Do not accept a travel voucher if you want your money back. Say clearly that you are requesting a refund to the original payment method.

Screenshot the cancellation or schedule-change notice the moment you get it, since airline apps sometimes overwrite the original details.

Third-party bookings (travel sites) often route refunds through the booking site, so ask which company actually holds your payment.

How to Dispute an Airline Charge or Get a Flight Refund

Airline disputes usually involve a canceled or heavily changed flight you were not refunded for, a baggage or seat fee that was charged in error, or a ticket you canceled within the allowed window. Here is the order that tends to work.

Whether you're calling it a refund request, a chargeback, disputing the charge, or just contesting it, the steps below are the same.

Write My Dispute

Free to start — describe what happened and get a dispute letter in minutes.

Step 1

Pull up your booking and the fare rules

Open your confirmation and check what you actually bought: the fare type, the cancellation terms, and any fees listed. Many surprise charges turn out to be an optional add-on selected during booking, so rule that out first.

Step 2

Ask the airline for the refund in writing

Use the airline's refund form or support email, and state the booking reference, the amount, and why you are owed it. If the airline canceled your flight or changed it significantly and you chose not to travel, US Department of Transportation rules generally require a refund to your original form of payment rather than only a voucher.

Step 3

Keep the timeline

Note the dates you contacted the airline and what they said. A clear record of when you asked, and when they did or did not respond, is the core of any later escalation.

Step 4

Escalate to your card issuer or the DOT if the airline stalls

If the airline refuses or does not respond, dispute the charge with your card issuer with the same written account. For US flights you can also file a complaint with the Department of Transportation, which airlines take seriously.

Tips that help

•Do not accept a travel voucher if you want your money back. Say clearly that you are requesting a refund to the original payment method.
•Screenshot the cancellation or schedule-change notice the moment you get it, since airline apps sometimes overwrite the original details.
•Third-party bookings (travel sites) often route refunds through the booking site, so ask which company actually holds your payment.

Don't want to write it yourself?

Describe what happened and FixACharge writes the dispute letter, email, and evidence checklist for you.

Write My Dispute

A self-help document tool, not a law firm. We can't promise refunds or provide legal advice.