Getting a refund on a transferred ticket can be tricky. There are a few key factors that determine if you are eligible for a refund after transferring a ticket.
What is a transferred ticket?
A transferred ticket refers to a ticket that has been given or sold to someone other than the original purchaser. Airlines allow tickets to be transferred to another person in many cases. This allows the original ticket holder to give or sell their ticket if they can no longer use it.
There are a couple ways tickets can be transferred:
- Directly through the airline – Most airlines allow you to change the name on the ticket directly with them for a transfer fee.
- Using a third party site – Some third party sites like Vayama allow you to transfer a ticket booking to someone else for a fee.
- Physically giving the ticket to someone else – The original purchaser can physically give the ticket they bought to someone else to use.
The main thing that defines a transferred ticket is that someone other than the original ticket purchaser is traveling with that ticket. This is different from changing the name with the airline directly where the new traveler assumes all obligations of the original ticket.
Can you get a refund on a transferred plane ticket?
In most cases, you cannot get a full refund on a transferred plane ticket. However, partial refunds are sometimes possible in certain situations.
Here are some key factors that determine if you can get any type of refund on a transferred ticket:
- Refundability of the original ticket – If the original ticket was non-refundable, it will likely remain non-refundable after being transferred. Refundable tickets may allow partial refunds after transfers.
- Fees paid for the transfer – Any fees paid specifically for the ticket transfer are likely non-refundable.
- Type of transfer – How the ticket was transferred can impact refund eligibility. Airlines are more flexible with direct name changes through them versus physical ticket transfers.
- Date of travel – The closer you are to the departure date, the less chance there is of getting a partial refund on a transferred ticket.
So in most cases, at best a partial refund may be possible on a transferred ticket depending on the original fare rules. However, full refunds are very rare due to the nature of a ticket transfer.
Partial refund scenarios
While full refunds are not allowed, it is sometimes possible to get a partial refund on a transferred plane ticket in certain situations:
- Refundable ticket – If the original ticket was a refundable fare, a partial refund may be allowed after transfer. This depends on the airline’s policy.
- Itinerary change – If the new traveler changes the itinerary, unused fees and taxes may be refunded.
- Lower fare class – If the new traveler books a lower fare class than originally purchased, the fare difference may be refunded.
Here is an example of getting a partial refund on a refundable transferred ticket:
- Original ticket: LAX to LHR roundtrip refundable fare, $1000 total fare.
- Ticket transferred to new traveler for $100 transfer fee.
- New traveler only uses LAX to LHR portion.
- Original traveler requests refund on unused LHR to LAX segment. Airline refunds $500.
In this case, the original traveler paid $1000 but got $500 back after the new traveler did not use the full ticket. Partial refunds like this require the ticket to have been a refundable fare originally.
Steps to request a partial refund
If you think a transferred ticket may be eligible for a partial refund, here is the process to request one:
- Contact the airline – Call or email the airline’s customer service to inquire about potential refunds or vouchers.
- Provide documentation – Be prepared to show documentation proving any fees paid, transfers, and itinerary changes.
- Accept airline’s decision – The airline will determine if any partial refund is allowed. You may receive a voucher instead.
- Allow time for processing – It can take weeks or longer for any approved refunds to be processed.
The earlier you request a refund after transferring a ticket, the better. Many airlines have a time limit from travel dates to file for a refund. Expect hassles and inconsistent results as policies vary by airline.
Using vouchers for transferred tickets
Instead of a refund, some airlines may offer a voucher for the partial value of a transferred ticket. This voucher can be used to book future travel.
Here are some things to know about flight vouchers for transferred tickets:
- Typically valid for 12 months only for the original traveler
- May only allow booking the same route originally booked
- Require payment of any fare differences on new booking
- Non-refundable if unused after voucher expiration date
Vouchers can provide an alternative to refunds in many transfer situations. But be sure to understand all the limitations and restrictions before accepting a voucher.
When are refunds not allowed?
There are some cases when airlines will not allow any refunds or vouchers when a ticket has been transferred:
- Non-refundable fare – No refunds are given for non-refundable tickets after transfer.
- Physical ticket transfer – Transfers not done through airline directly may be ineligible.
- Fees for optional services – Fees for checked bags, seats, onboard perks are non-refundable.
- Expired tickets – Transferred tickets not used before expiration lose all value.
The original non-refundable fare and additional service fees paid are never refundable in the case of an informal physical ticket transfer. Only the taxes may be partially refundable.
Steps the original purchaser can take
As the original ticket purchaser, here are some things you can do when transferring a ticket to maximize the chance of a partial refund:
- Transfer through the airline directly if possible
- Book a fully refundable fare originally
- Avoid paying for additional services until the new traveler books
- Change the itinerary to refundable dates/routes before transferring
- Request any refunds immediately after the transfer
Following these steps will put you in the best position for a partial refund. But nothing can guarantee a refund unless the original ticket was fully refundable.
Downsides of transferring tickets
While transferring tickets can allow you to recoup some value from unused tickets, there are some downsides to keep in mind as well:
- Losing refundability
- Complications changing the itinerary
- Fees for transfers
- No recourse if new traveler misuses the ticket
- Vouchers may go unused and expire
In many cases, you lose most of the original value paid for the ticket. Weigh these disadvantages before choosing to transfer a ticket.
Policies by US airline
Airline policies on partial refunds for transferred plane tickets in the US include:
| Airline | Partial Refund Policy |
|---|---|
| American | May allow refund of taxes/fees only |
| Delta | May give a voucher for refundable tickets |
| United | Will refund taxes and fees only |
| Southwest | No refunds allowed on transfers |
| JetBlue | Will refund taxes and fees only |
| Alaska | Will refund unused taxes and fees |
| Spirit | No partial refunds allowed |
| Frontier | No refunds allowed on transfers |
Policies vary widely, with full service airlines more flexible than low cost carriers. But no US airlines offer full refunds on transferred plane tickets.
International airline policies
Some key policies on refunds for transferred tickets on international airlines include:
- Air Canada – Only unused taxes and fees are refundable
- British Airways – Will refund taxes and fees on refundable tickets
- Air France – Offers vouchers for the refundable portion of tickets
- Qantas – Allows refund of refundable fares and unused taxes
- Emirates – No refunds allowed on informal transfers
- Singapore Airlines – Unused taxes and fees may be refunded
International airline policies are largely similar to US airlines when it comes to partial refunds on transferred plane tickets.
What about ticket insurance?
Travel insurance policies rarely cover refunds in transfer situations. However, cancel for any reason (CFAR) policies may reimburse a portion of a transferred ticket if:
- The policy was purchased soon after booking
- The transfer happened after the policy was in force
- The right documentation is provided
CFAR polices can reimburse up to 75% of non-refundable prepaid expenses. This may help recover some costs if you transfer a ticket.
Can you dispute a credit card charge?
It is unlikely that your credit card company will allow you to dispute a charge and get a refund on a transferred plane ticket. Since the ticket was initially purchased voluntarily, credit card dispute rights no longer apply after transfer.
Cases where a dispute may be considered include:
- The ticket was never used by any traveler
- Fraud or misrepresentation by the third party transferee
- Failure to provide the services purchased (flight used)
However, airlines will heavily dispute any chargebacks since the tickets were transferred voluntarily. Winning a credit card dispute is very difficult.
How to avoid issues in the future
To avoid the headaches of trying to get a refund on a transferred plane ticket, follow these tips for any future ticket purchases:
- Always buy refundable fares if possible
- Read all fare rules before purchasing
- Avoid speculative purchases too far in advance
- Use a credit card with trip protection benefits
- Consider travel insurance for valuable trips
Having refund or cancellation protections in place can allow you to recover the value of unused tickets. This avoids the need to scramble to transfer tickets instead.
Key takeaways
The main points to understand about getting refunds on transferred plane tickets include:
- Full refunds are not allowed in most cases
- Partial refunds of taxes and fees are sometimes possible
- Refundability depends on the original ticket fare rules
- Airline policies vary widely on what is refunded
- Vouchers may be offered instead of refunds
- Informal physical transfers have the least protections
While collecting some value back is possible, nothing guarantees a refund on a transferred ticket. Carefully review the pros and cons before transferring a ticket to another traveler.
