How to Get a Refund for a Cancelled Flight
Compare flights, hotels, cars, and activities in one place.
How to Get a Refund for a Cancelled Flight
Refund eligibility depends on why your flight changed — an airline cancellation or major schedule change is treated very differently from you simply changing your mind, and the process for each is different too.
1. Check why your flight changed
An airline-initiated cancellation or significant delay usually carries stronger refund rights than a voluntary change on your part.
2. Use the airline's official refund request form
This is typically faster and better tracked than a general customer-service chat or call.
3. Know the rules for where you're flying
Rules like UK261/EU261 give specific refund and compensation rights for flights departing the UK or EU (or on a UK/EU airline) — check what applies to your specific flight.
4. Escalate to a card chargeback if needed
If you paid by credit card and the airline is unresponsive or refuses a refund you're entitled to, a chargeback through your card provider is a real option.
5. Keep every piece of correspondence
Confirmation emails, refund request submissions, and any airline responses are all useful evidence if you need to escalate.
Quick tips
- A cancelled flight almost always entitles you to a full refund, not just a voucher, if you choose not to be rebooked.
- Refunds can take several weeks to process even when approved — check the airline's stated timeline so you know what to expect.
- If a claims company offers to handle this for a cut of the refund, remember you can usually submit the same claim yourself for free.
- Check your travel insurance separately — it may cover situations the airline's own policy doesn't.
- A significant delay (the specific threshold varies) can sometimes entitle you to the same rights as a cancellation — check the relevant rule for your route.
- If refused, ask the airline in writing for the specific policy reason, which strengthens any later escalation.