Tips on booking a fully refundable flight?

[agarwal.lalit91]

Hi everyone, I need to apply for my Canadian passport. I am planning to go to the US from Toronto. I am looking to book a flight that's fully refundable just in case I am not able to receive my passport in time.

If anyone has been in the same situation, can you please share your experience of booking a refundable flight? Which airline? Which city in the US did you travel to? How easy/tough was it get a refund?

 

[CanEuro]

You don't need to book. Just write on paper that you're traveling to USA by car is enough as proof

 

[canvis2006]

Can even buy a viarail ticket fir train to newyork (if its easier to refund)
Not necessary to deal with airlines.
Viarail or maybe bus is cheaper (if just need booking) or use travel agent

 

[scylla]

Hi everyone, I need to apply for my Canadian passport. I am planning to go to the US from Toronto. I am looking to book a flight that's fully refundable just in case I am not able to receive my passport in time.

If anyone has been in the same situation, can you please share your experience of booking a refundable flight? Which airline? Which city in the US did you travel to? How easy/tough was it get a refund?

It's very easy. Just use a flight search tool like Expedia and select the option for a fully refundable ticket. That will search all airlines and give you your options.

 

[agarwal.lalit91]

Thanks guys. Just wondering how has your experience been getting a refund from these airlines? I have heard horror stories from people who had to get a refund from Air Canada when their flights were cancelled due to Covid.
It would be great if you share your experience getting a refund. Are there airlines that are more flexible and easy to deal with when requesting for a refund?

 

[scylla]

Thanks guys. Just wondering how has your experience been getting a refund from these airlines? I have heard horror stories from people who had to get a refund from Air Canada when their flights were cancelled due to Covid.
It would be great if you share your experience getting a refund. Are there airlines that are more flexible and easy to deal with when requesting for a refund?

That's a different situation and not relevant to what you are asking about. Refunds due to COVID means there was a condition on the refund being processed which may or may not have met. Or perhaps they purchased separate insurance and the insurance company doesn't agree with the reasons for the cancelation.

What I think you are asking about doing is buying a fully refundable ticket. This means there's no dependency on COVID or anything else. You can simply cancel. You want to make sure you read the fine print for that airline to understand their cancelation policy. Some refund right to your credit card. Others refund only credits which you then have to use within a year. There may also be date restrictions (e.g. you have to cancel at the latest within 24 hours of your flight taking place). Some tickets are also only refundable within 48 hours of booking. Again, you need to read the fine print for the airline you're booking with.

I would also recommend that you book directly with the airline through their site. That makes the refund process easier. Start by researching the flights through expedia or similar. Then read up on the refund policy through the airline site itself and book through the airline directly.

My husband recently purchased a fully refundable ticket with Air Canada and had zero issues getting the refund processed.

 

[bellaluna]

Thanks guys. Just wondering how has your experience been getting a refund from these airlines? I have heard horror stories from people who had to get a refund from Air Canada when their flights were cancelled due to Covid.
It would be great if you share your experience getting a refund. Are there airlines that are more flexible and easy to deal with when requesting for a refund?

Pay for a fare class that allows for a full refund, and you should have zero problems. It will be clearly spelled out before you book.

refunds over covid cancellations are a completely different story.