How to get a full refund on a flight cancellation

Individual airlines often dictate whether and how you can get refunded for a flight cancellation. But in some specific situations, federal law guarantees you a full refund. And that’s the case even if you have a nonrefundable ticket.

Read on to learn more about how to get a refund for a flight cancellation as well as how travel credit cards can help with canceled flights.

What you’ll learn:

• Under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, you’re entitled to a prompt and automatic full refund if an airline cancels your flight and you decide not to travel.

• If your flight’s canceled and you don’t receive a refund, you can try contacting the airline’s customer service. You can file a complaint through the DOT if you still don’t get a refund.

• If you book a flight at least seven days before the departure date, you have 24 hours from the purchase to cancel it yourself and get a refund. 

• If you cancel a flight yourself more than 24 hours after booking it, a refund will depend on the airline’s cancellation policy.

According to DOT rules, if an airline cancels your flight and you decide not to travel after that, you’re entitled to a full refund for the airfare and associated prepaid fees. This applies whether the airline also gives you the option to rebook on another flight or receive travel credits or vouchers for a future flight. It also applies whether you purchased your flight through the airline, a travel agent or an online travel agency.

The DOT’s rule requires that airlines automatically and promptly issue full refunds when flights are canceled. This means that you shouldn’t have to do anything yourself to get a refund. According to the DOT, “prompt” means within seven days if you paid by credit card or within 20 days if you paid by cash or check.

If you don’t receive your refund, the DOT recommends reaching out to the airline or travel agent’s customer service. If you’re unable to get your refund, you can file a complaint.

Under DOT refund rules, if you book a flight at least seven days before its scheduled departure, the airline must let you cancel without penalty for 24 hours after booking.

Outside of this 24-hour-cancellation rule, refund policies will vary by airline. Whether you can get a refund may depend on the airline and factors like how far in advance you cancel and the class of ticket.

When booking through Capital One Travel, you can pay extra to be able to cancel your flight up to a set time before your scheduled departure.

If you didn’t add this option when booking, you may still be eligible for a refund. But it’s at the discretion of the airline you booked with or DOT requirements.

Some travel credit cards include trip cancellation insurance that can help cover some costs if you or the airline cancel your flight. Eligible circumstances and coverage can vary.

If you have an eligible Capital One credit card, you already have access to travel insurance benefits. Your coverage kicks in when you charge the relevant cost to your card. Because each card has its own terms and conditions, it’s worth checking what you’re covered for before setting off on a trip.

If you book a flight at least seven days in advance of departure, you can cancel the flight within 24 hours of booking it to get a refund. Should the airline cancel your flight and you decide not to travel, you’re entitled to a full refund.

Customers with a U.S.-issued eligible Capital One credit card, including the Venture X card, can easily manage their trips through Capital One Travel. And with the add-on option to cancel a flight for any reason, you’re covered if your plans change unexpectedly.