How to get a full refund on a flight cancellation

Having a flight canceled is the last thing you want on a long travel day. But if you’re dealing with a flight cancellation, you likely have options, including getting a refund. In fact, federal law may guarantee you a full refund—even for nonrefundable tickets.

Find out when you’re eligible for a refund, how to get one, and how travel credit cards can help with canceled flights.

What you’ll learn:

• Under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, you’re entitled to an automatic full refund if an airline cancels your flight and you decide not to travel.

• If your flight is canceled and you don’t receive a refund, you can contact the airline’s customer service. If you still don’t get a refund, you can file a complaint through the DOT.

• If you book a flight at least seven days before the departure date, you have 24 hours from the purchase to cancel it yourself and get a refund.

• For a fee, you can add the option to cancel your flight for any reason when you book with Capital One Travel.

If the airline cancels your flight and you decide not to travel or accept alternate compensation, the airline owes you a full refund, according to DOT rules. 

The refund has to include:

• The ticket price.

• Government-imposed taxes and fees.

• Airline-imposed fees.

• Any additional services you paid for that the airline provides, like checked baggage, seat selection, in-flight amenities and lounge access.

You shouldn’t have to do anything yourself to get a refund for a canceled flight. According to the DOT, airlines must automatically and promptly issue a full refund to your original payment method when your flight is canceled. If you bought your tickets with a credit card, they have to refund you within seven days. For other payment methods, they’re required to issue a refund within 20 days.

If you bought your ticket from a third-party booking service instead of an airline, the third-party service is still required to refund you the price of the ticket after a flight cancellation. But you’ll have to contact the airline directly to request a refund for any additional services.

If you don’t receive your refund, the DOT recommends reaching out to the airline or third-party service’s customer service. If you’re unable to get your refund, you can file a complaint through the DOT.

If your flight’s departure or arrival is delayed at least three hours for domestic flights or at least six hours for international flights and you choose not to travel, you’re entitled to a full refund. 

You’re also entitled to a refund if there are significant changes to your itinerary and you decide not to travel. These include:

• A change in the airport you’re leaving from or traveling to

• A service downgrade, like being moved from business class to economy

• A change in aircraft or connecting airports for passengers with disabilities

If your baggage is lost or significantly delayed, you may be able to get a refund on baggage fees. To start the process, the DOT says you have to submit a mishandled baggage report with the airline.

The DOT says a bag is “significantly delayed” when it hasn’t arrived within:

• 12 hours after landing for a domestic flight

• 15 hours after landing for an international flight that was 12 hours or shorter

• 30 hours after landing for an international flight longer than 12 hours

If you book a flight at least seven days before its scheduled departure, the airline must let you cancel without penalty for 24 hours after booking, according to the DOT.

Some airlines may even let you place a hold on a ticket at a set price for 24 hours without paying for it. So if you cancel the hold within those 24 hours, you won’t be charged. 

Outside of this 24-hour cancellation rule, refund policies vary by airline. Whether you can get a refund may depend on the airline and factors like how far in advance you cancel and the class of ticket. And if you booked your flight through a third-party service, the DOT’s 24-hour cancellation rule doesn’t apply.

When booking flights through Capital One Travel, you can pay extra to be able to cancel your flight up to a set time before your scheduled departure.

If you didn’t add this option when booking, you may still be eligible for a refund. But it’s at the discretion of the airline you booked with or DOT requirements.

Some travel credit cards include trip cancellation insurance that can help cover some costs if you or the airline cancels your flight. 

If you have an eligible Capital One credit card, you already have access to travel insurance benefits. Your coverage kicks in when you charge the relevant travel costs to your card. Each card has its own terms and conditions. You can check your card benefits guides to learn more.

If your airline cancels your flight and you decide not to travel, you’re entitled to a full refund. If you book a flight at least seven days in advance of departure, you can also cancel the flight within 24 hours of booking it to get a refund. And if you book your flight through Capital One Travel, you can pay a fee to add the option to cancel for any reason, so you’re covered if your plans change unexpectedly.

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