# Non-refundable airline tickets **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 13, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246 "2011-02-13T21:19:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/1 "2011-02-13T21:19:48Z")
I have a flight to Chicago next Friday, the 25th, for what is essentially a job interview. But due to new circumstances that have popped up in my life, I’ve decided that there’s no way I’m going to move away from where I currently live, so going on this trip is pointless. Problem is, I’ve discovered the plane ticket is non-refundable. I’ve Googled a bit, and my understanding is that the only way I’d have a shot at getting my money back (or at least a credit) would be if something drastic happens like a death in the family. I would think that since it’s 12 days out, they’d be able to sell my seat now for more than I paid… but I suppose what would happen is they’d refuse my refund then sell it for more anyway. So, is it worth it to try for a refund, or would I just be wasting my time? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/2 "2011-02-13T22:32:44Z")
Which airline? Have you read through their policies? Take a look here —\> [http://www.ehow.com/how\_5852153\_change-united-airlines-flight-schedules.html](http://www.ehow.com/how_5852153_change-united-airlines-flight-schedules.html) ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/3 "2011-02-13T23:11:28Z")
Oops - I forgot to mention the airline. It is United, and I didn’t come across that article in my search. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/4 "2011-02-13T23:12:59Z")
Airline type here … Each carrier has dozens, nay hundreds, of ticket types. Each ticket type has different rules. “non-refundable” may mean you can’t get a refund, but you \*can \*get a credit for all of your fare for future use on that carrier. Or it may mean 100% of what you paid is lost forever. Or anything in between. Or something completely different. Only by reading the exact fine print associated with your actual ticket / reservation will you be able to answer the question. Calling the airline is a good place to start if you can’t get the info you need from their website. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/5 "2011-02-13T23:14:55Z")
The last non refundable tickets I had were on Southwest. I could re-use the ticket again, sometime in the future, provided I 1) paid the difference between the existing ticket price and the new ticket price 2) paid a 100.00 change fee. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/6 "2011-02-13T23:19:49Z")
Typically if you call and cancel before your flight, you’ll have a credit towards a future flight. You’ll have to pay change fees for that next flight. So, say you have a $600, non-refundable ticket, and you cancel it. Now you have a $600 credit. But, the airline has a $150 change fee. So next time you book a trip, say, it’s another $600 flight. You’ll have to pay $150 for the change fee. Or, you can find a $450 flight, and with the change fee, it’ll be all taken care of. If you don’t use a travel agent, you may have to pay a using-a-human fee, since your credits aren’t generally available online. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/7 "2011-02-14T02:45:53Z")
> [@Glory](#): > > The last non refundable tickets I had were on Southwest. I could re-use the ticket again, sometime in the future, provided I 1) paid the difference between the existing ticket price and the new ticket price 2) paid a 100.00 change fee. Ironic, considering [this recent ad campaign](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VU0fsDAz1Y) that Southwest is running. Maybe they’ve since changed the rules? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/8 "2011-02-14T03:32:45Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > the only way I’d have a shot at getting my money back (or at least a credit) would be if something drastic happens like a death in the family. It depends on how badly you need the money but, if that is the policy, pick your least favorite person and hide the evidence really well. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/9 "2011-02-14T05:08:06Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > Ironic, considering [this recent ad campaign](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VU0fsDAz1Y) that Southwest is running. Maybe they’ve since changed the rules? I think he must be mistaken. I’ve changed tickets on southwest several times going back several years. I always buy the absolute cheapest ticket I can, and I have never had them charge me a change fee or hassle me in any way. As long as you use the credit within a year, you keep the full value. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/10 "2011-02-14T20:58:32Z")
I had to cancel a flight last minute once, and it was a non-refundable ticket. They told me to go to the airport within 30 days to get a credit minus $75. I don’t remember the carrier, but I know it wasn’t Southwest. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/11 "2011-02-14T21:13:15Z")
Yeah, you should be able to at least get a credit minus a fee. Good luck. Best advice is to take care of it sooner than later, not a day or two before the flight. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/12 "2011-02-15T02:30:32Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > I think he must be mistaken. I’ve changed tickets on southwest several times going back several years. I always buy the absolute cheapest ticket I can, and I have never had them charge me a change fee or hassle me in any way. As long as you use the credit within a year, you keep the full value. This. Before I started dating a pilot, I would regularly fly Southwest. I kept an eagle eye on prices and usually changed my flights a couple times before use, with no fees. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/13 "2011-02-15T04:29:54Z")
Generally, if you change your mind within 24 hours you can get a full refund. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/14 "2011-02-15T06:35:56Z")
If you’re looking at just eating the whole cost, why not just go? I’m sure you could find something entertaining to do in Chicago for the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/15 "2011-02-15T08:02:30Z")
I agree, if I couldn’t change the tix, I would go to Chicago and see what there is to see. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/16 "2011-02-15T08:10:58Z")
That’s probably what’s going to happen… the problem is, I’ll have to get a hotel room and either rent a car or pay a bunch of cab fare. That’s more money I’d rather not spend. It’s only for the one night though, I come back on Saturday night. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/17 "2011-02-15T08:41:24Z")
Have a great time. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/18 "2011-02-15T14:03:32Z")
Get another last minute ticket and take your new/old girlfriend and her kid. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/19 "2011-02-15T18:30:25Z")
We did discuss that, but it won’t work. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-refundable-airline-tickets/571246/20 "2011-02-16T01:57:49Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Yeah, you should be able to at least get a credit minus a fee. Good luck. Best advice is to take care of it sooner than later, not a day or two before the flight. Agreed. Might as well turn it into a credit for however much it is over $150 or whatever Untied charges these days. The norm these days AFAIK is that a simple cancellation w/o rescheduling becomes a credit good for a year, with the change fee taken out when you actually try to reschedule.