Flight Cancellation Guide: Rights, Refunds & What to Do

Must-read before canceling your flight! Avoid getting hit with "no-show" fees by canceling too late. We’ll show you how to check fare rules, flight change announcements, and refund eligibility to help budget travelers minimize losses. Plus, we’ve compared the policies for China Airlines, EVA Air, Starlux Airlines, and Tigerair Taiwan.

Need to cancel your flight? Start by understanding the difference between booking platforms and airlines.

Whether you come down sick at the last minute, a typhoon rolls in, or you get stuck at the office with unexpected overtime, many travelers face their first flight cancellation with zero prep. The toughest part usually isn’t deciding whether to cancel—it’s not knowing what to do next. The very first step isn’t checking if you can get a refund; it’s confirming where you bought your ticket. Depending on the booking channel, the cancellation process, fees, and refund timeline can all be different.

Let’s start with the big picture: there are two main scenarios:

• Through a third-party booking platform
• Book directly on the airline's official website

How to Cancel Your Flight Ticket

white and blue airplane under white clouds during daytime Via Unsplash (by Géraud Gordias)

If you booked your flight through Trip.com, the actual cancellation isn't decided by the platform itself. Instead, it follows the fare rules of your ticket, and the platform handles the request with the airline on your behalf. For first-timers, this is actually quite user-friendly, as most of the process can be completed entirely online.

How do I cancel my flight on my own?

Most of the time, you can handle it right in the app or on the website—no need to call customer service:

• After signing in to your account, go to 'My Orders'.
• Select the "Flight" booking.
• Click "Refund/Cancel Ticket"
• The system displays in real time:
• • Refundable?
  • Estimated amount to be deducted
  • Final Refund Amount

As long as the refund amount and conditions are clear, our platform will process your flight cancellation request immediately. If the situation requires manual confirmation from the airline, one of our dedicated specialists will step in to assist you.

Can I get a full refund if my flight schedule changes?

If your flight is canceled or significantly rescheduled due to airline-related issues, you'll typically see a "Flight Change Refund" option right on your order page.
In practice, here’s how you can tell:

• If the system shows a cancellation fee of 0, it usually means you’re eligible for a full refund.
• Ultimately, whether you can receive a full refund is subject to the airline’s final decision.

This is also why the platform runs through the requirements for you up front, so you don’t have to go back and forth with the airline to confirm them.

How long will it take for my refund to be processed?

This is the part that makes most people the most anxious, but honestly, it's also the hardest to pin down with an exact timeline. Here’s the general process:

• The platform has completed processing your ticket refund.
• The airline has confirmed and issued a refund.
• Posted by your bank or credit card issuer

The actual refund processing time typically takes a few weeks, though it can occasionally stretch to 1–2 months. Please rest assured that this doesn't mean there's an error in the process; it simply reflects the varying processing times at each stage.

Can I cancel my add-on services at the same time?

One thing to keep in mind is:

• Extra Baggage
• Insurance
• Seat selection

Heads up—these add-ons aren’t always refunded along with your flight ticket. Each one has its own refund terms, so be sure to check them separately.

Request a ticket cancellation directly on the airline’s official website

If you booked your flight directly through the airline's official website, all cancellation policies and procedures will be governed entirely by that airline's fare rules, without any third-party platform to help interpret them. In this case, the most important thing is knowing exactly what type of ticket you purchased.

What should you keep in mind when an airline cancels your ticket?

Fare Flexibility

• Flexible tickets: typically refundable, though a service fee applies.
• Discounted or promotional tickets: These are usually non-refundable, though you can often get the taxes back.

How It Works

• "Manage Booking" on our official website
• Customer Support
• Airport Ticketing Counter (select cases only)

Common Fees

• Airline ticket refund processing fee
• Fare for flown segments
• For non-refundable tickets, only unused taxes will be refunded.

Some special ticket types—such as award tickets booked with miles or round-trip tickets where one segment has already been flown—may only be handled by customer service and can’t be completed online.

Essential Things to Check Before Canceling Your Flight

Whether you’re canceling through the platform or the airline’s official website, be sure to double-check these things before you hit submit—so you don’t end up wasting your time:

• Is your ticket still valid? (Most tickets are valid for one year from the date of issuance.)
• Has the cancellation window allowed by the fare rules already passed?
• Is it marked as non-refundable (NON-REF)?
• Does this include any add-on services that require separate processing?

If you're dealing with a flight cancellation for the first time, don't worry—it's actually not as complicated as you might think if you just take it step by step. The key isn't to rush into requesting a refund, but to first clarify three things: where you booked, what kind of ticket you have, and whether it's refundable. Once you've got those sorted, the rest of the process will go much smoother.

How Are Airline Ticket Refund Fees Calculated? There’s a Big Difference Between Voluntary and Involuntary Refunds

In the previous section, we clarified that where you buy your ticket can affect how cancellations work. Now for the bigger question—why are you canceling? Under airline rules, ticket cancellations generally fall into two buckets: "voluntary refunds" and "involuntary refunds." Which bucket you’re in determines whether you’ll pay fees, how much you’ll get back, and whether a full refund is on the table. If you’re worried about getting hit with a bunch of charges, start by matching your situation to the two scenarios below—chances are, you’ll find your answer.

Voluntary Ticket Cancellation (Passenger’s Personal Reasons)

A voluntary flight cancellation refers to when a traveler initiates a refund due to personal reasons, such as a sudden illness, a change in plans, unexpected work commitments, or family emergencies. This type of cancellation often involves the most significant variations in fees and is the scenario where travelers are most likely to run into unexpected pitfalls.

How are the typical fees for voluntarily canceling a flight calculated?

In practice, this is calculated based on the fare rules of your ticket. Common scenarios include:

• Refund fees or penalties
• • It's almost guaranteed to be charged.
  • Some are fixed amounts.
  • Some are 10% to 50% of the ticket price.
  • Special and promotional fares are often marked “nonrefundable,” meaning you’ll forfeit the entire fare.
• Value of used flight segments
• • For example, the outbound leg of a round-trip ticket has already been flown.
  • Airlines typically calculate the value of the used portion of your ticket based on the "one-way standard fare."
  • If the value already used exceeds the original ticket price, there may be no refund available.
• Can I get a refund for unused taxes?
• • Even if it’s a non-refundable ticket
  • In most cases, you can still get a refund for unused government taxes.
  • However, the booking service fee and certain surcharges are usually non-refundable.

Could Skipping Your Flight Make Things Worse? Watch Out for No-Show Fees

Many first-time flight cancellers often overlook this:

• If you didn't board your flight
• and failed to cancel before the required deadline
• You can cancel or change your flight later.

Airlines may charge an additional "no-show fee," which could reduce an already small refund even further.

If I’m sick, could you reduce the deduction a little?

A few airlines may offer flexible options for the following situations:

• The passenger is unable to fly due to health reasons.
• Can provide a medical certificate that meets the requirements
• Sometimes, even family members traveling with you can apply together.

However, whether service fees can be waived—and how to apply—depends entirely on each airline’s policies, and you’ll usually need to submit your request within your ticket’s validity period.

Involuntary Ticket Cancellations (by the airline or due to force majeure)

Compared to voluntary cancellations, involuntary flight cancellations offer travelers significantly more protection. This type of situation means it’s not that you don’t want to fly, but rather that you simply can’t fly as originally planned.

What counts as an involuntary ticket cancellation?

Common reasons include:

• Flight Canceled
• Significant change to the departure or arrival time
• Unable to board due to overbooking
• Natural disasters, typhoons, and pandemics
• Government-issued travel restrictions or border closures

As long as your case meets the airline’s criteria for an involuntary situation, you can usually expect a more accommodating process.

How are involuntary ticket cancellations usually handled?

Most airlines offer one of the following options with no refund processing fee:

• Change your dates or flights for free
• • Make changes within the ticket's validity period
  • Typically, the origin and destination must remain the same.
• Full refund
• • If the ticket is completely unused: full refund.
  • Partially used: refund the value of the unused flight segments

If you booked your flight through Trip.com and your flight change qualifies for a full refund under the airline's policy, we'll handle the refund request for you directly. No need to go back and forth with the airline—we've got you covered!

Why do involuntary refunds sometimes take so long?

Please note—especially regarding involuntary ticket cancellations:

• Typhoon
• Pandemic
• Major Flight Schedule Changes

It’s common for many travelers to submit requests at the same time, so airlines need to announce a consistent policy and process each case individually. As a result, refunds may naturally take longer than usual—rest assured, this doesn’t mean your request was unsuccessful.

Essential Tips to Read Before Canceling Your Flight

We’ve already sorted out the difference between voluntary and involuntary flight cancellations. Before you do anything, remember the golden rule: whether your ticket is refundable—and how much might be deducted—isn’t about guesswork; it’s all in the fare rules. Especially if it’s your first time dealing with a cancellation, skipping even one quick check could leave you paying fees you didn’t need to.

Before you submit your flight cancellation request, be sure to quickly check these few things:

• Refund terms are determined by the Fare Rules in effect when you book—refund conditions can vary widely by route and fare type.
• Keep an eye on the latest announcements from airlines and your booking platform—during flight disruptions, typhoons, or other special events, temporary policies may differ from the standard rules.
• Don’t assume past experience fits the present: just because your last booking was refundable doesn’t mean this one is, too.

China Airlines Ticket Cancellation Policy

Once you’ve confirmed whether your ticket cancellation is “voluntary” or “involuntary,” the next step is to check the policy of the airline you’re actually flying. Even for flights departing Taiwan, fare flexibility, refund fees, and how cancellations are handled can vary quite a bit from one airline to another—especially between low-cost carriers and legacy airlines, where the rules for canceling tickets are almost entirely different.

*All fees and terms mentioned are general guidelines; the final refund amount will be determined by the fare rules in effect when you booked your ticket.

China Airlines Voluntary Ticket Cancellation (Passenger-Initiated Request)

If you choose to cancel your ticket for personal reasons, China Airlines will calculate your refund based on the fare type you purchased and the timing of your refund request:

• Eligibility for Online Ticket Refunds
• • Tickets purchased through China Airlines’ official website or app, or at any local branch office or airport counter.
  • If you booked through a travel agency, please contact them directly to handle your request.
• Differences in Ticket Refund Fees and Policies
• • Refund processing fees and no-show fees: These are charged according to the fare rules, and you must submit your request before the flight departs. If you don’t cancel your booking before departure and don’t board the flight, an additional no-show fee may apply.
  • Partially used or changed tickets: If you’ve already flown one segment, the refund value for the remaining segments will be recalculated according to the applicable fare rules and may include taxes only or a portion of the fare.
  • 24-Hour Refund Policy: For select flights departing from or arriving in the U.S. and South Korea, you can request a full refund (at no extra cost) if you cancel within 24 hours of booking, provided your flight is scheduled to depart at least 7 days later.
• Refunds for add-on products
• • Extra services such as preferred seats and prepaid baggage are usually fully refundable (subject to the product's terms and conditions).

China Airlines Involuntary Ticket Cancellation (Airline-Related Reasons)

If a flight is canceled, delayed, rescheduled, or affected by other force majeure factors (such as weather or aircraft maintenance issues), China Airlines generally offers more flexibility:

• Fee-free cancellations and refunds
• • Under these circumstances, China Airlines typically offers a refund option with the refund handling fee waived. If you’re holding the original ticket, you can cancel it without being charged any service fees.
  • Related add-ons (such as preferred seating and prepaid baggage) may also be eligible for a full refund.
• Change and Rebooking Options
• • If you need to switch to another flight on the same airline, China Airlines may offer complimentary rebooking (subject to applicable conditions). Typical requirements include a deadline for making the change and keeping the same fare class, along with a few other rules.

Practical Steps for Canceling a China Airlines Ticket

1. Log in to the official China Airlines website or app
2. Go to the "Manage Booking/Refund" feature
3. Enter your booking code and traveler information
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to view your refundable amount and any processing fees.
5. Confirm and submit your ticket refund request

If you purchased your ticket through a travel agency or a third-party platform, please request your refund through the same channel.

EVA Air Ticket Cancellation Policy

EVA Air’s ticket cancellation logic is similar to China Airlines, but the difference in flexibility across fare types is even more noticeable. If you don’t pay attention when you book, you’ll really feel it when you try to cancel.

Voluntary Flight Cancellation

Apply online on the official website

• If you submit a ticket cancellation request directly through EVA Air’s official website, you’ll usually avoid any refund processing fees, and you’ll be refunded the government taxes and surcharges for any unused flight segments.
• Please be sure to submit your refund request before your originally scheduled flight departs; otherwise, you may be considered a no-show and incur additional fees.

Handled by a customer service representative

• If you choose to cancel through the Customer Service Center, some fare types or situations (for example, award tickets redeemed with miles) may incur a fee—for example, about a $50 service fee (subject to the actual fare rules).

Refund rules for partially used tickets

• If you cancel your ticket after you’ve already flown some segments, the remaining unused portion will be repriced and the corresponding taxes and surcharges will be refunded; the fare for the segments already flown is non-refundable.

Special Refund Conditions (U.S. Routes)

• If you book flights to or from the United States and submit a cancellation request within 24 hours of booking, and the first segment departs at least 7 days (168 hours) after the ticket is issued, you are eligible for a full refund (no service fee).

Involuntary Ticket Cancellation (Airline or Schedule Change Reasons)

If a flight is canceled due to airline-related factors (such as cancellation, significant delays, overbooking, etc.) or force majeure, EVA Air generally handles it in a way that’s more favorable to travelers:

Refunds with No Service Fees and Refunds for Additional Charges

• In these cases, as long as you qualify under the change and refund criteria in the official announcement, EVA Air will waive the refund processing fee and return the fare and any applicable taxes and surcharges for any unused flight segments.
• If your ticket add-ons (such as paid seat selection) can’t be used because your flight was canceled, the related fees are eligible for a refund.

Partial Usage Mode

• As with voluntary refunds, if you’ve already flown part of your itinerary, we’ll first recalculate the value of the flown segments and then refund the remaining unused portion.

What to know when canceling your flight

Here are the key things to know before you request to cancel your flight booking:

• Heads up: The channel you use to request a refund can affect whether you’ll be charged a service fee. Applying online through the official website usually doesn’t incur a fee, but requests made via customer service or a travel agency may come with additional charges.
• If you don’t cancel within the required time frame, you may be charged a no-show fee, which will reduce your refundable amount.
• If you cancel a ticket after it has been partially used, the refund for the remaining portion will be recalculated according to the fare rules, and any unused taxes are also refundable.
• Some special fare types (e.g., award tickets booked with miles) have their own refund policies; for example, canceling an award ticket may return your miles and waive any processing fees.

STARLUX Airlines Ticket Cancellation Policy

Planning to fly with STARLUX Airlines but need to cancel your ticket? Refund policies depend on how you booked, your fare class, and whether you've already flown any segments. These factors determine your eligibility for a refund and the final amount you'll get back. We’ve broken down the official refund process and some practical tips to help budget-conscious travelers navigate cancellations with ease.

Voluntary Flight Cancellation (Requested by Passenger)

With STARLUX Airlines, the refundable amount for a voluntary ticket cancellation is generally calculated based on your fare rules and the timing of your refund request:

• How to Request a Refund and Eligibility
• • If you purchased your ticket through the STARLUX Airlines official website or app and your entire itinerary is operated by STARLUX, you can use the “Online Refund” feature to submit your own ticket cancellation request.
  • If you booked your flight through a travel agency, made changes to your itinerary via customer service, or purchased your ticket through a third-party platform, you typically won't be able to process a refund online. In these cases, you'll need to contact your original booking channel to handle the request.
• How refund fees are calculated
• • STARLUX Airlines will charge a refund processing fee based on the fare rules of your ticket. After deducting the non-refundable booking service fee and the fare and taxes for any flown segments, only the remaining balance will be refunded to your original form of payment.
  • If your fare is non‑refundable or its refund value is already zero, we can usually only refund the unused portion of any taxes or surcharges.
  • For tickets you’ve already checked in for or partially used, please cancel check-in before requesting a refund. The value of any flown segments will be recalculated, and your refund will be issued after deducting the applicable refund processing fee.
• Airline Ticket Validity and Application Timeline
• • STARLUX Airlines doesn’t set a strict rule for how many days in advance you need to request a refund; as long as your ticket is still valid—usually within one year from the ticket’s issue date—you can submit a refund request.
  • To avoid any extra fees, please be sure to submit your ticket cancellation request before the original scheduled departure time; otherwise, a later request may be treated as a no-show (No-Show) and could incur additional handling fees.
• 24-Hour Full Refund Terms (U.S. Flights)
• • For flights to and from the United States, if you book through the official website, app, or Customer Service Center and request a cancellation within 24 hours of purchase (and your flight is more than 7 days/168 hours away), you may be eligible for a full refund.

Involuntary Flight Cancellation (Airline-Initiated)

When your flight is disrupted due to STARLUX Airlines’ own reasons (such as a cancellation or a significant schedule change) or because of force majeure, making it impossible to travel as planned, STARLUX typically offers remedies that are more favorable to passengers:

• Refund Fee Waivers and Unused Portion Refunds
• • If an airline cancels your flight or makes a schedule change, you can typically request a refund without any cancellation fees, provided you meet the policy requirements. Any remaining unused fare and taxes will be refunded in accordance with the regulations.
  • If your ticket is canceled due to a flight change, the add-ons from your original booking (like seat selection or extra baggage) are usually fully refundable, too.

Know Before You Go

A few practical tips to keep in mind

• Good to know: Your purchase channel determines whether you can request an online refund. Only bookings made via the official website or app and operated entirely by STARLUX Airlines are eligible for online refunds.
• Fee Breakdown: When you request a refund, the refund processing fee, non-refundable booking service fees, the value of any used flight segments, and applicable taxes will be deducted.
• Application timing: Even if your ticket is still within its validity period, requesting a refund after the flight has departed may result in additional no-show fees.

Cathay Pacific Ticket Cancellation Policy

As Hong Kong’s flagship airline, Cathay Pacific has relatively straightforward refund policies, but they depend strictly on the fare class (Fare Class) you purchased.

• Voluntary Refund Policy:
• • High-flexibility fares (Flex / Premium Economy / Business): These fares are more likely to be refundable, but you’ll usually pay a fixed cancellation fee. The fee amount varies by region, fare type, and when you cancel. For example, canceling an award ticket costs about $120 or 17,000 miles if the ticket is completely unused.
  • Low Flex Fare (Light): In most cases, the fare itself is marked as Non-Refundable, meaning the fare portion won’t be returned. You may only request a refund of any unused government taxes and certain surcharges.
  • 24-hour free cancellation: Cathay members who purchase tickets directly through official channels can cancel for free within a specified time before departure (usually within 24 hours of purchase).
• Partial refund for partially used tickets: If you’ve already flown part of your trip, you can cancel the unused portions and receive a refund for the remaining value after paying the applicable service fee. The refund will be reduced by the value of the segments you’ve already flown.
• Involuntary refunds: If you’re affected by events beyond your control—such as typhoons, flight cancellations, or delays—Cathay Pacific typically issues special ticketing arrangements that waive fees for refunds, rebooking, or changing your destination. In these situations, even nonrefundable tickets are eligible for a full refund (for tickets that are completely unused).
• Refund Timeline: Cathay will process your refund as quickly as possible. However, the actual time it takes for the funds to appear in your account depends on your bank or credit card issuer and typically takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Tigerair Taiwan Ticket Cancellation Policy

Among the airlines frequently chosen by travelers in Taiwan, Tigerair Taiwan’s cancellation policy is one you’ll want to pay special attention to. The reason is simple: as a low-cost carrier, their fare structure isn't designed with refund flexibility in mind. If a last-minute change of plans forces you to cancel, the process is completely different from what you’d expect with a traditional, full-service airline. We’ve compiled the following guide based on Tigerair Taiwan’s official announcements and practical policies—it’s the perfect quick read for anyone navigating a low-cost airline cancellation for the first time.

Voluntary Ticket Cancellation (Passenger’s Personal Reasons)

If you voluntarily cancel your ticket for personal reasons—such as a change of plans, last-minute trouble getting time off, or not feeling well—Tigerair Taiwan’s policy is straightforward: the fare itself is nonrefundable.

The actual situation can be summarized as follows:

• The airfare is nonrefundable.
• • All Tigerair Taiwan promotional and basic fares are non-refundable.
  • Once the ticket is canceled, the fare is non-refundable.
• Tax and fee refunds are limited
• • Some government‑imposed airport taxes may be refundable upon request if you meet the eligibility requirements.
  • Reservation service fees and fuel surcharges are usually nonrefundable.
• If you don’t board, you won’t be eligible for any additional refunds.
• • Even if you don't take a ride at all
  • It also holds no refundable value if left unused.

For budget-minded travelers, this means one thing: if you voluntarily cancel a Tigerair Taiwan ticket, it usually amounts to forfeiting the entire ticket.

Change Your Flight vs. Cancel Your Ticket: Which Option Makes More Sense?

Instead of canceling your ticket outright, Tigerair Taiwan lets you change your flight date or time for a fee on certain fare types, but keep in mind:

• A flight change fee applies to any changes made to your booking.
• If there’s a fare difference between the new and original flights, you’ll need to pay the difference.
• Not all promotional fares allow date changes.

This is also the main reason why many travelers choose to "reschedule instead of cancel" when unexpected situations arise.

Involuntary Flight Cancellations (due to airline issues or force majeure)

If a ticket is canceled for reasons beyond your control—such as issues on Tigerair Taiwan’s side or external force majeure—the way it’s handled will be different.

Common situations that qualify for involuntary ticket cancellation include:

• Your flight has been cancelled by the airline
• Significant flight schedule changes have impacted your original itinerary.
• All flights have been grounded due to natural disasters and typhoons.

In situations like this, Tigerair Taiwan usually offers one of the following options, as announced:

• Rebook to another flight (subject to availability)
• Airfare refunds (processed in accordance with the published scope and procedures)

Whether you're eligible for a full refund depends on the specific announcement at the time, rather than just the original non-refundable status of your ticket.

Cancellation & Refund Rules for Add‑On Services

Many travelers choose to add extras like baggage, meals, or seat selection. It's important to keep in mind that these items are handled separately when you cancel your flight:

• Voluntary Flight Cancellation
• • Most add-on services are non-refundable.
• Involuntary Flight Cancellation
• • If you can’t use it because your flight was canceled
  • You can usually get a refund for add-on service fees at the same time.

Whether a refund is actually possible remains subject to the latest announcements from Tigerair Taiwan and the specific terms and conditions of your add-on items.

Tigerair Taiwan Flight Cancellation Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Looking at the rules, Tigerair Taiwan’s ticket cancellation logic boils down to three key checks:

• Voluntary cancellation ≒ the fare is non-refundable
• Looking to keep your ticket’s value? Changing your travel dates is usually more practical than canceling for a refund.
• Refunds may be available only if the airline cancels or in cases of force majeure.

That’s exactly why, when you’re planning a trip and aren’t 100% sure about your dates, you need to weigh the "cost of cancellation" before booking a budget flight. You don't want to end up losing the entire value of your ticket if plans suddenly change!

What’s the Process for Canceling a Flight? A Practical Guide to Refund Steps and Key Timelines—All Explained

Now that you’ve got a handle on the differences between voluntary and involuntary cancellations, as well as the specific policies of various airlines, it’s time to talk about the actual cancellation process. When you’re ready to pull the trigger, there are two common traps to watch out for: submitting your request at the right time and following the correct procedure. After all, many refund fees and "no-show" fees aren't about whether you bought a cheap ticket or an expensive one—they’re often just the result of waiting too long to take action.

Flight Ticket Cancellation Deadline

• Ticket validity: In most cases, a regular ticket is valid for 13 months from the date of issue (some airlines or special fare types have different rules—for example, certain international tickets are valid for one year). Travelers must submit refund requests within the ticket’s validity period. Requests made after it expires are generally not accepted.
• Before your flight departs: Most airlines and travel agencies require you to submit a refund request before the scheduled departure time of your originally booked flight. For example, some policies require you to apply at least 3 hours in advance. If you don’t notify them and cancel your booking before departure, you’ll be considered a “no-show,” which may result in a hefty no-show fee and could even mean losing the entire refund value.
• Special policy window: Some countries (such as the United States and South Korea) have a “cooling-off period” policy for airline tickets canceled within a specified timeframe (for example, within 24 hours of purchase), allowing a full refund if eligible.

Online Self-Service Ticket Refund

When canceling your flight through Trip.com, we recommend using our online self-service cancellation process. It’s the quickest and clearest way to get things sorted:

1. Sign in to your account: Open the Trip.com app or website and sign in.
2. Find your booking: Go to "My Bookings" or "Manage My Bookings," and select the flight booking you want to refund.
3. To submit a request, simply click the "Cancel Order" or "Refund Ticket" button.
4. Verify your details: Double-check the itinerary and passenger names. If your booking includes multiple travelers, the system will usually prompt you to choose whether to cancel and refund tickets for all passengers or only some of them (depending on the fare rules).
5. Confirming Fees and Amounts: The system will automatically calculate the deduction amount (including airline penalties/fees and platform service fees) as well as the refundable amount. Please double-check these figures carefully.
6. Submit Your Request: Once you’ve confirmed everything is correct, submit your ticket refund request.
7. Awaiting processing: Your ticket refund request will move through processing, verification, airline review, and refund issuance. You can track the refund progress on the order details page.

Refund Amount and Processing Time

• Refund Method: Your refund will be credited back to your original payment account or credit card, using the same payment method and currency as your initial transaction.
• Refund breakdown: Here’s how your refund is calculated—your actual refund equals the amount you originally paid minus (the airline’s cancellation fee or penalty + the travel agency service fee + the value of any segments you’ve already flown). If your ticket is non-refundable, only a portion of the taxes will be refunded.
• Processing Time: As mentioned, it may take some time from the moment you submit your request until the funds are actually deposited into your account. This includes processing time by Trip.com (usually a few business days), the airline's review and refund processing, and the internal processing time of your bank or credit card company (which can range from a few weeks to several months, so we appreciate your patience).

Avoid These 4 Common Mistakes When Canceling Your Flight

When canceling your flight, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:

Mistake #1: Not canceling before departure

• Consequences: You will be marked as a "No-Show," which means you may not be eligible for any refund and could be charged a hefty no-show fee.
• Best practice: Whether or not a refund is ultimately available, make sure to cancel through your booking channel (Trip.com or the airline) before the flight’s scheduled departure time—ideally as early as possible, and at least 3 hours in advance.

Mistake #2: Misunderstanding what "non-refundable" really means

• Misconception: Thinking that a "non-refundable" ticket means you can't get any money back at all.
• Fact check: "Non-Refundable" usually only applies to the airfare portion of your ticket. However, you can often request a refund for unused government taxes and certain surcharges.
• Pro tip: Even if your ticket is non-refundable, you should still submit a refund request to get back any refundable taxes.

Mistake #3: Going straight to the wrong place to buy tickets

• Consequence: It can delay your refund. For example, if you purchased your ticket through a travel agency (like Trip.com) and contact the airline directly, the airline will usually direct you back to the original booking agency to process it.
• Here’s the right way to do it: Request your refund from the place where you bought your ticket. If you booked through Trip.com, please use Trip.com’s online self-service refund option first or contact Trip.com customer support; if you booked directly with the airline, contact that airline.

Mistake #4: Skipping the fare rules

• Consequence: Canceling in a hurry without checking the fees or nonrefundable terms can result in a refund amount that’s far from what you expected.
• The smart way to travel: Before you book or consider canceling, take a moment to carefully read the "Cancellation and Change Policy" for your flight. It’s key to understanding important details like refund fees, penalties, and whether your ticket holds any residual value.

How to Avoid the Risk of Canceling Your Flight? Understanding the Importance of Travel Insurance

As we've mentioned, many flight cancellations are simply beyond a traveler's control. With travel plans becoming increasingly unpredictable, knowing whether your travel insurance covers flight cancellations has become a crucial detail—one that many budget-conscious travelers only wish they'd checked sooner. Keep in mind that travel insurance isn't a "cancel whenever you want" pass; rather, it's there to step in under specific circumstances, covering those non-refundable flight costs that you'd otherwise lose.

Travel Insurance and Flight Cancellation Protection

Standard travel insurance typically covers trip cancellations caused by "unforeseen" circumstances, such as accidents, illness, the death of an immediate family member, natural disasters, strikes, or travel advisories issued for your destination. This coverage even includes the cost of canceling your flight tickets.

• Claim requirements: When filing a claim, travelers need to provide sufficient supporting documents, such as a medical certificate issued by a hospital, proof of cancellation or delay issued by the airline, and advisories or notices from the relevant government authorities, among others.
• Voluntary cancellations are not covered: Please note that travel insurance typically does not cover canceling your flight for voluntary reasons—such as simply changing your mind, work schedule changes, or visa issues.

Add on the "Trip.com Worry-Free Flight Cancellation/Change" service

• Service Benefits: By adding this protection service when booking, you can typically enjoy the flexibility to change or cancel your flight for free under specific conditions (such as involuntary reasons or within a certain timeframe before departure)—often at a much lower cost than what airlines charge directly.
• Cost-effective: While you pay a protection fee upfront, if you later need to change or cancel your flight, you can avoid paying the airline’s hefty change fees—especially ideal for travelers with uncertain plans.
• For travelers who frequently go on business trips or have unpredictable schedules, we recommend adding Trip.com's Worry-Free Cancellation & Change service to your booking. It’s a great way to save time and fees if your plans change, giving you the flexibility you need for a stress-free journey.

Changing Your Flight (Rescheduling) as an Alternative to Cancellation

In some situations, if the cancellation fee for your flight is too high, consider changing your ticket as an alternative.

• Cost breakdown: Changing a ticket usually involves paying a change fee (also called a penalty; charged for each change and non-refundable) + the fare difference between the new and original fares (if the new fare is higher, you’ll pay the difference; if it’s lower, the difference is usually not refunded) + any difference in taxes and surcharges (if applicable).
• The Perks of Flexible Tickets: Some of our more flexible ticket options might even let you make a change for free!
• Trip.com's "Refund and Rebook" Policy: When changing your flight on Trip.com, the system may automatically use a "Refund and Rebook" approach. This means you'll first book and pay for your new ticket, and then the system will automatically process a refund for your original ticket. We recommend travelers carefully compare the cost of the new ticket against the refund amount for the original one to ensure it's the best deal for your trip!

Further Reading: Flight-Related Articles