Whether you can get a refund depends on the airline and the ticket type you bought
Most airlines will not refund a ticket you straightforward change your mind about. Instead, they offer a credit toward a future flight on their airline — sometimes called a travel credit or flight credit. A few airlines refund cash to your original payment method, but only under specific conditions: if the airline cancels the flight, if you booked a refundable ticket, or if the flight is significantly delayed.
The difference between a refundable and non-refundable ticket is the single biggest factor. When you buy a ticket, the airline tells you at checkout which type it is. Non-refundable tickets are cheaper, but they lock you into that flight or force you to accept a credit instead of cash. Refundable tickets cost more but let you cancel and get your money back.
The airline's own rules, not federal law, determine what happens to your money. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund you if they cancel or significantly delay a flight, but it does not require them to refund you if you cancel. Each airline sets its own policy on customer-initiated cancellations.
Key Takeaways
- Non-refundable tickets typically convert to a travel credit if you cancel, not cash back to your card or bank account.
- Refundable tickets let you cancel and receive cash to your original payment method, though they cost more upfront.
- Airlines must refund cash if they cancel your flight or delay it by a certain number of hours, regardless of ticket type.
- Travel credits usually expire one to three years after the original ticket date, depending on the airline.
- Third-party booking sites (like Expedia or Kayak) have their own refund policies that may differ from the airline's policy.
Refundable versus non-refundable tickets
When you purchase a ticket, the airline offers you a choice at checkout. A refundable ticket means you can cancel and receive your money back as cash to your original payment method — your credit card, debit card, or bank account. A non-refundable ticket means you cannot get cash back if you cancel; instead, the airline converts your payment into a travel credit you can use to book a different flight on that airline.
Refundable tickets cost significantly more. The exact price difference varies by airline, route, and how far in advance you book, but refundable fares are often 20 to 50 percent higher than non-refundable ones. Most leisure travelers buy non-refundable tickets because of the lower price, even though it means losing the money if plans change.
When you book through a third-party site like Expedia, Kayak, or Google Flights, that site's refund policy may be stricter than the airline's own policy. Some third-party sites do not allow cancellations at all through their platform; they require you to contact the airline directly. Always check the cancellation policy shown at checkout before you complete the purchase.
When airlines must refund cash, regardless of ticket type
The U.S. Department of Transportation has one rule that overrides the airline's ticket type: if the airline cancels your flight, you have the right to a cash refund to your original payment method. This applies to both refundable and non-refundable tickets. The airline cannot force you to take a travel credit instead.
Airlines must also refund cash if they significantly delay your flight. The threshold varies by flight length. For domestic flights (within the U.S.), a delay of three or more hours at your final destination triggers a refund right. For international flights departing the U.S., the threshold is four or more hours. For flights arriving in the U.S. from abroad, it is three or more hours. The airline must offer you the refund option; you do not have to accept a rebooking on a later flight.
To request this refund, contact the airline directly through their website, phone line, or airport counter. Have your confirmation number and ticket number ready. The airline typically processes the refund within one to two weeks, though some take longer. If the airline refuses, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.
Travel credits and how they work
When you cancel a non-refundable ticket, the airline converts your payment into a travel credit — a dollar amount you can use to book any flight on that airline in the future. The credit is usually issued as a confirmation number or code that you enter when booking a new ticket. You do not receive cash or a refund to your card.
Travel credits have an expiration date. Most airlines set the expiration one to three years from the date of your original ticket, though this varies. Some airlines extended expiration dates during the pandemic; check your airline's current policy. If your credit expires, you lose the money entirely — the airline does not refund it.
You can use a travel credit to book any flight on that airline, including flights for other people. Some airlines let you transfer a credit to a family member or friend, while others restrict it to the original passenger. Check your airline's policy before assuming you can give the credit to someone else.
Canceling through the airline versus a third-party booking site
If you booked directly with the airline (through their website or phone line), you cancel directly with them. Go to the airline's website, find your booking using your confirmation number, and select the cancel option. You can also call the airline's customer service line. The airline processes the cancellation and issues your travel credit or refund according to your ticket type.
If you booked through a third-party site like Expedia, Kayak, or a travel agent, the process is more complicated. Some third-party sites let you cancel through their platform and issue the refund themselves. Others require you to contact the airline directly, even though you did not book with them. Check the cancellation policy shown on your booking confirmation email — it will tell you whether to cancel through the third-party site or the airline.
Third-party sites sometimes charge a cancellation fee on top of the airline's policy. For example, the airline might issue a travel credit, but the third-party site keeps a portion as a processing fee. Always read the fine print on your confirmation before you cancel.
What happens if you miss your flight
If you miss your flight without canceling in advance, the airline typically treats it as a no-show. Your ticket is forfeited, and you do not receive a refund or travel credit. The airline may allow you to rebook on a later flight, but you usually have to pay the difference in fare if the new flight costs more.
Some airlines have a grace period: if you miss your flight by a small window (usually 30 minutes to an hour), you can still cancel and receive a travel credit. Call the airline when ready if you miss your flight to ask whether this option is available. Do not assume you have lost the money.
If you miss your flight because of a circumstance beyond your control — a car accident, a medical emergency, a delayed connecting flight — contact the airline and explain. Some airlines will issue a travel credit or allow a rebooking as a courtesy, though they are not required to. Having documentation (a police report, a hospital record, a boarding pass from the delayed flight) strengthens your case.
Disputing a denied refund
If an airline refuses to refund you when you believe you are may have access to to one, you have options. First, contact the airline's customer service in writing — email or a formal letter — and explain why you believe the refund should be issued. Keep copies of your ticket, confirmation, and any communication with the airline.
If the airline does not respond or denies your claim, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Visit the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website and submit a complaint. Include your ticket number, confirmation number, the date of the flight, and a detailed explanation of what happened. The DOT investigates complaints and can pressure airlines to comply with refund rules.
You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. If you paid by credit card, you can request a chargeback — the card issuer investigates and may reverse the charge. This process takes time and does not always succeed, but it is an option if the airline ignores your requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I bought a non-refundable ticket and just changed my mind?
No, not as cash. The airline will convert your payment to a travel credit you can use to book a future flight on that airline. If you do not use the credit before it expires, you lose the money. Some airlines offer the option to purchase a refund for an additional fee, but this is rare.
How long does it take to receive a refund after I cancel?
It depends on how you paid and the airline's processing time. Refunds to credit cards or debit cards usually appear within one to two weeks. Refunds to a bank account (if you paid by check or wire) may take longer. Some airlines take up to 30 days. Check your airline's policy for the specific timeline.
What if the airline changed my flight time and I no longer want to go?
If the airline changed your flight time significantly, you typically have the right to cancel and receive a refund or travel credit, depending on your ticket type. The definition of "significant" varies by airline, but it usually means a change of more than one or two hours. Contact the airline and ask about your options.
Can I use a travel credit to book a flight for someone else?
It depends on the airline. Some airlines let you transfer a travel credit to a family member or friend, while others restrict it to the original passenger. Check your airline's policy. If transfer is allowed, there may be a fee or restrictions on who you can transfer it to.
What if I booked through a travel agent and want to cancel?
Contact your travel agent first, not the airline. The travel agent handles the cancellation and processes the refund or travel credit according to the airline's policy and any fees the agent charges. If the travel agent is unresponsive, you can contact the airline directly with your confirmation number, but the airline may direct you back to the agent.