Most airlines will not refund your ticket, but you may get a credit or cash back under specific conditions
Whether you get money back for a plane ticket depends on what type of ticket you bought, why you are not flying, and which airline sold it to you. Most tickets sold at the lowest fares are non-refundable — the airline will not return your cash if you cancel. However, you may receive a travel credit (a voucher to book a future flight) or a refund under federal rules if the airline cancels the flight or makes a significant schedule change.
The airline's refund policy is printed on your receipt and confirmation email. If you bought through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, that site's cancellation rules may differ from the airline's own rules. The key distinction is between a refund (cash back to your original payment method) and a credit (money held by the airline for future use).
Key Takeaways
- Non-refundable tickets do not return cash if you cancel, but refundable tickets do — check your confirmation email to see which type you purchased.
- If the airline cancels your flight or changes your departure time by more than three hours, you are may have access to to a refund under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, regardless of ticket type.
- Airlines often offer travel credits instead of refunds when you cancel; accepting a credit does not prevent you from later requesting a cash refund if the airline denies it.
- Third-party booking sites have their own refund policies that may be stricter than the airline's policy, so check both before you book.
- If an airline refuses a refund you believe you are owed, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The difference between refundable and non-refundable tickets
When you buy a plane ticket, the airline assigns it one of two categories. A refundable ticket means the airline will return your money to your credit card, bank account, or original payment method if you cancel before your flight. A non-refundable ticket means the airline keeps your money if you cancel; you lose it entirely unless the airline offers you a travel credit as a courtesy.
The ticket type is always listed in your confirmation email under "fare rules" or "ticket conditions." Refundable tickets cost more — often 20 to 50 percent higher than non-refundable fares for the same flight. Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier sell almost exclusively non-refundable tickets. Full-service carriers like United and American sell both types; you choose at checkout.
If you bought a non-refundable ticket and cancel for any reason — illness, job loss, change of plans — the airline is not required to return your cash. Some airlines offer a travel credit equal to your ticket price, valid for one to two years. Others offer nothing. Check your confirmation email or the airline's website to see what your specific ticket includes.
When the airline must refund your money
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund your cash (not just a credit) in three situations, regardless of whether your ticket is refundable or non-refundable.
The airline cancels your flight. If the airline cancels the flight for any reason — mechanical problems, weather, crew issues — you are may have access to to a full refund. You do not have to accept a rebooking on another flight or a travel credit. The refund must go back to your original payment method within a set timeframe (usually seven to ten business days, though this varies by airline).
The airline changes your departure time by three or more hours. If your flight was scheduled to leave at 2 p.m. and the airline moves it to 5 p.m. or later, you can request a refund instead of taking the rescheduled flight. A change of less than three hours does not trigger this rule. The airline must inform you of the change and offer you the refund option; you do not have to ask for it.
The airline makes a significant change to your itinerary. If the airline removes a scheduled stop, changes your arrival airport, or adds more than a two-hour delay to your total travel time, you may be may have access to to a refund. The rules here are less clear than the three-hour rule, and airlines sometimes dispute whether a change qualifies. If this happens to you, contact the airline's customer service and cite the Department of Transportation rule; if they refuse, you can file a complaint.
How to request a refund from the airline
Contact the airline directly through their website, phone number, or customer service app. Do not go through the third-party booking site where you purchased the ticket, because the site cannot force the airline to refund you — only the airline can process the refund.
Have your confirmation number and ticket number ready. Tell the airline representative which rule entitles you to the refund: the flight was cancelled, the departure time changed by three or more hours, or the itinerary was significantly altered. If the airline cancelled the flight or made a major schedule change, you do not need to explain why you want the refund — you are may have access to to it by law.
The airline will ask which payment method to use for the refund. If you paid by credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you paid by debit card or bank transfer, the refund goes to that account. The timeline varies: some airlines process refunds within three to five business days, others take two to three weeks. Check your bank or credit card statement to confirm the refund arrived.
Travel credits versus refunds
When you cancel a non-refundable ticket, many airlines automatically offer a travel credit instead of asking whether you want one. A travel credit is a voucher that holds your ticket price as money to spend on a future flight with that airline. It is not cash back to your bank account.
Travel credits usually expire one to two years after issue, though some airlines extended expiration dates during the pandemic and may do so again. If you do not use the credit before it expires, you lose the money. Some airlines charge a fee to use the credit, or restrict which flights you can book with it (for example, excluding basic economy fares).
If an airline offers you a travel credit for a cancelled flight, you do not have to accept it. You can ask for a cash refund instead, especially if the airline cancelled the flight or made a significant schedule change. If the airline refuses and you believe you are may have access to to a refund under Department of Transportation rules, you can file a complaint with the DOT and request the refund through that process.
Refunds when you book through a third-party site
If you bought your ticket through Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, or another booking site, that site's refund policy may be stricter than the airline's policy. Some third-party sites charge a non-refundable booking fee on top of the ticket price, or they may not process refunds as quickly as the airline would.
Check the third-party site's refund policy before you book. If you need to cancel, contact the airline directly first — the airline's refund obligation does not change based on where you bought the ticket. If the airline approves the refund but the third-party site delays processing it, contact the site's customer service and provide the airline's refund confirmation.
If you bought a refundable ticket through a third-party site and the site refuses to process the refund, you can contact the airline directly and ask them to refund you. The airline may do so, though they may ask you to work through the third-party site first. If both refuse, you can file a complaint with your credit card company or bank (called a chargeback) and request they reverse the charge.
Filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation
If an airline refuses to refund you and you believe you are may have access to to one under federal rules, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT has a complaint form on its website (dot.gov) where you describe what happened, provide your confirmation number and ticket details, and explain which rule entitles you to the refund.
The DOT does not process refunds directly — it investigates complaints and can pressure airlines to comply with the law. The process typically takes several weeks to several months. Include copies of your confirmation email, the airline's refusal (if in writing), and any other documentation showing the flight was cancelled or significantly changed.
Filing a DOT complaint does not cost money and does not require a lawyer. However, it is not the fastest way to get your money back. If you need the refund urgently, try negotiating directly with the airline's customer service or escalating to a supervisor first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I just changed my mind about the trip?
Only if you bought a refundable ticket. Non-refundable tickets do not refund for cancellations due to personal choice. Some airlines offer a travel credit instead as a courtesy, but they are not required to. Check your confirmation email to see whether your ticket is refundable.
What if I am sick and cannot fly?
Illness is not a legal reason for the airline to refund a non-refundable ticket. However, many airlines will issue a travel credit or allow you to reschedule without a fee if you provide a doctor's note. Contact the airline's customer service and ask what options are available for your situation. Some travel insurance policies cover cancellations due to illness, so check whether you purchased that coverage.
Do I have to accept a travel credit, or can I insist on a cash refund?
If the airline cancelled the flight or made a significant schedule change, you can insist on a cash refund — a travel credit is not a substitute. If you cancelled the ticket yourself and bought a non-refundable fare, the airline is not required to offer anything, though many offer a credit as a courtesy. You cannot force a cash refund in that situation.
How long does it take to get a refund?
Airlines typically process refunds within three to ten business days, though some take longer. The timeline depends on your bank and payment method — debit card refunds sometimes take longer than credit card refunds. If more than two weeks have passed, contact the airline to confirm the refund was processed and check your bank statement.
Can I get a refund if I miss my flight?
No. If you do not show up for your flight, the airline keeps your ticket price. The airline is not required to refund you or offer a credit. If you miss your flight due to circumstances beyond your control (traffic, accident, airline error), contact the airline's customer service and explain what happened — some airlines may rebook you on another flight at no charge, but refunds are not standard in this situation.