How to Get a Refund If You Can No Longer Travel
It happens more often than you might think: you’ve been planning your holiday for months, booked your flight well in advance and maybe even chosen your dream hotel… but just a few days before departure, something goes wrong. An unexpected health issue, an unmissable work commitment, family problems, or simply a change of plans you can’t avoid. And so you find yourself facing the question that makes every traveler nervous: “Can I get my money back?”
Many people believe that without travel insurance there is no hope of a refund. In reality, there are several scenarios in which you can recover part — or in some cases all — of the amount paid, even if the ticket or booking was non-refundable. Knowing these possibilities is essential so you don’t give up hundreds of euros just because you mistakenly think “it’s all lost.”
The rules change depending on the type of ticket, the airline and current regulations, and often some determination is needed to assert your rights. In addition, there are tools and services that can support you in this process, reducing stress and increasing your chances of success.
Let’s see in which cases you can obtain a refund even without insurance, what strategies to use, and when it is useful to rely on industry experts.
Cases in Which You Can Request a Refund
Not traveling doesn’t always mean losing everything. Here are some concrete examples:
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Airport taxes: even with non-refundable tickets, you can request a refund of taxes and fees.
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Flight cancellation by the airline: in this case, you are entitled to a full refund or an alternative flight.
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Overbooking: if you are denied boarding, you are entitled to a refund or compensation.
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Significant schedule changes: if the flight time changes substantially, you can отказаться and request a refund.
How to Increase Your Chances of a Refund
The secret is to act quickly: as soon as you know you won’t be able to travel, immediately contact the airline or travel agency. Explain the situation and ask them to consider all options, including possible free changes or vouchers of equal value.
If you booked a package holiday, the Tourism Code allows you to transfer the booking to another person, by notifying the organizer at least 4 days in advance.
When the Problem Is the Flight: The Role of DelayFlight24
If the reason you can’t travel is related to flight problems — such as delays of more than 3 hours, cancellations, or overbooking — we are not talking about a “favor” from the airline, but about your right under EC Regulation 261/2004. In these cases, you can receive up to €600 in compensation, regardless of the ticket price.
With DelayFlight24, you can check for free whether you are entitled to compensation and let them handle the claim, with no upfront costs and payment only if the case is successful.
Check if you are entitled to compensation
✈️ Practical Tips for the Future
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When possible, book flexible fares or insurance policies with cancellation clauses.
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Always keep a digital and paper copy of the conditions of carriage.
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Learn about the airline’s refund procedures before booking.
Conclusion
Not traveling can be frustrating, but it doesn’t always mean losing all the money you invested. Knowing that there are mandatory refunds by law, partial refunds such as airport taxes, or the possibility of transferring your booking allows you to save part of your budget. And if the problem is caused by the airline, remember that there are tools like DelayFlight24 to help you assert your rights.
The summer of 2025 will be a period of intense travel and flights often at full capacity: knowing your options in advance will help you turn an unexpected event into a smaller loss — or, in some cases, a full refund.
