ask to be booked on another airline's flight at no extra cost to you. You do not have to accept the airline's first offer. You can request a refund even if your ticket was non-refundable.

To request a refund after an airline cancellation or major change, contact the airline directly through its website, phone line, or airport counter. Have your confirmation number ready. The airline must process the refund within a set timeframe — usually 7 to 30 days, depending on the airline and your payment method. If the airline refuses, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

How to cancel a ticket and request a refund

Log into your airline account on the airline's website and find your booking. Most airlines have a "Manage My Booking" or "My Trips" section where you can view your ticket details and cancellation options. Click on your flight and look for a "Cancel" or "Refund" button. Follow the prompts.

If you cannot find the option online, call the airline's customer service line. Have your confirmation number and the name on the ticket ready. The representative will tell you whether your ticket is refundable and, if it is, will process the cancellation. If your ticket is non-refundable, the airline will offer you a travel credit instead and explain the terms.

Do not assume the airline will contact you about a refund. You must initiate the cancellation yourself. Once you cancel, the airline will send you a confirmation email. Keep that email. If the refund does not appear in your account within the stated timeframe, use that confirmation email to follow up with the airline.

Refunds when you book through a third-party site

If you bought your ticket through Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, or another booking website, the refund process is different. You must request the refund through that website, not directly from the airline. The booking site acts as the middleman.

Log into your account on the booking site, find your reservation, and look for a cancellation or refund option. The site will show you the airline's refund policy for your ticket. If your ticket is refundable, the booking site will process the cancellation and refund to your original payment method. This usually takes longer than cancelling directly with the airline — sometimes 10 to 30 days or more.

If the booking site refuses to refund you or takes an unusually long time, contact the airline directly and ask them to cancel the ticket on their end. Provide the airline with your confirmation number from the booking site. The airline can cancel the ticket, which may speed up the refund process. However, disputes about refunds from third-party sites are typically handled by the booking site, not the airline.

What happens to taxes and fees when you cancel

Taxes and government fees are sometimes refundable and sometimes not, depending on the airline and the type of fee. Airline-imposed fees (like baggage fees or seat selection fees) are usually non-refundable even if the base fare is. Taxes and government-imposed fees are more likely to be refunded, but not always.

Check your airline's refund policy before you cancel. The policy will specify which parts of your fare are refundable. For example, an airline might refund the base fare and taxes but keep the baggage fee. Another airline might refund everything except the airline-imposed fees.

If you are refunded less than you expected, review your cancellation confirmation email. It will itemize what was refunded and what was kept. If you believe the airline made an error, contact customer service with your confirmation number and ask for an explanation.

Travel credits and how to use them

If your ticket is non-refundable or the airline offers a credit instead of a refund, you will receive a travel credit. This is a voucher or account balance you can use to book another flight with that airline. The credit is usually valid for one year from the original ticket date, though some airlines extend this during certain periods.

To use a travel credit, log into your airline account and book a new flight. At checkout, the airline will show you available credits and let you apply them to your new booking. You can use one credit for one flight, or split a credit across multiple bookings if the airline allows it. Any remaining balance stays in your account until it expires.

Travel credits are non-transferable — you cannot give them to a family member or friend. If your credit expires unused, the airline keeps the money. Some airlines allow you to extend an expiring credit if you request it before the expiration date, but this is not may provide. Check your airline's policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I miss my flight?

No. If you do not show up for your flight, the airline considers you a no-show and keeps your money. The airline is not required to refund you or offer a credit. To avoid this, cancel your ticket before your flight departs if you know you will not be flying.

What if I bought travel insurance with my ticket?

Travel insurance is separate from the airline's refund policy. If your policy covers cancellations, the insurance company may reimburse you even if the airline will not. Check your insurance policy documents to see what is covered and how to file a claim. You will need to submit proof of cancellation and the reason for it.

Can I change my flight instead of cancelling it?

Yes. Most airlines allow you to change your flight to a different date or time at no extra cost if you have a refundable ticket, or for a fee if you have a non-refundable ticket. Some airlines waived change fees during the pandemic, but most have returned to charging fees for non-refundable tickets. Log into your airline account and look for a "Change Flight" option, or call customer service.

How long does it take to get a refund after I cancel?

Refunds typically take 7 to 30 days to appear in your account, depending on the airline and your payment method. Credit card refunds may take longer because the credit card company processes them separately from the airline. If your refund does not appear within the airline's stated timeframe, contact the airline with your cancellation confirmation number.

What if the airline says my ticket is non-refundable but I think it should be?

Review your ticket confirmation email and the airline's refund policy for your specific fare type. If the airline is correct, your only option is a travel credit (if offered). If you believe the airline made an error, contact customer service with your confirmation number and ask them to review your ticket. If you are not satisfied, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation, though they cannot force a refund — they can only investigate whether the airline violated federal rules.