Is it possible to return a non-refundable air ticket? How to get your money back and is it possible to return a non-refundable plane ticket. Deadlines for filing notifications and appeals

Not everyone knows, but there are so-called “ non-refundable tickets" It is clear that for an airline, exchanging unclaimed tickets is not a very pleasant procedure, let alone cheap travel documents. Let's try to understand the issue of returning non-refundable tickets.

How can I return a flight ticket if it is non-refundable?

Cannot be returned travel documents, if they:

They were purchased via the Internet (electronic version) and had the inscription “Non Ref” (non-refundable) on them. If you do not want to get into an unacceptable situation when exchanging, be careful when purchasing such tickets;
Tickets were purchased during a sale, promotion or discount. Most often, such promotions are carried out by airlines themselves, travel agencies, and on the Internet. In this case, they can be exchanged for another day or time of departure;
Travel documents purchased on low-cost airlines (they usually offer tickets at the most reasonable prices);
In the case where tickets have fares R, N, E, T, Q.

More recently, clients Russian airlines They could easily return their tickets at any convenient time, even if there were only a few minutes left before departure. Costs on the part of passengers amounted to up to 25%, which were deducted only when tickets were returned less than a day before departure.

In connection with the update of the Air Code, two types of tariffs were introduced. One of them existed before (refundable), and the other (non-refundable) became a completely new tariff.

If we are talking about a non-refundable fare, then tickets are not refundable.

It was believed that with the advent of the new tariff, the low-cost airline market would develop faster. But in the end the situation did not work in favor of passengers.

Major airlines have converted all of their cheapest travel tickets to non-refundable status.

This status confirms the fact that the purchased plane ticket is non-refundable.

Note! Even in a situation with a non-refundable ticket, there is still a way out. And in some cases provided for by the Air Code, the passenger has the opportunity to get his money back for the ticket.

What cases are we talking about?

The refund procedure is possible if the passenger returns the ticket due to the impossibility of using this travel document due to the illness of the passenger himself or his family members. Also among the possible reasons for return is the death of the passenger’s relatives.

The Air Code also states that when requesting a refund of tickets, the client is required to provide official documents confirming the presence of illness or death of relatives. This confirmation must be submitted before registration is completed.

Important! Another important point is the flight delay. In this case, the passenger also has the right to demand a refund.

Speaking about incomplete reimbursement of funds spent not purchasing a ticket, it should be noted that confirmation of this possibility can be found in the amendments to the Air Code.

In particular, it says that the passenger will be refunded the cost of the ticket without any unused amounts collected by the carrier company in favor of foreign companies located in the territory from which the flight originated.

The cost of a ticket consists of the air carrier's fare and other taxes (for example, airport fees). According to Russian legislation, only the tariff can be non-refundable . That is, our airlines, no matter what, must return to passengers the funds intended for airport taxes.

To receive the money spent on purchasing a ticket, do the following:

take a document confirming the illness due to which you were unable to take the flight;
go to the company where you purchased the ticket;
make a statement. When returning a regular document, write the application by hand. If this e-ticket, download the application form on the website of the company that sold the travel document and fill it out;
collect other documents that are required for the ticket return procedure (the list can be found on the carrier company’s website);
complete the return procedure at the sales department or through the airline website.

The application is made by the passenger whose name is included in the travel document.

In addition, airline customers have the opportunity to complete this procedure with the help of a trusted person (a power of attorney certified by a notary is required).

Note! Funds will be returned in the same way as payment was made.

to the passenger’s card or current account;
at the cash register, in cash;
to the client's electronic wallet.

If you are interested in more detailed information regarding the ticket return procedure, it can always be found on the airline’s website.

In what cases can a refund procedure be carried out for a non-refundable travel document?

When purchasing a ticket, passengers do not always know that there are travel documents that are non-refundable. But when the need arises to return the ticket and return the money for it, surprises begin.

Note! There is still an opportunity to get your money back for a non-refundable ticket.

In Art. 108 of the Air Code of the Russian Federation states that when returning a non-refundable ticket, passengers can receive an amount equal to the cost of the ticket without commission fees and actual company costs.

The main condition under which the refund procedure will take place is the presence of reasons forcing the passenger to cancel the flight.

These include:

illness of the passenger himself or his relatives, which is an obstacle that does not allow him to take the flight. Proof of the fact of illness is a certificate issued by a medical institution;
death of a relative of the client (a death certificate must be submitted). Close relatives include the passenger's husband/wife, mother, father, natural or adopted children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings or step-brothers. Documentary evidence of the reasons for returning the ticket must be submitted to the company administration before check-in of all passengers for the flight is completed;

flight delay or other circumstances due to which the flight did not take place due to the fault of the carrier company.

Passengers can receive a portion of the amount spent on tickets. The ticket price includes:

fuel costs for the flight;
taxes;
fees that are used to refund part of the ticket price (approximately 1,500 rubles).

The amount that goes towards paying for the flight itself is not returned to the client. The passenger can only count on a refund of taxes and fees. This amount is 50% of the total ticket price or more.

To avoid any controversial issues regarding the issue of ticket return, the carrier is obliged to warn customers about the status of their tickets. In addition, passengers should be aware of the return policy for non-refundable travel documents before they purchase them.

Thus, we can conclude that expenses made during the purchase of tickets can only be reimbursed in case of involuntary cancellation of the flight. In other cases, no compensation is provided, with the exception of the opportunity to receive money that was not used (for example, airport taxes).

Within what time frame must the travel document be returned so that the passenger has the opportunity to get back part of the amount spent on purchasing tickets?

It is best to return tickets in advance. The more time before departure, the higher the chances of getting your money back.

If circumstances are such that you cannot go on your planned flight, return your ticket no later than one day before the flight. This way you can get some of the money back and won’t have to pay a fine (equal to 25% of the ticket price).

Important! If you want to compensate at least part of your expenses, try to make a refund before the end of check-in for the flight.

How can a buyer get his money back for a non-refundable ticket if he misses his flight?

If you missed your plane and want to get your money back, go to the carrier company's website.

In the “notification”, write down your personal and passport data, phone number, flight number, when this flight took place, and also write what type of refund suits you;
Next, take a sheet and list on it the reasons why your flight did not take place;
If you receive a refusal, do not stop there. Write a letter to the airline director;
If you refuse again, repeat your steps again. In addition, seek legal advice.

Once you know your rights to a refund, act in accordance with the Law. In Art. 108 of the Air Code of the Russian Federation contains information on the validity of the agreement on air transportation. The document also talks about the ability of passengers to return their tickets and receive part of their cost, if such a need arises.

The higher the benefit received, the more a person risks: non-refundable plane tickets are exactly that case. On the one hand, you get the opportunity to buy an air ticket at a very affordable price, and on the other hand, you are unable to return it if the flight is not suitable for you for some personal reason. We will consider further what to do in order not to lose money or to return at least part of it.

First of all, you should navigate some legal nuances in order to understand what you can demand and why the airline may refuse. In the territory Russian Federation there is a law on non-refundable air tickets, which gives carriers the right to refuse passengers to return tickets. This was done not to make more profit (the non-refundable air ticket fare is low), but because if the flight is canceled with compensation for the cost of the flight coupon, the company does not have time to resell it and loses money.

However, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to purchase inexpensive non-refundable plane tickets and then return them is not always negative. For example, the possibility of exchange depends entirely on the internal conditions of the company. Therefore, it is important to read the terms and conditions of the tariff before purchasing. They must contain a notice about whether the air ticket is refundable, whether it can be changed or whether it cannot be returned. In order for the passenger to receive their funds back, there should be no restrictions on refunds in the terms and conditions.

There is an exception for non-refundable tickets in Russia; in some cases, money for a plane ticket can be returned. Everyone who travels by airline should know how to take advantage of this exception and what else a passenger may be entitled to.

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Is it possible to return a non-refundable plane ticket?

Under current regulations, it is not difficult to determine which airline tickets are non-refundable. These include economy class flight coupons and low-cost tickets to charter flights. Non-refundable air tickets can be returned for a refund of part or all of the amount only if the passenger is unable to travel on their flight due to force majeure. These include:

To return a non-refundable plane ticket based on one of the above reasons, you must inform about the change in your plans before checking in for your flight. If a person dies, his relatives can return the money for the flight coupon.

It is not always possible to get the full amount back, since the price of a flight coupon consists of several components. For example, a fuel surcharge is taken into account when returning purchased non-refundable tickets, insurance, etc. What exactly is included in the airline’s tariff should be recorded on its website in the “Tariff Conditions” section, as you can see on the Aeroflot website.

If you carefully read the rules before purchasing electronic air coupons or plane tickets at the ticket office, you will not have any difficulties in how to hand over the document if there are good reasons for doing so. But even if you have one, hand over your air tickets on time.

Rebooking a non-refundable ticket

Exchange of non-refundable plane tickets is a more complicated issue. After amendments were made to the Air Code of the Russian Federation, most of the companies were transferred to the category of non-refundable cheap rates. This also includes travel documents purchased as part of the promotion.

As a standard, you cannot exchange a ticket in this category, but this is not without exception. Only everything will depend not on the law, but on the carrier. Again, it is important to read the fare conditions of the company from which you purchase your flight coupon. For example, some completely prohibit the possibility of rebooking, exchanging, or making changes, others provide such an opportunity, but for an additional fee. At the same time, the additional fee is not always fixed and may depend on the class of a non-refundable plane ticket, which is also necessarily fixed in the company’s publicly available conditions.

The possibility of rebooking also means an additional payment if the cost of the air ticket you receive in exchange is higher than the one previously purchased.

Exchange air tickets without extra money and fines you are entitled to if:

Serious illness if you did not return the coupon;
Death of a close relative;
Flight cancellations or delays.

The exchange procedure is the same as the procedure for returning money.

Is it possible to get the money back?

You can only get a refund for a non-refundable plane ticket if you are unable to fly due to force majeure. Whether it is the airline’s fault or the passenger’s hospitalization, the procedure is the same and must be followed:

If the reason for returning a non-refundable ticket is a flight cancellation, the amount spent will be reimbursed only if the check-in employee or airline employee puts the corresponding cancellation confirmation on the flight coupon and certifies it with a stamp. When thinking about whether it is possible to additionally demand compensation for financial damage incurred, it is worth considering that such an opportunity exists only when you have receipts confirming this damage. These could be receipts for hotel reservations, tickets for a concert that you didn’t get to because you didn’t fly due to a booking on a flight that was canceled.

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What are the benefits of non-refundable tickets?

A non-refundable ticket is essentially a flight coupon, which under normal circumstances is not subject to either voluntary exchange or return to the airline. But it is profitable for clients to buy such an air ticket, since its price is significantly lower. Cost is the main factor of benefit in this case.

Most companies around the world provide passengers with the opportunity to purchase an economy class flight coupon and promotions on virtually the same non-refundable conditions. Each company sets its own prices, prescribes internal conditions, tariff plans, the possibility and amount of additional payment for exchange.

For those who confidently plan a trip, regardless of circumstances, this is an excellent option that does not carry any risks, except for force majeure, such as a canceled flight. But if this happens, the money will be returned, so there is nothing to worry about.

You can, without hesitation, buy inexpensive non-refundable air tickets if: The exchange option is only available on some airlines, so be aware possible changes

your plans.

Reasons to refrain from ordering a non-refundable ticket:
A sick child whom you cannot entrust to relatives;
The boss may not give you vacation for exactly the period you planned;
The visa is not finally approved;

You intend to take a lot of luggage;

There are other ways to save, for example, keeping an eye on profitable promotions and offers, tracking prices and their decline, choosing an inexpensive country.

Where can I complain?

Often, citizens are faced with the question of what to do if air tickets are refundable, but the company refuses to return the money paid, suddenly and unpreparedly. This causes a loss of time allotted for completing the application if the person begins to panic. Therefore, it is in the interests of every passenger who uses airlines to read not only the airline’s terms and conditions for general information, but also to know how to defend their legal right in the event of a refusal to fly due to force majeure or a cancellation or rescheduling of a flight. Federal agency air transport. The complaint can be sent by registered mail or electronically directly from the official website of the FAVT via the link.

The following documents must be attached to the application, claim or complaint:

If the submitted claims do not give the desired result, it makes sense to consult with a lawyer as to whether it is possible to return the money paid for the air tickets that you surrender, or to recover additional compensation. If the legal analysis is in your favor, you should file a claim against the airline.

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Context

Current holiday season will be marked by a serious innovation: “non-refundable” air tickets are officially introduced in Russia. Foreign companies whose flights depart from our country will be able to sell them legally. At the same time, the legislation retains a number of important guarantees for passengers.

About what vacation travelers should be prepared for and how to defend their interests can be found in the next issue of our column.

"Not yet evening"

A month ago, President Vladimir Putin signed a bill on amendments to the Air Code of Russia (see federal law dated April 20, 2014 No. 79-FZ “On Amendments to the Air Code of the Russian Federation”). What airlines have long dreamed of has come true: carriers are allowed to sell tickets at “non-refundable” fares.

The bitter pill for passengers was spiced up with an encouraging promise: seats on flights at these fares will cost less. After all, air carriers usually include in the price of tickets the risk that some travelers will refuse to fly, the money will have to be returned and losses will arise due to empty seats. In the new situation, they will not face such costs, which means that the cost of transportation for passengers can be reduced.

However, the law itself does not spell out pleasant prospects. However, there are a number of guarantees that will help passengers in some cases defend their interests (see below).

It is also worth keeping in mind: the amendments come into force 60 days after the date of official publication. The text of Federal Law No. 79 was posted on the official Internet portal of legal information on April 21. Accordingly, the new rules will apply to air tickets purchased after June 21. Before this date, if passengers cancel a flight, they have the right to demand a refund in accordance with the “old” version of Article 108 of the Air Code of the Russian Federation. Namely: if you return the ticket no later than 24 hours before the plane departs, the air carrier is obliged to refund the full amount paid. If the ticket is returned later, then no more than 25% of the cost of air transportation can be withheld from the passenger.

They will return, but not everything

The new rules introduce an alternative: the airline and the passenger can enter into an agreement with the condition of returning the carriage charge if they cancel the flight, or a “non-refundable” agreement. Of course, the necessary information about the type of contract will have to be provided to citizens in a visual form before purchasing a ticket.

Please note: even if you purchase with a return policy, the consequences of canceling your flight will be significantly different from the previous rules (see above). The new edition of Article 108 of the RF CC has been significantly expanded and supplemented. The main points that a passenger should know are:

1) If you purchase a ticket with a refund option and return it no later than 24 hours before check-in for the flight, the airline will have to return the amount paid, but has the right to withhold “actually incurred expenses related to the fulfillment of obligations under the air carriage agreement passenger." The list of expenses that the airline can write off as its costs will be established by the authorized body in the region civil aviation(according to paragraph 4 of Article 107 of the RF CC as amended). In any case, the passenger has the right to demand a full schedule indicating all expenses and amounts in writing.

2) If you buy a ticket with a refund condition and return it to last 24 hours, but before the end of check-in for the flight, the air carrier has the right to withhold its actual expenses (see above), as well as a penalty of up to 25% of the ticket price.

3) If the ticket is returned after check-in for the flight is completed, the passenger will not be paid a penny.

Are you sick? Demand full compensation!

If a passenger purchased a ticket at a “non-refundable” fare, general rule if he refuses to fly, he has nothing to count on, regardless of the time of contacting the air carrier. However, the law provides whole list important exceptions - when a citizen must return the amount paid for the ticket in FULL.

Important: these exceptions apply to both “non-refundable” and “refundable” rates. The situations are:

Either the passenger himself, or a member of his family or close relative who must fly with him on the same flight, has fallen ill. In this case, the law includes spouses, parents and children (including adopted children) as family members. Close relatives mean grandfathers, grandmothers, grandchildren, as well as brothers and sisters - both full and half-blooded. To receive the amount paid when canceling a flight, you need to contact the air carrier no later than the end of check-in for the flight. You will need to present medical documents confirming your illness.

The death of a family member or close relative is also a valid reason for which the passenger must be refunded the full cost of the ticket. You must contact the airline under the same conditions as in the previous case: before the end of check-in and provide documentary evidence of the reason for refusing the flight.

Delay of departure or other actions (inaction) of the air carrier, as a result of which the contract for air carriage of a passenger is violated (for example, cancellation or rescheduling of a flight).

Sheremetyevo Airport // Maxim Blinov, RIA Novosti

On a note

There are situations when the airline has the right to remove a passenger from a flight on its own initiative. In such cases, in accordance with the new edition of Article 107 of the RF CC, costs are distributed as follows:

If a passenger is not allowed to fly due to a passport violation, customs rules, having on you or in your luggage items (substances) prohibited for air transportation, refusal to pay for excess baggage, and the ticket was purchased at a “refundable” fare, then the airline is obliged to return the cost of the ticket, withholding its actual expenses and a penalty in the amount of up to 25 % of the amount paid. With a “non-refundable” fare, the passenger is not paid anything.

If a citizen is removed from a flight due to the fact that his health condition “requires special conditions transportation" or threatens the safety of the passenger himself or other persons, then the airline is obliged to return the entire amount paid, regardless of the type of fare. But if the health condition "creates chaos and irreparable inconvenience for other persons", then the passenger is refused flight without any compensation. In this case, we can talk, for example, about tourists who “take it on their chest” before boarding.

Finally, if a passenger violates the rules of conduct on board, posing a threat to flight safety or the life and health of other persons, or refuses to follow the instructions of the crew commander, the rowdy will be removed from the flight without refunding the cost of the ticket.

Anna Dobryukha, lawyer

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We save significant amounts on flights by purchasing non-refundable air tickets. But from time to time, force majeure situations occur when the trip is postponed to another date or canceled altogether. Most ticket offices and airline ticket sales websites say nothing about how you can help a passenger in such a difficult situation.

But FlyNow’s task is not to sell air tickets at any cost, but to help you get from one point to another with maximum comfort And minimal losses. That is why both on the FlyNow website and at our ticket offices you can get the most complete information on air tickets of all airlines.

In 2014, the law on non-refundable air tickets came into force. Non-refundable air tickets are 10-15% cheaper than regular tickets due to the exclusion of losses that airlines may incur if a passenger cancels the flight.

These tickets can only be returned in exceptional cases. But there is a category of non-refundable tickets that can be changed if for some reason your departure date is postponed. More detailed information below on how they can be returned or exchanged.

Situations in which you can return a non-refundable air ticket

The law prescribes a number of exceptions that allow non-refundable tickets to be returned:

The cost of the air ticket is refunded in case of illness of the passenger.
in case of illness of a member of his family (spouse, parent or child) during a joint flight.
in the event of the death of a member of his family or a close relative (grandparents, grandchildren, brothers and sisters).
in case of flight delay, cancellation or rescheduling.

To get a flight refund You must report your refusal before check-in closes..

Such a return is called forced. Rules forced return are the same for both refundable and non-refundable air tickets. In simple terms, if you get sick, you will get your ticket money back. If your close relative, with whom you were supposed to fly, gets sick, you will also receive your money back in full without any deductions. And, of course, a full refund will be given in the event of the death of your loved one.

What needs to be done to get a refund?

To get a refund for a returned non-refundable ticket, you must provide us with an original medical certificate certified by a doctor or a death certificate. If the return is made for a relative of the sick person, documents confirming the relationship will also be needed.

Important! Some foreign companies do not consider illness as a reason for forced return.

We will make copies of the documents and send them to the airline to process the refund. If you are in another city, send us scans of documents to good quality by e-mail.

If you are in another city, send us a good quality scan of the document by email.

How long will it take for the money to be returned?

The decision to issue a refund depends on the airline. It is likely that the authenticity of the documents provided will be verified, after which a decision will be made to return the funds.

Usually the money is returned within a few days to two weeks. If you paid for your air ticket by bank card, then the funds will be returned to her. If you bought your ticket in cash, you will receive it at our ticket office.

Refund in case of flight cancellation or delay.

If an airline cancels or delays your flight for some reason, it offers you options to fly on another flight with the same airline at a different time.

The proposed option may not suit you and you have the right to return the ticket and receive the money paid for it. To do this, you need to contact an airline representative at the airport. He will put a special mark on your itinerary receipt, according to which the money will be returned to you.

Exchange of non-refundable air tickets

Few people know that many non-refundable air tickets can be exchanged. Of course, when exchanging you will lose some amount, but the exchange will still be cheaper than buying a new air ticket for another date.

When on your chosen new flight The cheapest air tickets have already been sold, you can buy a ticket of a higher class of service. In this case, the cost of the previous non-refundable ticket will be used to offset the payment for the new one (but you will be charged a small amount - the airline's exchange fee).

It goes without saying that exchange is possible only for those flights for which the reservation system shows availability of seats.

Airlines establish rules according to which non-refundable air tickets can be exchanged for another departure date.

When booking tickets on the website, the site always displays information about whether it is possible to exchange and return tickets; we have specifically posted this information for your convenience.

This air ticket cannot be returned at the passenger's request, but can be changed to another time or date of departure. The exchange is possible at any time, but before the end of passenger check-in for the flight:

But this air ticket, unfortunately, cannot be returned at the passenger’s request and cannot be exchanged for another departure date:

If an air ticket is purchased at the FlyNow ticket office, our operators always inform passengers about the possibility of exchanging non-refundable air tickets.

Non-refundable air tickets purchased on our website can be exchanged at FlyNow sales offices or at the airline's own ticket offices.

Do you still have questions about ticket refunds? You can ask them in our group

A person’s desire to save money on a flight results in the search for plane tickets at the lowest possible prices. Typically, reservations for such seats are available on board low-cost airlines and tourist charters. However, such a cost indicates that the airline customer has purchased a non-refundable airfare. What this means and how relevant the benefit becomes, we will look a little further below.

Since the beginning of summer 2014, people have been able to purchase non-refundable air tickets. This right is enshrined at the legislative level by the draft of the State Duma. The name of the tariff also contains the definition of the term. Purchasing seats on board of this class makes it impossible for airlines to return money to the client if the passenger refuses to fly for personal reasons. True, legislators took into account some exceptions, which we will discuss later.

From now on, airline customers independently determine the conditions for booking seats on the aircraft. If a person is interested in flying and is sure that circumstances will not prevent him from starting the trip at the scheduled time, such a passenger has the right to buy non-refundable plane tickets. The opposite situation forces you to purchase a standard fare air ticket. In such a case, the passenger has a guarantee that the airline will reimburse the cost of the unused flight.

Such transportation rules ensure equal operating conditions for domestic airlines and foreign companies. After all, the tariff amount includes restrictions on transporting the client’s belongings in the luggage compartment. These rules reduce the nominal cost of a flight by 15% and help avoid misunderstandings with baggage allowance on connecting codeshare flights with low-cost foreign airlines.

In addition, the authorities have amended the law and tightened the rules since July 2014. Until now, airlines have been compensating for unused tickets purchased by passengers under similar conditions. Moreover, the carrier returned the full fare to customers if they refused to fly, and for late requests imposed a fine of 25% of the nominal amount. Typically, this concept meant handing over an air ticket in the last 24 hours before departure. However, after the changes come into force, such a solution to the issue is excluded. Although here, too, customers will find a loophole and will be able to return a partial cost of the ticket.

Features of innovations

Considering the desire of carriers to get as rich as possible with minimal investment, the adopted law does not work exactly as its developers planned. The idea of adopting such innovations was the emergence of a category of budget tickets on the domestic aviation market, but the reality today is different. Airlines rushed to transfer the cheap flights available at that time into a similar category permanently. This approach differs from the typical policy of foreign carriers.

For example, in the West, budget tariffs regularly change depending on the onset of “low” seasons, days of the week and holidays. Here they actively use similar technology to increase customer loyalty, arranging promotional offers and organizing low-cost flights on days with minimal passenger traffic. In Russia, non-refundable tickets have become a separate category of cheap flights forever. Airlines have even introduced special names for such a fare.

To prevent a newcomer from making a mistake in choosing the right seat on board, it is important to carefully study the conditions offered by the airline at the stage of booking a seat. This is usually marked in red “non-refundable”. In addition, airlines indicate specific travel conditions for the tariff plan chosen by the passenger.

Will it be possible to get a refund?

Perhaps the most important topic for Russians is the question of how to get money back for an air ticket with a non-refundable fare. In most cases, airlines refuse such requests from customers. After all, today this right is enshrined in law. The passenger runs the risk of encountering such situations under the following circumstances:

change in client plans;
docking failure when independent planning route;
late check-in and boarding;
illness of relatives;
refusal of the passenger's companion to fly;
deterioration in the client’s well-being, not documented;
force majeure circumstances.

Now let's look at the exceptions, how to return a non-refundable plane ticket. Airlines grant customers this right in special situations. Let's list this list, which looks like this:

Confirmed disease. If the passenger or his companions are sick and can present the appropriate document to the airline employee, the carrier will return the amount spent on purchasing the ticket.
Death. Recognizing a person as deceased allows relatives to return money for unused air ticket. A similar rule applies to the passenger’s family members. However, the carrier will have to be informed about this before the plane takes off.
Departure schedule changes. It will be possible to return a non-refundable air ticket and compensate for the amount spent if the airline delays the departure of the plane for at least 4 hours or cancels the flight altogether.

According to lawyers, airlines return funds to the client even if joint agreements are violated. This includes a change of airport of arrival and unplanned circumstances - the main thing is that such conditions do not appear when the passenger books a seat.

In addition, clients always have the right to recover losses at least partially. After all, the amount for a flight consists of several components. This includes the tariff, airport tax, insurance premiums and other similar payments. Therefore, all money, in addition to the tariff plan, can be returned without problems.

Compensation algorithm

Let's figure out whether it is possible to return non-refundable tickets " Aeroflot" After all, this carrier is popular in our country today and is partially owned by the state. If your case falls within the scope of the money back policy, expect full compensation for your unnecessary expenses. To do this, it is appropriate for the passenger to contact the airline’s call center and find out about the details of such a procedure.

Let's consider a common case of cancellation of a flight due to a sudden illness of a client. This procedure is simple and represents the following algorithm of client actions:

Cancellation of booking.
Collection of documents.
Handing over papers to the airline and writing a refund application.

If the client fulfills the necessary conditions correctly and in a timely manner, the airlines will compensate the full cost of the canceled flight. Money is transferred by bank transfer to the accounts from which the passenger made the purchase. Return times are 3–10 days. To find out the details, let’s clarify the conditions for executing each step of this algorithm.

Refund nuances

So, the mandatory step, without which the following actions are meaningless, is canceling the reservation. To do this, just contact an airline representative by phone or come to the company’s office. After being notified by the passenger, " Aeroflot» will confirm that the location has been removed. Keep in mind that such actions are advisable before the end of flight check-in, otherwise the meaning of the plan is lost.

The first step is to cancel your flight reservation at the airline office or by phone

Other actions are permissible after the aircraft has taken off. The passenger collects documents that will become the basis for compensation for the wasted amount. It's better to start by going to the doctors. Airlines require a certificate indicating the medical reason and date explaining the refusal to fly on a particular flight. The document must contain the doctor’s personal seal and the clinic’s stamp. Moreover, the type of form and the severity of the disease do not play a role here.

If you are booking for a single flight, it is enough to limit yourself to the original and a copy of your passport. When the entire family is forced to miss a flight, the airline will require from the applicant documents confirming family ties and copies of passports of the applicant’s companions. In situations where the passenger is undergoing hospital treatment, a power of attorney and documents from the person to whom the client is entrusting the case will be required.

The last step is to visit the company office. Here the passenger gives the airline employee a package of papers and draws up a statement asking for a refund. An airline employee will tell you how to write the form. However, such a scheme only works when purchasing an air ticket directly on the carrier’s official portal. Purchasing seats through aggregators or intermediaries does not guarantee a successful refund.

If you have collected all the necessary papers and provided them to the airline employee, you will be transferred money for the air ticket within 3 to 10 working days

However, only a few domestic companies follow such a policy. The desire to compensate for a flight with a low-cost airline, even for a good reason, will most likely result in the carrier’s refusal to pay for the passenger’s mistakes. Most foreign airlines do not offer refunds for missed flights.

Purchase details

Finally, let’s find out where non-refundable tickets are sold. Today, such air tickets can be found on the carrier’s website, ticket office, airport terminal portal, online aggregators, and travel agencies. Anyone can book a seat on the ship in an accessible way– after all, the tariff plan does not imply restrictions for people in this situation.

You can buy a non-refundable air ticket at all airline ticket sales points.

To avoid making mistakes when purchasing, read the information about tariff plan specific ticket in advance. In addition, check the conditions of the flight and baggage allowance - after all, different airlines change their approach depending on the needs of customers. Some companies have completely abandoned this practice and, say, on the portal “ NordAvia", you will not find tickets from this category.

Since 2014, a law on non-refundable air tickets has been in effect.
Tickets of this fare cannot be returned if the passenger cancels the flight for personal reasons
Being late for a flight does not become a basis for a refund for an unused non-refundable air ticket
Illness of the passenger or his companion, documented, will become a legal reason to return the money
To receive a refund for a missed flight at a non-refundable rate, please contact the airline call center to find out the correct procedure.

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