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How to cancel an electronic airplane ticket. How to return tickets or money? Expert Advice: What are non-refundable tickets and how to compensate for spoiled vacations

In the tumultuous bustle of days, a frantic rhythm in which personal interests are firmly intertwined with professional needs, the fastest intersection of space has become an integral attribute of modernity. Passenger air transportation is probably one of those exceptional benefits of civilization, which significantly accelerated its progress. However, no matter how perfect the machine dissecting the air, the human factor is present everywhere and in everything. This is expressed in the fact that sometimes there is a need to cancel a flight - both from the airline and from the passenger.

Types of flight cancellation

Returning tickets is compulsory and voluntary. In the first case, the passenger is entitled to a full refund of the full amount of money. Such situations, as a rule, are spelled out in the manuals of all air carriers. More general rules are also regulated by state law. Among such cases is the situation when the flight is canceled, rescheduled or rather seriously delayed due to the fault of the airline.

A sufficient basis for claims to return your money is a change in the destination airline, cancellation of a connecting flight during a transfer, as well as a change in the class of service. In addition, the cause may be the death of a passenger or a member of his family. In addition, the refusal to issue a visa, if provided for by the rules of the air carrier, can also serve as a basis for the refund of money for airline tickets.


Voluntary flight cancellation

If the passenger is the initiator of the return of tickets, this is called a voluntary refusal of the flight. In aviation practice, there is a certain unwritten set of rules for resolving issues with the return of funds paid for an airplane ticket. However, the main regulatory document is a list of internal rules that guide the air carrier. Thus, decisions to impose appropriate restrictions or penalties in a particular situation depend on the carrier.

It is also worth mentioning that the transport of people by air in Russia is regulated by the Air Code. Compensation for customer losses due to reasons provoked by the air carrier or by the passenger himself is also prescribed in certain provisions of this Code.

Probably the most general rule relevant for all airlines is that the cheaper the ticket, the greater financial loss will be incurred by a passenger who refused to fly. This is also true for another rule, according to which the airline commission will be the greater, the less time remains between the moment the ticket is returned and the plane leaves.

Refund Terms

Considering that the return of air tickets involves financial losses for the air carrier, the latter tries to protect itself as much as possible, especially in the conditions of the minimum time during which the air tickets are returned. The return conditions regarding the direct relationship between the time interval remaining before departure and the amount of compensation for the ticket should be detailed on the official website of any airline.

So, if a passenger notified the airline of their refusal to fly through the territory of the Russian Federation more than a day before departure, they can expect to reimburse the full cost of the ticket without levying the fees fixed in the fares of the company. If there is less than a day left before departure, the airline reimburses the client for the amount paid for the ticket, withholding 25% of the fees, according to aviation tariffs.

Returning tickets for international flights involves withholding 10% of the fees when a client requests to cancel a flight more than a day before departure, and 25% of the fees if the recall took place in less than a day. The minimum threshold for applying for an urgent return is four hours before departure. From the moment of the start of check-in for such requests, already raised fines and commissions are applied. Many airlines also provide for penalties for no-show flights - their size can be 25 euros.


Refund Methods

Returning tickets involves returning the money in the same way as it was paid for, that is, in cash, by transfer to a bank account, bank card or electronic wallet. It must be remembered that under any circumstances under which the return of air tickets can be carried out, the conditions of all airlines require that the corresponding note be on the ticket. Only if any, the money will be returned.

When returning money to a current account, it is necessary to provide the following information: full name or full name of the recipient, TIN, name, as well as TIN and correspondent account of the bank and, in fact, the current account itself.

In order for the money to be transferred back to the electronic wallet, you must also provide the full name, wallet number and name of the payment system. To return to a bank card, it is enough to indicate only the order number.

Aeroflot Rules

Regulating the return of an air ticket, Aeroflot on the website in detail applies only to documents purchased online. Returns are also recorded online or at the carrier’s contact center. The procedure is carried out in accordance with the tariffs of the company. Such a refund is possible only if the ticket is primary, i.e. has not been changed or partially used. The airline transfers the funds to the passenger within ten business days from the date of the request for return. In this case, the return is not subject to penalties.

Where to go

If it becomes necessary to cancel your flight for various reasons, often many are faced with the question of where, in fact, to address this request. Everything is very simple: to where you purchased the ticket. However, it happens that you cannot do this because you are in another city or another country. Then the Internet will come to the rescue. A request to withdraw yourself from the flight can be sent to the airline’s email. If the ticket was purchased through a travel agency, then cancellation or change of dates must be made through them.

Returning tickets purchased through aggregates

Today, it has become quite popular to purchase tickets through so-called aggregates. These are special sites on which all information about airline tickets of all airlines and agencies in any direction is processed. As a rule, their main task is to find the best options for price, quality and flight time. It must be remembered that the units do not issue tickets themselves, they only compile information. Therefore, when there is a need to return tickets, you should contact not the site administration, but the agency or airline. The email that arrives to the customer immediately after booking indicates agency details, as well as route information. If the message did not arrive, most likely it was in the spam folder.

Features of electronic tickets

The rules for returning tickets purchased online (the so-called electronic tickets) are the same as for returning paper documents. However, there are some nuances. The most important thing is to determine the status of the ticket, i.e., to find out if it is possible to return it. A mark on this is put in the column "restriction". In English, it looks like this: non ref or non refundable, which means that it is impossible to return this ticket. If this mark is not necessary, then on the agency’s website through which the travel document was purchased, you must fill out the form, add a scan of your passport to it and send it. If you purchase a ticket at a travel agency, returning electronic tickets is possible only through this company.

Buying plane tickets for electronic money is no longer an innovation, for very busy people who fly a lot and there is no time to buy at the box office. This system has appeared in Russia for a long time, but many cannot understand its capabilities and subtleties.

There are times when you need to return a ticket, with a regular ticket everything is clear, go to the ticket office and return, but is it possible to do this with an electronic ticket? If there is such an opportunity, then how can this be done? To my great relief, there is such an opportunity, and in order to take advantage of it, one does not need to be a genius.

Before returning a ticket, determine to which category the return of your ticket belongs. There are 2 categories of ticket return: voluntary and involuntary return.

Forced returns are made in the following cases:

  • Flight rescheduled;
  • Passenger's death. Sometimes even the death of close relatives can be attributed to this category, but it depends on the airline;
  • Landing is canceled at the point agreed upon by the preliminary route;
  • In case of a flight with a change, flight inconsistency;
  • Replacing a service company or class.

The remaining cases of refund are related to voluntary refund, and the amount of reimbursement of the cost of the ticket will be made in accordance with the rules of the airline.

The deadline for returning a ticket is set by the company itself, the most popular terms:

  • One week before departure;
  • A day before departure;
  • 1 hour before departure.

You can return a ticket using a phone call to the company. Only the money will be returned in the way that the passenger paid.

When returning an electronic ticket, you will not receive cash if payment was made by credit card.

Money is received for the return of an electronic ticket at the place of purchase:

  • At an airline providing a ticket purchase service;
  • With the help of the Internet service through which the ticket was purchased.

To process the return of an electronic ticket, the passenger presents the following package of documents:

  • Passport;
  • Documents confirming the impossibility of departure (certificate of illness, death certificate and others);
  • Receipts for payment of a ticket.

In case the company does not believe your truthfulness. A company’s right is to require documentary evidence. It is even possible to undergo an examination with a trusted doctor of the company to confirm the state of health of the passenger. This can happen if the flight is canceled according to the passenger's message about the disease.

The return of the place of an electronic ticket is carried out in the system immediately after the person’s request You can apply for a return ticket remotely or in person. Remote access is carried out by sending scanned documents by e-mail.

Personal appeal transfer of originals and copies of documents at the airline office. For a quick return registration, a personal appeal is better. When remotely accessing, time is required to process information by the system.

The return of seats to the system for subsequent reservations refers to an operation that the cashier will not be able to cancel. Selling tickets with the same seats and at the same cost is almost unrealistic.

Procedure for reimbursement of expenses related to the purchase of a flight ticket

The amount of monetary compensation for the return of an air ticket depends on the class of fare. Full refund is made only for seats in the business class and other full rates. Exceptions to this rule are business class tickets purchased on promotions.

In the event of a voluntary refusal of a ticket purchased at a discounted offer or during seasonal sales, then the refund is only partially.

In the event of a voluntary return, the airline has the right to withhold a penalty for returning a ticket; for tickets purchased at reduced rates or with limited capabilities, it is 20-70%, unless otherwise provided by the contract. In particular, airlines hold 100% of the cost.

Let's consider the additional costs included in the payment price in addition to the cost of space. Such additional costs are not returned to the client:

  • Bank commission for the operation;
  • Services of a tour operator-intermediary;
  • Commission fee;
  • Payment for urgent order.

These services are provided by third parties, so the airline is not responsible for them. These costs will not be refunded even if the passenger purchased the ticket at the full fare.

The refund for an electronic ticket is carried out:

  • To a bank account;
  • To a bank account.

The right to choose a refund option is left to the client. Notify the airline in writing of your choice.

Important!  In a written notice, carefully indicate the details, the cancellation or re-operation will not be performed.

During what time period is it best to take a ticket?

Do not forget that the sooner you issue an electronic ticket refund, the more you will receive a refund. For example, when a ticket is returned more than a day before departure, the full price is returned, excluding the commission, which is not refundable.

Many air carriers have a system of fines for customers, and different fees are charged. When issuing an electronic ticket less than 24 hours before departure, do not expect a refund of more than 75% of the cost. In case of a ticket delivery on the day of departure, do everything possible to submit an application 4 hours before the start of registration in order to get at least 75% of the cost.

In the case of filing an application less than 4 hours before the start of registration, penalties will increase, and at best 50% of the ticket price will be refunded.

If you do not have time for the flight, then you can return it even after departure. Move the departure date to another day and pay a fine, in some cases it is more profitable than returning a ticket and buying a new one. The delay caused by the security service can also be attributed to this case.

How long does the airline return money for a ticket handed back?

There is no single answer to this question. The term for a refund will largely depend on the deadline for the delivery of an electronic ticket and the application. The speed of the procedure depends on the method of payment.

The money spent on acquiring an electronic ticket can be obtained in the following ways:

  • Transfer to an electronic wallet;
  • Transfer to a bank account;
  • Transfer to a bank card.

To return money to the card as soon as possible, indicate the surname, name, patronymic of the client, as well as the bank details and bank account details.

To refund payment for an electronic ticket that was made through an electronic wallet, specify:

  • Last name, first name of the client;
  • Electronic wallet number;
  • The name of the electronic system (Yandex money, WebMoney, etc.)

When you apply for a refund of an electronic ticket, you lose the right to the place indicated on the ticket. This place will be purchased indefinitely by another client. You have applied for a refund of an electronic ticket, from that moment you lose the right to change your mind and return the ticket. The whole procedure for returning an electronic ticket lasts from 10 to 90 days.

An electronic ticket is a convenient, profitable and modern way of buying travel cards. One of the few questions that their owners have is how to return tickets purchased over the Internet with minimal financial loss.

A sudden illness, financial difficulties, and the usual change of plans - all this can cause involuntary or voluntary refusal of a flight. At the same time, many mistakenly believe that it is impossible to return an electronic ticket. In fact, the return of tickets purchased over the Internet is not much different from the return of “paper” ones.

Is it possible to return an electronic ticket for an airplane

As in the case of regular tickets, everything here depends on the so-called “fare” at which you bought it. In other words, the fare is the conditions for the return and exchange of a ticket. Yes, yes, this is the longest “sheet” of the text, after which you, when buying a ticket, ticked “I have read and agree” without even reading.

Now is the time to return to the terms of the tariff and read them carefully. You need to look for ticket return rules on the airline’s website, even if you bought it on the Internet through an intermediary.

  • Read also:

Each carrier has its own return conditions, common to all are only two principles:

  • the more expensive the tariff, the lower the amount of the refund penalty
  • the sooner you return the ticket - the more you get

There are so-called "non-refundable" airline tickets ( non refundable  or non ref) Usually this is the cheapest or special rate, it is not refundable. However, you can try to exchange it for another date, albeit with a surcharge.

Also important is the reason for the return of the ticket. If it is forced (the cancellation or delay of the flight, illness or death of a close relative or the passenger himself), then, having provided supporting documents, you can expect to return the maximum possible amount provided for by the fare.

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If you want to return tickets purchased over the Internet without a good reason, it’s good if you can compensate for at least the minimum amount. In any case, the final decision is made by the airline, after considering all the circumstances of the return ticket.

How to refund money for a ticket purchased over the Internet

Usually, in order to receive a refund, you need to indicate the ticket information (the ticket number itself, as well as the flight and booking, date and time of departure), attach a photocopy of your passport and confirm the purchase of the ticket (check or bank statement). Refunds are made only in the same way that the payment was made. If paid by bank transfer, then the money will come to the same account, if by card - then to it. The deadline for receiving money is up to 1 month, but usually much faster, from 5 to 10 working days.

Before returning tickets purchased over the Internet, make sure that this is the only way out. After all, exchanging an electronic ticket for a different date, even with a surcharge, will be much more profitable than buying a new one.

We will describe how to return an electronic ticket for a plane purchased through the Internet. Indeed, today shopping through a worldwide network has become a very common practice. This saves us time, effort, and sometimes money. On various sites and portals you can find very advantageous offers when searching for a suitable tour or flight.


But sometimes our plans change. Every day, hundreds of people return the purchased tickets back, as life makes its own adjustments and you have to refuse the desired trip or reschedule it for another time. What to do with the electronic document?

Types of tickets

There are many factors that influence whether you can return a plane ticket to the ticket office and return your money back. One of the main ones is the variety and conditions on which it is purchased. So, airlines provide two main options:

  • Returnable - those that suggest the ability to exchange or return to the cashier. Often, you have to pay a fine, but the fact itself remains unchanged - when changing plans, you can compensate for monetary losses in full or in part.
  • Non-refundable - not subject to compensation of value in any amount, which is initially negotiated in the conditions of their acquisition. Such tickets must bear the mark “Non Ref” or any other signifying that the document cannot be exchanged back for money.

Although, even in the second case, there are separate exceptions. For example, if there was any trouble, the passenger fell ill or one of the relatives died, then upon provision of supporting documents the airline undertakes to return part of the amount for the purchased ticket. A similar situation occurs when a flight is canceled due to the fault of the airline.


It is important to read all the terms and conditions that affect the ability to return or make any changes before making a payment. Often travel documents that cannot be returned are sold by low-cost airlines or as part of promotions, with discounts and bonuses.

The type of ticket purchased should also be taken into account - economy class, business class, regular, children’s, etc. And although each company has its own rules regarding the return of any travel documents, such a pattern is observed. The more expensive it is, the less problems there are and the lower the penalties for its exchange or return. For example, it will be difficult to get an economy class Aeroflot plane ticket.

When making a return, various airlines set fines. Therefore, the final amount of the payment made will always be less than the full cost of the ticket paid. It is necessary to calculate how much money you are losing in each of the options in order to make a more correct decision.

Return time

Much will also depend on how many days before the flight you hand out your ticket. Carriers have their own rules in this regard, and yet there are general patterns:

  1. If one or more days remain before departure, then the company is obliged to reimburse the full cost of the purchased ticket. In some cases, the fine specified in the conditions is calculated from the total amount.
  2. When you return the document in the last day, when less than 24 hours are left before the flight, only 75% of the total cost is expected to be paid. And depending on the type of document, various commissions may be foreseen.
  3. When you try to return a ticket in a few hours, getting money is much more difficult, and penalties increase significantly. Sometimes it makes sense to exchange the travel document for another departure time. The same applies to the situation if you are late for a flight for objective reasons.

img-fotki.yandex.ru

Who to contact?

If you purchased a ticket at the box office, then hand it in the same way. But what to do with an online purchase? Then it’s worth contacting exactly the service with which payment was made. It could be:

Detailed procedure

When trying to hand over a ticket through a regular ticket office, it is enough to present it and your own documents confirming your identity. And what needs to be done to return the spent amount through the company's website? This procedure is not more complicated than the purchase itself and takes a little time.

  1. Go to the official portal of the company from which you purchased a plane ticket. Find the section or special form where you should fill out an application for the return of the document and money.
  2. It is often asked here to add a photo of the passenger, a scan of the passport and be sure to indicate your contacts.
  3. It is important to enter in each window all the required data - flight, ticket number, date and time of departure. Double-check the characters several times, as any errors will lead to the cancellation of the application and you will have to write again.
  4. In case of a forced return of the ticket due to the fault of the airline or in the event of force majeure circumstances, you must also send documents confirming the death of a relative, illness of the passenger or cancellation of the flight for objective reasons.
  5. Do not forget to specify the method of refund and all the required details.

If for some reason the carrier still does not return the money for a return ticket, you need to apply to the court with the same package of documents by filing a corresponding claim.

What is the expected payment deadline?

Depending on the circumstances, the chosen transfer method and company rules, this period is different. Today, any of the suitable options is available:

  • cash - you need to come to the cashier for them;
  • electronic money - then be sure to write the system name and wallet number;
  • to the bank account or bank card - all details should be indicated.

Such a procedure can take from a week to three months. Each airline in its own way solves such issues. Sometimes it is possible to pay a slightly larger commission, but get the money back urgently. Then their return is carried out within a few hours or days.


If you decide to return the ticket, but still want to make a trip, then it makes sense to exchange for another departure time, which will be much cheaper and faster.

Video: return electronic tickets.

When making a purchase of airline tickets online, especially for the first time, do not rush. Better stick to these guidelines:

  1. Carefully read all the rules of the airline and remember the conditions under which you purchase a travel document.
  2. Consider the class, cost, direction and other features of the ticket. For example, a business class involves not only more convenient seats and meals on the plane, but also a simple return or exchange procedure, the availability of changes, the absence of fines, etc.
  3. If you do not understand any nuances, it is better to check with an online consultant or by phone everything that seems doubtful.

When it is noticeable that the operator evades questions, does not give clear answers or the resource has many negative reviews, it is better to find another, more reliable one.