How do I get a refund if it says non refundable?

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to get a refund on a non-refundable hotel reservation, one of the options you can explore is disputing the charges with your credit card company. Many credit card companies offer benefits that may provide you with recourse in such situations.



Getting a refund for a "non-refundable" ticket in 2026 usually requires finding a legal or policy loophole. Under U.S. DOT and UK/EU261 rules, if the airline cancels the flight or makes a significant schedule change (usually 3+ hours), you are entitled to a full cash refund regardless of your ticket type. Another path is the "24-hour rule," which allows you to cancel any flight for a full refund if booked at least a week in advance. In 2026, many travelers also successfully use "Schedule Irregularity" or documented medical emergencies (with a doctor's note) to request a "travel credit," which most airlines will grant as a gesture of goodwill even if they won't give cash back. Finally, if you paid with a premium credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you may have Trip Cancellation Insurance that covers your "non-refundable" costs if you have a valid reason for canceling.

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Extraordinary circumstances In such unfortunate circumstances, you can contact the airline to request a free cancellation or to reschedule your flight in light of the circumstances. You will likely need to provide some form of documentation as proof of the situation such as a death certificate.

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Rescheduling a nonrefundable fare to a different date is usually possible, but it most often comes with a substantial penalty charge. For passengers in some deeply discounted fare classes, like basic economy, rescheduling a nonrefundable fare is not allowed.

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With a non-refundable ticket, you can change your flight when you pay a change fee of $0-$400, depending on your travel route, plus the price difference.

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Nonrefundable flights Nonrefundable tickets are extremely common; you'll find them for all types of fare classes, including economy, premium economy, business and first class tickets. These will generally be the cheaper ticket options, with basic economy typically being both the cheapest and most restrictive ticket.

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If you purchased a round-trip flight and need to change the first leg to a different day, your best bet will likely be to pay the change fee and book a new flight. If you only need to change the return portion of a round trip, however, it may be cheaper to book a new one-way flight than to pay the cancellation fee.

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If a hotel were to try and kick you out without providing a refund, it would be in violation of consumer protection laws and could face legal action from both state or federal authorities as well as civil lawsuits from customers who feel wronged by such an act.

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Flight insurance protects only the cost of your flight. It doesn't cover all of your prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses. Generally, if a problem covered by your flight insurance policy derails your travel plans, you can get reimbursement for only nonrefundable flight costs.

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How Do I Know My Flight Is Refundable?
  1. Check if the refundable filter is applied on the flight page.
  2. Low fare denote non-refundable tickets and high fare denote refundable tickets.
  3. Contact customer care of the airlines at 1-802-341-3403.
  4. Ask for details from the travel agent who is booking your flight ticket.


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However, cheaper airfares come with restrictions such as no refunds and fees to make any changes—thus “non-refundable” and “non-changeable” fares. However, it is definitely possible to change nonchangeable airline tickets.

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If your ticket is fully refundable, you can usually cancel your flight online. Look for a “My Trips” or “Manage My Flight” section of the airline's website; the name will vary per airline. Otherwise, you can call the airline's customer service.

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The credit card issuer will contact the merchant (hotel) to investigate the disputed charge. The issuer will likely rule in your favor if the hotel cannot prove the charge was valid. Remain engaged throughout the investigation and provide any additional documentation needed.

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As you can see, most hotels take 3-5 business days to refund credit card incidental holds after you check out. However, it can vary based on each hotel's policies and factors like your bank's processing time.

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