---
title: "What is a refundable fare | Business Class Glossary"
description: "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."
canonical_url: https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/refundable-fare
last_updated: 2026-11-04
---

# What is a refundable fare?

Source: https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/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.

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## 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](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/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](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/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](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/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](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/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](https://buybusinessclass.com/blog/flight-cancelled-refund-rights). [Every term in the glossary](https://buybusinessclass.com/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.

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