The refundable option lets you cancel most hotel and flight bookings and get your money back, but only if you choose it when you book

Expedia offers two ways to book travel: a standard rate that locks in a lower price but cannot be cancelled for a refund, and a refundable rate that costs more but lets you cancel and receive your money back. The refundable option is not automatic — you have to select it at checkout, and the price difference between the two is usually 10 to 30 percent higher for the refundable rate.

The refundable option does not mean you can cancel anytime and get money back instantly. Each booking has its own cancellation deadline, usually 24 to 72 hours before arrival. After that deadline passes, you cannot cancel for a refund, even if you chose the refundable rate. The refund itself takes 5 to 10 business days to appear in your original payment method after Expedia processes it.

Key Takeaways

  • The refundable rate costs more than the standard rate but allows you to cancel and receive your money back up until the cancellation deadline.
  • You must choose the refundable option at checkout — it is not the default, and you cannot add it after you book.
  • Each hotel and flight has its own cancellation deadline, usually 24 to 72 hours before your arrival or departure, after which refunds are no longer available.
  • Refunds are processed to your original payment method and typically take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account.
  • Changing your dates or room type after booking usually counts as a cancellation and triggers the refund policy, not a free modification.

How to spot the refundable option when you book

When you search for a hotel or flight on Expedia, the results page shows multiple rate options for each property or flight. Look for a label that says "Refundable" or "Free Cancellation" — this is the refundable rate. Directly below or next to it, you will see the standard rate, often labeled "Non-Refundable" or "Lowest Price," which is cheaper but cannot be cancelled for money back.

The price difference appears on the same line as the rate type. If a non-refundable hotel room is $120 per night, the refundable version of the same room might be $145 per night. You choose which one you want before you click "Select Room" or "Book Now." Once you complete the purchase, you cannot switch from non-refundable to refundable or vice versa.

What the cancellation deadline actually means

The cancellation deadline is a specific date and time by which you must cancel to receive a refund. For most hotels booked on Expedia, this deadline is 24 to 72 hours before your check-in date, depending on the hotel's policy. For flights, the deadline is usually 24 hours before departure. The deadline is set when you book and does not change.

If you cancel before the deadline, Expedia processes the refund and sends it to your original payment method. If you cancel after the deadline, you receive nothing — the money is kept by the hotel or airline. Some hotels and airlines offer a grace period of a few hours past the deadline, but this is not may provide and varies by property.

The cancellation deadline is not the same as your arrival date. If you book a hotel with a 72-hour cancellation deadline and you arrive on Friday, you must cancel by Tuesday at the same time you booked. Waiting until Thursday to cancel means you have missed the deadline and cannot get a refund.

How refunds are processed and when you see the money

When you cancel a refundable booking, Expedia sends a cancellation confirmation to your email. The refund does not appear immediately. Expedia typically processes refunds within 24 to 48 hours of your cancellation, but the time it takes for the money to show up in your account depends on your bank or credit card company.

Credit card refunds usually appear within 5 to 10 business days. Debit card refunds may take longer, sometimes up to 14 business days. If you paid with a digital wallet like PayPal or Apple Pay, the refund goes back to that account first, and then to your bank. Bank transfers and wire refunds can take 7 to 14 business days.

If you do not see the refund after 14 business days, contact Expedia customer service with your booking confirmation number and cancellation confirmation. They can check the status and reissue the refund if it was lost in processing.

Refundable versus non-refundable: what you are actually paying for

The price difference between refundable and non-refundable rates reflects the risk the hotel or airline is taking. When you book non-refundable, you are paying a lower price in exchange for giving up the right to cancel. The hotel or airline keeps that money no matter what happens. When you book refundable, you are paying extra for the right to change your mind.

This is not a Expedia fee — it is the hotel's or airline's own pricing. Expedia does not pocket the difference. Hotels and airlines set two separate rates: one for bookings they can keep if cancelled, and one for bookings they have to refund. Expedia displays both and lets you choose.

Some travelers book non-refundable rates when they are certain about their plans and want the lowest price. Others book refundable rates when plans might change or when they want the security of being able to cancel without losing money. There is no right choice — it depends on your situation and how much the extra cost matters to you.

What counts as a cancellation and what does not

Cancelling means you tell Expedia you do not want the booking and request a refund. You do this through your Expedia account under "My Trips" or by calling Expedia customer service. A true cancellation triggers the refund policy and either gives you money back or keeps it, depending on whether you are past the deadline.

Changing your dates, room type, or guest name usually counts as a cancellation of the original booking plus a new booking. If you change your dates after the original cancellation deadline has passed, you lose the refund on the original booking and have to pay for a new booking at current rates. If you change dates before the deadline, Expedia may let you rebook at the same rate, but this is not may provide and depends on availability and the hotel's policy.

No-shows — arriving late or not arriving at all — are not cancellations. If you book refundable and do not show up, the hotel keeps the money because you did not cancel before the deadline. You have to actively cancel through Expedia to trigger a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a refundable booking after the deadline if I have a good reason?

No. The cancellation deadline is firm, and Expedia and the hotel do not make exceptions for emergencies, illness, or weather. If you miss the deadline, the booking is non-refundable regardless of the reason. This is why it is important to cancel as soon as you know you cannot travel, not to wait and hope for an exception.

What if the hotel or airline cancels on me?

If the hotel or airline cancels the booking, you receive a full refund regardless of whether you booked refundable or non-refundable. Expedia processes this automatically. If the cancellation is due to a natural disaster or government order, some hotels and airlines may offer a rebooking credit instead of a refund, but you can usually request a refund if you prefer.

Does travel insurance cover the refundable option?

No. Travel insurance is separate from the refundable option. If you book non-refundable and then need to cancel, travel insurance may reimburse you if your reason is covered (illness, death in the family, job loss, etc.). The refundable option is a direct refund from Expedia and the hotel, not an insurance claim.

If I book refundable and the price drops, can I rebook at the lower price?

You can cancel the refundable booking and book again at the new lower price, but you have to do this before the cancellation deadline on your original booking. Once you cancel, you get a refund, and then you can book a new reservation. If the new price is lower, you keep the difference. If prices have gone up, you pay more.

Why is the refundable rate so much more expensive?

Hotels and airlines charge more for refundable bookings because they cannot may provide the revenue. If they sell a non-refundable room for $100, they keep $100. If they sell a refundable room for $130, they have to be prepared to give back the full $130 if you cancel. The extra $30 accounts for the risk that you will cancel and they will lose the booking.