Published June 2026 • General Travel Guide

Refunds, Vouchers & Travel Credits Explained

A general breakdown of the difference between refunds, vouchers, and travel credits, and what to expect from each.

Flight Booking Assist Editorial Team
General travel guidance on booking, changes, and cancellations, independent of any specific airline.

Independent Service Disclosure: Flight Booking Assist is an independent travel assistance service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or acting on behalf of any airline. Airline names mentioned are used only in a general, informational context.

Refunds

A refund returns money to your original form of payment. This is generally the most straightforward outcome but is also the most restricted — often only available for refundable fares, within a 24-hour booking window, or when the airline itself cancels the flight.

Travel Credits

A travel credit is typically the outcome for a non-refundable fare that's cancelled by the passenger. It's usually usable only for future travel with the same airline and often tied to an expiration date.

Vouchers

Vouchers are similar to credits but are sometimes issued for service issues (like a significant delay) rather than a cancellation. Terms — including transferability and expiration — vary by airline.

Reading the specific terms attached to a credit or voucher before assuming it works like cash is one of the most common points of confusion for travelers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do refunds typically take?

Refunds to a credit card generally take one to two billing cycles to appear, though this varies by airline and payment method.

Do travel credits expire?

Many do, often within one year of issue, though specific expiration policies vary significantly between airlines and even between fare types.

Can a voucher be used for someone else?

This depends on the issuing airline's policy — some vouchers are transferable, while others are tied to the original passenger's name.