Should I book refundable or nonrefundable?

Usually non-refundable airline tickets are recommended. Non-refundable tickets are usually a fraction of the cost of refundable tickets and most non-refundable airline tickets are reusable (with a change fee) in the case of a cancellation.



The choice between refundable and nonrefundable bookings depends entirely on your risk tolerance and the price gap. Nonrefundable rates are almost always cheaper—sometimes by 20% to 50%—making them the better choice for firm plans or last-minute trips where the chance of cancellation is low. However, if your trip is expensive, months away, or involves multiple travelers, a refundable "flexible" fare offers peace of mind. In 2026, many airlines still offer "flight credits" for cancelled nonrefundable tickets, but a true "refundable" ticket returns the cash to your original payment method, which is far superior if you don't plan to fly that airline again soon. A smart middle-ground is to book the cheaper nonrefundable rate but pair it with a robust travel insurance policy that includes "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage, which can often be more cost-effective than the markup for a fully refundable fare from the airline or hotel.

People Also Ask

Refundable flights As the name suggests, refundable tickets are fully refundable, meaning you'll get the cash back (not a flight credit). To gain this convenience, you'll need to pay a premium, which makes these tickets more expensive than nonrefundable airline tickets.

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For example, if you think your odds of having to cancel are 10%, then you should be willing to pay up to 10% more for a refundable rate. This approach isn't mathematically precise, but it's a serviceable approximation if you'd rather not break out a calculator every time you book a hotel room.

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Experts say most places will offer you a refund if you have a reasonable excuse. If you are stuck with a nonrefundable room, try changing the date of your reservation. Some hotels will let you move the date of your stay if you ask. You can also resell your room and get your money back that way.

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Canceling a nonrefundable fare will result in an eCredit for the full amount paid (minus any cancellation fees, depending on fare type and route). However, if you cancel a refundable ticket, you'll get the amount paid refunded back to your original form of payment.

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Covered reasons for Trip Cancellation
  • Medical reasons (unforeseen ailment, injury or death in the family)
  • Inclement weather or natural disasters (tropical storms, hurricanes, etc.)
  • Terrorist attack (in or around where you're planning to visit)
  • Financial default (of a carrier)
  • Involuntary layoff or termination.


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This is all thanks to a simple rule from the US Department of Transportation, which requires that airlines must “hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be canceled within 24 hours without penalty.” Most airlines offer the latter (and many do even when they also ...

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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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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. As a reminder, Basic Economy tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable in most cases, but may be canceled for a partial eCredit.

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With a non-refundable rate, guests pay the full price if they cancel, make changes or don't show up. Adding a non-refundable rate to your property can reduce cancellations and help you secure guaranteed payment for reservations. Reading this in booking.com I understand that booking.com guarantees payment.

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The trick? Simply move the date of your booking to a later date (which can usually be done free of charge), then cancel it - which often means you are within the free cancellation period and won't have to pay cancellation fees.

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