Flight Refund and Travel Credit Eligibility Guide
A refund returns money to your original payment. A travel credit only gives value toward future flights. Eligibility turns on cause, fare and timing. If you want help with your own booking, call 1-855-365-0395.
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At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Refund likely | Airline cancelled or significantly changed the flight and you decline alternatives; 24-hour rule cases |
| Credit likely | Voluntary cancellation on many fares |
| Other refunds | Bag fee for badly delayed bags; services not provided |
| Next step | Ask which applies to you |
| Help line | 1-855-365-0395 |
Rules on form and timing
DOT rules require prompt refunds to the original form of payment and bar substituting a voucher when cash is owed. Typical timing is about seven business days for cards and 20 calendar days for other methods.
Beyond the ticket
A checked bag fee is refundable if a bag is not delivered within 12 hours of a domestic arrival (15 to 30 hours international) after you file a report. Paid extras not provided, like seat selection, should also be refunded.
Step by step
- Decide the reason you want money back.
- Request a refund to the original payment method.
- If offered a credit, ask the terms and expiry.
- Keep confirmations and note dates.
How major airlines handle refund and credit eligibility
Fare names and rules differ by airline and change often. Use these notes as a starting point and confirm your own fare.
Delta Air Lines
Its Basic Economy fare (also shown as Main Basic) is usually the most restricted option. For refund and credit eligibility, check the rules attached to your own fare on Delta Air Lines’s website or app.
American Airlines
Basic Economy is generally the least flexible fare, while higher fares allow more. For refund and credit eligibility, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
United Airlines
Its Basic Economy fare is usually the most restricted option. For refund and credit eligibility, check the rules attached to your own fare on United Airlines’s website or app.
Southwest Airlines
The four fare types differ on credits and same-day changes, and Basic credits have a shorter validity. For refund and credit eligibility, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
Alaska Airlines
Its Saver fare is usually the most restricted option. For refund and credit eligibility, check the rules attached to your own fare on Alaska Airlines’s website or app.
JetBlue Airways
Blue Basic is the most restricted, while Blue fares allow more. For refund and credit eligibility, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
Air Canada
Its entry-level economy fare is usually the most restricted option. For refund and credit eligibility, check the rules attached to your own fare on Air Canada’s website or app.
Lufthansa
Flights from or within the EU may also fall under EU passenger rights rules. For refund and credit eligibility, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Saying yes to a credit without asking about cash.
- Missing the baggage report.
- Not checking who the seller is.
Questions people ask
Is a credit cash?
No; it is value for future travel.
Do credits expire?
Many do. See credit expiration.
Can a refund be partial?
Sometimes, depending on fare and what was used.
Ready to sort this out?
Call the travel assistance line and have your confirmation code and travel dates ready.
Call 1-855-365-0395Independent travel assistance line. Not an airline phone number.
Independent information service. VerdictSpot Travel Help is not an airline and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any airline. Airline names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the topics covered. Airline rules change often; confirm current terms for your own ticket. You can also manage many bookings yourself on the airline’s own website or app. If you call, ask the agent to explain any service fee before you agree to anything.