Your plans might change any time affecting the date and time of your flight tickets. Whether it’s a business emergency, travel visa denials, or spontaneous holiday extensions, it’s always helpful to find out a little more about refundable airline tickets. Here are a few helpful notes to keep in mind on your next air travel trip.
What are refundable flights?
Essentially, a refundable airline tickets let you do just that – get a refund for the ticket if you find that you no longer want to use it. These refundable tickets are also usually changeable if your travel plans require an earlier or a later flight. These tickets may be more expensive than lower fare non-changeable tickets, but they give you more flexibility and peace of mind that you can get your money back in the even that you don’t use the ticket.
How many types of refundable tickets are there?
When you book a flight online or with a travel agent, you may be faced with a swathe of flight ticket types and terminology such as, best price, semi-flexible, and fully flexible flights. To help make sense of it all, here are some of the more common refundable or partially refundable ticket types:
- Partially refundable and semi-flexible tickets: if you meet certain criteria you may be able to obtain a partial refund or change the ticket with a fee.
- Partially refundable and flexible tickets: though fully flexible and changeable, the ticket may only be partially refundable.
- Refundable and flexible tickets: most refundable tickets are refundable up to two hours before departure and will not be refundable if you miss the flight.
- Fully refundable and flexible tickets: though the most expensive, these tickets may be refunded even after the flight has departed offering full flexibility.
What are the conditions of refund?
If you’ve already travelled, chances are you can only refund the ticket under special circumstances. These could be if you’ve only completed one leg of a multi-leg journey or if the flight arrived late. For most cases, refundable tickets are usually refunded if you have not yet travelled.
Sometimes, a ticket may only be refundable if you cancel a certain number of hours before travel. Remember to refund the ticket at your original point of purchase because the airline may not have the same information as a travel agent. If your ticket contains an upgrade or was issued with points, you will need to contact the airline directly to discuss a refund.
Are there any additional benefits to purchasing refundable tickets?
Yes, in addition to being able to change the date and time of your flight or be able to receive a refund when you no longer need to travel, many airlines also offer other perks for the premium price. Those with airline rewards accounts may receive more miles for the same flight and budget airlines may provide additional luggage or seat reservation perks.
Your right to ticket price refunds
Flight delays, cancellations, and rerouting affect everyone regardless of what kind of ticket you fly with. Under European law, if your flight’s alterations meet certain requirements, you may be eligible for a partial or full refund from the airline.
GIVT has the experience to help you find out if you are eligible for compensation. They can also help you to file a risk-free claim so that you pay no charges unless you are successful.