What is a refundable fare?
A fare you can cancel for your money back, sometimes minus a fee. A nonrefundable fare returns nothing, or only a credit with the airline.
Refundable fare, explained
Whether a ticket is refundable is part of its fare rules. Fully refundable business class fares cost more; cheaper fares may be nonrefundable or refundable only as a travel credit, and some allow a refund minus a cancellation fee.
Separate from the fare rules, if the airline cancels or significantly changes a flight to or from the US and you choose not to travel, US Department of Transportation rules generally entitle you to a refund.
Taxes are often refundable even on a nonrefundable fare, when the flight is not flown.
On a business class trip
A trip whose dates may change is often worth a refundable or changeable fare; a fixed trip, such as a wedding date, can take a cheaper nonrefundable fare.
Related terms
- Fare rules
The conditions attached to a fare: whether you can change or cancel, at what cost, the minimum and maximum stay, stopovers and open jaws.
- Travel credit
Value an airline keeps for you when a ticket is canceled and not refunded in money, to spend on a later ticket within a set time.
- Schedule change
When the airline changes the time, flight number, route or aircraft of a flight you have booked, after you bought the ticket.
- Advance purchase
A fare rule that a ticket must be bought a set number of days before departure. Cheaper fares often require it.
Further reading: Flight canceled? Your refund rights. Every term in the glossary.
Questions about a fare? Ask an agent
An agent explains the rules of every fare before you pay, by phone, email or WhatsApp, 24/7.
