How to get a refund for a cancelled flight

1. Confirm who cancelled and what you bought

Keep the cancellation notice, booking confirmation, payment receipt and flight numbers. Record whether the airline cancelled the flight or you cancelled a ticket yourself: voluntary cancellation normally follows the fare rules, not the airline-cancellation rules.

Check whether connecting flights are on one reservation or separate tickets. One itinerary displayed by a booking website does not always mean one protected airline booking.

2. Choose a refund or an alternative journey

For flights covered by EU or UK passenger-rights rules, airline cancellation gives a choice between reimbursement, rerouting at the earliest opportunity, or rerouting later at your convenience subject to seats being available. If you choose reimbursement, it is normally due within seven days under those rules.

Reimbursement can cover unused parts of the ticket and parts already flown if the journey no longer serves its original purpose; a return flight to the first departure point may also be due. The details depend on your itinerary. Refund and rerouting are alternatives, not two payments for the same ticket.

In the US, airlines must provide refunds for cancelled or significantly changed flights to, from or within the US when you do not accept alternative transport or travel credits. The DOT states seven business days for credit-card payments and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. Ticket-agent responsibilities can differ; identify who took your payment.

3. Request it through the correct booking channel

Start with the airline or the agent that sold the ticket. State that the airline cancelled the flight, that you are declining alternative travel, and that you want reimbursement to the original payment method rather than a voucher. Include your reference, travel date and cancellation evidence.

If you booked on Kiwi.com, open that booking in your Kiwi.com account and follow the available cancellation/refund options or contact its official Help Center. Read the offer carefully: any agency service, refund assistance or disruption product is separate from the airline’s legal obligations. Never share your account password or full card details in a complaint.

4. Check whether compensation is also due

EU and UK cancellation compensation is separate from the ticket refund. It can depend on notice, distance, replacement-flight times and the cause. Cancellation with at least 14 days’ notice generally does not qualify; shorter notice can also be exempt where a suitable rerouting is offered.

Extraordinary circumstances, such as certain severe-weather disruptions, can remove the compensation obligation. They do not automatically remove the choice of refund or rerouting on a covered cancelled flight. Do not assume a cancellation guarantees compensation.

5. Keep records and escalate a delayed refund

Ask for a written response and retain the case number. Keep a timeline of your request, replies, the chosen option and any promised payment date. If the applicable deadline passes, follow up with the company responsible for the refund.

If unresolved, check the airline’s approved alternative dispute resolution scheme or the relevant national enforcement body. For US flight-refund issues, the DOT accepts aviation consumer complaints. If considering a card dispute, ask your card issuer about evidence and deadlines; recovery is not guaranteed.

What about hotels, meals and airport transfers?

A ticket refund is not automatically reimbursement for every other trip expense. EU/UK care obligations can include reasonable meals and overnight accommodation while waiting for eligible rerouting. Keep itemised receipts and ask the airline before booking expensive replacements.

Check travel insurance and the exact terms of any separately purchased disruption protection for other losses. Avoid claiming the same cost twice. If you choose a refund and stop travelling, continuing care may end.