Is it possible to get money for a non-refundable ticket? Air passenger rights: “non-refundable” tickets can also be returned! Refund for non-refundable air ticket

Most airlines practice selling tickets at non-refundable fares. It is assumed that if the client for some reason decides to return such a boarding pass, he will be denied the procedure and will not be given back the money spent. However, you can still return a non-refundable plane ticket for a number of reasons. True, the reasons in this case must be extremely valid.

Nowadays, the demand for airline services is increasing every day. People travel, fly to resolve work issues, and visit relatives living in other cities and countries. However, in most cases, the cost of boarding passes is quite high. Therefore, many air carriers develop special tariffs, tickets for which have extremely low prices, acceptable for almost all categories of the population.

Of course, the opportunity to purchase an air ticket at the lowest possible cost attracts many customers. However, there are some peculiarities here that future passengers may not be aware of.

Almost all budget tickets have one common characteristic - they cannot be returned. This means that if the client suddenly changes his mind about flying for some personal reason, the money spent on the boarding pass will not be returned to him. This is the essence of the wording “non-refundable air ticket”.

True, in some cases, the registration pass can be exchanged if this is provided for by the airline’s rules, but here you will also need to incur expenses. Usually, in such circumstances, a fine must be paid. Accordingly, in the end, the total amount of money spent on the flight will not be as small as we would like.

The ability to purchase such boarding passes appeared back in 2014. It was from this moment that air carriers acquired the right to independently set the conditions for the sale of seats on the plane. Whereas previously, regulations provided for the possibility of returning absolutely any ticket one day before departure.

It follows that the right to sell non-refundable air tickets is enshrined at the legislative level. That is, carriers in this case act absolutely legally. The goal is to protect the company’s financial fund from material losses.

Is it possible to return a non-refundable ticket: reasons

Despite the fact that in most cases it is impossible to return a non-refundable ticket, there are exceptions. These are defined by law and are set out in paragraph 2, paragraph 108 of the Air Code. The rules set out here are designed to protect the interests of a citizen if he is unable to fly for unforeseen reasons.

You can get a full refund for a non-refundable boarding pass on one of the following grounds:

illness of the client himself, a member of his family, or a loved one, provided that the sick person also had to travel;
death of a close relative from among the passenger’s family members;
failure to fulfill obligations by the carrier, for example, delay of departure by 4 hours or more, complete cancellation of the flight.

It is important to understand here that we are talking exclusively about worthy circumstances. Simply put, if a passenger simply changes his mind about flying, then one should not hope for a full refund, because he was warned in advance that such a procedure in relation to such fares is not provided for in principle.

However, in this case it is worth trying to return at least part of the funds. This refers to unused amounts collected by the airline for the benefit of other carriers. The so-called airport taxes (service, fuel, insurance), which are also included in the ticket price. And since only the fare is considered non-refundable, compensation for the fee of the airport that the passenger never visited must be provided to him.

If the terms and conditions indicate that service fees are non-refundable, then you can’t count on them either. Accordingly, if a person nevertheless decides to purchase a non-refundable boarding pass, then he should be absolutely sure that he will complete the flight. Otherwise, he will most likely suffer material losses.

To return an air ticket and get back the funds with which it was purchased, you will need to contact an airport employee before the end of check-in for passengers on a particular flight. You should first prepare an application and find documentary evidence that the grounds for the procedure actually exist.

The application should be drawn up in two forms - one for the company, the second for yourself. Moreover, you must indicate the reason why the flight cannot take place and the account number where the funds should be transferred. A copy of the air ticket is attached to the request.

But as evidence you can present (depending on the reason):

A medical certificate confirming the illness of the passenger or a relative who was supposed to fly with him. The document must bear the signature of the head physician of the healthcare organization and its seal. The date of issue of the certificate and the period during which the person was ill must be indicated.
Certificate of incapacity for work, certified by a notary.
Death certificate of a loved one or relative.

The request can be submitted in person, by mail or via the Internet. In the first case, it is necessary to ensure that the copy of the passenger’s application is stamped with a stamp indicating acceptance of the request. Sending documents by mail should be issued in the form of a registered letter with acknowledgment of delivery to the addressee.

Typically, such applications are considered for no more than a month. It is also possible to indicate a different period in the appeal - 10-14 days. If after this period there is no response and the funds are not returned, then you can contact the judicial authorities.

If the ticket was purchased through a tour operator, then, first of all, you need to contact him with a question about a refund. The consultant will explain what actions need to be taken. In this case, the commission due to the travel agency is non-refundable.

The period established for contacting the airline in order to return the boarding pass and receive the funds spent on it is 6 months.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a ticket and to accurately understand the consequences of purchasing it, you need to understand which airlines offer coupons for non-refundable fares and what exactly they are called. In the Russian Federation, almost all major carriers operate in this direction. The most famous of them, Transaero and Aeroflot, were the first to begin such activities. The latter airline sells non-refundable coupons at “Budget” and “Promo” fares.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing, it will be useful for passengers to know the following information:

UTair Airlines offers the purchase of non-refundable tickets under the Light Economy or Minimum fares.
Non-refundable fares of the S7 Airlines carrier are called “Business Basic”, “Basic” and “Economy Basic”.
Pobeda Airlines in most cases only sells non-refundable boarding passes. For example, according to the “Standard” and “Package Plus” tariffs.

It is important to clarify that the names may vary slightly, so it is extremely important to pay attention to the description of the boarding pass before purchasing.

But Ural Airlines does not develop special tariffs in principle. This carrier sells low-cost air tickets on days or hours of specially designed promotions.

In general, any non-refundable ticket must have the appropriate mark. Accordingly, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the boarding pass itself. In addition, the carrier or its representative is obliged to notify the client about the terms of refund before paying for a seat on the plane. Simply put, the agent must explain to the passenger whether he will be able to return the ticket and get the money spent on it.

It is also recommended to thoroughly study air tickets purchased via the Internet. In this case, you can view the fare information on the airline’s website and, if necessary, clarify any points by contacting the contact phone number. Usually, if such a ticket is marked “Non Ref”, which means “irrefundable”, then it will not be possible to return it.

As for foreign airlines, there are no symbols for non-refundable tickets as such. Abroad, the sale of such boarding passes is carried out as part of promotions and sales. Such programs themselves imply that ticket surrender is not permitted. In short, foreign carriers by default mean that if a ticket is cheap, then it cannot be returned.

The cost of a non-refundable air ticket can be returned to the passenger in full only if he cancels the flight for valid reasons. The list of such is indicated in the Air Code. In other situations, you can try to return part of the funds, which includes service fees. In general, it is recommended to study the fare conditions as carefully as possible before purchasing a budget ticket. You should purchase such a boarding pass only when there is firm confidence that the flight will take place.

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Nowadays, more and more people prefer to holiday abroad. As a result, more and more often our compatriots have to use airline services. The most basic advantage that a person feels when traveling by air is its high speed of movement between countries. In just a few hours, in a calm atmosphere, you can cover a long distance and find yourself in the right place. This option is especially convenient if a person is limited in time.

There is high service on board the aircraft. Each passenger can optionally order food or drinks during the flight. To make customers feel comfortable, airlines offer various entertainment, for example, watching a movie, reading the press, etc. Today, during the active development of computer technology, a passenger can book a non-refundable ticket using the Internet, and this in turn helps to avoid stress from countless queues, and save on flights.

Sometimes there are unpleasant situations when, due to unforeseen life circumstances, it is not possible to go on a flight. This may be a decision made voluntarily by the passenger (family situation, change of work plans, etc.) or forced (canceled flight). The question immediately arises of how to return non-refundable plane tickets. , to offset the costs a little? In this article we will try to clarify all the nuances of this procedure.

What is a non-refundable ticket?

With a non-refundable air ticket it’s the same as with any investment: if you want to get a profit, then you have to take risks. Thanks to such air tickets, you can save money, but it is very difficult to return them: if plans suddenly change, a person may lose money. If the client returns the ticket on the eve of departure, the airline will not be able to sell it. As a result, the seat on board the plane will be empty, and the carrier, in turn, will lose income.

In order not to expose themselves to risk, airlines decided to sell non-refundable tickets in order to attract customers; they have a low cost. By purchasing a plane ticket that does not provide for return without penalty, the passenger saves money, but at the same time takes a risk. This option is most suitable for people who are completely confident in their plans. Let's still try to clarify whether it is possible to return a non-refundable plane ticket or is it not even worth thinking about?

Tickets of this fare cannot be returned if the passenger cancels the flight for personal reasons

When can I get a refund for an air ticket?

The legislation of our country stipulates the circumstances when it is possible to return a certain amount for a non-refundable ticket.

If force majeure occurs, the client will receive all the money back, and if he is at fault, you can try to return only the fees. Below are the cases when you can return a certain amount:

the flight on the purchased ticket was cancelled;
company employees did not board the passenger on the flight;
the plane was significantly delayed, and this made changes to the client’s plans;
a passenger or his companion, a close relative, falls ill;
Someone close to you has died.

If a passenger, due to an unforeseen situation, did not manage to arrive at the airport on time, he is unlikely to be able to get a full refund for a non-refundable air ticket, but you can try to get back at least part of the amount spent.

The air ticket price includes the airline's basic fare, as well as additional fees for services. In this case, only the basic fare is non-refundable. According to the special air code, the airline is obliged to compensate the passenger for the airport tax that he never visited. Before buying a ticket, you must carefully read the fare plan and booking rules so that a non-refundable fee does not become an unexpected nuisance.

Being late for a flight does not become a basis for a refund for an unused non-refundable air ticket

What to look for when buying an air ticket?

When purchasing, you need to pay attention not only to the status of the air ticket (refundable or non-refundable), but also be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for making changes. Some companies offer their clients an excellent opportunity to change the departure date or passenger information if necessary.

Basically, this service is paid. Costs must be paid per person and for any changes to the itinerary. In the event that the new rate is slightly higher than the rate paid initially, the ticket price will also be adjusted. If the new rate is lower than the amount originally paid, nothing will be refunded. Menu change, request for additional services, transfer, comfort class, premium club, reload will not be charged. There are no additional administrative costs.

How to find out your tariff?

Before buying a ticket for the required flight, you must check what the booking conditions are. If the ticket is non-refundable, you will see this in the fare rules. See these inscriptions:

full refund of fees is prohibited;
after cancellation by the passenger, the ticket price will not be refunded;
it is unacceptable to make a change;
changes are made by airport staff for an additional fee;
the fee is not refunded to the client only if the tariff is non-refundable.

If a passenger ordered an air ticket via the Internet, it can be returned, however, the monetary losses will be the same. The money will be returned to the client to the bank card with which he paid for the air ticket. The refund procedure may take up to three months.

Refund procedure

What should I do to get a refund for an air ticket due to family circumstances? To do this, you will need to write a letter to the airline's email address before check-in for the flight begins, and explain in detail why you cannot fly on this flight. Such a letter will confirm that the client notified the carrier in a timely manner about the unforeseen situation and the desire to return the money. It is imperative to collect the necessary evidence that will serve as the basis for a forced refund of the money for the ticket. These may be the following documents:

doctor's certificate confirming the passenger's health at the time of departure;
a copy of the person’s disability document with a stamp;
certificate from the airport medical center;
death certificate of a relative.

Illness of the passenger or his companion, confirmed by documents, will be a legal reason to return the money

Exchange of non-refundable air tickets

Airlines have specially established rules according to which a passenger can change a non-refundable air ticket, but only for a different departure date. If a passenger, having analyzed his plans in detail, determines that in a few weeks he will still fly in this direction, a non-refundable air ticket can be exchanged. Of course, in this case, the passenger loses a certain amount of money, but exchanging a ticket is much cheaper than buying a new one for another date.

If the airline does not have the cheapest tickets for the new flight chosen by the client, you can buy a ticket of a different class. In this case, the amount for a non-refundable ticket will be used to pay for a new order (only the airline’s fee for the exchange procedure will be withheld). Of course, you can only exchange your ticket for the plane for which the reservation system shows available seats.

What was the situation in our country until today?

Until mid-2014, passengers did not ask the question: what is a non-refundable plane ticket, since all Russian airline tickets were refundable. Each passenger had the opportunity to return the ticket even before boarding the plane, and in this case receive about 75 percent of its cost. If the ticket was returned a few days before the flight, then the client did not lose anything at all financially. The risk of customers canceling the flight was built directly into the tariff plan; therefore, the ticket was more expensive.

After additions to the air code came into force in our country, passengers learned what a non-refundable ticket is. It was planned that these amendments in Russia would create conditions for the active development of low-cost airlines. Practice shows that airlines, taking advantage of this provision, made the cheapest air tickets non-refundable. Also, the airline market began to introduce flexible tariff plans (non-refundable, non-exchangeable, without baggage). As a result, the cost of domestic flights has decreased.

Since 2014, a law on non-refundable air tickets has been in effect.

How to get a refund for an air ticket purchased online

Among our compatriots there is an opinion that you can return a ticket purchased online only if you print it on paper and contact one of the airline’s representative offices. But practice shows that the return of non-refundable Aeroflot tickets does not have to be carried out exactly according to this procedure. It is enough to fill out a special application on the airline’s website. If the menu does not contain the item you need, you can send an email or call a phone number to clarify whether the application has been completed correctly.

If you have collected all the necessary papers and provided them to the airline employee, you will be transferred money for the air ticket within 3-10 business days

Funds will be returned in the same way the payment was made. If the client paid with a bank card, it means , the money will come to the same account. The maximum period for receiving money for an air ticket is up to one month, but practice shows that this procedure is carried out much faster. Before you begin the procedure for returning an air ticket purchased online, you need to make sure that this is the only way out. After all, it is much more profitable if the client exchanges the ticket for the same one, only with a different date.

To receive a refund for a missed flight at a non-refundable rate, please contact the call center

Is it possible to get a refund for a ticket from a low-cost airline flight?

If a passenger decides to fly on a low-cost flight, then it is almost impossible to get a refund. As practice shows, in this case it is even impossible to return the airport tax. This feature of the tariff allows low-cost airlines to take a step towards customers and reduce the cost of air tickets, otherwise, passengers would have to pay an additional fee for the opportunity to return the ticket. But the situation is not hopeless, since there are some companies that, due to a passenger’s illness, can refund a smaller part of the ticket price. In short, you will have to carefully read the rules established by the airline.

When is it profitable to purchase a non-refundable plane ticket?

If a person is absolutely sure of his plans, he can complete the planned trip. It is in this case that this tariff plan is really a great opportunity to save a little while traveling. Regardless of what class of ticket the passenger buys, he will be able to use all the amenities that the airline provides for passengers in this option.

If you are interested in the question of whether it is possible to return a non-refundable plane ticket, then you will find the answer below, just a few lines later.

How to return non-refundable plane tickets

Yes, you can return a non-refundable plane ticket. Moreover, you will be refunded the cost of the air ticket (more precisely, the carriage charge, i.e. the cost of the ticket without commission fees and actual carrier costs). This norm is enshrined in Article 108 of the Air Code of the Russian Federation.

But a refund of a non-refundable ticket will be possible only if the passenger refuses the flight. forced. A forced refusal will only be in the presence of the following circumstances:

illness of the passenger himself, or illness of a member of his family or close relative who must fly with him on the plane. In this case, the fact of illness must be confirmed by medical documents. Important: the passenger must inform the air carrier about the fact of illness before the end of passenger check-in for the flight;
death of a family member of the passenger or his close relative. This fact must be confirmed by documents. Important: the passenger must inform the air carrier about the fact of death before the end of passenger check-in for the flight;
delay in aircraft departure, as well as other actions (or inactions) of the carrier listed in the federal aviation regulations, resulting in failure to fulfill obligations under the air transportation agreement.

Note: Family members include spouses, parents and children (including adoptive and adopted parents), close relatives include grandparents, grandchildren, full and half brothers and sisters.

We draw your attention to the fact that the carrier or its agent is obliged to inform the passenger about the conditions for returning non-refundable plane tickets before concluding a contract (before purchasing a ticket). That is, the carrier must provide information about whether the passenger will be able to return the ticket and whether the carriage charge (the cost of the air ticket) will be refunded before paying for the air ticket.

If a non-refundable air ticket is purchased (i.e., the air carriage agreement contains a condition on the non-refund of carriage charges), then the cost of the ticket is not refunded unless the refusal is forced. But unused amounts collected by the carrier in favor of other organizations in accordance with the laws of foreign countries (for example, airport taxes) can be returned to the passenger.
In the event of termination of the contract for air carriage of a passenger due to the passenger’s forced refusal of part of the carriage, the passenger is refunded the amount for the unfulfilled part of the carriage.

How to get money back for a non-refundable air ticket

When forced refusal from the flight, all fees (for issuing a ticket, for issuing an electronic multi-purpose document, for issuing a baggage payment receipt, fees for foreign countries, fuel surcharge, airport tax, etc.) are refundable to the passenger. Thus, you can get a refund for a non-refundable air ticket.

When returning a ticket:

prepare medical and other documents confirming your forced refusal to fly;
contact the airline, travel agency, website where the ticket was purchased;
prepare an application for a ticket refund. If the ticket is electronic, then download the application form from the website of the company where the ticket was purchased;
prepare other documents, a list of which you can also find on the company’s website;
return the ticket either at the office (sales office) of the company where the ticket was purchased, or through the airline website where the ticket was purchased.

Please note that an application for a refund of an air ticket is accepted only from the passenger indicated on the air ticket, or from his representative, whose authority is confirmed by a notarized power of attorney.

Money for a returned air ticket is usually transferred in the same way as payment was made:

to a current account, to a bank card;
cash;
to an electronic wallet.

More detailed information about the conditions for returning air tickets, including non-refundable ones, can be found on the airline’s website.

If you are interested in the question of whether it is possible to return a non-refundable plane ticket, then you will find the answer below, just a few lines later.

How to return non-refundable plane tickets

But a refund of a non-refundable ticket will be possible only if the passenger refuses the flight. forced. A forced refusal will only be in the presence of the following circumstances:

illness of the passenger himself, or illness of a member of his family or close relative who must fly with him on the plane. In this case, the fact of illness must be confirmed by medical documents. Important: the passenger must inform the air carrier about the fact of illness before the end of passenger check-in for the flight;
death of a family member of the passenger or his close relative. This fact must be confirmed by documents. Important: the passenger must inform the air carrier about the fact of death before the end of passenger check-in for the flight;
delay in aircraft departure, as well as other actions (or inactions) of the carrier listed in the federal aviation regulations, resulting in failure to fulfill obligations under the air transportation agreement.

Note: Family members include spouses, parents and children (including adoptive and adopted parents), close relatives include grandparents, grandchildren, full and half brothers and sisters.

How to get money back for a non-refundable air ticket

When returning a ticket:

prepare medical and other documents confirming your forced refusal to fly;
contact the airline, travel agency, website where the ticket was purchased;
prepare an application for a ticket refund. If the ticket is electronic, then download the application form from the website of the company where the ticket was purchased;
prepare other documents, a list of which you can also find on the company’s website;
return the ticket either at the office (sales office) of the company where the ticket was purchased, or through the airline website where the ticket was purchased.

Money for a returned air ticket is usually transferred in the same way as payment was made:

to a current account, to a bank card;
cash;
to an electronic wallet.

More detailed information about the conditions for returning air tickets, including non-refundable ones, can be found on the airline’s website.

It happens that you have to cancel a trip due to various circumstances. Many people are interested in how to cancel a flight ticket and get their money back. It is worth clarifying that boarding passes are either refundable or non-refundable.

What tickets can be returned?

All boarding passes purchased from airlines of the Russian Federation are subject to return and exchange. These rules were established by Order No. 82 of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation “On approval of the Federal Aviation Rules”. Therefore, Russian air carriers are obliged to provide such an opportunity.

Tickets are refunded in accordance with Article 108 of the Air Code of the Russian Federation. It stipulates all the nuances of the procedure.

Download the following regulations for viewing and printing:

When returning a boarding pass, the airline may apply the following to the passenger:

remove the return fee;
apply penalties;
collect a certain amount of penalty.

According to the rules, the amount of deduction should not exceed 25% of the cost of the air ticket.

Is it possible to return a plane ticket that was purchased from a foreign company? Yes. In this case, the air carrier also charges an additional commission. As a rule, this amount is insignificant.

To return your boarding pass, you must notify the airline in advance. This must be done no later than one day before the aircraft’s departure. This guarantees that the carrier will only charge 25% of the commission. Otherwise, the passenger may be refused, and no one will return the money.

Tickets purchased at a reduced price are considered non-refundable. They are sold by both Russian and foreign companies. They allow you to save money on flights.

Although these boarding passes are considered non-refundable, they can still be returned. To do this, you need to notify the air carrier in advance. He will return a certain fee for the air ticket: booking commission, airport taxes. The main cost of the boarding pass will be written off. The refund amount will be small.

Is it possible to return a non-refundable ticket? Yes. This can be done in the following situations:

Official refusal to obtain a visa. For confirmation, the passenger provides a copy of the passport with a refusal stamp.
Death of a close relative. The passenger provides a document confirming relationship and death certificate
Illness of the passenger, which entails hospitalization. Provide documents from the hospital.

The passenger can also return the boarding pass if the flight was delayed due to the fault of the air carrier. Such cases often happen, but companies almost always do not admit their guilt. You can return a ticket if a flight is canceled or rescheduled, the route is changed, or flight connections are not provided when performing a single carriage (on one air ticket).

The passenger is obliged to notify the company about the refusal of the boarding pass no later than 24 hours before departure. Air carrier employees decide on a refund for a ticket on an individual basis.

There is no time limit for consideration of an application for the return of a boarding pass. Sometimes it lasts for weeks or months.

If the air carrier recognizes the refund as involuntary, the passenger will receive the full cost of the ticket back. Service fees will be non-refundable.

Where to contact

The sooner the passenger notifies the company of his refusal to fly, the better. This can be done directly on the airline's website. To do this, you need to go to a special section “Booking” or another (depending on the menu of the online resource). Enter your air ticket number in the appropriate field.

An electronic ticket will appear in the window that opens. You need to find the return icon. Click it and follow further instructions.

If this option is not available on the airline’s website, you must contact them directly by sending an email. You can do this on the website.

You can also call the hotline. To do this, dial the number indicated on the carrier’s Internet resource page. The operator is informed of the reservation number and reasons for the return.

It is worth considering that airline ticket sales agencies can also issue a document return. To do this, you need to contact them by email or by calling the operator.

Nuances of returning an electronic ticket

Air tickets purchased via the Internet can only be returned on the carrier’s official website. For this, companies have developed a certain procedure. The passenger must fill out a special electronic form indicating his contact information. After this, the company manager will contact him and explain further actions.

Some air carriers require the passenger's personal presence in the office when returning a document. To do this, you need to come to the company and fill out a written application. This method is considered the most effective.

Returning your boarding pass will not cost you any fees. Amounts are withheld in accordance with the established rules of the carrier.

How much money can you get back?

Refunds for plane tickets are carried out in accordance with the Airspace Code (Article 108). In this case, the passenger must receive the full cost of the boarding pass. The exception is service fees.

Important! The carrier will charge a fee of 25% of the total cost of the boarding pass. This rule is stated not only in the code, but also in the airline regulations.

If the ticket was purchased through an agency, it may be difficult to return it. From the total cost of the boarding pass, not only 25% will be deducted in favor of the air carrier, but also 10-15% in favor of the agency itself.

Advice. Before purchasing air tickets through intermediaries, you must first familiarize yourself with the refund rules.

If a passenger is late for a flight or misses it, the money may be returned minus large penalties. It is better to notify the operator a few hours before departure so that upon arrival at the airport you can issue a refund of at least some part of the cost.

Is it possible to exchange tickets for another date?

This possibility exists. How to exchange a plane ticket? Exchange rules depend on the following factors:

reasons that force you to exchange an already purchased boarding pass;
airline tariffs established for this purpose;
dates of departure and passenger's request.

It is better to familiarize yourself in advance with the rules for returning and exchanging documents on the carrier’s official website. It must be remembered that the lower the cost of the air ticket and the closer the departure date, the more difficult it is to exchange it.

Important! You cannot exchange a ticket for another person's name.

You also cannot exchange business class boarding passes for economy class. It is prohibited to choose another airline. In case of ticket exchange, the passenger will be charged a certain commission. It includes interest on delivery of the document, as well as service fees. As a rule, it does not exceed 30% of the total cost.

To exchange a coupon purchased on an online resource, you will need to fill out the appropriate field. If the ticket was purchased at the airport ticket office, the passenger must personally arrive at the place, providing the cashier with a passport, ticket, and returning the money for service fees.