Expedia refunds depend on what you booked and when you're asking
Whether Expedia will refund you depends entirely on the cancellation policy of the hotel, airline, or rental car company you booked through them. Expedia itself does not set these policies — the provider does. A hotel marked "free cancellation" will refund you directly; a flight booked on a non-refundable fare will not, even if you cancel the same day. Your first step is to check your confirmation email to see what the provider's actual policy says, not what Expedia's website says about the provider.
If the provider allows a refund, Expedia will process it, but the timeline and method depend on how you paid and whether the provider has already paid Expedia. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days after the provider approves them, though some take longer. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you used a debit card, it may take an additional 3 to 5 business days for your bank to post it.
Key Takeaways
- Expedia's refund policy is set by the hotel, airline, or rental company you booked with, not by Expedia — check your confirmation email for the actual cancellation terms.
- Free cancellation means the provider will refund you; non-refundable bookings will not be refunded even if you cancel immediately.
- Refunds process through Expedia to the provider first, then back to your original payment method, typically taking 5 to 10 business days or longer.
- If a refund is delayed beyond 10 business days, contact Expedia support with your booking number and ask them to check the status with the provider.
How to request a refund through Expedia
Log into your Expedia account and go to "My Trips." Find the booking you want to cancel and select "Manage" or "Cancel." Expedia will show you whether the booking is refundable or non-refundable based on the provider's policy. If it shows "free cancellation," you can cancel there and the refund will be processed. If it shows "non-refundable," Expedia will not issue a refund through this path.
After you cancel, Expedia sends a cancellation confirmation to your email. Save this email — it contains your cancellation reference number, which you'll need if you have to follow up. The refund does not appear immediately; Expedia has to request it from the provider, and the provider has to approve and send it back. This is why the timeline varies.
What happens if the provider says no
If you cancel a non-refundable booking, Expedia cannot override the provider's policy. Some travelers try calling Expedia support to ask for an exception, but Expedia has no authority to refund money the provider will not return. What Expedia can sometimes do is issue a travel credit — a voucher you can use for a future Expedia booking — but this is at Expedia's discretion and is not a refund.
If you believe the booking was misrepresented (for example, the confirmation email said "free cancellation" but the website now says "non-refundable"), contact Expedia support with screenshots of both. Expedia may push back to the provider on your behalf, though this does not always result in a refund. The provider's own terms, not Expedia's website display, are what legally binds you.
Refunds for cancelled flights and airline changes
Airline refund rules are set by the airline, not Expedia. If you booked a refundable ticket and the airline cancels your flight, the airline must offer you a refund or rebooking. If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, the airline typically will not refund you, though they may let you rebook on a different flight without a change fee. Expedia cannot force an airline to refund a non-refundable ticket.
If an airline cancels your flight, Expedia will notify you, but you have the right to contact the airline directly to request your refund. Some airlines process refunds faster when you request them directly rather than through a third-party site like Expedia. Keep your confirmation number from both Expedia and the airline when you follow up.
Hotel refunds and the difference between Expedia and the hotel
Hotels set their own cancellation deadlines. A hotel that offers "free cancellation until 6 p.m. the day before arrival" will refund you only if you cancel by that time. After that deadline, the hotel keeps the money. Expedia cannot extend a hotel's cancellation deadline, and the hotel will not refund money after their stated cutoff, even if Expedia's website still shows the booking as active.
If you cancel within the hotel's window, the refund goes from the hotel to Expedia, then from Expedia back to your payment method. This can take 7 to 14 days. If the refund does not appear after two weeks, contact Expedia support with your booking confirmation and ask them to verify the hotel processed the refund. Sometimes the hotel approves it but Expedia's system has not yet reflected it.
When to contact Expedia support
Contact Expedia if: your refund does not appear 10 business days after you cancelled a refundable booking; you cancelled within the provider's window but Expedia says the refund was denied; or you believe the booking was misrepresented. Have your booking number, cancellation confirmation number, and the date you cancelled ready when you reach out.
Expedia support can be reached through the website (go to "Help" and select "Contact Us"), by phone, or through the Expedia app. Phone wait times are often long, so starting with the website chat or email can be faster. Be clear about what you cancelled, when you cancelled it, and what you expect — a refund or a travel credit. Expedia will investigate with the provider, but this process can take another 5 to 10 business days.
Disputing a charge with your credit card company
If Expedia or the provider refuses a refund you believe you are owed, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. This is a last resort and should only be used if you have evidence the booking was misrepresented or if Expedia failed to process a refund the provider approved. Contact your card issuer and explain the situation; they will open a dispute and ask Expedia for documentation.
Expedia will respond to the dispute with the provider's cancellation policy and your booking confirmation. If your card company determines the provider's policy was clearly stated at the time of booking, they will likely side with Expedia. Disputes take 30 to 60 days to resolve. This method should not be your first step — exhaust Expedia support first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Expedia refund take?
Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days after the provider approves them. If you paid with a debit card, add another 3 to 5 business days for your bank to post it. Some refunds take longer if the provider is slow to respond to Expedia's request.
Can I get a refund if I booked a non-refundable rate?
No, not through Expedia. Non-refundable bookings are set by the provider and Expedia cannot override them. Expedia may offer a travel credit as an alternative, but this is not a refund and you cannot convert it to cash.
What if Expedia charged me but the hotel or airline says they never received payment?
This is rare but can happen. Contact Expedia support immediately with your booking confirmation. Expedia will investigate whether the payment was sent to the provider. If Expedia collected the money but the provider never received it, Expedia is responsible for refunding you or resubmitting the payment.
Can I cancel a booking after the provider's cancellation deadline?
You can cancel it in Expedia's system, but you will not receive a refund. The provider's cancellation deadline is final. If you cancel after that date, Expedia will process the cancellation but the provider will keep the money.
Do I have to go through Expedia to get a refund, or can I contact the hotel or airline directly?
You can contact the provider directly, and sometimes they process refunds faster that way. However, if you booked through Expedia, the provider may direct you back to Expedia to handle the refund. Either path should work, but check your confirmation email to see whether Expedia or the provider is listed as the contact for cancellations.