Flight Canceled or Changed? How to Claim a Refund from Indian Airlines Easily

Booking a flight in India is easy-looking — until disaster strikes. A last-minute flight cancellation, delay, or schedule change can result in lost dollars, ruined plans, and sheer exasperation. Whether you made a reservation with the airline or a third-party travel agency, your money back doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

Here in this blog, we tell you how to get a flight refund in India, whom to call, what documents to gather, and what you should do if your refund is delayed or denied.

✈️ Typical Reasons You Can Expect a Refund

Knowing why you qualify for a refund is the first step. Indian airlines are bound by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to provide refunds in certain circumstances, including:

• Airline cancellations
• Time schedule changes of more than 2–3 hours
• Overbooking resulting in denied boarding
• Medical concerns
• Duplicate bookings
• Booking errors or failed payments

Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your Flight Refund in India

1. Determine Who You Booked With

• Direct Airline Booking: Visit the airline website and log in to the “Manage Booking” or “My Trips” area.
• Online Travel Agent (OTA): Get in touch with customer care of sites such as MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, or Yatra.
• Offline Travel Agent: You’ll need to go through them, as airlines won’t process direct refunds in such cases.

2. Cancel the Ticket (If Applicable)

To be eligible for a refund, most airlines require cancellation before departure time, unless the airline cancels the flight. Use the official portal, mobile app, or contact center to cancel and keep the confirmation email or SMS.

3. Check Refund Eligibility and Amount

Indian airlines usually charge a cancellation penalty unless:

• The airline cancels the flight
• You cancel inside the 24-hour free cancellation period
• You have a refundable fare (refer fare class)

Always read the cancellation and refund policy of the airline, which is normally attached at the time of booking.

4. Request Refund

Once the cancellation is confirmed, do the following:

• Log in to the airline website or OTA account
• Go to your canceled booking
• Choose “Request Refund” or “Refund Status”
• Upload necessary documents (if you have medical/emergency claims)

5. Check Your Refund Status

The refunds are processed in:

• 7 days for credit/debit card bookings
• 21 days for cash/offline bookings

You can use your booking reference number (PNR) and email to get your refund status on the airline or agent’s website.

⚠️ What If the Airline Refuses Your Refund?

If your refund is rejected or is unusually delayed, you may take these actions:

✅ Reach out to Airline Nodal or Appellate Officer

All airlines in India are required to post contact information of their Nodal Officers who deal with refund complaints. Look for them under “Contact Us” or “Customer Support” on the website of the airline.

✅ Complain to DGCA’s AirSewa Portal

• Go to: https://airsewa.gov.in
• Raise a complaint with booking proof, request for refund, and communication.

Refund Disputes: Documents Required

To make your claim more robust, retain the following:

• E-ticket/booking reference
• Cancellation confirmation
• Airline communication or SMS
• Medical documents (if applicable)
• Screenshot of refund status or failed transactions

How to Avoid Refund Hassles in the Future

• Always book refundable fares for uncertain trips
• Read the fine print on cancellation charges
• Take screenshots of payment confirmations
• Prefer credit card payments for easier chargebacks
• Use reliable OTAs with clear refund policies

When to Contact Indian Travel Help

If:

• You’re struggling to get a refund
• The travel agent is not responding
• Your refund is stuck for weeks
• You feel cheated or overcharged

Indian Travel Help provides step-by-step solutions for:

• Filing refund claims
• Escalating issues to airlines and DGCA
• Receiving refunds from recalcitrant agents or portals
• Assisting foreign visitors through Indian regulations without a hitch

Get Expert Help Today

Don’t let a flight refund problem ruin your vacation. Let us intervene.

✅ Reach out to Indian Travel Help

Email: support@indiantravelhelp.com
Website: www.indiantravelhelp.com