Flight Cancellation and Refund Options, Explained
Cancelling a flight is stressful enough without confusing fare language. Before you cancel, it helps to understand the difference between a refund, a travel credit and a total loss.
Refund vs. credit
A refund returns money to your original payment method. A travel credit keeps value with the airline for future use, often with an expiry date. Some fares offer one, some the other, and some neither.
Timing matters
Many tickets can be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for a refund under certain conditions. After that, your fare rules take over. Check the timing before you assume a refund is impossible.
Airline-initiated changes
If the airline significantly changes or cancels your flight, you may have more flexibility than a voluntary cancellation. Ask what applies before you act.
Get it in writing
Ask for confirmation of the cancellation, any credit value and its expiry. Keep that record until the matter is fully resolved.
Prefer to just talk it through? Call our travel desk.
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