How to get a refund for non-refundable flights

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

You bought the policy before the known event occurred

You have cover for cancellations costs

The cancellation is outside of your control

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.

Our expert says

"Rules on whether you can get a refund vary by airline, and cheaper tickets are generally less flexible. But if an airline cancels your flight altogether, it has to sort an alternative for you or give you a refund. Your insurer will usually only step in after the airline options are exhausted - such as if the airline itself stops operating altogether."

Angus Kidman

Editor-at-large

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.

*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.

Written by

Nicola Middlemiss

Senior writer

Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds. See full bio

Nicola's expertise

Nicola has written 241 Finder guides across topics including:

• Personal finance
• Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
• Commercial business insurance

Co-written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 644 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
• Managing the cost of living