Whether you can get a refund depends on the airline and the type of ticket you bought

Most airlines do not refund plane tickets. Instead, they offer a travel credit — a voucher you can use to book another flight with that airline. A few airlines refund money to your original payment method, but only under specific conditions. The rules vary by airline, by the type of ticket, and by when you cancel.

The key difference is between a refundable ticket and a non-refundable ticket. Refundable tickets cost more but let you get your money back if you cancel. Non-refundable tickets are cheaper but usually turn into a credit, not a refund. Some airlines also offer a middle ground: you cannot get money back, but you can change your flight without paying an extra fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your confirmation email to see whether your ticket is refundable or non-refundable — this is printed on the receipt.
  • Refundable tickets return money to your original payment method, but non-refundable tickets usually become a travel credit only.
  • You must cancel through the airline's website or phone line, not through a third-party booking site, to get a refund or credit.
  • If the airline cancels your flight, you are may have access to to a refund or rebooking at no extra cost, regardless of ticket type.
  • Travel credits typically expire one to three years after the original booking date, depending on the airline.

How to tell if your ticket is refundable

Your confirmation email from the airline contains this information. Look for a section labeled "Fare Rules," "Ticket Type," or "Cancellation Policy." It will say either "refundable" or "non-refundable." If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, log into that site and find your booking — the confirmation should show the same detail.

If you cannot find it in your email, call the airline directly with your confirmation number. They can tell you in one minute whether your ticket is refundable. Do not rely on what a travel agent or booking site tells you — the airline's own records are the only source that matters.

Refundable tickets: how to get your money back

If your ticket is refundable, you can cancel it and receive money back to the card or account you used to pay. Go to the airline's website, find "Manage My Booking" or "Cancel Flight," and enter your confirmation number and last name. Follow the prompts to cancel. The airline will show you the refund amount before you confirm — some airlines deduct a small cancellation fee, while others do not.

The refund does not happen when ready. Most airlines process refunds within 5 to 10 business days, though some take up to 30 days. If you paid by credit card, the money goes back to that card. If you paid by debit card, it goes back to the debit account. Check your bank or card statement to confirm the refund arrived.

If you booked through a third-party site, you must still cancel through the airline's website, not through the booking site. The booking site cannot process refunds — only the airline can. If you cancel through the booking site, it may take longer or the site may issue a credit instead of a refund.

Non-refundable tickets: what you get instead

Non-refundable tickets do not return money. When you cancel, the airline converts your ticket into a travel credit — a voucher for the same dollar amount that you can use to book any flight on that airline. You cannot withdraw the money or transfer it to another airline.

To cancel a non-refundable ticket, use the same process: go to the airline's website, find "Manage My Booking," and select cancel. The airline will confirm that your ticket has been converted to a credit and will tell you the credit amount and expiration date. Write down the credit number — you will need it when you book your next flight.

Travel credits usually expire one to three years after the original booking date. Check your confirmation email for the exact expiration date. If the credit expires, you lose the money. Some airlines extended expiration dates during the pandemic, but most have returned to their standard policy.

When the airline cancels your flight

If the airline cancels your flight — not you — you have the right to a refund or a rebooking on another flight at no extra cost. This is true even if your ticket is non-refundable. The airline must offer you both options: money back or a flight to the same destination on a later date.

The airline will usually contact you by email or phone to offer rebooking first. If you want a refund instead, you must request it. Go to the airline's website or call customer service and say you want a refund, not a rebooking. Provide your confirmation number. The refund process is the same as for a refundable ticket — it takes 5 to 30 days to appear in your account.

Canceling through a third-party booking site

If you booked through Kayak, Expedia, Orbitz, or another third-party site, you still cancel through the airline, not the booking site. The booking site is only a middleman — it does not hold your ticket or process cancellations. Log into the airline's website directly using your confirmation number and last name, then cancel there.

Some third-party sites offer their own cancellation protection or refund policies, separate from the airline's policy. Read the fine print on the booking site to see whether you bought extra protection. If you did, you may be able to get a refund through the booking site even if the airline's ticket is non-refundable. But this is rare and usually costs extra at the time of booking.

What happens if you change your flight instead of canceling

Changing a flight is different from canceling. When you change a flight, you keep your ticket and move it to a different date or time. When you cancel, you end the ticket and get a refund or credit.

Most airlines let you change a flight for free if your ticket is refundable. If your ticket is non-refundable, you can usually change it for free, but if the new flight costs more, you pay the difference. If the new flight costs less, you get a credit for the difference — not a refund. Check your airline's change policy on their website before you rebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I change my mind after I buy the ticket?

Only if your ticket is refundable. Non-refundable tickets cannot be refunded once purchased, though you can convert them to a travel credit or change the flight. Some airlines have a short window (usually 24 hours) where you can cancel any ticket for a full refund, but you must cancel within that window.

What if I paid with a credit card and the airline won't refund me?

Contact your credit card company and file a dispute. Tell them the airline refused to refund a refundable ticket or that you canceled within the airline's refund window. The credit card company can reverse the charge and refund you directly. This process is called a chargeback and usually takes 30 to 60 days.

Can I use a travel credit on a different airline?

No. Travel credits are specific to the airline that issued them. A credit from United cannot be used on Delta or Southwest. If you need to fly a different airline, you must cancel your ticket and get a refund (if refundable) or lose the money (if non-refundable).

Do I lose my travel credit if I don't use it by the expiration date?

Yes. Most airlines do not extend expired credits. Once the expiration date passes, the credit is gone and you cannot recover it. Mark the expiration date on your calendar or set a phone reminder so you do not forget.

What if the airline loses my luggage after I cancel my flight?

If you canceled your flight, you are not traveling, so there is no luggage to lose. If the airline lost your bag on a flight you did take, that is a separate claim unrelated to the ticket refund. Contact the airline's baggage department with your baggage claim number.