Before you can get a credit card refund for a canceled flight, it’s important to determine if you’re eligible. Whether you’re entitled to a refund depends on the situation.
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has a clear set of guidelines that determine whether a passenger is entitled to a full or partial refund for a scheduled flight.
Airlines may make their own rules and exceptions regarding refund policies, as long as they don't directly conflict with DOT stipulations.
It’s a smart idea to learn the airline’s flight cancellation refund policies before booking a ticket.
Travel plans can change for myriad reasons, sometimes leading to a canceled flight. In that case, you may be wondering how to get a refund for a purchased airline ticket and associated costs, like baggage fees. But flight cancellation refund eligibility ultimately depends on the factors such as why the flight was canceled, whether you purchased a refundable or non-refundable ticket, and the airline’s own policies. Read on to learn about the situations that may entitle you to a credit card refund for a flight, and, if eligible, how to request one.
Although you should always read the fine print before purchasing your airline ticket, both for the airline and your credit card issuer or bank, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) sets the ground rules when it comes to aviation consumer protection. This means that, unless otherwise specified by the DOT, airlines can't make rules that conflict with established aviation consumer protection policies. Here's an overview of when travelers are entitled to a refund, as outlined by the DOT: Can I Get an Airline Ticket Refund? 1
| Situation | Refund? | Additional Information/Exceptions |
| Canceled Flight: Airline cancels the flight for any reason, and passenger decides not to travel (on a later flight, for instance). | Yes | — |
| Schedule Change/Significant Delay: Airline makes a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays the flight, and the passenger decides not to travel. | Maybe | The DOT has not clearly defined what a “significant delay” is. Refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis. |
| Class of Service Change: Passenger is involuntarily downgraded to a lower class of service, such as being downgraded to economy after purchasing a first class ticket. | Partial | The passenger is owed the difference in fares. |
| Personal Issue: Passenger is unable to make their scheduled flight due to personal reasons, and they had purchased a non-refundable ticket. | No | Exception: Passengers who purchase a fully refundable ticket are entitled to a refund if they do not use the purchased ticket for their travels.* |
| Unsatisfactory Service: Passenger willingly takes a flight but has a bad experience with the airline or the flight. | No | — |
| Optional Service Fees: Passenger pays for optional services, such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, or in-flight Wi-Fi, but is unable to use them due to a flight cancelation, delay, or schedule change. | Yes, for associated fees. | Passenger is entitled to a refund of fees paid for the optional service. If the optional service was purchased but is not available or does not work in-flight, the customer may need to notify the airline to receive a refund. |
*Refunds are entitled if the passenger cancels their flight in advance, but may not be guaranteed if the passenger misses their flight. Specifics depend on the airline. If you expect you could miss your flight, it’s best to call the airline immediately to see if you can stand by for a later departure. Otherwise, it’s wise to cancel in advance. Refunds for lost, delayed, or damaged luggage can get a bit more complicated. While DOT regulations require airlines to compensate passengers for lost, delayed, or damaged luggage, airlines may have different policies to determine when a bag is officially lost. 2 What’s more, airlines can exclude liability for certain items, such as fragile or perishable goods, and refunds may be subject to maximum liability limits. Therefore, it’s best to directly contact the airline to determine their policy.
