What you get back depends on the ticket type and why you're canceling
Most airlines will not refund a standard economy ticket if you cancel—they'll offer a credit toward a future flight instead. The exceptions are narrow: if the airline cancels the flight, significantly changes the departure time, or you booked a refundable fare. A refundable ticket costs more upfront but returns your money to your original payment method if you don't fly. A non-refundable ticket locks in a lower price but ties you to a credit or a change fee.
The airline's cancellation policy is printed on your confirmation email and on their website. Read it before you call or chat with them, because the policy you agreed to at purchase is what governs what you get back. If you paid with a credit card and the airline refuses a refund you believe you're owed, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer—but that's a separate process that takes weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Non-refundable tickets return a credit to your airline account, not cash to your card, unless the airline cancels or significantly delays the flight.
- Refundable tickets return money to your original payment method within 7 to 30 days, depending on the airline and your bank.
- If the airline cancels or moves your departure time by more than a few hours, you have the right to a refund regardless of ticket type.
- Disputing a charge with your credit card company is slower than asking the airline directly, but it's an option if the airline denies your refund claim.
- Check your confirmation email for the exact cancellation policy that applied when you bought the ticket.
Refundable vs. non-refundable tickets: what the difference means
A refundable ticket means the airline will return your money to the card or account you used to pay. The refund typically takes 7 to 30 days to appear, depending on the airline and your bank's processing speed. You can cancel anytime before departure and expect cash back, not a credit. These tickets cost 20 to 50 percent more than non-refundable fares.
A non-refundable ticket means you get a credit toward a future flight with that airline, not a refund. The credit usually has an expiration date—often one year from the original booking date—and may be tied to the same route or open to any destination the airline serves. If you don't use the credit before it expires, the money is gone. Non-refundable tickets are the default on most budget and standard economy fares.
Check your confirmation email under "Fare Rules" or "Ticket Type" to see which one you bought. If it says "non-refundable" or "basic economy," you're locked into a credit unless the airline cancels or delays the flight.
When the airline must refund you, regardless of ticket type
If the airline cancels your flight, you have the right to a refund to your original payment method. This applies to every ticket type. The airline may offer you a rebooking on another flight instead, but you can refuse and demand the refund. The refund timeline varies by airline—some process it within 7 days, others take up to 30 days.
If the airline changes your departure time by more than a certain window—usually 2 to 3 hours for domestic flights, 6 hours for international—you can also request a refund instead of accepting the new time. Some airlines make you ask; others offer the choice automatically. Check your confirmation email or call the airline's customer service line to see what options you have.
Weather delays and mechanical issues are trickier. The airline is not required to refund you if the flight is delayed or canceled due to weather, even if it's days late. Mechanical problems fall into a gray area depending on the airline's policy and your country's consumer protection rules. If you're in the EU, you may be owed compensation under EU261 even if the airline won't refund the ticket itself.
How to request a refund from the airline
Start with the airline's website. Most carriers have a "Manage My Booking" or "My Trips" section where you can view your reservation and request changes or refunds. Log in with your confirmation number and last name. If the airline canceled the flight or changed the time significantly, you should see a refund option there.
If the website doesn't show a refund option, contact the airline's customer service by phone or chat. Have your confirmation number, ticket number, and booking details ready. Be clear about why you're requesting the refund—whether the airline canceled, changed the time, or you're canceling a refundable ticket. The agent will tell you whether you're owed a refund or a credit, and how long the process takes.
Keep records of every conversation: screenshots of chats, confirmation numbers from calls, and copies of emails. If the airline denies your refund and you believe you're owed one, these records are what you'll need to dispute the charge with your credit card company.
Disputing the charge with your credit card company
If the airline refuses to refund you and you paid by credit card, you can file a chargeback or dispute with your card issuer. Call the number on the back of your card and ask to dispute the transaction. You'll need to explain why you believe the charge was wrong—for example, the airline canceled the flight and refused to refund it, or you canceled a refundable ticket and the airline is withholding the money.
The card issuer will investigate and typically reach a decision within 30 to 60 days. They may ask you to provide documentation: your booking confirmation, the airline's cancellation policy, screenshots of your refund request, and any responses from the airline. If the card issuer agrees with you, they'll credit the amount back to your account. If they side with the airline, you lose the dispute and the charge stands.
A chargeback is slower than getting a refund directly from the airline, but it's a backstop if the airline won't cooperate. Some airlines view chargebacks negatively and may ban you from future bookings, so try the airline first.
What happens to refunds when you use a third-party booking site
If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Costco Travel, or another third-party site, the refund process is more complicated. The third-party site is the merchant on your credit card statement, not the airline. When you request a refund, you're asking the third-party site to contact the airline and process it on your behalf.
Third-party sites often take a cut of the refund or delay it while they handle the airline's paperwork. Some sites refund you directly; others issue a credit toward a future booking with them instead of returning cash. Check the third-party site's refund policy before you book—it may be stricter than the airline's own policy.
If the third-party site won't refund you, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. The dispute will be against the third-party site, not the airline. Provide the card issuer with your booking confirmation, the airline's cancellation policy, and proof that you requested a refund from the third-party site and were denied.
Refunds for flights you didn't use but didn't cancel
If you straightforward didn't show up for a flight and never canceled it, the airline will not refund you. No-show policies treat your absence as a forfeited ticket. The airline keeps the money, and you lose the credit as well. Some airlines will let you use the credit toward a future flight even after a no-show, but many will not.
If you missed the flight due to circumstances beyond your control—a car accident, a medical emergency, a missed connection on a previous flight—contact the airline and explain. Some airlines will waive the no-show penalty and convert your ticket to a credit or refund if you have documentation. This is not may provide, but it's worth asking.
If you were supposed to fly but didn't because the airline made an error—for example, they overbooked and didn't tell you, or they canceled without notifying you—that's different. Document the error and request a refund. If the airline denies it, dispute the charge with your card issuer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a flight refund?
Refunds from the airline typically take 7 to 30 days to appear in your account, depending on the airline and your bank. If you dispute the charge with your credit card company, the investigation takes 30 to 60 days. Credits issued by the airline appear in your account when ready but can only be used for future flights.
Can I get a refund if I booked a non-refundable ticket but have a good reason?
The airline's policy is what matters, not your reason. Non-refundable tickets do not refund for personal reasons, illness, or schedule changes. Your only options are to use the credit toward a future flight or to dispute the charge with your credit card company if you believe the airline violated its own policy or misrepresented the terms.
What if the airline offers me a credit but I want cash?
If you have a non-refundable ticket and the airline canceled or significantly delayed the flight, you can refuse the credit and demand a refund. If the airline still refuses, dispute the charge with your credit card company. If you straightforward don't want to fly and bought a non-refundable ticket, the airline is not required to give you cash—only a credit.
Do I get a refund if I miss my flight because of a delay on a connecting flight?
If both flights were booked together as one itinerary, the airline is responsible for getting you to your destination, even if you miss a connection. They will rebook you on the next available flight at no charge. If the flights were booked separately, the second airline is not responsible, and you lose that ticket unless it was refundable.
Can I dispute a flight refund if the airline says it's still processing?
Wait until the timeline the airline gave you has passed. If they said 30 days and it's been 35 days with no refund, contact them again and ask for a status update. If they can't provide one or the refund never arrives, then you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. Disputing too early may result in the card issuer dismissing your case.