How to Get a Refund from a Travel Agency

Are travel agents not refunding your money? Follow this advice to improve your odds of canceling or changing flights for refunds.

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Updated · 1 min read
Profile photo of Christie Olsen
Written by Christie Olsen
Profile photo of Mary M. Flory
Edited by Mary M. Flory
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

As travel commitments remain in flux, many passengers are canceling or modifying upcoming flights. While most airlines have relaxed cancellation policies, the process can be confusing when modifying flights booked through an online travel agency, or OTA.

When you book with agencies such as Travelocity, Orbitz or Priceline, you essentially agree to both the terms and conditions of the OTA and the airline, and many travelers may feel caught in limbo between both.

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to make changes for nonrefundable flights booked through a third-party agency. Even so, here's our best advice to help you figure out how to get a refund from a travel agency.

Tips to cancel airline tickets booked through an online travel agency

Don’t bother calling

With an onslaught in call volume and extended hold times, OTAs have sent out a plea for customers to refrain from calling to make changes unless you’re scheduled to fly in the next 72 hours.

Cancel using chat

Agencies like Expedia have implemented a virtual agent who will guide you through the process of canceling your booking and answer other questions.

Cancel online with My Trips

Most agencies have added new options to change or cancel your trip online. Using "Manage My Trip" or a similar option allows you to make hassle-free changes without having to call.

Submit a Cancel Request Form

Some OTAs, like Orbitz, offer the option of filling out an online form to cancel your booking. Simply include your itinerary number, email and phone number to submit. Once the form is completed, you will receive an email confirmation.

Cancel with the airline directly

If contacting your online travel agency is getting you nowhere, try connecting with the airline directly. You can track down the airline record locator number through your confirmation itinerary email. Even if you booked through an OTA, some airlines are able to help you directly.

Keep in mind that if your flight is canceled by the airline, many third-party sites will give you a refund. Orbitz recently posted on Twitter that if an airline cancels your flight, there is no need to call. They will automatically refund the cost of your flight back to the original form of payment.

The bottom line

Travel guidelines are still changing, with new policies evolving daily. Therefore, it may be wise to wait until your travel date is approaching to cancel or modify your flight. Make sure to check with your airline and online travel agency for the latest policy developments.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

Up to $300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more travel cards
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.