What you get back depends on the ticket type and why you're canceling
Airlines refund flights in some situations but not others, and the rules differ by airline, ticket price, and reason for cancellation. If the airline cancels your flight, you're may have access to to a refund to your original payment method—this is federal law in the US. If you cancel, what you get back (if anything) depends on whether you bought a refundable ticket, a non-refundable ticket with a credit option, or a basic economy fare with no changes allowed.
The airline industry distinguishes between refundable tickets (rare and expensive) and non-refundable tickets (most common). A refundable ticket means you can cancel anytime and get your money back. A non-refundable ticket usually means you get a travel credit toward a future flight, not cash. Basic economy fares often allow neither—you lose the money if you don't fly.
The refund process itself takes time. Refunds to credit cards typically appear in 7 to 10 business days after the airline processes them, though some airlines take longer. Refunds to debit cards can take 10 to 15 business days. If you paid by check or bank transfer, expect 2 to 4 weeks.
Key Takeaways
- If the airline cancels your flight, you get a refund to your original payment method by federal law, regardless of ticket type.
- If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, you typically receive a travel credit (good for future flights with that airline) rather than cash back.
- Refundable tickets exist but cost significantly more than non-refundable ones and are uncommon outside business travel.
- Credit card refunds appear in 7 to 10 business days; debit card refunds take 10 to 15 business days after the airline processes the request.
- If a refund doesn't arrive within the airline's stated timeframe, contact the airline with your booking confirmation and payment details.
Airline cancellations: your right to a refund
When an airline cancels a flight, you have the right to a refund under US Department of Transportation rules. This applies to all ticket types—refundable, non-refundable, and basic economy. The airline must offer you either a refund to your original payment method or a rebooking on another flight at no extra cost. You choose which one.
The airline is required to process the refund within a specific timeframe. For flights within the US, the DOT requires refunds to be issued within 30 days of the cancellation. In practice, many airlines process refunds faster, but 30 days is the legal maximum. If the airline offers you a rebooking instead and you accept, you don't get a refund—you get a seat on the new flight.
To request a refund after an airline cancellation, go to the airline's website, log into your booking, and look for a "refund" or "manage booking" option. You'll need your confirmation number. If the website doesn't show a refund option, contact the airline's customer service by phone or chat. Have your booking confirmation and payment method details ready.
Non-refundable tickets: what you actually get back
Most airline tickets sold today are non-refundable, which means if you cancel, you don't get cash back. Instead, you receive a travel credit (sometimes called a voucher or flight credit) that you can use toward a future flight on the same airline. The credit is usually valid for one year from the original booking date, though some airlines extended this during the pandemic.
The credit amount equals the fare you paid, minus any taxes and fees that the airline is required to refund by law. So if you paid $300 for a ticket and $30 in taxes, you'd get a $300 credit and the airline keeps the $30 in taxes (though some airlines refund taxes too—check your airline's policy). You can use the credit for any flight on that airline, including a different route or date, as long as the new flight costs the same or more. If the new flight is cheaper, you lose the difference.
Travel credits are non-transferable on most airlines, meaning only the person named on the original ticket can use it. A few airlines allow you to transfer a credit to a family member or friend, but this is uncommon. Check your airline's rules before assuming you can give the credit away.
Refundable tickets: the expensive option
Refundable tickets do exist, but they cost significantly more than non-refundable fares—sometimes 50% to 100% more for the same flight. With a refundable ticket, you can cancel anytime before departure and receive your full fare back as cash (or to your original payment method). You don't get a credit; you get actual money.
Refundable tickets are most common in business travel, where companies need flexibility. Leisure travelers rarely buy them because of the price difference. Some airlines offer refundable fares only on certain routes or during certain seasons. Budget airlines like Southwest and Spirit rarely offer refundable tickets at all.
To know whether your ticket is refundable, check your booking confirmation email or your airline's website. Look for language that says "refundable" or "fully refundable." If it says "non-refundable" or doesn't mention refundability, assume it's non-refundable and you'll get a credit, not cash.
Basic economy and restricted fares: no refund, no credit
Many airlines sell basic economy or "basic" fares that are cheaper than standard economy but come with restrictions. With these fares, you often cannot cancel at all—if you don't fly, you lose the money. There's no refund and no travel credit. You simply forfeit the ticket price.
Basic economy fares typically also restrict seat selection, carry-on bags, and changes to your flight. Before buying a cheap ticket, read the fine print to see what you're giving up. The savings might not be worth it if you think there's any chance you'll need to cancel.
Some airlines allow you to change a basic economy flight to a different date or time on the same route for free, but canceling entirely gets you nothing. Others charge a change fee on top of the fare difference. Always check the airline's cancellation and change policy before purchasing.
How to track a refund and what to do if it doesn't arrive
After you request a refund, the airline will send you a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this email. The refund process has two stages: the airline processes the refund (usually 5 to 7 business days), and then your bank or credit card company deposits it into your account (another 7 to 10 business days for credit cards, 10 to 15 for debit cards).
To check the status of your refund, log into your airline account and look for a "refunds" or "my refunds" section. Some airlines show the refund status there. If not, contact customer service with your booking confirmation number and reference number from the confirmation email.
If the refund doesn't arrive within the airline's stated timeframe (usually 30 days total), contact the airline again. Have your booking confirmation, payment method details, and the refund reference number ready. If the airline doesn't respond or refuses to refund you after a cancellation, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation at dot.gov or contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.
Refunds for flights you didn't book directly
If you booked through a travel website like Expedia, Kayak, or Costco Travel, the refund process is more complicated. The travel website is the middleman between you and the airline. When you cancel, you request the refund from the travel website, not the airline directly. The website then requests the refund from the airline, which can add 5 to 10 extra business days to the process.
Some travel websites charge a cancellation fee on top of the airline's policy. For example, the airline might refund your full fare as a credit, but the travel website keeps $25 or $50 as a processing fee. Check the travel website's cancellation policy before you book—it's usually in the fine print or a separate "cancellation policy" page.
If you booked through a travel website and the refund is taking longer than expected, contact the travel website first, not the airline. The website has the booking record and can track the refund status. If the website won't help, you can contact the airline with your confirmation number, but the airline may direct you back to the website.
Special cases: medical emergencies, death, and military deployment
Some airlines make exceptions to their non-refundable ticket policy in extreme circumstances. If a passenger dies, a family member is hospitalized, or a military member is deployed, many airlines will refund a non-refundable ticket or waive change fees. These policies vary by airline and are not may provide.
To request a refund for a medical or family emergency, contact the airline's customer service and explain the situation. You'll likely need to provide documentation—a death certificate, hospital discharge papers, or military deployment orders. The airline will review your request and decide whether to grant an exception. This process can take 2 to 4 weeks.
Don't assume the airline will automatically refund you. Some airlines are more generous than others. If the airline denies your request, you can escalate to a supervisor or file a complaint with the Department of Transportation, though the DOT cannot force an airline to refund a non-refundable ticket for personal reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cash back if I cancel a non-refundable ticket?
No. Non-refundable tickets give you a travel credit toward a future flight on the same airline, not cash. You can use the credit for any flight with that airline within one year (or the airline's stated validity period). If you don't use it, you lose the money.
What if the airline changes my flight time but I can't make the new time?
If the airline changes your flight time significantly (usually more than 1 hour), you can request a refund or a rebooking on another flight. This applies to all ticket types. Contact the airline as soon as you see the change notification and ask for your options.
Do I have to accept a travel credit, or can I insist on a refund?
If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, the airline's policy is to issue a credit, not a refund. You cannot insist on cash back. However, if the airline cancels the flight, you have the right to choose between a refund and a rebooking—the airline cannot force you to take a credit.
How long does it take to see a refund in my bank account?
After the airline processes the refund (usually 5 to 7 business days), it takes 7 to 10 business days for a credit card and 10 to 15 business days for a debit card. Total time is typically 2 to 3 weeks, though some airlines and banks are slower.
Can I use a travel credit if someone else's name is on the ticket?
No. Travel credits are non-transferable on most airlines—only the person named on the original ticket can use it. A few airlines allow transfers to family members, but this is rare. Check your airline's policy before assuming you can give the credit to someone else.