How to Request a Refund on Expedia
Expedia's refund process depends on what you booked and when you're asking for the money back. Hotels, flights, and car rentals each have different rules, and your refund may be able to access depends on the rate type you paid for at checkout. Most refunds go back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after Expedia processes the cancellation, though some take longer.
The fastest way to request a refund is through your Expedia account online. You can cancel most bookings yourself without calling customer service, and Expedia will show you when ready whether you'll get money back or just a credit toward a future booking.
Key Takeaways
- Refundable rates let you cancel and get your money back; non-refundable rates do not, though you may receive a travel credit instead.
- You can cancel hotels, flights, and rental cars through your Expedia account under "My Trips" without contacting support.
- Refunds process to your original payment method in 5 to 10 business days, but some banks take additional time to post the credit.
- If you booked a package deal (flight plus hotel), canceling one part may affect the price or refund of the other.
- Expedia customer service can override some non-refundable bookings if you have a documented emergency, though this is not may provide.
Check Your Rate Type Before You Cancel
When you booked your hotel, flight, or rental car, Expedia showed you whether the rate was refundable or non-refundable. Non-refundable rates are cheaper but lock you in — if you cancel, you lose the money. Refundable rates cost more upfront but let you cancel and get your money back.
To see which type you have, log into your Expedia account, go to "My Trips," and click on the booking. The confirmation email you received at checkout also states the rate type. If it says "non-refundable" or "non-refundable rate," you will not receive a cash refund, though Expedia may offer a travel credit you can use for a future booking instead.
Some hotels offer a "free cancellation" window — usually 24 to 72 hours before arrival — even on non-refundable rates. Check the "Cancellation Policy" section of your booking details to see if this applies to you.
Cancel a Hotel Booking Through Your Account
Log into Expedia, click "My Trips," and find the hotel reservation you want to cancel. Click the booking to open the details page. Near the top or bottom of the page, you'll see a "Cancel Reservation" button. Click it, and Expedia will ask you to confirm the cancellation and show you the refund amount you'll receive.
If the button does not appear, the cancellation important date has passed or the rate is non-refundable with no free cancellation window. In that case, you can still contact Expedia customer service to ask whether they will make an exception, but they are not required to refund non-refundable bookings.
After you confirm the cancellation, Expedia sends a confirmation email. The refund goes back to the card or payment method you used to book. If you paid with a debit card, your bank may take 5 to 10 additional business days to post the credit to your account.
Cancel a Flight Booking
Flight refunds work differently depending on the airline and the ticket type. Most airline tickets sold through Expedia are non-refundable, meaning you get a travel credit (a voucher to book another flight) rather than cash back. However, some airlines and some ticket types do allow refunds.
To cancel a flight, go to "My Trips," click the flight booking, and look for a "Cancel Flight" or "Manage Booking" button. Expedia will show you what you'll receive — either a refund or a travel credit. If a refund is available, you can process it yourself. If only a credit is offered, Expedia will issue it automatically.
If the airline itself issued a refund (for example, because the airline canceled the flight), that refund may come directly from the airline rather than through Expedia. Check your email for messages from the airline, and contact the airline directly if you don't see the refund after two weeks.
Cancel a Car Rental Booking
Car rental cancellations follow the same pattern as hotels. Log into "My Trips," click the rental reservation, and look for a "Cancel Reservation" button. Expedia will show you the refund amount before you confirm.
Most car rental companies allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup, even on discounted rates. If you cancel within that window, you'll receive a full refund. If you cancel after that important date, the rental company may keep a portion of the payment as a cancellation fee.
After you cancel, the refund goes back to your original payment method in 5 to 10 business days. Some rental companies process refunds more slowly, so if you don't see the credit after two weeks, contact Expedia customer service with your booking confirmation number.
What to Do If You Can't Cancel Online
If the "Cancel" button doesn't appear in your account, or if you need to cancel a package deal (flight plus hotel booked together), contact Expedia customer service. You can reach them by phone, live chat, or email through the "Contact Us" section of the Expedia website.
Have your booking confirmation number ready. If you're canceling a non-refundable booking due to an emergency — illness, death in the family, or a documented travel ban — explain the situation to the agent. Expedia does not have a formal policy for emergency refunds on non-refundable rates, but agents sometimes make exceptions if you provide supporting documentation.
Response times vary. Phone support is usually faster than email, but wait times can be long during peak travel seasons. Live chat typically connects you within a few minutes.
Tracking Your Refund
After you cancel, Expedia sends a confirmation email with the refund amount and an estimated timeline. The refund processes to your original payment method — the card or account you used to book.
If you paid with a credit or debit card, your bank controls how long the credit takes to appear. Most banks post refunds within 5 to 10 business days, but some take longer. If you paid with PayPal, Apple Pay, or another digital wallet, the refund may appear faster.
If you don't see the refund after 10 business days, log back into your Expedia account and check the booking status. If it shows "canceled," the refund has been processed on Expedia's end, and the delay is with your bank. Contact your bank to ask about the refund. If the booking still shows "active," contact Expedia to confirm the cancellation went through.
Package Deals and Partial Cancellations
If you booked a package (flight plus hotel together), canceling one part may affect the price or refund of the other. For example, some package rates are only refundable if you cancel both the flight and the hotel. If you cancel only the hotel, you might lose the refund on the flight, or vice versa.
Before you cancel part of a package, contact Expedia customer service to understand how the cancellation will affect your refund. They can show you the refund amount for each scenario before you proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a refund from Expedia?
Expedia processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days after you cancel. However, your bank may take an additional 5 to 10 business days to post the credit to your account. If you paid with a digital wallet like PayPal, the refund may appear faster. Check your bank's policy if you don't see the refund after two weeks.
Can I get a refund on a non-refundable booking?
Non-refundable bookings do not come with a cash refund. However, Expedia may offer a travel credit you can use to book another trip. If you have a documented emergency, contact Expedia customer service to ask whether they will make an exception, but they are not required to refund non-refundable rates.
What if Expedia canceled my booking?
If Expedia or the hotel, airline, or rental company canceled your booking, you receive a full refund regardless of the rate type. Check your email for a cancellation notice from Expedia or the provider. If you don't see a refund after two weeks, contact Expedia with your booking confirmation number.
Can I cancel a flight and keep the hotel part of a package?
Yes, but it may affect your refund. Some package rates are only refundable if you cancel both parts. Contact Expedia customer service before you cancel to see how canceling the flight will affect the hotel refund.
What if my refund doesn't show up after 10 business days?
Log into your Expedia account and check whether the booking shows "canceled." If it does, the refund has been processed on Expedia's end, and your bank is holding it up. Contact your bank to ask about the refund status. If the booking still shows "active," contact Expedia to confirm the cancellation was completed.