How to get a refund for non-refundable flights

If you have travel insurance, it's possible to get your money back if;

If you find yourself in this position, make sure to keep all your receipts, have proof that your expenses were non-refundable, and make a claim directly with your travel insurer.

Can I get a direct refund from the airline?

This depends on your airfare but, generally, if your flight is non-refundable then no. An airline may consider waiving cancellation fees for extenuating circumstances like a death in the family, but not if you've just changed your mind.

If your non-refundable flight is cancelled by the airline, they may offer you an alternative option, a credit value or a refund - if you're lucky.

How do I know if my flight is non-refundable?

There are a few ways to figure out the rules of your airfare;

• During the booking process, your change and cancellation fees will be outlined. If you're booking online, pay extra attention to pop-ups and extra links that could lead you to this information.
• Check "Manage My Booking" - Most airlines have an online portal where you can access the details of your booking.
• Check your original e-tickets, booking confirmation or any other emails/paperwork regarding your booking.
• Check with your airline, online aggregator (like SkyScanner and Webjet) or travel agent. It's important to refer back to the company that you booked with as airfare rules can vary.

Cancellation and refund policies of major Australian airlines

Searching through terms and conditions can be tricky, not to mention boring. So we did it for you. Here's a brief summary of refund policies in place with major airlines.

Cancellation fees vary based on your destination and fare type, so we've highlighted the maximum fee the airline could charge to cancel an international return airfare.

Airline	Maximum cancellation fee	Policy
Qantas	$500 to Non-refundable	"Cancellation fees may apply and these vary depending on your point of origin and destination."
Virgin Australia	$400 to Non-refundable	"All bookings can be cancelled; however some bookings are non-refundable and may attract cancellations fees and surcharges."
Jetstar Airways	$50 to Non-refundable	"Some fare types are non-refundable or only partially refundable, subject to our Conditions of Carriage or applicable law. However, if you choose not to travel,contact us to request a refund of certain third-party charges and Government taxes that may be included in your fare: excluding fuel and insurance surcharges."
Air New Zealand	$500 to Non-refundable	"Bookings for domestic and international travel may be cancelled online, subject to the following considerations: Flexi fares and Business fares may be cancelled up until departure and are fully refundable with the exception of Flexitime and Business Saver fares A booking must be cancelled in full, i.e. both the outbound and return flights if a round trip"
Qatar Airways	$100 to Non-refundable	"To cancel your booking and get a refund of your ticket price (depending on the fare conditions of your ticket), please contact the agent/office where you booked your ticket, or if you changed your booking, contact the office where you last modified it."
Eithad Airways	$200 to Non-refundable	"Refunds are subject to fees and the rules of the fare that you have booked for each segment"

*This information is accurate as of September 2023. These fees are per person and may not be applicable to codeshare flights.

Compare travel insurance policies that cover cancellations

Once you enter in your details and click "Get my quote" you can filter the results by clicking trip cancellation to see which policies come out on top.

Frequently asked questions

• Does travel insurance cover you for non-refundable accommodation?

  Yes. If you have a valid travel insurance policy, then it should cover most non-refundable expenses. You'll have to provide copies of your receipt and prove that you can't be reimbursed elsewhere.

  If you don't hold valid travel insurance, it's still worth getting in touch with the accommodation provider to see if they will let you change the dates of your booking, or give you a credit voucher. Try to give them as much notice as possible.

  How do I know if my accommodation is non-refundable?

  Here are a few hints to help you figure out if your hotel is non-refundable.

  • The terms and conditions of your hotel booking will be outlined during the booking process. Pay attention as this is the easiest way to understand the cancellation policy of your booking.
  • If booking online, you may be able to access the "Manage My Booking" section where your cancellation fees could be provided.
  • Check emails and invoices. These details are often found here.
  • Check directly with the hotel. Give them a call or contact them via email.

• Is it possible to purchase a travel insurance policy once you're already in Australia?

  Yes, it is. You can purchase cover before you leave home or once you arrive in Australia. If you purchase cover when you're already in Australia, you may have to serve a brief waiting period (commonly 48 hours) before certain aspects of the cover will take effect.

• When won't my travel insurance reimburse me?

  Here are some examples of why your travel insurance policy may not cover you:

  • You cancel due to change of mind
  • Your travel service provider goes bankrupt or insolvent
  • You make an error on your own booking
  • You trip is affected by a government regulation or prohibition

  Does travel insurance cover you for non-refundable accommodation?

  Yes. If you have a valid travel insurance policy, then it should cover most non-refundable expenses. You'll have to provide copies of your receipt and prove that you can't be reimbursed elsewhere.

  If you don't hold valid travel insurance, it's still worth getting in touch with the accommodation provider to see if they will let you change the dates of your booking, or give you a credit voucher. Try to give them as much notice as possible.

  How do I know if my accommodation is non-refundable?

  Here are a few hints to help you figure out if your hotel is non-refundable.

  • The terms and conditions of your hotel booking will be outlined during the booking process. Pay attention as this is the easiest way to understand the cancellation policy of your booking.
  • If booking online, you may be able to access the "Manage My Booking" section where your cancellation fees could be provided.
  • Check emails and invoices. These details are often found here.
  • Check directly with the hotel. Give them a call or contact them via email.