Flight Ticket Cancellation Refund

08.12.2022

You have doubts about what your rights are in case of a cancelled flight? You can find answers to all your questions in our article. So, read on. 

Do we get a refund on cancellation of flight tickets?

Whenever you experience flight cancellation, you are eligible for a refund. According to European law, in case if an airline cancels your flight, you can ask for:

• full or partial ticket refund and return flight back to the original departure destination, or
• replacement flight to the final destination at the earliest possible time or at a later date as you prefer

If you refuse to continue your trip, the airline shall pay you a flight ticket cancellation refund within 7 days. The money shall be paid through bank check, cash, electronic bank transfer or bank order. 

Find out if you are owed compensation and refund for a cancelled flightCheck My Flight

Often airlines offer travel vouchers as compensation for all the inconveniences due to cancellation. The voucher is considered to be accepted once signed by a passenger. That is why be careful when signing any vouchers or other documents. They might deprive you of the right to a cash refund. 

Flight ticket cancellation refund and compensation: when my flight qualifies?

Being stuck in the airport is an unpleasantly tiring experience. Moreover, it usually means ruined travel plans. Regulation EC 261/2004 also allows for payment of cash remuneration to compensate for the ruined travel plans. It is applicable only for eligible flights. 

Here are the conditions that your flight shall meet to be qualified for cash compensation:

• the airline informed you about cancelled flight less than 14 days before the departure
• scheduled departure was to take place from the EU airport, or the flight was operated by the EU airline
• flight cancelled was the airline's responsibility (ex., inconsistencies in the schedule, wildcat strikes, technical issues, etc.)
• you arrived on time for the check-in 
• you can provide the proof for your booking (ex., booking confirmation, boarding pass, etc.)
• a compensation claim is filed within a specific deadline

Claim with AirAdvisor and get up to €600 compensation. Find out how much you’re owed today.I Want My Compensation

Regardless of citizenship or residency, any passenger may have the right to compensation of up to $700. In some cases, a traveller may be entitled to both flight refund and compensation. 

How much compensation can I get?

Your compensation amount does not depend on how much you paid for your flight ticket. It mainly depends on the travel distance of your flight. You can expect a higher amount for longer distances. 

So, here are the approximate compensation amounts you can ask for your cancelled flight:

• up to $300: for all short-haul flights under 1,500km, ex. Berlin - Kyiv
• up to $470: for all internal EU flights of more than 1,500km, ex. Valencia - Reykjavik
• up to $470: for all medium-haul external EU flights between 1,500km - 3,500km, ex. Moscow - Paris
• up to $700: for all long-haul external EU flights of more than 3.500km, ex. New York - London

If your flight was delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last 3 years, you could be eligible for up to $700 in compensationFind Out How Much Money I Can Get

FAQ: common questions about flight refund

How much refund on flight ticket cancellation can I get? 

Usually, you are entitled to a full refund equal to the price of the ticket purchased. This is true if you have not started your trip yet. Also, all the flights shall be within a single booking to get a full refund if one of them gets cancelled. 

There are, however, cases when you can ask only for a partial refund. This happens if you have made a part of the travel and your transfer flight gets cancelled. You can ask for a refund only for the unused portion of your journey if an airline offers an alternative flight and you accept it. 

Are airline tickets refundable if the flight is cancelled?

Yes, you are entitled to a refund in case of flight cancellation. Regardless of what you have booked initially, a refundable or non-refundable ticket, the airline shall provide you with a flight ticket cancellation refund. 

The refund amount would usually be the same as the ticket price. It might differ if you have transfer flights when you have already made part of the trip. If you are not sure what your rights are, get in touch with our team at AirAdvisor. We can help you get a refund and, in many cases, even a cash compensation of up to $700. 

Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flightGet in Touch with AirAdvisor

Can I cancel the flight and get a refund?

If you have made a voluntary cancellation request, your right to refund would depend on the type of airfare you chose while booking flights. Usually, the cancellation fees would apply for cancelling a non-refundable ticket. They differ from airline to airline, so make sure you read the terms and conditions before purchasing your ticket.

You are still not sure if you are going to fly since your plans might change? Book with the correct air carrier. Some companies, such as American Airlines, can hold the reservation for a selected seat for 24 hours. The booking will be automatically cancelled free of charge if you will not buy the ticket within a given time. 

How long does it take to get a refund?

When your flight is cancelled, you can ask for a refund from the airline. It should be usually paid within 7 days after the refund request. However, it might take less or more time, depending on how you paid for your ticket. 

The best decision would be to contact your credit card company or travel agency. They will be able to tell you how long the flight ticket cancellation refund process might take. 

Ticket refund if the leg of the flight got cancelled

You may get a full or partial refund of the booking with connecting flights. Imagine that you have made the first part of the journey and, after landing, you realize that your connecting flight got cancelled. In this case, you can request a refund for the cancelled connection and an alternative connecting flight to the final destination.

However, if the replacement flight does not serve your needs, you may ask for a full refund for both unutilized and utilized portions of your trip. In this case, the airline shall also provide you with a return flight back to the original point of departure. 

How much money is refunded on the cancellation of a flight ticket?

For the cancellation of your ticket, the airline shall reimburse you for all parts of the journey you have not made. 

You can ask for a full flight ticket cancellation refund for a cancelled one-way flight. It will be equal to the price of the ticket. 

There might be a situation when you have booked a round trip, and your outbound flight gets cancelled. In this case, you can request a refund not only for a cancelled flight but also for a return flight. 

The situation differs if you have a booking with connecting flights. If you have completed the first leg of your flight and the transfer flight gets cancelled, you have two alternatives:

• you may get a refund for a cancelled flight and ask for an alternative flight to the final destination, or
• If you no longer wish to continue your journey, you can ask for a full refund for both used and unused flights. Moreover, you are also entitled to a return flight back home.  

Are airline tickets refundable if a flight is cancelled abroad?

Of course, it does not matter if you experience flight cancellation when travelling within Europe or overseas. You can get a refund for all flights departing from the EU airport or flights operated by an EU airline. In most cases, you may also be entitled to compensation of up to $700 for the cancellation of your international flight. 

Had a Delayed or Canceled Flight to or from the EU?Check My Flight

Do I get any refund on the cancellation of flight tickets?

Yes, whenever your flight is cancelled, you have the right to a full or partial flight ticket cancellation refund. If your situation qualifies, you may also be entitled to monetary compensation. Such a rule is valid for all travellers regardless of where they live or come from. 

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