6 Min Read | September 15, 2022
How to Get a Credit Card Refund for a Canceled Flight
Before you can get a credit card refund for a canceled flight, it’s important to determine if you’re eligible. Whether you’re entitled to a refund depends on the situation.
At-A-Glance
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has a clear set of guidelines that determine whether a passenger is entitled to a full or partial refund for a scheduled flight.
Airlines may make their own rules and exceptions regarding refund policies, as long as they don't directly conflict with DOT stipulations.
It’s a smart idea to learn the airline’s flight cancellation refund policies before booking a ticket.
Travel plans can change for myriad reasons, sometimes leading to a canceled flight. In that case, you may be wondering how to get a refund for a purchased airline ticket and associated costs, like baggage fees. But flight cancellation refund eligibility ultimately depends on the factors such as why the flight was canceled, whether you purchased a refundable or non-refundable ticket, and the airline’s own policies.
Read on to learn about the situations that may entitle you to a credit card refund for a flight, and, if eligible, how to request one.
Can I Get a Credit Card Refund for a Canceled Flight?
Although you should always read the fine print before purchasing your airline ticket, both for the airline and your credit card issuer or bank, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) sets the ground rules when it comes to aviation consumer protection. This means that, unless otherwise specified by the DOT, airlines can't make rules that conflict with established aviation consumer protection policies.
Here's an overview of when travelers are entitled to a refund, as outlined by the DOT:
Can I Get an Airline Ticket Refund?1
| Situation | Refund? | Additional Information/Exceptions |
| Canceled Flight: Airline cancels the flight for any reason, and passenger decides not to travel (on a later flight, for instance). | Yes | — |
| Schedule Change/Significant Delay: Airline makes a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays the flight, and the passenger decides not to travel. | Maybe | The DOT has not clearly defined what a “significant delay” is. Refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis. |
| Class of Service Change: Passenger is involuntarily downgraded to a lower class of service, such as being downgraded to economy after purchasing a first class ticket. | Partial | The passenger is owed the difference in fares. |
| Personal Issue: Passenger is unable to make their scheduled flight due to personal reasons, and they had purchased a non-refundable ticket. | No | Exception: Passengers who purchase a fully refundable ticket are entitled to a refund if they do not use the purchased ticket for their travels.* |
| Unsatisfactory Service: Passenger willingly takes a flight but has a bad experience with the airline or the flight. | No | — |
| Optional Service Fees: Passenger pays for optional services, such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, or in-flight Wi-Fi, but is unable to use them due to a flight cancelation, delay, or schedule change. | Yes, for associated fees. | Passenger is entitled to a refund of fees paid for the optional service. If the optional service was purchased but is not available or does not work in-flight, the customer may need to notify the airline to receive a refund. |
*Refunds are entitled if the passenger cancels their flight in advance, but may not be guaranteed if the passenger misses their flight. Specifics depend on the airline. If you expect you could miss your flight, it’s best to call the airline immediately to see if you can stand by for a later departure. Otherwise, it’s wise to cancel in advance.
Refunds for lost, delayed, or damaged luggage can get a bit more complicated. While DOT regulations require airlines to compensate passengers for lost, delayed, or damaged luggage, airlines may have different policies to determine when a bag is officially lost.2 What’s more, airlines can exclude liability for certain items, such as fragile or perishable goods, and refunds may be subject to maximum liability limits. Therefore, it’s best to directly contact the airline to determine their policy.
The 24-Hour Rule for Canceled Flight Refunds
The U.S. DOT also states that, for tickets purchased at least seven days before a flight’s scheduled departure date and time, airlines must allow passengers to either:
- Receive a full refund, without penalty, if they cancel their ticket within the first 24 hours of purchase, or
- Reserve a ticket at the quoted price without paying for the ticket for 24 hours, and be able to cancel the reservation within that time frame without penalties.
Again, it’s important to check your airline’s flight cancellation refund policy before purchasing a ticket. If you purchased the ticket through an online travel agency or another agent, contact them to obtain a refund before contacting the airline.
Airline-Specific Credit Card Refund Policies
Airlines are allowed to set their own rules and promotional/temporary terms as long as the policies are not in direct conflict with DOT guidelines. Such policies are typically geared towards keeping customers satisfied. For example:
- In case of a significant delay, some airlines have been known to provide passengers with meal or hotel vouchers, even though they're not officially required to.
- Some airlines expand refundable exceptions to include military orders, as well as death of an immediate family member, travel companion, or the traveler themselves.
- Airlines may choose to implement more flexible temporary refund policies, or promotional terms, like a “no cancelation penalty” policy during a specific timeframe.
The particular refund policy must be outlined in the terms of service and agreed to before or at check-out. Always read the fine print!
How to Request a Credit Card Refund for a Canceled Flight
The DOT states that you should request a refund in writing from the airline or ticket agent. That is likely the best option if you had no say in the cancelation or delay. It’s also a good way to have written proof of the circumstances should a dispute arise. If you opt for requesting your lawful refund in writing, you should be able to find the appropriate department's address at the airline's website.
If you’re the one doing the canceling, many airlines offer a straightforward refund process on their website or app. Once your appropriate information is entered, the airline will usually determine if you’re entitled to a refund, according to both internal policies and DOT guidelines. If your ticket is eligible, you should see an option to cancel the flight. Once clicked, you should be walked through the cancelation and refund process as it pertains to the airline’s policy.
If your refund eligibility is not clear, you can try contacting the airline through their customer service line. Even if a refund is not an option, negotiation – or at least coming to an understanding – may be easier when talking to a live agent as opposed to automated online service.
If you make it to the airport and your flight is significantly delayed or canceled, you may be able to negotiate alternative flight arrangements or refund options directly with airline's on-site agents. You may also be able to request more information over the phone, online, in-app, or at a self-service airline kiosk.
Approved refunds are issued to the original form of payment, be it cash, check, or credit, and airlines are required to make refunds promptly. According to the DOT, “promptly” means within seven business days for a credit card transaction, and within 20 days if the passenger paid by cash or check. The DOT does not mention how long refunds take for a debit card transaction. To learn more, it’s best to check the relevant airline’s policy.
If your refund is unlawfully denied, the DOT says you should file a complaint.
The Takeaway
There are specific guidelines that determine whether or not you are entitled to a full or partial refund for a canceled flight. Ultimately, eligibility depends on several factors, including DOT guidelines, the airline’s policy, and your personal situation. If you need to cancel a flight, requesting a refund is usually a straightforward process, but refunds aren’t guaranteed if you didn’t purchase a fully refundable ticket. It’s best to contact the airline’s customer service department to learn more – and always read the fine print before purchasing a plane ticket.
1 “Refunds,” U.S. Department of Transportation
2 “Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage,” U.S. Department of Transportation
Megan Doyle is a business technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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