How Can I Get a Flight Refund? Policies, Steps & Tips

If you need to cancel a flight booked through Trip.com, getting a refund is straightforward.

Simply log in to your account, go to My Trips, select Manage My Bookings, and choose the flight to cancel. Review the ticket’s refund policy, submit your refund request with a reason, and track the process in your account.

In this guide, you'll learn voluntary & involuntary flight refund rules, how to get a refund on Trip.com, processing times, and Air Flexibility benefits for more flexible travel.

Understanding Flight Refund Rules: 3 Key Factors

How to get a flight refund? Photo via Unsplash (by Hanson Lu)

Before canceling a flight, confirm these three factors, they determine your refund outcome:

1. Fare rules of your ticket
2. Airline’s refund policy
3. Reason and timing of your cancellation

Rule 1: Fare Rules Are the Most Important Factor

Every ticket has fare rules listed in the booking terms. Most people skip this step, but it’s critical. There are three main fare types:

• Non-refundable tickets: Usually cheap promotional economy fares. If you cancel for personal reasons, you won’t get the ticket price back. Only unused taxes and surcharges may be refunded. The only exception is involuntary cancellations (airline issues or force majeure), which qualify for full refunds.
• Fully refundable tickets: Pricier but flexible. Cancel anytime, and you get your money back minus a small airline processing fee (varies by carrier and cabin).
• Partially refundable tickets: Cancel within a set window (e.g., 72 hours before takeoff) for a partial refund. Miss the deadline, and only taxes are refundable.

Tip: Always check fare rules before booking. A cheaper ticket may cost more if you need to cancel later.

Rule 2: Airlines Make the Final Call (Not Booking Platforms)

Many travelers think Trip.com controls refunds, but airlines have the final say. They approve refund requests and calculate fees based on fare rules.

Trip.com’s role is to help:

• Submit your request to the airline
• Provide a simple interface to track status via My Trips
• Offer customer support if your request hits issues

This is helpful for first-time users, since you don’t need to deal directly with airline customer service.

Rule 3: Check These 4 Details before Applying for a Refund

Don’t submit a request until you confirm:

1. Is your ticket non-refundable, fully refundable, or partially refundable?
2. What fees will you pay (airline + platform, if any)?
3. Is there a deadline to apply for a refund (e.g., within 30 days of the flight date)?
4. Can you get unused taxes and surcharges back even if the ticket is non-refundable?

Understanding the U.S. 24-Hour Flight Cancellation Rule (2026)

Booking a flight to, from, or within the U.S.? The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) gives you a 24-hour window to cancel or hold your reservation. Here’s what you need to know:

• Book Directly: The rule applies if you book directly with the airline at least 7 days before departure.
• Your Options: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund, or ask for a 24-hour fare hold.
• Which Airlines: All U.S. carriers must follow this rule.
• OTAs (like Trip.com): Not legally required, but many offer similar policies for your convenience.
• Airline Specifics: Some, like Delta, allow cancellations until midnight the day after booking.

Tip: Always double-check the airline’s policy — some go beyond the minimum DOT requirements for even more flexibility.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Flight Refunds: What’s the Difference?

Flight refunds fall into 2 main categories, and each has distinct policies that determine how much money you’ll get back.

Tell the difference between voluntary & involuntary flight refunds

Voluntary Flight Refunds (Personal Reasons)

Voluntary refunds are when you cancel your flight due to personal plan changes (e.g., schedule conflicts, sudden illness).

• Applies after the 24-hour window or for cancellations due to personal plans (illness, conflicts, etc.).
• Refund depends on fare rules, ticket type, airline penalties, and service fees.
• Non-refundable tickets may still allow you to reclaim taxes and surcharges.

Involuntary Flight Refunds (Airline or External Causes)

Involuntary refunds apply when you can’t take your flight due to factors outside your control, usually caused by the airline or force majeure.

Step by Step Guide:How to Get a Flight Refund on Trip.com?

Applying for a refund on Trip.com is straightforward. Follow these steps to complete the process in minutes:

Step 1: Log into your Trip.com account

Visit the Trip.com website or open the mobile app, then sign in with your registered account.

Step 2: Access your bookings

Navigate to the My Trips section and select Manage My Bookings to find the flight you want to cancel.

Step 3: Initiate cancellation

Click the Cancel Booking button next to your flight details.

Step 4: Review the refund policy

Check the specific refund rules for your ticket, including any applicable fees and refundable amounts, then click Next.

Step 5: Submit your refund request

Fill in the required information (e.g., cancellation reason) and tap Submit to confirm your application.

Step 6: Track your refund status

Go back to My Bookings to monitor the progress. You’ll receive an email notification once your refund is approved.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Flight Refund?

SEA Airport prepares for delays and cancellations

Refund processing times vary by platform and payment method. Here’s what you can expect:

Refund Timelines on Trip.com

The duration depends on how you paid for your ticket:

• Credit/Debit Card: 7–15 business days
• PayPal/E-wallets: 3–7 business days
• Bank Transfer: Up to 30 business days

Refund Timelines for Other Airlines

Most major U.S. and international carriers process refunds within 7–21 business days once approved. Low-cost carriers might take longer—sometimes up to 30 days—due to stricter rules and higher request volumes. Always check the airline’s official website for the most accurate timing.

Trip.com Air Flexibility: Save on Flight Cancellation & Changes

If your travel plans are always up in the air, Trip.com’s Air Flexibility service is worth every penny. It’s not travel insurance, but a budget-friendly add-on that saves you from costly change and cancellation fees.

• Affordable cost: Only $10–$30 per ticket, way cheaper than airline flexible fares.
• Key benefits: 1 free flight change (adjust date, time, or even route—only pay the fare difference if the new flight is pricier) + 1 free full ticket refund (money goes back to your original payment method, no store credit) + priority customer support.
• Wide applicability: Works with flights from multiple airlines, giving you more options than airline-specific flexible fares.
• Important rule: You can choose either the free change or free refund—once you use one, the other expires. Note that the Air Flexibility service fee itself is non-refundable.

Flight Refunds Made Simple

Canceling a flight doesn’t have to be stressful. How much you get back depends on your ticket type and the airline’s rules, and refunds usually take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your payment method.

Trip.com also offers flexible options to help you save on fees or switch flights without hassle. Check your booking details and airline policy so you can plan ahead and travel with peace of mind.

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