Air travel problems
Flight ticket refund: when you can ask for money back
I want my money back for a flight that was cancelled, changed or very late.
Applies to: European Union · United States · National law variesRules last checked:
On this page
In short
Under EU rules, after a cancellation — or a delay in departure of five hours or more — you may choose reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket for the unused part within seven days, in cash or by bank transfer. A voucher needs your signed agreement.
In the United States, the Department of Transportation’s refund rule is triggered by a cancellation or a ‘significant’ change or delay — three hours domestically or six hours internationally — and defines ‘prompt’ as within 7 business days for card payments and 20 calendar days for other payments; read the rule for the conditions that apply to your flight.
What to do next
- State clearly in writing that you are choosing a refund, not a voucher.
- Say which flights (the whole booking, or only unused parts) you are asking to be refunded.
- Keep the payment method in mind: card payments may follow a shorter deadline.
- If you also want compensation, claim it separately — refund is not compensation.
What to check
European Union
If your flight is cancelled you can choose reimbursement within seven days. If departure is delayed by at least five hours, the same reimbursement option applies. The refund covers the part or parts of the journey not made, and parts already made if the flight no longer serves any purpose in relation to your original plan, together with a return flight to your first departure point where relevant.
Payment should be in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank orders or bank cheques; vouchers only with your signed agreement. Whether taking a refund affects a compensation claim is a separate question (see the delay and cancellation guides); ask the airline in writing.
United States
The Department of Transportation’s refund rule defines a significantly delayed or changed flight as one departing or arriving three hours or more earlier or later than scheduled for domestic itineraries, or six hours or more for international ones, and it also treats a change of airport, more connection points or a downgrade in class as significant changes. ‘Prompt refund’ means within 7 business days for credit-card purchases and within 20 calendar days for cash, check, debit or other payments, counted from the earliest date the refund was requested; the rule sets conditions, so read it for how it applies to your flight.
What to do
How to ask
- Use the airline’s refund form if it has one; otherwise write to customer relations quoting the booking reference and the reason.
- Ask for the refund to the original form of payment and decline vouchers you do not want.
- Keep the date of your request: in the US rule the payment deadlines are counted from it.
- If the airline refuses or is late, escalate to the enforcement body for the departure country (EU), the UK CAA route, or the Department of Transportation (US).
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on air passenger rights (Official Journal) — EUR-Lex, European Union
- National enforcement bodies for passenger rights — European Commission — European Commission
- Commission welcomes agreement on revised air passenger rights (15 June 2026) — European Commission
- 14 CFR Part 260 — Refunds and other consumer protections (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations) — U.S. Government (eCFR)
General information to help you understand your options — not legal advice, and not a promise that any payment or refund is due to you. Your rights depend on the facts of your journey and the law that applies; check the official sources above and the carrier’s own terms.