refundable airline tickets vs travel insurance

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Hopefully someone can help. I’m getting a bunch of different answers on google. I’m very confused.

"Is it worth it to buy trip insurance with non refundable that is offered with purchase? or buy refundable? What is difference between the two??"

That all depends on what is covered by the trip insurance - not everything is covered

As a rule I don't buy insurance from the people supplying the goods or service - it can lead to a conflict of interest.

In your situation I'd probably spend the extra $100 for the refundable ticket for piece of mind.

One key question is where is he planning to purchase all this from?

>> I’m aware Non Refundable gives you nothing back but a credit good for a year from purchase date<<

If you're purchasing from a third party ticket seller (Expedia, eDreams, Kiwi, Priceline, etc), things can be even more complicated. You have to look very closely at whatever "Flexible" ticket service they are offering as it can have a very narrow scope as to what it really covers and how it can be used. In those cases you aren't really getting a flexible airline ticket, but an add-on rebooking service by the ticket seller.

Similarly for trip insurance, you have to look very carefully at what the policy says it covers. Sometimes "Cancel any time" insurance is offered. While you really can cancel at anytime, there may only be certain events that the insurance covers, like sickness or death in the family.

I would highly recommend to only purchase directly from the airline .

Above has bingo:

Don't buy insurance from the company selling you air tickets. Or selling you any product or service. It is at best overpriced, but very likely doesn't cover what you think it covers. Only buy insurance from insurance companies.

To poster #1, thank you I think refundable tickets is way to go. It’s not crazy expensive to do so.

Just the insurance sounds like too much fine print and loopholes.

Insurance is the same thing. They pay big lawyers to try and find them as many loopholes to deny people payments on the insurance. This is for the benefit of their stock holders and not their insured.

What is refundable on OTA mean?

'refundable as OTA' is just three words, but as Amo said there is a difference between booking with a third party and booking with the carrier.

Adding an agent to the purchase means adding their terms and conditions to those of the provider. Unless you must use an agent - and you've indicated you don't - then it's the carrier's fare rules and terms that will dictate what ticket you buy.

Carriers are making it pretty clear what they're offering with each ticket type. I never read the fine print for excess baggage or travelling with sports equipment because they don't apply to my booking, but in a case like yours I'd take care to read the applicable terms before buying any ticket.

Thanks everyone!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Are Refundable Airline Tickets or Flight Insurance Better for You?

Becky Hart | Feb 27, 2024

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You're about to purchase a flight, and the website asks, “Would you like to upgrade to a refundable ticket for an additional fee?” It seems like a good idea if you need to cancel your flight, but is it the best decision for you and your trip?

Paying extra for a refundable ticket isn’t necessarily a wrong choice, but it might leave you wanting more. At this point in the purchase of your tickets, many airlines may try to grab you with a sense of urgency and tempt you with convenience. Of course it depends on your situation, but rushing to a decision without knowing the facts of what you’re getting from the airline, and what kind of coverage you could get from travel insurance could lead to a case of buyer’s remorse.

Broader coverage with travel insurance

The refundable ticket you purchase from the airline typically provides reimbursement for the ticket itself, and most airlines will let you cancel your flight for any reason as long as you purchased the refundable ticket (which is often a more expensive option).

Your refundable airline ticket is just that, though — a ticket. Travel insurance through a provider like Seven Corners also protects you if you must cancel your trip for certain, covered reasons, and that protection may cover more than just a flight. For example, if your flight is cancelled and you can’t catch another flight until the next day, you could potentially lose money on a prepaid, nonrefundable vacation rental or excursion at your destination. Whereas your airline’s refundable ticket typically wouldn’t cover those prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, travel insurance could.

Optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage

Most trip insurance covers you for trip cancellation with a list of covered reasons, such as a sickness that keeps you from traveling or inclement weather that causes the airline to shut down for at least 48 hours. Trip Protection plans come with an optional benefit — Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) .

This add-on benefit reimburses you for 75% of your nonrefundable trip cost if you need to cancel your trip, no matter what the reason is. At a time with so much unpredictability, many travelers find CFAR provides them with extra flexibility and confidence when planning their trips. They know that with CFAR, they won’t lose all of their prepaid, nonrefundable investment if they need to cancel unexpectedly for reasons such as fear of travel or simply changing their mind about taking their trip, two reasons that most likely would not otherwise be covered. And again, CFAR can protect your airfare as well as hotels, excursions, and more.

Customizable options

Seven Corners offers a variety of plans to help find your best match, often with the ability to customize your plan.

With our plans, you can also look for optional add-ons to give you more robust coverage based on your needs. You might choose to add the Optional Rental Car Damage benefit to a Trip Protection plan. If you select our Trip Protection USA plan, you can design your own plan by adding bundles for air travel, medical expense coverage, and more.

Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense Coverage

Travel insurance can provide emergency medical expense coverage if you get sick or injured during your trip. This can be particularly important when traveling internationally as your domestic health insurance does not always cover you overseas. This coverage is not typically found with a refundable airline ticket.

Personal service

Like when we talked about how to buy the best insurance for your cruise , you may want to rely on experts in travel insurance when you have questions about protecting your flight expenses. Airlines do many things well, but they’re in the business of flying. Seven Corners is an expert in travel insurance.

It’s also important to know that all Seven Corners plans come with non-insurance 24/7 emergency travel assistance services. If you need help finding medical care during your trip or need translation services while abroad, Seven Corners Assist is there to help. Our personal service guarantee is with you from the moment you start talking with one of our licensed agents all the way until you return home.

When Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Flights?

For example, you might only be interested in protecting your airfare. Perhaps you’ll be staying with family and don’t have any expenses for accommodations or a rental car. If you don’t have any other travel expenses to protect, the refundable ticket, which provides 100% reimbursement when you meet the airline’s policy requirements, could be the better choice.

One final thought: It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing purchase. As much as we’d love to protect all of your travel arrangements, you could opt to purchase from both Seven Corners and your airline. One of our own employees recently did just that for a major vacation. The airline’s refundable ticket made more sense for her needs, but she also purchased trip protection for other aspects of her trip like her hotels, excursions, and a train ride at her destination.

Learn how to calculate trip costs for travel insurance »

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

It’s best to expect the unexpected, and when we travel, that means expecting that some of your best-laid plans might not work out. Flight cancellations and delays, especially when you’re traveling during busy times of year like the holidays and summer vacation, can happen. When you’re worried about these disruptions and how they’ll impact your money, carefully consider how to best protect your trip and the money you spent on it.

Every traveler and every trip is unique. That’s why it’s best to look at the different options for travel insurance and choose the one that best fits your needs. We understand that sometimes that decision isn’t the most obvious, which is why Seven Corners’ sales team is made up entirely of licensed agents, ready to answer your questions and help you choose the right plan. Get a quick quote online or talk to our licensed experts today.

*Terms, conditions and limitations apply to all benefits mentioned above. Any Optional benefit, such as CFAR, comes at an additional cost. CFAR is not available to residents of NY. Please see your plan document for full details.

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Are plane tickets refundable? Your guide to the refund policies

If your travel plans aren’t set in stone, you know that buying an ultra-cheap fare could be a gamble. Getting a full refund for a ticket you didn’t use – seems like a great choice when you really need some flexibility. Of course, there are trade-offs between non-refundable and refundable airline tickets. So, how to get a positive answer to the big question: are plane tickets refundable?

What’s the catch? Price. A fully refundable ticket can cost a lot more than a non-refundable one . For instance, I searched a flight from LAX to NYC and found fully refundable fares on one flight that were twice the price of non-refundable ones. Some airlines may also charge a fee to issue your refund, while some may only give you a short window to request it.

Keep in mind that regardless of the type of ticket you buy, if an airline cancels your flight you are entitled to a refund. And in recent years, the major US carriers have done away with change or cancellation fees in many instances, so you can often change your flight and only pay the difference in fare.

Airlines have their own contracts of carriage, which govern how they treat refunds, cancellations, and other events. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) holds the airlines accountable to their own contracts. DOT does, however, maintain some regulations that protect travelers on all airlines.

For instance, the so-called “ 24-hour rule ” allows anyone, even if they hold a non-refundable ticket, to cancel a reservation and receive a full refund within 24 hours of the time they booked the flight, as long as the ticket was purchased at least seven days before the flight’s scheduled departure.

If you look across airline cancellation policies, you’ll see that many mention this 24-hour policy as a bonus or part of their customer commitment. It is, however, a federal requirement. The rule requires airlines to either refund travelers or allow them to hold the fare without paying for the ticket for 24 hours; they’re not required to offer both hold and refund options.

If you decide to cancel your flight and get refunded, you may pay a higher fare if you rebook later. The 24-hour rule only applies if you book your ticket directly with the airline. Beyond this, the general rule is that airlines will refund non-refundable tickets if the cancellation or significant change is their fault, but not if you decide not to fly – even if you get sick.

Common refund policies among major airlines

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Although federal regulations require airlines to stick to the 24-hour rule, airlines have their own policies about the fees they charge for cancellations. Most airlines offer both refundable and non-refundable tickets. If you buy a non-refundable ticket, you can generally change your travel dates, and some airlines waive change fees. As always, it’s best to check with the carrier’s own policy to see what you’re entitled to.

Are plane tickets refundable on Delta?

Delta sells both refundable and non-refundable tickets on domestic and international flights. You can cancel a non-refundable ticket and Delta won’t charge you a cancellation fee if you have a Delta Main Cabin ticket (i.e above Basic Economy) for travel within the US, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands, or originating in the US and traveling anywhere in the world.

Rather than refunding your money, it will issue you a credit to store for a future flight (just remember that you’ll still have to pay any fare differences on future flights). It does charge cancellation fees on non-refundable tickets in basic economy , or for tickets that originate outside the US, and those fees start at $99.

Always check the airlines’ policies to see if they’ll issue a credit for future travel. But check the terms: Sometimes you’ll have only a certain amount of time to use your credit.

Are plane tickets refundable on American Airlines?

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If you bought a refundable ticket on American Airlines , they will process your refund back to your original card within 7 days . Like most other airlines, American does not refund non-refundable tickets, but it does allow you to cancel without a fee and store the value of your ticket as trip credit, which is good for one year from the date of issue.

American doesn’t charge change fees for domestic flights or travel originating in North or South America unless you bought Basic Economy, where no changes are permitted. However, for changes in a ticket originating outside North or South America, they may charge fees up to $750.

Are plane tickets refundable on Frontier?

Frontier Airlines’ policy differs from other carriers in that its tickets are non-refundable . Beyond the federally mandated refund within 24 hours of purchase, Frontier has a strict cancellation policy. If you cancel your ticket after the 24-hour window, you’ll be charged a $99 fee for each direction and the value of your ticket will be held as a credit.

You can add on refundability through Frontier’s bundled “Works” program, which gives you full refundability, a checked bag (which you would normally pay for), reserved seats, and no-fee flight changes. The bundled perks programs start at $99 per direction and vary per ticket. You can only buy them directly from the airline.

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If you don’t have a fully refundable ticket, you can buy travel insurance that covers things like unexpected illness or family emergencies. Typically, standard travel insurance covers cancellations for a good reason, but not If you simply change your mind. If you’re the type to change on a dime, look for a cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) add-on , which will let you cancel for reasons beyond what most policies cover.

You’ll pay more for these, so it’s a good idea to compare the cost to buying a fully refundable ticket (CFAR often makes the most sense if you’re insuring a trip that includes multiple features, like flight, hotel, cruise, and so on).

You may also want to check your credit card. If it has trip cancellation and interruption coverage, you could be reimbursed for the non-refundable amount of your trip.

Most airlines offer both refundable and non-refundable plane tickets, and each airline is free to establish its own rules and fees for cancellations and refunds. It’s always best to check an airline’s own policies before booking, as travel agencies or websites may have their own refund rules.

If you’d like more information on booking different kinds of fares or are looking to find out the differences between premium economy vs. economy seats and business class vs. first class flights , don’t forget to check the ultimate flight guide .

Yes, federal law mandates that airlines must give you a refund or hold your purchase within 24 hours of buying your ticket if it’s not for travel within a seven-day period and you bought it directly from the airline.

Consistent with the 24-hour rule, if you see a fare go on sale, you can cancel your ticket and buy a new one at a lower price. Some airlines offer limited price guarantees. Or if your flight is eligible for a free change or cancellation, you can have the airline issue you a travel credit which you then use for a lower-priced ticket.

Only fully refundable tickets will be refunded to your credit card (and some airlines charge a fee for this). Non-refundable tickets can be changed, sometimes with a fee, and their value is usually stored as a credit.

Airlines are not obliged to refund you if you cancel a non-refundable ticket for personal reasons, including being late or getting sick. Learning how early you need to get to the airport can be a life changer.

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Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Airline Tickets: Which One to Choose?

If you’re like most people, when it comes to booking an airline ticket, you see the option of booking a refundable or non-refundable airline ticket and hesitate deciding which one to choose.

Refundable airline tickets tend to be much more expensive, so you no doubt go for the cheaper option.

But is purchasing a non-refundable ticket the right choice, or should you splurge and enjoy the security of a refundable ticket?

Table of Contents

1.1 1. You Have an Unpredictable Schedule
1.2 2. You Have a Business
1.3 3. You Want to Upgrade
3 Non-Refundable Tickets Are Sometimes Refundable
4 Buying a Refundable Ticket vs. Travel Insurance

Why You Should Buy Refundable Airline Tickets

1. you have an unpredictable schedule.

If you have an unpredictable schedule, such as needing to travel around a sick relative or a family member who is due to give birth but are unsure exactly when, it can be beneficial to be able to have that flexibility when you need to change your plans at the last minute.

2. You Have a Business

If you have a business, you know that meetings and priorities can change, sometimes at the drop of the hat.

So yourself or your employees may occasionally need to be able to make changes and cancellations at the last minute with as little hassle as possible.

3. You Want to Upgrade

Airlines prioritize certain consumers when it comes to upgrades, namely travelers who spend more with the airline.

If you purchased a refundable ticket, you are more likely to be able to obtain an upgrade.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy Refundable Airline Tickets

The main reason not to buy refundable airline tickets is due to their high price.

Refundable airline tickets can cost at least 4x the price of non-refundable tickets.

Considering that the vast majority of travelers fly as intended when they book a ticket, it simply isn’t worth it for most.

Non-Refundable Tickets Are Sometimes Refundable

In some instances, non-refundable airline tickets are refundable – in the sense that you will receive your money back and not just a travel voucher from the airline.

If your flight is cancelled or “significantly” delayed, you are entitled to a cash refund.
If you booked your ticket at least seven days before departure, you can cancel the ticket within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund.

Buying a Refundable Ticket vs. Travel Insurance

In many instances, it is better to purchase travel insurance instead of refundable airline tickets, as these tickets can cost 4x as much as non-refundable tickets.

The caveat is that a standard travel insurance policy only covers some reasons for cancellations, and there are several insurance exclusions you should know about before buying a policy.

Instead, you can add a Cancel For Any Reason upgrade to your insurance, which is true to name, and allows you to cancel in the event you don’t want to or can’t fly for any reason.

Keep in mind that not every trip insurer offers Cancel For Any Reason insurance, though.

Additionally, CFAR insurance:

Won’t reimburse you with 100% of the price of the ticket (50-75%)
A flight needs to be canceled no later than two days before scheduled departure
You have a limited number of days after purchasing a non-refundable ticket to add the CFAR option.

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Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.

Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.

Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).

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Travel insurance vs refundable ticket.

Travelling is an exciting experience full of adventure, new places, and new people. However, there are various risks associated with travelling, such as flight cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost/stolen luggage. Therefore, it is essential to consider two options that can help you secure your travel plans in case an unforeseen event occurs: travel insurance and refundable tickets. In this article, we will compare travel insurance and refundable tickets to help you choose the best option for your travel needs.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers unexpected events that may occur during your trip. These can include flight cancellations, medical emergencies, accidents, and loss/theft of luggage. It can also cover trip delays, missed connections, and emergency evacuations. The cost of travel insurance varies depending on the coverage you need and the length of your trip.

There are different types of travel insurance policies, including single-trip insurance, annual/multi-trip insurance, family/group insurance, and adventure/sports insurance. Most travel insurance policies have a deductible, which is the amount of money you have to pay before the insurance company covers your expenses. Some policies also have exclusions, such as pre-existing medical conditions or high-risk activities.

Buying travel insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you are covered in case something goes wrong during your trip. However, it is important to read the policy carefully and understand what it covers and what it doesn’t cover.

Refundable Tickets

Refundable tickets, as the name suggests, are plane tickets that you can cancel and get a refund for. These tickets are usually more expensive than non-refundable tickets, but they provide more flexibility in case your travel plans change. Refundable tickets can be canceled for any reason, and you will get a full refund of your ticket price.

Most airlines offer refundable tickets, but the cost can vary depending on the airline, the route, and the time of purchase. Generally, the earlier you purchase your ticket, the cheaper the refundable option is.

Refundable tickets can be a good option if you are unsure about your travel plans or if you need more flexibility. However, they can be significantly more expensive than non-refundable tickets, and they may not cover other unexpected events such as medical emergencies or lost luggage.

Choosing between travel insurance and refundable tickets depends on your travel needs and budget. If you are concerned about unexpected events and want peace of mind, travel insurance may be the better option. If you need more flexibility or are unsure about your travel plans, refundable tickets may be a better choice. However, it is important to read the policy carefully and understand what it covers and what it doesn’t cover.

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5 Airlines That Offer Refundable Plane Tickets

Charlene Rhinehart is a CPA , CFE, chair of an Illinois CPA Society committee, and has a degree in accounting and finance from DePaul University.

Traveling by air can be very expensive, which is why many people often prioritize lower fares. The cost of an airline ticket tends to be a deciding factor in buying a ticket, along with comfort and convenience. One of those conveniences is the ability to refund your ticket. U.S. airlines that offer refundable and non-refundable tickets include Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, United, and American. Here's why you should also consider the potential for refunds when choosing an airline.

Key Takeaways

Refundable flights are generally more expensive than non-refundable ones.
Consider booking a refundable flight if you're uncertain about your travel plans.
Some airlines charge a fee to issue a refund and others have strict cancellation policy terms.
Airlines must issue full refunds if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking.

Are Plane Tickets Refundable?

By law, plane tickets are fully refundable within the first 24 hours of booking if you book at least seven days in advance. After that, each airline has a different policy for refunding airfare.

Most airlines offer a choice between refundable and non-refundable airline tickets. Refundable tickets tend to be more expensive. That's because you have the reassurance of knowing that you can get the money returned to you if your travel plans change.

Non-refundable tickets are often cheaper, but they do carry risks . In most cases, you won't get your money back if you don't use it, but you may be able to get another flight with the same airline. Another drawback is that a reused non-refundable ticket is non-transferable, which means you can only apply that amount toward a new ticket for yourself—not for another person.

The higher costs of a refundable ticket can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the kind of flight you book—economy, business, or first class . Basic economy tickets are usually completely non-refundable, meaning not only will you not get your money back, you cannot reuse them.

Refund Policies at Major Airlines

Every airline has a different refund policy. That's why it's important to know what your options are by asking any airlines you plan to book with or verifying the details website. We've got you started by laying out some basics about the airfare refund policies for five major U.S. airlines.

1. Southwest

Some tickets offered by Southwest ( LUV ) are refundable with no penalties This includes the airline's Business Select fares and Anytime fares. A 100% refund applies if you cancel your ticket at least 10 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure time.

Southwest's Wanna Get Away tickets, which are the cheapest ones available, are non-refundable. But their cost may be applied toward future travel during a certain time.

JetBlue ( JBLU ) does not charge a change or cancellation fee for most of its airline tickets, including Blue, Blue Plus, and Mint fares on all routes. If you want to change your flight, you are responsible for any difference in ticket costs.

The exception is Blue Basic. If you want to cancel or change a Blue Basic ticket, you will likely have to pay a $100 fee for travel in the Caribbean, Central America, or North America and a $200 fee for travel to other regions.

3. Delta Air Lines

Delta ( DAL ) offers refundable and non-refundable tickets for domestic and international flights. It typically does not charge fees for changing your tickets, except for Basic Economy. Tickets purchased under this category are completely non-refundable and non-changeable.

Delta has some cancellation or change fees to consider with non-refundable tickets. For domestic travel, Delta charges a cancellation or change fee of $0 to $400, depending on the travel route. You will also have to pay the difference in any flight costs.

4. United Airlines

United Airlines ( UAL ) tickets are generally non-refundable, although some fares do allow for refunds. Refunds and changes are not permitted with Basic Economy tickets. The airline does permit cancellations or changes for any ticket without a penalty if the flight is canceled or changed within 24 hours of booking.

5. American Airlines

American Airlines' policy is similar to United and Delta in that it offers refundable and non-refundable tickets. Cancellation fees vary, though, based on the type of cabin you choose. These fees vary from no charge to up to $750 based on where you travel.

How Refundable Tickets Work

When you buy your airline ticket, you will likely have an option to book a refundable ticket. These bookings can be fully refunded—or in some cases, partially—if you cancel your flight for any reason.

Whether it's better to book a refundable or a non-refundable ticket depends on your needs and budget. If you're traveling for business , you may not need a refundable ticket because your plans may be less likely to change than if you were planning a vacation.

If there's any doubt that you will travel, you should consider a refundable ticket. The cost of paying extra will be better than paying for a ticket that you don't use.

There are a few things to keep in mind about refundable flights. Some airlines charge a fee to issue a refund, while others have a strict cancellation policy. In the latter case, you may only have a certain window of time during which you can request a refund.

If you're a frequent flyer who has racked up a lot of miles, the airline may be willing to overlook its policies and grant a refund. Keep in mind that all flights are, by law, fully refundable within 24 hours of booking.

Other Considerations for Non-Refundable Tickets

There are circumstances when you may be able to obtain a refund for a non-refundable ticket. As mentioned above, airlines are required by law to provide full refunds to all buyers, regardless of ticket type, who cancel within 24 hours of booking tickets that they purchased at least seven days in advance.

Canceled or Changed Flights: If you bought a non-refundable ticket that is canceled or changed by an airline, you're entitled to a refund. If canceled, the airline may attempt to book you on another flight but you may request a refund instead. If changed, you may be entitled to a refund, depending on the airline's policy for changes and flight refunds.
Flight Credits: Check with your airline to see whether it offers credits (aka, vouchers) for non-refundable tickets toward future flights.
Travel Agency Bookings: For tickets purchased through an online travel agency, you must deal with the agency rather than the airline for refunds. Plus, some agencies may have charges associated with flight changes or cancellations.
Insurance: A Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance benefit can ensure that you're able to recoup a certain portion of the money you've paid for a non-refundable ticket. And it doesn't matter why you have to cancel the flight.
Using Miles: If you use frequent flyer miles to travel, you may be able to get a refund (or change your flight), but a fee may be involved. Check before committing your miles to a flight if getting a refund is a must.

What Are My Rights for a Flight Refund?

You are legally entitled to a full refund within 24 hours of booking if you cancel a flight that you booked at least seven days in advance of departure. You are also entitled to a full refund or a new flight if your flight is cancelled. Depending on the terms of your ticket, such as with a refundable ticket, you may also be entitled to a refund if you cancel for any reason.

When Do Airlines Refund Your Money?

Airlines are required by law to process your information in a timely way. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines this as within seven days if you purchased your ticket with a credit card and within 20 days if you purchased it with a check or with cash.

When Am I Not Entitled to a Refund for Airline Tickets?

You are not legally entitled to a refund if you cancel a ticket that is non-refundable for personal reasons, such as if you arrive late to the airport or if you're sick. You're not entitled to a refund if you don't like the airline's service, or if you incur extra expenses such as rental car or hotel expenses. Although, many airlines will grant refunds in these scenarios, they are not legally obligated to do so.

Whether it makes sense to purchase refundable or non-refundable plane tickets can depend on the circumstances of your travel plans and how concerned you are about potentially losing money if your trip doesn't pan out. Be sure to check with the airline or your travel agency on cancellation, change, and refund policies for non-refundable tickets before you buy them.

U.S. Department of Transportation. " Refunds ."

University of Virginia, UVA Finance. " Should I Buy a Refundable Airline Ticket? "

Southwest. " Get to know our fares ."

Southwest. " Fare Information ."

JetBlue. " Our Fares ."

Delta. " Fare & Discounts ."

Delta. " Change Your Flight ."

United. " Refund Policies ."

American Airlines. " Optional service fees ."

United States Department of Transportation. " Guidance on the 24-Hour Reservation Requirement ," Page 1.

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Ultimate guide to canceling a flight and getting a refund with major US airlines

Editor's Note

Most airlines now have favorable policies if you need to cancel your flight, especially if you booked using points or miles. If you book the right fare with an airline that has friendly cancellation policies, you may not be out hundreds of dollars — or be on the hook for astronomical fees — should your travel plans change.

However, with many different airlines and varying policies, it can be overwhelming to figure out each carrier's rules. To make it easier, we put together this guide about the cancellation and refund policies for the major U.S. airlines.

Can I cancel a flight and get a refund?

These days, all airlines allow you to cancel a flight, and most make it extremely easy to do so. You can usually cancel a flight online, and many carriers let you get a refund in some capacity.

For the most part, if you book a nonrefundable fare — the most common fare type — you'll receive a credit or voucher for a future flight. However, you'll find that some airlines charge a fee to cancel, and they might base the fee on how far in advance you cancel.

For example, Southwest Airlines has one of the most generous cancellation policies, regardless of the fare type. As long as you cancel at least 10 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure time, there is no fee to cancel your reservation, whether it is a paid fare or one booked on points. While you'll end up with a travel credit for the amount paid if you cancel a paid fare, Southwest won't deduct any fees from that voucher. Also, if you booked using Southwest points, the airline will immediately return them to your account with no fees.

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways also have favorable cancellation policies — as long as you didn't book their least expensive basic economy fare .

On the other hand, Frontier Airlines will charge you a $75 fee when canceling a reservation booked on miles. Canceling a paid reservation will cost you even more.

Perhaps the least favorable airline is Allegiant Air , which requires you to cancel seven or more days in advance and charges a cancellation fee per segment (not round-trip).

So, when you wonder if you can cancel a flight and get a refund, the answer depends on many factors, including the airline, the fare type and how far in advance you cancel.

How to cancel a flight with major airlines

Many airlines allow you to cancel a flight without hefty fees. Since every airline operates slightly differently, we've compiled the policies for each major airline and the associated fees so you can figure out how to cancel a flight. This information is for a regular passenger (not one with status) on a standard reservation.

If you booked under special circumstances, we've linked to our full guide for each respective airline, which goes into more detail about each one's policy. These guides also include the policies for changing a flight instead of fully canceling.

Alaska Airlines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid Alaska Airlines reservation

Alaska allows you to cancel all reservations within 24 hours of booking — for travel starting more than 24 hours from the time of purchase.

After the 24-hour mark, there are no cancellation fees, and all fare types are now eligible for some sort of credit. For Main and First Class fares, you'll receive the full amount paid as a certificate to use toward a future flight. For flights purchased on or after July 19, 2023, even Saver fares are eligible for a credit. However, you'll only receive a 50% credit of the ticket value, and the flight must be canceled at least 14 days prior to departure of the first flight on the ticket. (For flights purchased prior to this date, Saver fares will not receive any credit if canceled in advance.)

All certificates received when canceling a flight are valid for 12 months from the issue date of your original ticket or 30 days from the date of cancellation — whichever is greater.

The only way to receive a full refund is by purchasing a fully refundable fare during the booking process.

Canceling an Alaska reservation booked with miles

Passengers can cancel an award reservation by calling Alaska's reservation center. The airline will deposit the miles back into your account once you cancel your award flight, and you'll receive a refund for any taxes paid.

Allegiant Air's cancellation policy

Canceling a paid Allegiant reservation

Allegiant has one of the more strict policies when canceling a flight: You must cancel seven days before departure and will still have to pay a fee. Typically, the fee is $75 per segment (not for the entire reservation), but for a while now, Allegiant has reduced the fee to $25 per segment. When canceling, you'll receive a voucher for the amount paid (minus the total cancellation fee), valid for up to one year from the original booking date.

When canceling a flight within seven days, the airline won't issue a credit, and you'll lose the entire ticket value.

Canceling an Allegiant reservation booked with miles

Allegiant offers a unique policy regarding canceling an award booked with miles. You'll be charged the same fee per segment, and the flight must be canceled at least seven days in advance. The points redeemed will not be redeposited back into your account; you'll instead receive a voucher for the value of the ticket.

Related: How to change or cancel an Allegiant Air flight

American Airlines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid American reservation

You can now cancel all American reservations, except American's basic economy fares, without a fee. However, some flights originating outside North and South America have slightly different policies.

With basic economy fares, you'll be charged a $99 fee, which is taken out of the value of your ticket. This policy only applies to AAdvantage members for flights within the 50 states.

When canceling a reservation, AAdvantage members will receive a trip credit that expires one year from the date of issue of the original ticket. For trip credits issued on or after March 11, 2024, nonmembers, unfortunately, only have six months to use the credit. But since membership is free, this is a solid reason to enroll in the AAdvantage program.

Canceling an American reservation booked with miles

American allows you to cancel award flights for free. There are no redeposit fees, and your miles will immediately return to your account. Since you can't book a basic economy fare with miles, there's no need to worry about this more restrictive fare type. However, from personal experience, you'll want to make sure that the taxes and fees paid are refunded back to the form of payment (such as a credit card) and do not get issued as a trip credit.

Related: How to change or cancel an American Airlines flight

Delta Air Lines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid Delta reservation

Most Delta fare types for flights originating in the U.S. and Canada (except Delta basic economy tickets) will allow you to cancel your flight without a fee. Flights originating outside of these two destinations carry different rules and up to $400 in fees.

When canceling a basic economy fare for travel originating in the U.S. or Canada for travel to the Caribbean, Central America or Mexico, the fee is $99. For all other routes, the cancellation fee is twice the amount, at $199. Unfortunately, basic economy flights originating in Mexico cannot be canceled.

Canceling a nonrefundable fare will result in an e-credit for the full amount paid (minus any cancellation fees, depending on fare type and route). However, if you cancel a refundable ticket, you'll get the amount paid refunded back to your original form of payment. Currently, e-credits expire a year from the original ticketing date; that is just the book by date, and you don't have to actually travel by the expiration date.

Canceling a Delta reservation booked with miles

Similar to a paid reservation, as long as you book a fare type other than basic economy, you can cancel your flight, and Delta will redeposit the miles back into your account with no fee. Additionally, Delta will refund any taxes and fees to the original form of payment.

For reservations booked as basic economy (for domestic travel within the U.S. and Canada), you can still cancel your flight. However, Delta will deduct between 9,900 and 19,900 miles from the amount it redeposits into your account when you cancel.

Related: How to change or cancel a Delta Air Lines flight

Frontier Airlines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid Frontier reservation

Frontier Airlines is unfortunately no longer as customer-friendly as it used to be. If you cancel your flight, you'll be charged a $99 fee per direction. When cancelling a flight, you'll receive a credit for the price paid minus the cancellation fee, and you'll need to use this credit within 90 days of receiving it. Again, this is a "book by" date, and you can travel post the expiration date.

One way around the fee is by changing your flight instead of canceling. This only comes in handy if you know of another Frontier flight you're looking to book. This is because there's no change fee when making a change on a Frontier reservation 60 days or more before your flight. However, within the 60-day window, you'll be charged a fee (per direction): $49 for flights 59 to seven days prior to departure and $99 for flights six days or less prior to departure.

Canceling a Frontier reservation booked with miles

Unlike many other airlines, Frontier charges a cancellation fee even if you booked with miles. Regardless of how far in advance you cancel, you'll need to pay a $75 redeposit fee.

Related: How to change or cancel a Frontier Airlines flight

Hawaiian Airlines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid Hawaiian reservation

Similar to most other airlines, you can cancel a Hawaiian Airlines flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund — as long as the flight was booked at least seven days in advance.

After 24 hours have lapsed, you can cancel main cabin, first-class and business-class fares on Hawaiian without a fee — but there's a catch. While you'll receive a flight credit for the amount paid, you'll lose any remaining value associated with your credit when you book a new flight if the new flight is less expensive than the previous flight. Main cabin basic fares can be canceled, but you will not receive any credit back.

Additionally, fully refundable fares are slightly deceiving. To receive the refund back to your original form of payment, Hawaiian charges a $25 to $100 fee — depending on the route. You can always avoid this fee by taking a travel credit instead, but it negates the concept of purchasing a refundable fare.

Credits received from canceling a flight can be booked up to one year from the date the credit is issued.

Canceling a Hawaiian reservation booked with miles

For tickets purchased with HawaiianMiles, there's no fee to cancel and redeposit your miles.

Related: How to change or cancel a Hawaiian Airlines flight

JetBlue Airways' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid JetBlue reservation

For all fare types, except for Blue Basic fares, there's no fee to cancel your reservation before departure.

For all nonrefundable fares, you'll receive the entire amount paid back as a JetBlue Travel Bank credit, which expires 12 months from the original booking date. These credits are nontransferable, but you can use a credit to book for another passenger from within your JetBlue account.

For Blue Basic fares, the cancellation fee is either $100 or $200, depending on the route. For routes in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, the fee is $100 per person. For all other routes, the fee is $200 per person. You'll still receive a travel credit (minus the fee) for these reservations.

Canceling a JetBlue reservation booked with miles

You can cancel any JetBlue flight booked with points without a fee. When canceling, the points redeemed will go back into your account. However, the taxes and fees paid will go into your JetBlue Travel Bank credit — not back to your original form of payment (which is the policy for most other airlines). Again, the credits received expire 12 months from the original booking date.

Related: How to change or cancel a JetBlue flight

Southwest Airlines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid Southwest reservation

Southwest is one of the best airlines if you need to cancel your flight. You can cancel a Southwest flight for free if you do so at least 10 minutes before departure.

For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares — the two least expensive fare types — you'll receive a credit for the amount paid. For Wanna Get Away fares, the credit isn't transferable, and only the original passenger can use the credit. If you booked a Wanna Get Away Plus fare, any individual can use the credit.

Anytime and Business Select fares, however, are fully refundable. If you need to cancel one of these fares, you'll receive a full refund for the amount paid back to your original form of payment.

Canceling a Southwest reservation booked with miles

Similar to a paid reservation, when you cancel a flight booked with miles at least 10 minutes before departure, Southwest will return the points to the account used to book the award without charging any fees. The taxes and fees paid for the award will return to the original payment form.

Related: How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight

Spirit Airlines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid Spirit reservation

Spirit allows you to cancel a flight but charges a fee based on when you cancel the flight. If you cancel, you'll receive a credit for the amount paid minus the fee. However, the credit isn't transferable and expires 90 days from when you receive it.

Here's what you can expect to pay in fees when you cancel a paid Spirit reservation:

Canceling a Spirit reservation booked with miles

When canceling a Spirit flight you reserved with miles, the same cancellation policy applies as if it were a paid reservation. Spirit will charge you a $69-$119 fee to redeposit your miles if you cancel within 59 days of your flight. It won't charge a fee if you cancel 60 days or more before your flight.

Related: How to change or cancel a Spirit Airlines flight

United Airlines' cancellation policy

Canceling a paid United reservation

For almost all United flights, except those booked in basic economy, you can cancel for free if you are traveling within the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, Mexico or on an international flight that originates in the U.S. For United basic economy tickets, if your plans change, you'll ultimately lose the value of the ticket entirely.

Unless you book a refundable fare (or a basic economy fare), you'll receive a flight credit for the value of the price paid when you cancel. These credits expire one year from the date the credit was issued.

Canceling a United reservation booked with miles

United no longer charges fees for canceling award flights; your miles will be redeposited after you cancel your flights. However, United charges a $125 fee, regardless of status, for redepositing miles if you're a no-show to your award flight.

Related: How to change or cancel a United Airlines flight

Can you cancel plane tickets?

Many people book flights a year in advance and hope their vacation plans stay intact. However, plans can change. Fortunately, many airlines offer more friendly cancellation policies than we once saw, so you don't have to wonder whether you can cancel a plane ticket.

Whether you book with miles or as a paid reservation, you can always cancel a plane ticket, but the refund policy varies from one airline to the next. You must be comfortable with how you'll receive your money or miles back. For the most part, you'll receive the money back as a credit and the miles back into your account. For lower-cost airlines, though, there's typically an associated fee.

Related: Complete guide to changing and canceling award tickets

Can you refund plane tickets?

Whether you can get a refund for plane tickets depends on the fare type purchased and what you are looking for in terms of a refund. No airline offers full refunds back to the form of payment for every ticket purchased. Instead, you must purchase a more flexible fare type or a refundable ticket if you want this privilege.

While not all airlines offer refundable fare options, some airlines allow you to purchase an add-on to your ticket. This add-on may make your reservation fully refundable if you need to cancel.

For example, Frontier offers "The Works" package , where one of the benefits is that your fare is fully refundable.

Some airlines do not allow refunds on their most basic fare types. For instance, if you purchase a basic economy fare on United, you can't get a refund on a plane ticket. If your plans change and you must cancel, you'll lose your entire ticket value.

Related: Why you should wait to change or cancel your flight if you want your money back

Bottom line

Before purchasing your next plane ticket, it's smart to be well-versed in the airline's policy. You always hope that your intended travel plans go off without a hitch. However, life happens, and there are times when you might need to cancel a flight.

If you're not confident of your plans when booking your flight, booking with a more favorable airline or purchasing a fare class with more flexibility may be your best bet.

Flight Cancellation Insurance: Your Questions Answered

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Refundable fares or travel insurance?

The two hotels and the airline are offering 'non-refundable' fares that are considerably cheaper than refundable ones. The savings is so great that I'd save money buying separate insurance and using the non-refundable fares. Does this make sense? I'm just worried I'm missing some crucial detail. The insurance is $600 but the difference in fares is about $3,000.

$600 for travel insurance sounds like a rip off. Not unless it is for 4 people and covers evacuation costs $50,000

Most buy non-refundable and the insurance offered with the plane ticket.

$600 for cancellation insurance only on the plane fare and hotels looks awfully high to me. I'd look at a broker such as insuremytrip for travel policies that you can tailor to your needs. But with any cancellation policies, you have to look carefully at what is excluded. Even "cancel for no reason" policies come with exclusions and limitations.

Or is this a comprehensive travel policy covering everyone in your party for cancellation, interruption, medical, and evacuation? Where are you getting this insurance from and what is its coverage?

A non-refundable air fare doesn't necessarily mean that you cant reschedule the air travel. I would likely involve a re-booking fee and the re-booking fee would be substantially less then $3000. And check the conditions on trip cancellation.

We always cover the airline change fees not the whole cost of the flights. We get medical evacuation insurance plus medical coverage. Do not actually cover whole trips unless it is a cruise or a tour.

RE: We always cover the airline change fees not the whole cost of the flights.

Take care to read the Terms and Conditions of any insurance carefully. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies have some very specific requirements.

https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-plans-coverages/cancel-for-any-reason/

Eligibility Requirements Typically, a policy must be purchased within 10-21 days of making the initial trip payment to be eligible for CFAR benefits. Often, providers will require CFAR purchasers to insure the entire dollar amount of their travels in order to receive the coverage. Additional requirements may be stated by the providers for those interested in buying a CFAR policy. Be sure to thoroughly read and understand any and all terms before you make your purchase.

We have had several very large claims paid in full. We read the fine print and always buy insurance from Travel Guard as soon as we book our trips.

You might want to consider looking at your credit cards to see if you already have some sort of trip cancellation/trip interruption coverage from your credit card. I have excellent coverage through Chase so I don't buy extra travel insurance anymore. You won't know unless you do a little research.

Why not just decide “I’m going, no matter what”

What on earth could possibly cause you to not take your international flight? Sick? Who cares! Get in the plane and go. Unless you’re in a coma there’s really no reason.

Why not just decide “I’m going, no matter what” What on earth could possibly cause you to not take your international flight? Sick? Who cares! Get in the plane and go. Unless you’re in a coma there’s really no reason

Personal illness isn't the only reason a trip might be cancelled or postponed. What about death of a loved one. Catastrophic illness of a family member. Job loss, (or less serious, the boss cancels your leave). The house burns down.

When I buy the flight going over, I always buy the non-refundable fare in Basic Economy and no trip insurance. One time in the last ten years I gave in and bought trip insurance at the airport, SFO. Likewise in booking the hotel in a 3 star, , the non-refundable rate for a single.

If that trip insurance is “cancel for any reason” (like, I just changed my mind, or whatever), that $600 may not be so unreasonable. But that is not a wise purchase. Cancellation coverage should cover unforeseen circumstances that arise, generally a serious illness by you, a traveling companion, or a non-traveling family member (in which case it usually has to be a very serious, life-threatening condition).

As for saying one is going to fly no matter what or how sick, that is unwise and not allowed if the airline suspects the illness. You can be denied boarding if they think you are too ill to fly. And if they don’t notice and you fly with a contagious illness like influenza, that is not only foolhardy but very inconsiderate.

Or you could be faced with a cancer diagnosis between booking the flights and the date of the trip, like I was. The departure date fell right near the end of my radiation treatment which lasted six weeks. I was young and healthy when I booked the trip, and never considered travel insurance. Fortunately, SAS let me postpone my departure by two weeks and re-book the return flight, without penalty. But that was 20 years ago, and such mercy appears to be very scarce these days.

If you have a significant amount of money invested in non-refundable expenses, more than you can afford to lose, or even more than you feel comfortable losing, the prudent thing is to cover them with a reasonable cancellation policy. But not a “cancel for any reason” one, which extracts a heavy premium for the right to change your mind.

I used to think, like Tim, that there was no reason I could imagine that we wouldn’t take our trips, so I booked a non-refundable rate at a Madrid hotel. Silly me. We were to fly to Spain after attending a wedding in Baltimore. When we got to Dulles Airport, we discovered my husband had forgotten his passport. We had to wait until our son-in-law flew back to SFO, went to our house, found the passport, and fedexed it. There went the three Madrid days. Recently, my neighbor had a loss with the United basic economy fare. She bought a ticket to go on a trip to be taken after a visit from her sister. Seems they got their lines crossed, and the sister bought a ticket to come at the time she’d be away. United doesn’t even allow rescheduling in that fare class. My point is that neither of these reasons could possibly be anticipated. Nor, could either of us “just go.” $600 for insurance does seem high to me. The suggestion to check what’s covered by your cc is a good one. Then, I would be looking at squaremouth or insuremytrip.

Thank you all for your replies.

The premium is high but the difference in fares is higher. Then again, insurance only pays under certain conditions, whereas the refundable fares are refunded on a whim. Looks like there's no saving the risk premium anywhere - the system has it all figured out.

I usually decline insurance unless it's a catastrophic risk. While this is a big expense for us I may just decide to take the risk myself.

I love vacation planning. (Seriously, I totally do.)

That's my attitude. Nonrefundable fares and no insurance. And if something disastrous or totally unforeseen causes a disruption, that's life. It's never happened in 30+ years of travel, so if it does in the future, I'm still probably way ahead of the game after saving on trip insurance for all those years.

....$600 for travel insurance sounds like a rip off..... . First, without knowing the amount insurance no way of knowing if $600 is cheaper, so-so, or expensive. Remember, you only insure your potential loses. And often the insurance company via the fine print will have a different idea of what is a lose compared to what you think is a lose. Since travel insurance premium tend to run around 5 to maybe 10% depending on what is covered, your $600 should suggest an insurance amount of about $12,000 to perhaps $20,000. Could be reasonable depending on your trip.

Adding to Frank's comment, $600 may be reasonable for older policy holders if it covers both cancellation and medical coverage and pre-existing conditions. An old retired policy holder would be less likely to cancel because of job loss but more likely to cancel because of personal health or spouse's health.

As noted above, some credit cards (I have Chase Sapphire Reserve) include some trip cancelation / interruption insurance for no additional cost. Booking many months ahead I usually get cancellable hotel reservations (about €5 per night additional) -- closer to the trip date, if nonrefundable is still available at a better price I may book that and cancel the original reservation.

One more point to add. Having used the two sites I recommended above, I am always astounded at the spread of prices for the same coverage and from similarly rated companies, like $300/2 of us up to $1000/ 2 of us. It pays to compare, and either of the two sites will allow you to do that.

If it covers medical then your destination and your age REALLY effect the cost, I have paid in that range for each of my last two trips but they covered two people and about 18 days each plus medical and evacuation and repatriation and one of us was in his 80s.

So without more info would be needed to see if it is a good deal. But for a savings of $2400 on tickets alone I would sure go with separate insurance

Although you said "separate insurance", there is some evidence you may mean the airline's insurance they offer just before you pay the bill. But the key fact is that EVERY insurance policy has different rules. You cannot assume that one policy or another covers YOUR needs until you skim 20 to 30 pages of rules and conditions. That's one reason I usually buy the same type of insurance.

Example of rules: My mother is 93. I once called my regular insurer, Travelex, to ask about "pre-exisiting conditions" that would fail to be covered in the event of cancellations, if you don't buy the insurance soon enough. Although the insurance covers medical conditions that require a doctor's care (not as in in some other products, hospitalization!) I was concerned about my mother's frail state. Travelex told me, to my surprise, that "pre-existing conditions" in THEIR policy only refers to the TRAVELERS. It doesn't matter how long my mother has had this or that illness!

You can't know if you don't read the policy.

In a similar situation with my mother. I had to cancel a trip to Italy in May. I was in Boston within 5 hours of departing a TAP flight to Rome when I got a call that my stepdad had died. ( He was a mean man but that's another story!) So obviously cancelled my trip to go and take care of my 87 year old mom in her transition. My strategy was to pay for a executive class fully refundable fare on TAP (Portuguese Airlines) . TAP allows you to to purchase a one way fare which is exactly half of a round trip fare unlike other airlines. My return was on United Airlines using my miles. I talked to United re the death and they waived the fee to put my miles back in my account. I received the full fare from TAP refund back to my credit card in 2 weeks and my United airlines miles were back in 24 hours with no charge. I'm using the same strategy for a trip to Italy in May 2020. I have bought insurance in the past but there were so many exclusions I decided it wasn't worth it. Not directly related to this thread but the only kind of travel insurance I have a is a medical travel policy which also provides for emergency air transport among other personal medical issues.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

How to refund a nonrefundable airline ticket

B ooking flights for a big vacation months in advance can be tricky. It can leave plenty of opportunity for something unexpected to pop up, putting you in a situation where you'd like to change or even cancel your reservation .

Unexpected events can include an illness, a work conflict or a family emergency.

You might also find better airfare and wish you could cancel and rebook at a lower price (hint: often, you can).

Though most airlines don't have the ultraflexible policies they temporarily offered at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a lot more ways to change a ticket penalty-free than there were a few years ago.

Certainly, purchasing a fully refundable ticket is one way to ensure you can get your money back if something goes wrong. However, it may cost more and isn't always an option.

In some cases, though, you still have options even if you purchased a ticket that's technically nonrefundable.

Take advantage of fewer change fees

One positive change that emerged from the pandemic was that some airlines no longer charge change fees for main cabin tickets and above.

While Southwest Airlines has long been known for not charging change fees, other carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have also abandoned change fees in recent years, at least for most ticket classes.

This means if you run into an unexpected hurdle and your original itinerary doesn't work for you, you should be able to rebook without paying a fee. However, if your new ticket costs more, you'll typically have to pay the difference between your old ticket and your new one.

Also, this flexibility isn't typically extended to travelers flying on a basic economy ticket or with a budget airline, so check the specific terms of your fare (note that newcomer Breeze Airways , which brands itself as a "nice low-cost carrier," doesn't charge change or cancellation fees).

Of course, changing your ticket is one thing. What if you simply can't travel at all?

Qualify for a refund under federal policy

This one is pretty straightforward but incredibly important. If your flight is canceled, you are entitled to a full refund if you ultimately decide not to travel.

For domestic flights and international flights departing or arriving in the U.S., you're covered by the rules of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT's website indicates that if your flight is canceled — no matter the reason — you are entitled to a full refund back to your original form of payment for the unused portion of your itinerary.

This applies to flights that are significantly delayed or have a significant schedule change, although DOT policy doesn't specify what constitutes such a disruption.

Cancel and take a flight credit

Consistent with many airlines' policies to eliminate change fees, a lot of carriers will now let you cancel even "nonrefundable" tickets for flight credit.

You won't get your cash back, but you'll receive credit for what you paid, which you can use to rebook your canceled trip or book a future trip.

Again, this usually isn't the case for basic economy tickets or flights on ultra-low-cost carriers , but it can be a useful option if you find a lower price on airfare and want to rebook yourself or have unexpected circumstances arise.

For example, American's policy will allow you to use trip credit in the future as long as your new trip begins no later than one year from the ticket's original issue date and as long as you canceled the original trip before the flight departed.

Delta will also let travelers apply the value for nonrefundable tickets via e-credit for full-fare economy (main cabin) and above. In fact, Delta will even partially refund basic economy tickets minus a cancellation charge.

United will issue future flight credits "if you cancel your trip or change your flight to a less expensive one."

Southwest gives flight credit, at a minimum, for canceled trips of any fare class as long as you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to departure.

Did you book using points or miles?

On many airlines, award tickets booked with frequent flyer miles are fully refundable, and the associated taxes and fees often are, too.

Check the terms of your airline's loyalty program and your specific ticket to make sure you won't be charged a fee to redeposit the miles. If you booked using points or miles, you should be able to get them credited back into your frequent flyer account.

Some airlines may charge a fee to redeposit the points, but that's less common today, too. Similar to airlines that give you flight credit for canceled reservations, this is one option you can use to take advantage of a better deal if the award price drops after you book .

Tell the agent what's going on

Sometimes the truth can go further than you think. Many airlines are understanding and want to try to help you out if they can.

A few years ago, a friend of mine planned a vacation to Cancun, but a medical emergency forced the family to put the trip on hold. JetBlue was extremely understanding of the situation and issued all 16 passengers travel vouchers for the full amount paid, and no fees were charged. Although the family was fully prepared to send in a doctor's note, JetBlue did not even ask for one.

At the time, JetBlue would have normally charged $75 per person to change the tickets, which means the family saved $1,200.

Fortunately, today, JetBlue does not charge a change fee for full-fare economy tickets and above, though you will pay at least $100 to change a Blue Basic ticket.

Check to see if you booked with a credit card that has travel insurance

There are a number of travel credit cards that include travel insurance protections, which can help offset unexpected costs incurred when you have to cancel a trip.

Cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express , the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and others have trip protections that, in some cases, might allow you to make a claim and get reimbursed for expenses when you have to cancel — provided that it's for a covered reason.

Keep in mind these types of protections can also cover unreimbursed expenses if, say, you have to spend an unexpected night in a hotel (with ground transportation to and from the hotel) because of an overnight flight delay. Generally, the one huge caveat is that you must have booked all elements of the trip with that card.

If you paid with a card that has trip protection and qualifies for reimbursement on your card's insurance plan, this is where the card can really pay for itself.

Don't forget about third-party travel insurance

If you think there's a reason you might end up needing to cancel your trip and either don't have a credit card with trip protections or want even more coverage, you can always consider purchasing a travel insurance plan .

Comprehensive plans will generally reimburse you when you need to cancel a trip for a covered reason. You'll also have the option to add protections like supplemental medical coverage during your trip.

The sooner you purchase the plan after making your first trip payment, the better. Many plans won't cover health conditions or cancellation for named storms or other circumstances that exist before the plan is purchased. So, generally speaking, the sooner you purchase the plan, the more things it'll cover.

You can also purchase cancel-for-any-reason insurance plans, but they can be pretty expensive.

That being said, anything you pay in a premium will eat into the cost savings you get from a refund. So, this is generally a better bet for your long-haul business-class ticket to Europe or Asia and less so for your coach ticket to Florida.

Bottom line

There may be cases where a nonrefundable ticket truly is nonrefundable.

However, with more flexible airline policies, federal refund policies and travel insurance plans or cards with insurance, don't automatically assume you're out of luck if you need to cancel a trip just because you booked a nonrefundable ticket.

Airline Travel Insurance vs. Independent Travel Insurance: Which Is Right for You?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

Airline travel insurance

Independent travel insurance, which one is right for you.

You’ve planned your travel, found a flight, and can’t wait to book the trip on the airline’s website. But right before you hit the payment button, you have one seemingly simple question to answer: Do you want to add travel insurance?

It’s a booking option that has stumped many a traveler. You may think you need it, but what does that airline insurance even cover? And would it be better to purchase separate travel insurance from an independent company instead? Here, we’ll help you break down that decision and figure out which one is right for you.

For starters, every airline’s travel protection coverage is different. Some airlines, like Southwest, don’t offer any sort of trip protection for purchase with regular flights, but they do have an insurance option for Southwest Vacations.

United, on the other hand, offers full travel insurance through a partnership with AIG, while British Airways offers protection with Allianz. So be aware that while you may purchase insurance through the airline, your policy is likely underwritten by a third-party insurer.

Airlines offer a wide variety of travel insurance policies with varying benefits, so ensure you read the fine print to understand your specific coverage. Here are some examples:

Trip cancellation or interruption, meaning you’ll get a refund of whatever you have paid (up to a certain amount) if you have to cancel or postpone your trip due to a covered reason.

Reimbursement for lost or delayed baggage.

Emergency medical coverage and/or assistance while traveling.

And coverage isn’t the only thing that can vary; so does price. One airline might sell a policy for less than $15, while others may be more than five times that amount. This is another instance in which it’s critical to compare the details of what you’re actually getting. Here are two example policies we found for sale via United and Alaska:

A few cons to consider

One potential downside of purchasing travel insurance through your airline is that you only have the option of that airline’s partner provider — which may not be your first choice, or may not offer the coverage you want or need.

United, for example, offers protection through AIG, which covers 100% of your trip cost if you have to cancel travel plans. British Airways, on the other hand, offers a plan through Allianz that only covers up to $1,000 for trip cancellation and protection (often less than the cost of a single international flight).

When booking travel protection or insurance through an airline, you usually won’t have the option to fully customize your plan. For example, if you’ll be participating in activities that aren’t approved by some plans (like bouldering, ballooning or even some volunteer work), you may not be able to upgrade to a plan that covers riskier activities.

However, if you’re not expecting to need any special coverage (though some would argue that you never expect to need it), clicking that box on the checkout page while booking your flight is often an easy and inexpensive option. Just make sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not to avoid disappointment if you ever have to make a claim.

» Learn more: What to do if you get sick while traveling overseas

Independent travel insurance, on the other hand, gives you the ability to shop around and choose a plan that’s right for you.

Using a comparison portal like SquareMouth (a NerdWallet partner) or an independent insurance agent will ensure you get coverage tailored to your trip and will allow you to select plans based on price or features.

For example, if packing important or valuable materials in your checked luggage, you may want a plan that has a higher baggage loss reimbursement. If traveling to a country where there’s a higher risk of contracting malaria or another disease, you may want insurance that offers more overseas medical coverage or medical evacuation. And hand-selecting the exact coverage you want or need is something you can only do if you shop around outside any coverage your airline offers.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Which option is right for you comes down to what type of coverage you need and how complex your travel plans are. If you’re taking a quick domestic trip to visit friends and family in a familiar destination and don’t plan to participate in any risky activities, airline-provided travel insurance may be enough protection for you.

On the other hand, if you’re planning the trip of a lifetime with multiple destinations, opportunities for volunteer work, participation in what some companies consider dangerous activities or travel to regions with limited medical care and higher chances of getting sick, it may be wise to consider independent insurance.

Remember that if your trip involves multiple airlines, car rental companies, accommodations and activities, it may be easier to deal with one independent insurance company that will cover your whole trip.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

Also, you may already have a credit card that comes with some travel protections if you use the card to purchase your trip. Check the fine print to see what protections your card might offer.

Whatever you choose, travel safe.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel Insurance vs. Travel Medical Insurance

You're planning a big trip you've been dreaming of for months or years. Whether that's a week on the beach or hiking to Everest Base Camp, having the right insurance can help protect you from unexpected expenses in case the worst happens. While travel insurance vs travel medical insurance sounds similar they offer different protections.

Understanding how travel insurance and travel medical insurance work can help ensure you've got the protection you need. Read on to understand travel insurance vs. travel medical so you don't get them confused before your next big trip.

What is Travel Insurance?

What Does Travel Insurance Cover? 
What Isn't Covered?

How Much Does It Cost?

Pros and cons, what is travel medical insurance.

What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover? 
Compare the Top Travel Insurance and Medical Insurance from Benzinga's Best Providers

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel insurance is used to cover unforeseen losses or expenses incurred while traveling. Travel insurance can cover domestic or international travel or may be limited to a specific trip or destination. Travel insurance covers cancellations due to injury or sickness, lost luggage or belongings and last-minute cancellations. Sometimes called comprehensive travel insurance, this type of plan rolls many unexpected problems into one comprehensive plan.

Travel insurance may cover medical expenses while traveling abroad that your normal health insurance doesn't cover, as well as emergency evacuation. However, since many people and even insurance providers use the two terms travel insurance and travel health insurance interchangeably, you should check if your travel insurance includes medical expenses and any limitations.

Travel insurance can be especially useful if your luggage is lost or stolen. If the airline loses your bags, getting them to pay for the lost luggage can be difficult. While in the United States, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to compensate fliers up to $3,300 for lost baggage; for International trips, the maximum is often $1,750. To get those amounts, you must provide receipts proving the value of the bags and contents.

Travel insurance can help cover the cost of the bags and contents. In addition, travel insurance may cover valuables like a high-quality camera, computer or other equipment you bring on your trip.

While nobody wants to cancel a tip at the last minute, travel insurance can help you recoup your costs if you can't go. For example, most resorts or cruise lines won’t give you a full refund in the event of a cancellation, and some won't offer any refund at all.

Most resorts will charge a cancellation fee, and many cruise lines might only give you a small refund or partial credit for another cruise. Unforeseen circumstances happen, and they rarely happen months beforehand. If you're forced to forfeit the vacation, you should be able to get the money back with the help of travel insurance.

Even if you have a credit card that provides limited travel insurance coverage for cancellations or interruptions, travel insurance can offer an additional backup, including travel medical insurance. You can start researching options with the best cheap travel insurance or the best credit cards with travel insurance included.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

While coverage may vary by insurance company, travel insurance usually covers:

Lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed baggage
Emergency medical expenses, such as the cost of treatment away from home
Emergency medical evacuation or repatriation
Costs of canceling or delaying your trip
Lost or stolen passports, travel documents or money
Travel or accommodation cancellations
Delayed flights
Missed departures
Cutting your trip short for reasons outside your control
Disruptions to travel or accommodation, such as delays and cancellations
Legal costs, in case you’re sued for damaging property or causing injury
Personal liability if you cause an accident or injure someone
Equipment like cameras and computers or high-risk activities for additional cost

What Isn’t Covered?

While policies vary, most travel insurance policies won't cover:

Pre-existing medical conditions
High-risk sports and adventure activities without an additional rider
Travel to certain high-risk destinations
Changing your mind about traveling
Incidents arising from alcohol or drug use

The costs of travel insurance vary by the coverage amount, deductibles and additional riders. Most policies cost between 4% and 10% of the trip’s prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

For example, if you've prepaid hotel accommodations and flights that total $1,800, you can expect to pay $72 to $180 for travel insurance. However, adding a high-risk activity rider, traveling to certain destinations or the age and health of the travelers may also affect the final costs.

Suppose Kate and Sam are a healthy couple planning a European vacation in the summer of 2025. They book tickets and hotels for a total of $4,400. The hotels will refund up to 50% of the $2,200 cost as long as they cancel at least a month in advance. But the airline tickets are non-refundable. Kate and Sam decide they don't want to risk that major dream vacation expense. They purchase travel insurance for $220 with a 100% refund policy if forced to cancel their trip.

There are various pros and cons to travel insurance. The pros can include:

Peace of mind around trip planning
Financial protection in case of delays, cancellations or other unforeseen events beyond your control
The cost of a hotel in case of an overnight delayed flight
Lost baggage protection policies better than most airline policies

Before buying travel insurance, consider the possible cons:

4% to 10% of your total non-refundable trip cost can add up. If you have a few trips a year, you could spend $500 to $1,000-plus in travel insurance.
Travel insurance doesn't cover every scenario, leaving you unprotected in certain cases, even with travel insurance.
Most travel insurance doesn't cover voluntary cancellation if you change your mind.

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of medical care while you travel. In most cases, you'll only need travel medical insurance if you travel internationally. However, if your primary medical insurance is limited to your state or certain local providers, getting travel medical insurance could be necessary for domestic travel.

Travel medical insurance is designed to reimburse you for medical bills arising from illness or injury while traveling. It usually has a start and end date around a specific trip. Coverage depends on your policy and provider and may include a deductible or other limitations. Travel medical insurance also typically covers the cost of repatriation or medical airlift but may not cover certain high-risk activities without a specialized rider.

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of medical care during travel, from an ear infection to an X-ray for a possible broken ankle to more serious treatments or surgeries. If your appendix ruptures on vacation, you don't want to have to worry about how you'll pay the hospital bill â€” travel medical insurance should cover it.

What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover?

The possible coverage for standard travel medical insurance includes:

Emergency medical care
Medications due to new conditions while traveling such as antibiotics
Medical transportation or airlift
Necessary treatments and standard diagnosis processes, including x-rays, MRIs or other medically necessary tests
Repatriation to your home country in case of an accident or death

Standard travel medical insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions or regular prescription medicines. Travel medical insurance also may not cover:

Injury or illness due to high-risk sports and adventure activities, including skiing or hiking above certain altitudes without an additional rider
Travel to certain high-risk destinations
Regular prescriptions or medical care for pre-existing medical conditions, although this varies by provider

The costs of travel medical insurance are affected by your age, health, destination and length of the trip, as well as coverage limit and deductibles. It could cost as little as $0.50 a day or anywhere from $4 to $100 for a week-long trip.

For travel medical insurance, age and overall health play a major role in costs. A healthy 30-year-old could get travel health insurance for under $20, while a person who is 70-plus might have to pay $100 to $150 for the same coverage.

Many plans let you choose coverage amounts from $100,000 to $1 million or more. You can also choose a deductible from $100 to $1,000 or more. Choosing lower total coverage or a higher deductible can help reduce total costs. However, if you need to add high-risk sport riders or high-risk destination coverage, your total costs could increase significantly.

For travel medical insurance, the pros significantly outweigh the cons. Pros include:

Peace of mind knowing you can get the medical care you need at your destination.
It can cover medical care for minor illnesses or injuries to major medical treatments.
Offers a plan or coverage amount relative to your destination and individual needs.
Get transportation, airlift or other expensive medical treatments covered with travel health insurance.

Here are the cons of travel health insurance:

The extra costs can add to the total trip costs.
If you're young and healthy, the probability of needing travel health insurance is low, but costs still add up.
Your primary medical insurance may already offer travel health insurance, making it redundant.
Medical care is often so inexpensive in certain destinations (such as Southeast Asia or Latin America) that you might not need insurance to cover costs for healthcare.

While these cons basically say, "it costs something, and you might not need it," that is the definition of insurance. You hope you never need it, but when you do, that extra layer of protection means you can focus on healing. For that reason, there aren't cons to medical travel insurance. The relatively small cost to ensure your health is protected is worth it.

Compare the Top Travel Insurance and Medical Insurance from Benzinga’s Best Providers

Find the top travel insurance or medical travel insurance here, from trusted providers. Be sure to compare coverage limits, deductibles and other factors before choosing the best policy for you.

This provides a broad overview of your policy provisions and does not revise or amend the policy. Insurance coverages are underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, NAIC #11150, under policy series LTP 2013 and amendments thereto. Plans are offered and disseminated by registered travel retailers on behalf of Arch Insurance Solutions Inc., a licensed travel insurance producer* (CA License #0I18111, TX License #1787195). Both the travel insurance producer and the underwriter referenced above may be reached at 1-844-872-4163. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage. Certain terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply and coverages may vary in certain states. Please refer to your policy for detailed terms and conditions. Consumer Disclosures can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/disclosures/. Privacy policy can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/roamright-website-privacy-policy/ *Plans are solicited by licensed producers in NY and HI.

If you're taking a weekend road trip two hours away, you might not need travel insurance. But if the trip is costly, with one or more non-refundable bookings, travel insurance can give you peace of mind. And any time you travel beyond the coverage area of your primary health insurance, medical insurance can give you not only peace of mind but ensure you get healthcare when you need it.

Fortunately, there are many options to choose from. You can check out some of the best travel insurance companies to get the best travel health insuranc e or specialized policies. Find the best travel insurance for seniors . If you're traveling abroad, you can also find the best international travel insurance .

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need both travel insurance and travel medical insurance for my trip.

Whether you need travel insurance and travel medical insurance will depend on the type of policy. Some policies offer comprehensive coverage that includes both travel insurance and travel health insurance, while others are limited, so you may need separate policies.

Can I purchase travel medical insurance separately from travel insurance?

Yes, you can usually purchase travel medical insurance separately from travel insurance.

Are pre-existing conditions covered by travel medical insurance?

Normally, travel medical insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, you could sometimes obtain a pre-existing condition exclusion add-on to coverage.

About Alison Plaut

Alison Kimberly is a freelance content writer with a Sustainable MBA, uniquely qualified to help individuals and businesses achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and financial profitability. She has been writing for various non-profit organizations for 15+ years. When not writing, you will find her promoting education and meditation in the developing world, or hiking and enjoying nature.

IMAGES

Buy A Refundable Plane Ticket: Hassle-Free Travel Assurance
Pros and Cons of Refundable Airfare Tickets for Corporate Travel
Buying Refundable Airline Tickets: Secure Your Travel Flexibility
Top 5 Airlines with Refundable Tickets in USA
How refundable are Delta "Refundable Main" tickets? : r/delta
Are Plane Tickets Refundable?

VIDEO

Cash app vs travel insurance
Get Ready with GInsure Travel Insurance
Travel Talk: Should I Get Travel Insurance?
Medical Insurance vs. Travel Insurance vs. International Medical Card

COMMENTS

Trip Insurance vs. Refundable Ticket
It means if you book a refundable ticket with the airline, that is what you have (you need to check if they charge admin fees). If you use a OTA (Online Travel Agent) they have their own set of terms and conditions which means you don't get a full refund if you cancel. Report inappropriate content. TravellerPlus.
Choosing Flight Insurance vs. Refundable Tickets
Broader coverage with travel insurance. The refundable ticket you purchase from the airline typically provides reimbursement for the ticket itself, and most airlines will let you cancel your flight for any reason as long as you purchased the refundable ticket (which is often a more expensive option). Your refundable airline ticket is just that ...
Are plane tickets refundable? All you need to know
Most airlines offer both refundable and non-refundable plane tickets, and each airline is free to establish its own rules and fees for cancellations and refunds. It's always best to check an airline's own policies before booking, as travel agencies or websites may have their own refund rules.
When plans go wrong: Your guide to booking refundable travel
You can expect the plan to cost at least 10-12% of your total trip expenses. You may have to insure 100% of your trip costs in addition to canceling your trip at least 48 hours before departure time to receive a refund of up to 75% of the trip cost. For additional guidance, check out our guide to independent travel insurance plans.
What Is Flight Insurance and Is It Worth It?
Standard travel insurance policies with pre- and post-departure benefits compensate you for trip costs, including non-refundable plane tickets, if you cancel a trip for reasons covered in your ...
Are Plane Tickets Refundable?
Basic economy tickets are typically ineligible. Although many basic economy tickets were refundable and changeable throughout 2020-2021, those benefits have generally been eliminated. These ...
When You Don't Need to Buy Travel Insurance
Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. No annual fee: Bank of ...
Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Airline Tickets: Which One to Choose
In many instances, it is better to purchase travel insurance instead of refundable airline tickets, as these tickets can cost 4x as much as non-refundable tickets. The caveat is that a standard travel insurance policy only covers some reasons for cancellations, and there are several insurance exclusions you should know about before buying a ...
Refundable Tickets vs Trip Insurance
Refundable Tickets vs Trip Insurance. The last time I purchased Trip Insurance it cost me a bit under $200 for a Cancel For Any Reason policy on $3000.00. Full fare (refundable tickets) would have cost a lot more than that; and the discount tickets allowed changes for $250. Turkish Air held one ticket open for me for almost 6 months.
What is Flight Insurance? Cancellation & Delay Protection Info
Flight insurance is a coverage option that is most often available as an add-on when booking an airline ticket, either from an airline directly or through a third-party site, like Expedia or Priceline. Flight insurance is a "light" type of coverage due to the lower plan limits compared to other options. Every insurance plan, including ...
What to Know About Refundable vs. Nonrefundable Plane Tickets
Here's what you need to know before you book. According to the U.S. Travel Association, air travel demand was up 12 percent in July 2023 compared to July 2022. If you're one of the many ...
travel insurance vs refundable ticket
Refundable tickets can be canceled for any reason, and you will get a full refund of your ticket price. Most airlines offer refundable tickets, but the cost can vary depending on the airline, the route, and the time of purchase. Generally, the earlier you purchase your ticket, the cheaper the refundable option is.
What's The Difference Between Travel Protection And Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a regulated product that covers losses that you might face while traveling. These can include car rental damage, flight delays, lost luggage, medical expenses and trip ...
How to Use Travel Insurance to Cancel a Flight
The steps necessary to cancel a flight with travel insurance vary by travel insurance company, but many have the same basic process for submitting a claim. 1. Cancel your flight with the airline ...
5 Airlines That Offer Refundable Plane Tickets
U.S. airlines that offer refundable and non-refundable tickets include Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, United, and American. Here's why you should also consider the potential for refunds when choosing ...
Is Flight Insurance Worth It?
The flight insurance add-on is provided by Travel Guard and costs $14 to insure a $213 flight. The plan includes: a flight refund (i.e., trip cancellation insurance) if you cannot travel for a ...
Guide to canceling flights and getting a refund with US airlines
When canceling a basic economy fare for travel originating in the U.S. or Canada for travel to the Caribbean, Central America or Mexico, the fee is $99. For all other routes, the cancellation fee is twice the amount, at $199. Unfortunately, basic economy flights originating in Mexico cannot be canceled.
Travel Insurance for Cancelled Flights
"A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline canceled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel," says the Department of Transportation. This applies even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket. However, airlines often will issue that refund in the form of a travel credit or voucher, instead of cash.
What's Refundable (Or Not) When You Change or Cancel Flights?
Delta. Delta allows travelers who booked basic economy tickets to pay a fee to choose their seat beginning seven days before their flight departs, with fees ranging from as low as $10 to $45 or more. But these fees are nonrefundable, meaning you'll be out that money - and more in change fees - if you change or cancel your flight or even if ...
Refundable fares or travel insurance?
The insurance is $600 but the difference in fares is about $3,000. $600 for travel insurance sounds like a rip off. Most buy non-refundable and the insurance offered with the plane ticket. $600 for cancellation insurance only on the plane fare and hotels looks awfully high to me.
Flight Cancellation Insurance
The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your trip costs, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of travel insurance rates. For a $5,000 trip, the average travel insurance outlay is ...
How to refund a nonrefundable airline ticket
However, with more flexible airline policies, federal refund policies and travel insurance plans or cards with insurance, don't automatically assume you're out of luck if you need to cancel a trip ...
Can You Get a Refund on Travel Insurance?
Yes, getting a travel insurance refund is possible, depending on when you cancel the policy. To qualify for a premium refund, most insurance companies require the policy to be canceled during the ...
Airline Travel Insurance vs. Independent Travel Insurance: Which Is
A few cons to consider. One potential downside of purchasing travel insurance through your airline is that you only have the option of that airline's partner provider — which may not be your ...
Travel Insurance vs. Travel Medical Insurance
Plans are offered and disseminated by registered travel retailers on behalf of Arch Insurance Solutions Inc., a licensed travel insurance producer* (CA License #0I18111, TX License #1787195).