What happens to your points when you get a refund? The unfortunate answer is that, in most cases, the points you earned on the purchase will be deducted from your credit card points balance on your next statement.

Yes, in most cases, airline and credit card points are refundable if you cancel an award booking, provided you do so within the airline's specific cancellation window. In 2026, many major carriers (like Delta, United, and American) have eliminated "redeposit fees" for most standard award tickets, meaning your miles are returned to your account almost instantly upon cancellation. However, if you "no-show" for a flight or cancel after the departure time, the points are typically forfeited. For credit card "travel portals" (like Chase or Amex), if you paid for a flight using points and then cancel, the refund policy of the airline applies; if the ticket was "non-refundable," you might receive a travel credit rather than your points back. It is critical to read the fare rules during the booking process, as "Basic Economy" award tickets often carry much stricter "use it or lose it" penalties. If you cancel within the federally mandated "24-hour look-in" window, your points must be refunded in full without any penalty.