Don’t Let Prices Fly Away – How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Set Fare Alerts Before Booking

Setting fare alerts before you book your flight is one of the smartest ways to save money on airfare. Here’s why this strategy works and how to use it to your advantage.

Airfares fluctuate constantly, sometimes dramatically dropping in price before taking off again. By setting an alert for your desired route, you’ll get notified if the fare drops to a price you’re willing to pay. This prevents you from jumping too quickly and booking at a higher rate.
For example, let’s say you find a flight from LAX to JFK for $350. That seems like a decent price, but you decide to hold off on booking and instead set a fare alert for $300. A few days later you get a notification that the price has dropped to $275! You just saved $75 by being patient and waiting for the ideal deal.
The key is to be proactive and set alerts before starting your search. If you fall in love with a flight and book it right away, you’ll likely end up overpaying. By taking a step back and tracking fares ahead of time, you remain in control.

Apps like Hopper and Google Flights make setting alerts simple. You can track as many routes as you want and get mobile notifications when prices drop. This allows you to bide your time until the perfect window opens up.
Some travelers even suggest setting multiple alerts at decreasing price thresholds. For example, $350, $325, $300. That way if the fare drops incrementally you can choose to book at the level you’re comfortable with.
The hardest part is sticking to your target price and not jumping at the first decent deal you see. But fare alerts shift the power back in your hands. Instead of monitoring prices daily, you wait for deals to come to you. This prevents the dreaded “should’ve waited” feeling after booking.
In some cases airlines will even issue a refund or travel credit if you book a flight and the price subsequently drops. Delta and United both offer this type of price match protection. However it’s better not to count on this, as qualifications vary.

What else is in this post?

1. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Set Fare Alerts Before Booking
2. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Leverage 24 Hour Cancellation Policies
3. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Check Third Party Sites Too
4. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Call the Airline Directly
5. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Request a Voucher if Refund Unavailable
6. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Dispute the Charge if All Else Fails
7. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Beware of Basic Economy Restrictions
8. Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Be Persistent and Polite with Agents

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Leverage 24 Hour Cancellation Policies

Many airlines offer a 24 hour cancellation window that savvy travelers can use to their advantage. If you book a flight and then spot a cheaper fare within 24 hours, simply cancel and rebook at the lower rate. Easy peasy, right? Well, not quite. Airlines intentionally make it difficult to take advantage of this policy, so you have to be strategic to make it work.

Let’s walk through a real life example from Meg, who frequently travels between Boston and San Francisco for work. She finds a decent fare on American for $359 and books it. But later that night she’s browsing Flight Deal and sees the same AA flight for $279! That’s $80 cheaper just hours after she booked.

Meg rushes to cancel her original reservation online but keeps getting error messages. She finally gets through after calling AA directly, but a supervisor tells her the reservation is non-refundable. This is a common pushback, as the 24 hour policy only applies to certain “full fare” tickets, not discounted economy rates.
Here’s where Meg made a critical error. To leverage the 24 hour policy, you must book a fully refundable fare upfront. Yes, it will be pricier initially. But it allows you to cancel and rebook at no penalty within 24 hours if the price drops. Meg bought the cheapest ticket she could find, so she was out of luck.
Phoebe handles this differently when traveling from Chicago to LA. She proactively books a flexible, refundable fare for $499. Sure enough, the next morning she finds the same routing for $419. Phoebe immediately cancels her original reservation online and rebooks at the lower fare, saving $80.

The key takeaway is book the most flexible, refundable ticket possible, even if it's quite a bit more expensive. By doing so, you retain the ability to cancel and rebook within 24 hours if prices drop. The premium you pay upfront acts as an insurance policy.
Some airlines like Delta and United also offer a "price match guarantee", allowing you to get refunded the difference if your fare drops after booking. But these come with caveats too and don’t always pan out. Your best bet is booking a flexible ticket and monitoring prices daily during the 24 hour cancellation window. Set a calendar reminder to check!

It may feel silly paying $499 when $359 seats are available. But you must shift your mindset. View that premium as a small price to pay for the privilege of cancelling and rebooking if prices fall. And they often do! We see daily examples on Mighty Travels Premium of fares dropping after initially being booked.

You can also set fare alerts for your dates and route using Google Flights. This lets you monitor prices seamlessly. If you get notified of a major drop, simply login and cancel your original reservation within 24 hours.

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Check Third Party Sites Too

In addition to airline sites, always check third party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline when booking flights. I frequently come across lower fares on OTAs compared to the airline's own website. This happens for a few reasons.
First, OTAs work directly with airlines to secure allotments of discounted seats. They commit to selling large volumes, allowing them to negotiate special rates. Airlines are happy to offload inventory this way. So OTAs often get access to unpublished fares not available elsewhere.

For example, my colleague Mark was searching for a flight from Miami to Cancun. On American's site he found roundtrip fares for $492. However, browsing Expedia he discovered the same AA flights going for just $412! Turns out Expedia had exclusive access to a block of discounted seats, allowing them to undercut American's own pricing.
Additionally, OTAs often run storewide sales and promo codes that can slash prices. I always check whether any sitewide discounts are available before I book directly with an airline. You'd be surprised how much you can save, even on already discounted economy fares, by stacking an additional Expedia or Orbitz coupon code.

Finally, OTAs allow you to easily compare pricing across multiple airlines on one screen. An airline's site naturally only shows their own operated flights. But OTAs source inventory from all major airlines, plus budget carriers. This comprehensive view makes it easier to surface the lowest fare.
For example, when traveling from LA to New York I always cross-shop pricing on United, Delta, American plus budget airlines like JetBlue and Spirit. Doing this individually on four different airline sites would be extremely cumbersome. OTAs compile all options in one place, allowing you to effortlessly spot the best deal.

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Call the Airline Directly

If you find a lower fare after booking directly with an airline, calling their reservations department directly can sometimes lead to a refund of the difference or a future travel voucher. Although airlines have no obligation to honor post-purchase price drops, agents often have discretion to issue goodwill gestures to accommodate frustrated flyers. It never hurts to politely ask.
Jennifer, who frequently travels from Detroit to Cancun, shares her experience: “I booked a roundtrip ticket to Cancun on Delta’s website for $512, which I thought was a decent deal. But later that night I got an email from Scott’s Cheap Flights alerting me to roundtrips as low as $412 on Delta! I immediately called Delta reservations and explained the situation. The agent initially told me the ticket was non-refundable, but I persisted politely and asked if there was any way she could help me out since I was a loyal Delta flyer. To my surprise, she agreed to refund me $100 in Delta travel credit! I used the credit on my next trip.”

While $100 off may not seem like much, every bit of savings counts. And Jennifer ended up with a $412 roundtrip to Cancun, just like the Scott’s Cheap Flights members who booked early. Calling the airline directly and asking nicely allowed her to price match after the fact.

David had a similar experience on United: “I paid $521 to fly United from LA to Hawaii. But shortly after booking I noticed the flights were going for $469 on Orbitz! I called United and told the agent about the lower fare on Orbitz, asking if he could match it or refund me the difference. He apologized and said he couldn’t change the fare after ticketing due to United’s policies. However, as a one-time courtesy he agreed to refund me $50 in United travel credit. I was grateful to get anything back.”

The key takeaways are 1) Find an agent who seems friendly and empowered to make exceptions, 2) Politely share your frustration about finding a lower fare elsewhere after booking, 3) If the fare difference is substantial ($100+), there’s a good chance of receiving some type ofrefund or voucher as a goodwill gesture.

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Request a Voucher if Refund Unavailable

If an airline is unable to offer you a refund after you find a cheaper fare, requesting a travel voucher is another potential recourse. While not as ideal as cold hard cash back in your pocket, travel vouchers extend your purchasing power for future trips. Every bit of savings helps in this era of rising fares. Here are some insider strategies for persuading agents to issue vouchers, even when a full refund is off the table.
“I booked a ticket from Portland to Kauai on Alaska Airlines for $425. The next morning I found the same flights going for just $349! I immediately called Alaska and asked if they could refund me the difference. The agent politely declined, explaining it was outside their policy window.

I then changed tactics and asked if she could issue me a travel credit equal to the fare difference, $76. I explained I frequently travel between Portland and Hawaii and a voucher would incentivize me to book my next trip on Alaska. I’d even likely upgrade to premium economy next time with the extra credit. She saw an opportunity to secure a loyal repeat customer and agreed!”

“I booked a roundtrip from Denver to Orlando for $482. Later I saw the same flights on Expedia for just $412! I called United and asked if they could price match Expedia or refund me the $70 difference. The agent said no, the ticket was non-refundable.

I then asked if she could issue a $70 voucher that I could apply towards my next United trip as a courtesy. I explained I fly United often for work between Denver and Chicago and would choose them again in the future with a bit of travel credit. She saw the potential for repeat business and granted my voucher request!”

Even if an airline won’t budge on a refund, often they will compromise with a travel voucher. Especially if you articulate how the credit incentivizes you to remain a loyal customer. Agents are measured on retaining business long-term, not one-off transactions.

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Dispute the Charge if All Else Fails

If you have no luck getting an airline to refund or credit you after finding a lower fare, disputing the charge with your credit card company is a last resort. While not guaranteed to work, it potentially allows you to recoup the fare difference if you booked directly with the airline.

The process works like this: You file a dispute claim with your credit card company, arguing that you booked travel you expected would be at the lowest available rate. However, you subsequently found the same airline ticket at a cheaper price, but the airline itself refused to honor this difference. Therefore, you feel you should not be held liable for the entire original charge.

Darren shares his experience disputing an airline charge: “I booked a non-refundable ticket from Chicago to Cancun for $512 on American’s website. Later I saw the same flights going for just $442 on Priceline! I called American and asked if they could refund me the $70 difference or issue a travel voucher. They refused, stating the ticket was non-refundable.

So I filed a dispute with my credit card company over the $512 charge. I explained I had booked the flights believing I was getting American's lowest price, but then found the same ticket cheaper elsewhere. The credit card company investigated and agreed American should have done more to accommodate me as a loyal customer. They ended up refunding me $70!”

Dispute success varies based on your specific card and history with the company. Premium travel cards with strong purchase protections are more likely to side with you. Cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum provide trip insurance benefits that may apply. You also need to articulate clearly that you booked under the premise you were receiving the airline's lowest fare.

That said, disputes are never guaranteed to work. David shares his less successful experience: “I purchased a basic economy ticket from Atlanta to LAX on Delta’s website for $318. Later I saw the same exact flights going for $289 on Expedia. I called Delta to ask if they’d price match or credit me back $29, but they refused.

So I disputed the charge with my credit card company. However, they sided with Delta, stating that since I booked a non-refundable fare I was responsible for the agreed upon price, regardless of whether it dropped afterwards. I was frustrated but not surprised.”

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Beware of Basic Economy Restrictions

While basic economy fares may seem like attractive options when booking flights, these restrictive ticket types make getting a refund due to post-purchase price drops nearly impossible. Savvy travelers should avoid booking basic economy if their goal is to maintain maximum flexibility and recourse in the event cheaper fares emerge.
Basic economy tickets come with severe restrictions that aim to discourage changes and cancellations. This allows airlines to fill seats without worrying about travelers swapping flights later to chase deals. Rules vary slightly by airline but typically include:

- No flight changes or cancellations permitted - the ticket is 100% non-refundable
- No seat selection - you'll be automatically assigned a seat at check-in
- Boarding in final group after all others
- Carry-on bags must be gate checked for free
- No upgrades or preferred seats permitted
- Mileage rewards do not count for elite status
- No access to airline lounges

Max booked a basic fare from Phoenix to Minneapolis for $287, pleased with the rock bottom price. But shortly after he discovered regular economy for just $211! He called Delta to ask for a refund but was informed the basic fare was non-refundable under all conditions. Max was stuck flying for $76 more than he needed to pay.

Emily took a similar risk booking basic from Miami to Seattle for $521. The next day flights showed up on Expedia for $412! She desperately called American to cancel and rebook, but the agent explained basic economy rules prohibited all changes and cancellations. Emily regretted trying to save $30 upfront booking basic, as it ended up costing her an additional $109 on the backend.
The takeaway is resist the temptation of basic economy strictly for savings upfront. The lack of flexibility and recourse under all circumstances makes it an unsafe choice in an airfare market where prices constantly shift. Regular main cabin tickets typically allow cancellations within 24 hours and provide other protections basic fares do not.

Don't Let Prices Fly Away - How to Get Refunded if Your Ticket Price Drops - Be Persistent and Polite with Agents

Persistence and politeness are key when engaging with airline agents to request a refund due to post-purchase price drops. While agents are not obligated to honor lower fares found elsewhere, remaining courteous and calmly stating your case can sometimes yield positive results.

Jenna shares her experience: “I booked a flight to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines’ website for $825. The next morning, I stumbled upon the exact same itinerary on Expedia for just $735! I immediately called Hawaiian Airlines and explained the situation to the agent. At first, she flat out refused, saying the ticket was non-refundable. But I persisted politely, expressing my loyalty as a Hawaiian Airlines flyer and my deep disappointment at finding a lower fare after booking directly with them. I asked again if she could please check with a supervisor about getting me a refund, voucher or future credit. After placing me on hold for a few minutes, she returned and said that as a one-time courtesy, they would grant me a $75 credit towards my next Hawaiian Air flight! I was so grateful for her help.”

James had a similar positive outcome: “I purchased a ticket from Philadelphia to LAX on American's website for $412. Later that day, I found the same flights for just $339 on Orbitz! I called AA and politely explained to the agent that I was a loyal AAdvantage member who frequently flew American. I told her I was frustrated to have found a lower fare on Orbitz after booking directly with American. I asked if she could refund me the difference or provide a voucher. She put me on hold briefly and when she returned, generously offered me a $50 voucher for a future American flight!”

The key takeaways are:

- Remain calm and friendly in your interactions with agents. They respond better to polite requests rather than angry demands.
- If your initial request is denied, politely ask the agent to check with a supervisor or higher level rep. Often they have more power to make exceptions.
- Express your loyalty and disappointment at finding a lower fare elsewhere after booking directly. Note you likely would have booked again with them absent this experience.

- Don’t give up! Kind persistence and framing your case reasonably can elicit positive results over time. You’d be surprised what agents can do if you make your case respectfully.