TRAVEL PROBLEMS · REFUNDS
Airline voucher or cash refund: which should you take?
When a flight is cancelled or badly changed, airlines often offer a travel credit first. In the US and under EU rules you can usually say no and take your money back instead. Here is what each rule says, and how to decide.
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The 30-second answer
Default to the refund if you are owed one and are not sure you will fly that airline again soon. Cash works anywhere; a credit only works with that airline, under its terms.
A voucher can make sense if you already have a trip planned on the same airline and the credit is worth more than the refund. Read the restrictions before you accept: in most cases you cannot switch back.
United States: what DOT requires
According to the US Department of Transportation's refunds page, when an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight you are entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel or accept the credits, vouchers or other compensation the airline offers. If the airline offers a credit instead:
- it must also tell you that you are entitled to a refund;
- the credit must be valid for at least five years;
- it must disclose any material restrictions, limitations or conditions.
Accepting the credit is your choice. If you take it, or take the alternative flight, the refund right for that ticket is gone. The full refund rules, deadlines and bag fee refunds are in US airline refund rules.
Europe: vouchers need your agreement
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, an airline can pay a refund or compensation in travel vouchers only with the passenger's signed agreement. In March 2024 the EU Court of Justice (case C-76/23) said that choosing a voucher in an airline's online form can count as that agreement, but only if you were able to make an effective and informed choice, with clear and full information about the options.
So in practice: if the app or form shows a voucher button and a refund button, read both before you tap. Picking the voucher can be binding.
Refunds are separate from cash compensation for a late cancellation or long delay. Taking a refund does not cancel a valid compensation claim; see flight cancelled: refund, rebooking or compensation.
Voucher vs refund: how to decide
| Question | If yes |
|---|---|
| Do you have a firm plan to fly this airline again? | A credit can work. Check it covers the fare you will need. |
| Is the credit worth more than the refund? | Get the extra value in writing, with the terms. |
| Does the credit expire, or only cover one passenger? | Weigh that against simply taking cash. |
| Do you need the money back now? | Take the refund. |
| Not sure? | Take the refund. You can always book the airline again with it. |
How to ask for the refund instead
- Don't accept anything in the app yet. Look for a refund option next to the credit.
- Write to the airline (or the travel agency that charged you) and say you are requesting a refund for a cancelled or significantly changed flight, not a credit.
- Keep the cancellation notice and the date you declined the alternative.
- In the US, escalate through DOT's air travel complaint form if the airline does not pay. In Europe, escalate to the national enforcement body.
Owed compensation on top?
On flights covered by EU or UK rules, a late cancellation or a long delay can also mean a fixed cash payment. You can claim that yourself for free, or use a claim service that keeps a percentage if it wins.
Check a Europe or UK flight with AirHelp →
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