Refunds corner

The 24-hour rule (US DOT)

Under 14 CFR 259.5, US-located carriers (and foreign carriers selling in the US) must allow you to cancel a ticket within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund if the ticket was booked at least 7 days before departure. This applies to ALL fare classes, including Basic Economy. It applies to the carrier's own site; some OTAs honour it, some don't — read the OTA's fine print.

Weather delays and cancellations

Weather-related cancellations are classified as outside-carrier-control events. Under US DOT rules, you are entitled to a full refund if the carrier cancels your flight, regardless of cause, when you choose not to accept a rebooking. However, meals, hotel, and re-accommodation expenses are not automatic for weather events.

Schedule changes

If the carrier changes your departure or arrival time meaningfully (typically > 60 min for domestic, > 120 min for international), you can usually choose to accept the change, switch to an alternative flight at no fee, or refund. Definitions of "meaningful" vary:

• Hawaiian, Alaska: ≥ 60 min triggers refund or free rebook.
• United, Delta, American: ≥ 90 min on domestic, ≥ 120 min on international.
• Qantas, Air NZ, JAL, ANA: ≥ 120 min generally triggers refund or rebook on most fare classes.

Basic Economy and refunds

Basic Economy fares are generally non-refundable after the 24-hour window. Notable exceptions:

• If the carrier cancels — full refund regardless of fare class.
• If a schedule change crosses the carrier's threshold — refund or free rebook.
• If you fall under DOT-protected medical or military circumstances — partial refund available with documentation.

Trip insurance

Partner sites typically offer trip-insurance upsells. They cover specific named events (illness, death, jury duty) and exclude many others ("change of mind", forecast weather you knew about at purchase). Read the policy before buying; pre-existing condition waivers usually require purchase within 14 days of the initial deposit.

How to request a refund

We cannot process refunds — we never held the booking. Refunds are processed by whoever issued the ticket: the partner OTA or the airline directly. Steps:

1. Open the booking on the original partner site or airline app.
2. Choose "Manage trip" → "Cancel" or "Refund request".
3. Note the case number you receive — refunds can take 7–21 business days to land on the original payment method.
4. If declined and you believe you're entitled, file a DOT complaint at airconsumer.dot.gov.