Let’s be trustworthy: typically coping with an airline’s refund course of can really feel like arguing together with your WiFi router. In case you’re caught questioning how you can get your a reimbursement, we’ve damaged it down actual straightforward. Whether or not it was a cancelled flight, missed flights otherwise you’re simply not feeling the journey anymore, right here’s how you can get a refund from an airline like a professional (or not less than like somebody who is aware of what they’re speaking about).

The way to Get a Refund if an Airline Cancels Your Flight
If the airline cancels your flight, you’re often 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 if you happen to 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 (through Travelstart)
In case you booked by us, right here’s how you can make magic occur:
Go to Travelstart Contact Web page
- What can we aid you with? → Choose: Cancellation & Refund
- Sub-category → Choose: Cancellation request – please advise which passenger
- Enter in your particulars, Travelstart reserving quantity and full data within the remark field)
To comply with up on an present refund:
- Similar contact web page
- What can we aid 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 group will take it from there.

Can I Get a Refund for a Missed Flight?
Typically sure, a partial refund. Most occasions nope. Most airways don’t refund missed flights until it was their fault (e.g. delay or cancellation on a earlier leg). However it’s price checking the fare guidelines, you may be eligible for a partial refund or partial airport taxes again.
That’s why it’s best to at all times get to the airport in time, bestie. At the least an hour or 2 hours forward of time.
Right here’s all it is advisable to learn about how you can correctly ebook flights on-line
What to Do If an Airline Refuses a Refund
In case you’re sure that you’re not at fault and the airline’s Ts&Cs are in your favour:
- Screenshot all the pieces
- Escalate to their refunds division
- In case you booked by a third-party (like us), allow us to assist struggle the nice struggle.
But when you realize that you simply’re at fault, then there isn’t any must do all that.
How Lengthy Do Airline Refunds Take?
Truthfully? It is dependent upon the airline. Typically, refunds take round 6–8 weeks as soon as they’re processed.
Why the wait? Since refunds are largely bank-to-bank and should undergo third occasion coordination, verification steps and different nitty gritty processing, it might take some time to clear the funds. Persistence is just not a suggestion however a should.
We want it moved sooner, 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 often | Cancellation price applies. Stability goes to your FlySafair pockets for future journeys. |
LIFT | Not normal | Cancellation price applies. Stability goes to your LIFT pockets for future bookings. |
Airlink | Sure, relying on fare kind | Should cancel inside time restrict. Admin charges apply. |
CemAir | Sure, relying on fare kind | Cancel inside cut-off dates. Admin charges apply. |
South African Airways (SAA) | Sure, relying on fare kind | Time-sensitive cancellations solely. Admin charges apply. |
Do Worldwide Airways supply refunds?
Partial refunds could also be obtainable, both on the ticket or airport taxes, relying on the fare guidelines. Decrease fares usually include extra restrictions.
In case you booked by an agent, please contact them immediately. If booked with the airline, attain out to the airline. All cancellation requests should be made not less than 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, through Handle My Reserving | No refund if you happen to miss the flight. |
Lufthansa | Sure | Cancellation charges apply. |
Air France / KLM | Sure | One of many smoother refund processes on the market. |

Remaining Ideas
- All the time learn the fare circumstances earlier than reserving
- Save emails, boarding passes and confirmations
- Refunds take time. Don’t count on Apple Pay velocity
Booked by us? Allow us to deal with the admin.
There you may have it of us, that’s how you can get a refund from an airline.