Let’s be sincere: typically coping with an airline’s refund course of can really feel like arguing along with your WiFi router. Should you’re caught questioning the way to get your a reimbursement, we’ve damaged it down actual simple. Whether or not it was a cancelled flight, missed flights otherwise you’re simply not feeling the journey anymore, right here’s the way to get a refund from an airline like a professional (or at the very least like somebody who is aware of what they’re speaking about).

The right way to Get a Refund if an Airline Cancels Your Flight
If the airline cancels your flight, you’re normally entitled to a refund. Not a voucher. Not a journey credit score. An precise, actual money-back-to-your-account refund.
Right here’s what to do:
- Don’t panic. Get your reserving reference quantity prepared.
- Head to the airline’s web site (or ours for those who booked by Travelstart).
- Search for the Handle Reserving or Cancellation & Refunds part.
- Observe the steps or name customer support.
Do you know you get R1,000 off worldwide flights with Travelstart+?
Steps to Request an Airline Refund (by way of Travelstart)
Should you booked by us, right here’s the way to make magic occur:
Go to Travelstart Contact Web page
- What can we assist you with? → Choose: Cancellation & Refund
- Sub-category → Choose: Cancellation request – please advise which passenger
- Enter in your particulars, Travelstart reserving quantity and full info within the remark field)
To comply with up on an present refund:
- Similar contact web page
- What can we assist you with? → Cancellation & Refund
- Sub-category → Observe up on pending refund
- Embody your reserving reference.
- Within the remark field present your refund question
That’s it. The refunds crew will take it from there.

Can I Get a Refund for a Missed Flight?
Generally sure, a partial refund. Most instances nope. Most airways don’t refund missed flights except it was their fault (e.g. delay or cancellation on a earlier leg). Nevertheless it’s price checking the fare guidelines, you may be eligible for a partial refund or partial airport taxes again.
That’s why it is best to all the time get to the airport in time, bestie. At the very least an hour or 2 hours forward of time.
Right here’s all that you must learn about the way to correctly ebook flights on-line
What to Do If an Airline Refuses a Refund
Should you’re sure that you’re not at fault and the airline’s Ts&Cs are in your favour:
- Screenshot the whole lot
- Escalate to their refunds division
- Should you booked by a third-party (like us), allow us to assist battle the nice battle.
But when you already know that you just’re at fault, then there is no such thing as a must do all that.
How Lengthy Do Airline Refunds Take?
Truthfully? It will depend on the airline. Typically, refunds take round 6–8 weeks as soon as they’re processed.
Why the wait? Since refunds are principally bank-to-bank and need to undergo third social gathering coordination, verification steps and different nitty gritty processing, it could take some time to clear the funds. Endurance shouldn’t be a suggestion however a should.
We want it moved quicker, we actually do however hey, we don’t make the principles.

Do South African Airways Provide Refunds?
Right here’s a fast cheat sheet:
Airline | Refunds? | Notes |
FlySafair | Not normally | Cancellation price applies. Stability goes to your FlySafair pockets for future journeys. |
LIFT | Not commonplace | Cancellation price applies. Stability goes to your LIFT pockets for future bookings. |
Airlink | Sure, relying on fare sort | Should cancel inside time restrict. Admin charges apply. |
CemAir | Sure, relying on fare sort | Cancel inside deadlines. Admin charges apply. |
South African Airways (SAA) | Sure, relying on fare sort | Time-sensitive cancellations solely. Admin charges apply. |
Do Worldwide Airways supply refunds?
Partial refunds could also be accessible, both on the ticket or airport taxes, relying on the fare guidelines. Decrease fares typically include extra restrictions.
Should you booked by an agent, please contact them straight. If booked with the airline, attain out to the airline. All cancellation requests have to be made at the very least 24 hours earlier than departure. No-shows are sometimes not eligible for refunds.
Let’s break it down:
Airline | Refunds? | Notes |
Emirates | Sure, if fare permits | Contact the agent you booked by. |
Qatar Airways | Sure, with phrases | Processing takes 2–3 weeks. |
Turkish Airways | Refundable fares solely | Count on admin charges and delays. |
British Airways | Sure, by way of Handle My Reserving | No refund for those who miss the flight. |
Lufthansa | Sure | Cancellation charges apply. |
Air France / KLM | Sure | One of many smoother refund processes on the market. |

Last Ideas
- At all times learn the fare situations earlier than reserving
- Save emails, boarding passes and confirmations
- Refunds take time. Don’t count on Apple Pay pace
Booked by us? Allow us to deal with the admin.
There you will have it people, that’s the way to get a refund from an airline.