In this day and age, you just never know if a flight you have booked is actually going to get used. In some cases, the airline cancels the flight. There are other instances when you are forced to cancel because your destination does not even have open lodging available for you.
While you know that it is important to plan ahead for any travel that you might embark on, it is also helpful to know that you are not throwing your money away. After all, it’s hard-earned money and no one wants to waste it. That is why you will want to heed the following advice to help you get a refund even when your booked flight is nonrefundable.
Choose Airlines To Do Not Have a Change Fee
Many routes out there offer you a choice of multiple airlines. Within a certain range, you will discover that the fares are generally the same. You can make your decision based on the airline that does not charge you a change fee. Think of it as a travel revolution. If enough people start doing this, then other airlines will need to start rethinking their policy.
If your plans change, you will be able to change the date without having to pay any type of fee. Frontier and Southwest Airlines are two popular choices for carriers that do not currently charge a change fee under most circumstances. Finding such airlines, however, can be difficult. Sometimes, your timings won’t match and sometimes you will read bad reviews about their service.
Remember That You Can Cancel Within 24 Hours of Booking
There are times when you book a trip and then almost immediately realize that something is wrong. Either you got the date wrong or you have had a change of heart. Other times, you might discover that there is no longer a reason to go. If any of these events happen within 24 hours of you booking your flight, you are entitled to a full refund. This even applies to the buyer’s remorse. This allows you to book confidently knowing that you can get your money back if something happens right away.
You Do Have Rights When a Flight is Cancelled
There are also certain rights that you have when the airline cancels a flight. You are almost always entitled to a full refund in such a situation. You can just submit a travel refund claim if the airline is giving you a hard time. In many cases, the airline may try to get you to accept a travel voucher to use on future travel. You do not have to accept this. TravelRefund notes that this happens because “airlines often claim extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying a claim, but that can sometimes be disputed in court based on the situation.” You should always work to get your cash returned to you. It should be refunded the same way that you paid for it. A voucher has certain limitations and conditions, so you want to avoid that. Money is the way to go.
It is important to protect any investment that you make in your travel plans. Life can happen when you least expect it. This should not mean that you lose your money. You have rights, so make sure that you follow this advice to get your ticket refunded in the event of a cancellation.
Did They Change the Schedule?
If you are canceling the flight because the airline changed the schedule, then you have the right to get a full refund. After all, you selected the flight that was best according to your needs. What would be the point of taking the flight after the weekend is over or when the time for the job interview has passed? So, in this case, airline companies are bound to pay you back. If they try to lie and make a fool of you, remind them that it’s their legal duty and the person dealing with you would be held responsible later.
Cut the Call and Call Again
There could also be the case when you are at fault. The airline was following its schedule and everything, but you have to cancel the flight that is non-refundable. You will obviously have to request them in such a scenario. When you call the customer service for the request, they will surely deny it. You might try to convince them and then they might change their minds. Either way, if it doesn’t work, here is another solution. Hang up the call and call them again. This time a different representative will respond who might be a bit more cooperating than the first one.
Wait Until the Last Minute
No airline company has any obligation to refund your tickets unless it’s predefined in their service policy. When you call them to ask for a refund, they are most likely to deny your request. After all, it’s your fault that you didn’t catch that flight and they had nothing to do with it. However, if it had something to do with them, they would gladly repay you. While it leaves the matter to luck, there is a chance that the flight might be canceled or delayed for some reason. That’s why you should wait until the last minute before canceling your tickets. If something came up from their side, they will have to give you a full refund.
Better to Stick with the Truth
Airline representatives deal with all types of people on a regular basis. If you are planning to use a long sad story to get their sympathy, there is no need to waste your time and energy. They hear such stories every day and they know when you are making things up. It may be hard to believe considering today’s world, but honesty really is the best policy. Simply tell them the truth and politely ask for their help. This way, the representative is more likely to consider your request and might get you that refund.
