Can you get a refund if your flight is cancelled? (US DOT: YES)

[CalGalTraveler]

Cancelled Or Delayed Flight: Can You Get A Refund?

Are you entitled to a cash refund in the event that your flight is delayed or cancelled? Here's everything you need to know.

onemileatatime.com

 

[wackymother]

I have tix to fly domestically on April 4. I'm going to keep waiting till the last minute to cancel...maybe the airline will cancel the flight and I'll get a refund instead of a useless credit.

 

[Luanne]

I have tix to fly domestically on April 4. I'm going to keep waiting till the last minute to cancel...maybe the airline will cancel the flight and I'll get a refund instead of a useless credit.

Yep, us too. We were supposed to fly to Seattle at the end of May on Alaska Airlines. At this point I could get the credit, but we really don't fly Alaska anymore so I'd much prefer a full refund if possible.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I agree @Luanne. We also have AK flights in April and will keep until the very last minute in the hopes they will cancel the flight and provide a full refund. We have no plans for AK for the forseeable future.

 

[wackymother]

If they would extend the credit beyond a year from when the tix were purchased, I might go for the credit. But I bought the tix last November!

 

[Luanne]

I agree @Luanne. We also have AK flights in April and will keep until the very last minute in the hopes they will cancel the flight and provide a full refund. We have no plans for AK for the forseeable future.

We only booked this trip using Alaska Airlines because I had a companion fare that was going to expire June, 2020.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

+1 We had companion pass too. Unfortunately the only way to preserve the companion is to change before the end of the year prior to our flight departing in mid-April. Too many uncertainties. At this point I will be happy with the money refunded and letting the companion go.

Although Southwest will extend some credits to mid 2021. I am also hoping/waiting for cancellations to get a refund because our credits are becoming quite large.

 

[Luanne]

+1 We had companion pass too. Unfortunately the only way to preserve the companion is to change before the end of the year prior to our flight departing in mid-April. Too many uncertainties. At this point I will be happy with the money refunded and letting the companion go.

Although Southwest will extend some credits to mid 2021. I am also hoping/waiting for cancellations to get a refund because our credits are becoming quite large.

Same here. I don't care about preserving the companion pass at this point. I asked dh if he wanted to plan a trip to Seattle for later this year and he said no.

I don't currently have any flights on SW that weren't booked with points, and I didn't purchase Early Bird for them, so I wouldn't be out anything if I have to cancel. Looks like Jet Blue is allowing cancel or change with no penalty with no end date. We have a trip in October where we are flying one way on SW and return on Jet Blue (using points for one of us) so for those flights I'm in good shape.

 

[jpc763]

I have 4 United non-stop tickets to Hawaii for May 16. I bought them 300 days in advance to make sure that I was able to get a non-stop. Well I am pretty much hosed given that if I cancel today, I have until July 17 to book and commence travel.

My only hope is for United to cancel the flight

 

[Karen G]

We have tickets purchased through British Airways for a trip to Switzerland that is to start Aug. 31 and return from Venice Sept. 17. I spoke with BA today to see what options we'd have if we decided not to do the trip. They said it's too soon to do anything now as they're just giving vouchers for cancelled trips in the near future. Their deal is a voucher good for one year from the start date of the trip you're cancelling (not the date your purchased the ticket). One interesting note: the return flights are on American Airlines but purchased through BA. They have an arrangement with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines so we could use the voucher on BA or AA or Alaska but would have to book through BA. We have until 90 days prior to the start of our Switzerland-by-rail tour to cancel with a penalty of a a few hundred dollars. We had also purchased trip insurance already (but not "cancel for any reason" unfortunately). If the tour operator cancels the tour, we can get a refund of what we paid for the insurance policy itself, but no refund if we just decide not to take the trip.

 

[JudyH]

I have flights booked on Iceland Air for June and Air Canada for Oct. it would be nice to get a refund.

 

[Sicnarf]

So I spoke to United and the agent told me that if the credit is not used by the end of this year, then it becomes a refund.

 

[Luanne]

So I spoke to United and the agent told me that if the credit is not used by the end of this year, then it becomes a refund.

Well that's interesting. I always thought if the credit expired it was gone. I wonder if the other airlines are doing the same thing. I've hesitated to try and call since they're saying don't call unless you are traveling within the next 72 hours. How long were you on hold?

 

[sjsharkie]

So I spoke to United and the agent told me that if the credit is not used by the end of this year, then it becomes a refund.

I have not heard this and I am 1K on United -- the refund after a year is only in carrier initiated cancellation situations AFAIK. I'd get it in writing if that is what you were told.

This is an example of how they are trying to preserve as much cash as possible:

New Policy: United Airlines Will Refund You In A Year For Your Canceled Flight

With United Airlines' ridiculous new schedule change policy, the company will refund you in a year in the event that your flight is canceled.

onemileatatime.com

Right now, UA probably has one of the worst policies with respect to refunds. I'd be surprised if they are refunding anything that is a credit, except where posted in policy like the above.

-ryan

 

[Luanne]

So I spoke to United and the agent told me that if the credit is not used by the end of this year, then it becomes a refund.

Is the credit you're talking about one you got (or are getting) because YOU cancelled your flight, or because the airline cancelled your flight?

 

[Talent312]

I tried to cancel a trip to Boston on Delta in May.
But their 'puter said I had to submit a request and they'd get back to me in 1 - 7 weeks.
I'm kinda hoping they cancel me in meantime, but I'm not holding my breath.

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[jpc763]

If my flight to Hawaii is cancelled by United and they decide to hold my money, I will definitely file a credit card dispute.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Two More Airlines Breaking The Law By Refusing To Refund Customers For Cancelled Flights.

Two More Airlines Breaking The Law By Refusing To Refund Customers For Cancelled Flights - View from the Wing

I've written about airlines like JetBlue and United breaking the law by refusing customer refunds. Other airlines like SWISS and British Airways have used trickery to keep customers from being aware of their refund options when purchased flights no longer operate. Two more airlines have...

viewfromthewing.com

Richard