Flight Cancellation: Partial Refund Guide

Understand partial refund policies and maximize your recovery. Learn when you qualify for partial refunds and how to claim them effectively.

Understanding Partial Refunds

Partial refunds are common for non-refundable tickets or passenger-initiated cancellations. The amount you receive depends on your ticket type, timing of cancellation, and airline policies.

While not as favorable as full refunds, partial refunds can still help recover some of your investment when circumstances prevent you from traveling.

Types of Partial Refunds

Non-Refundable Tickets

Basic economy or discounted fares

Refund Type: Partial credit

Timeframe: Varies by airline

Passenger-Initiated Cancellation

When you cancel your own flight

Refund Type: Partial refund

Timeframe: 7-14 days

Change Fees Applied

Refund minus change fees

Refund Type: Partial refund

Timeframe: 5-10 days

How It Works

Review Ticket Terms

Check your ticket type and refund policy

Calculate Refund Amount

Determine what portion you can recover

Submit Refund Request

Contact airline with cancellation details

Receive Partial Refund

Get refund processed minus applicable fees

Partial Refund Policies

Ticket Type	Refund Amount	Processing Time	Fees
Non-refundable	Partial credit	7-14 days	Change fees apply
Basic economy	No refund	N/A	Full forfeiture
Standard economy	Partial refund	10-14 days	Cancellation fees

Pro Tips

Check your ticket type before booking - refundable tickets offer better protection.

Some airlines offer travel credits instead of cash refunds.

Change fees are often deducted from partial refunds.

Consider travel insurance for non-refundable bookings.

Act quickly as some partial refunds have time limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of my ticket can I get back?

It varies by airline and ticket type. Non-refundable tickets typically offer travel credits, while refundable tickets may get 50-90% back after fees.

Can I get cash instead of travel credit?

Some airlines offer cash refunds for partial cancellations, but many provide travel credits that must be used within a specific timeframe.

How do change fees affect partial refunds?

Change fees are typically deducted from your refund amount, reducing the total you receive back.

Is there a deadline for requesting partial refunds?

Yes, most airlines require refund requests within 30-90 days of the original travel date, depending on the ticket type.