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Fair & Transparent

Refund Policy

Our clear and fair refund policy ensures you understand your rights and the process when cancelling or changing a flight booking.

Last Updated: January 1, 2025
1

Refund Policy Overview

At CheapTravelsUK, we understand that travel plans can change unexpectedly. This Refund Policy outlines the conditions under which you may be eligible for a refund, the applicable fees, and the step-by-step process for submitting and receiving a refund.

We act as an intermediary between you and the airlines. As such, refund eligibility, amounts, and timelines are governed by the airline's fare rules and conditions associated with your specific ticket, in addition to the terms outlined in this policy.

Key Principle: We process all refund requests fairly and transparently. Where an airline approves a refund, we pass it on to you in full, deducting only any applicable service fees clearly communicated at the time of booking or cancellation.

This policy applies to all flight bookings made through cheaptravelsuk.com, via telephone, email, WhatsApp, or in-person at our office.

2

Refund Eligibility

Your eligibility for a refund depends on several factors. A refund may be available in the following circumstances:

  • Airline Cancellation: If the airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of ticket type
  • Schedule Change: If the airline makes a significant schedule change (typically 2+ hours for short-haul, 4+ hours for long-haul) and you do not accept the alternative offered
  • Refundable Ticket: If you purchased a refundable fare and cancel within the permitted time frame
  • Medical Emergency: If you or an immediate family member has a medical emergency supported by valid documentation
  • Bereavement: In the event of a death in the immediate family, with supporting documentation
  • Denied Boarding: If you are denied boarding due to overbooking (covered under UK261/2004 EU Regulation)

Not Eligible: Refunds are generally not available for non-refundable tickets cancelled by the passenger, name changes on non-flexible fares, voluntary no-shows on non-refundable tickets, or cancellations made after the airline's deadline.

3

Ticket Types & Refund Rules

Different ticket types have different refund rules. The fare rules are determined by the airline and communicated to you before booking. Below is a general guide:

Fully Refundable

Premium or flexible fares that allow cancellation with a full or near-full refund. Typically the most expensive option.

Full Refund Possible

Partially Refundable

Standard or semi-flexible fares that allow cancellation with an airline cancellation fee deducted from the refund amount.

Refund Minus Fees

Non-Refundable

Budget or promotional fares that do not allow refunds for voluntary cancellations. Taxes may still be recoverable in some cases.

No Refund (Taxes Only)

Special / Promo Fares

Limited-time promotional or group fares with specific non-refundable conditions. Rules vary by airline and promotion.

Conditions Apply

Please always check the fare conditions displayed during booking or ask our team to confirm the refund rules for your specific fare before purchasing.

4

Cancellation Timeframes

The amount you receive depends on how far in advance you cancel. The following table provides a general guide — actual terms depend on your specific airline and fare:

Time Before Departure Refundable Ticket Partially Refundable Non-Refundable
72+ hours Full Refund Refund minus airline fee No refund
24–72 hours Refund minus airline fee Refund minus higher fee No refund
Under 24 hours Refund minus high fee Likely no refund No refund
After departure Case by case No refund No refund
Airline cancelled Full Refund Full Refund Full Refund

Tip: We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance at the time of booking. It can cover cancellation costs for non-refundable tickets in case of unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, or emergencies.

5

Refund Process

Follow these steps to request a refund. We aim to make the process as smooth as possible:

Submit Your Request

Contact our team via phone, email, WhatsApp, or in person with your booking reference number (e.g., CTUK-XXXXXX) and the reason for cancellation. Include any supporting documents for medical or bereavement claims.

Eligibility Review

Our team will review your booking details, fare rules, and cancellation reason. We will check with the airline to confirm the refund amount and any applicable fees. This typically takes 1–2 working days.

Confirmation & Approval

We will contact you with the confirmed refund amount, any deductions, and an estimated timeline. You will need to provide written confirmation (email or signed form) to proceed with the refund.

Airline Processing

Upon your confirmation, we submit the refund request to the airline. The airline processes the refund and releases the funds. This step typically takes 7–21 working days depending on the airline.

Refund to You

Once we receive the funds from the airline, we process the refund to your original payment method within 3–5 working days. You will receive an email confirmation once the refund is completed.

6

Fees & Deductions

Transparency is important to us. The following fees may apply to refund requests:

Fee Type Amount When Applied
CheapTravelsUK Service Fee £25 – £50 per passenger For voluntary cancellations on refundable or partially refundable tickets
Airline Cancellation Fee Varies by airline & fare Deducted by the airline as per fare rules (e.g., £50–£200+)
Admin / Processing Fee £15 per ticket For processing tax-only refunds on non-refundable tickets
Name Correction Fee £30 – £75 For minor name corrections (not full name changes)
No Fee £0 Airline-initiated cancellations, schedule changes, denied boarding

Our Promise: All fees are clearly communicated before we process your refund. We will never deduct fees that were not disclosed to you in advance. You have the right to decline the refund if you do not agree with the deductions.

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Airline-Specific Refund Rules

Each airline has its own refund policy. Below are general guidelines for airlines we frequently work with. Always confirm the exact rules for your specific fare at the time of booking.

Airline Economy Refund Premium/Business Tax Refund on Non-Ref.
PIA Partial Full Yes, minus admin fee
British Airways Fare-dependent Full Yes, minus admin fee
Emirates Special/Saver: No, Flex: Partial Full Yes, minus admin fee
Qatar Airways Fare-dependent Full Yes, minus admin fee
Turkish Airlines Fare-dependent Full Yes, minus admin fee
Saudi Airlines Non-Ref: No, Flex: Partial Full Yes, minus admin fee

Before You Book: Ask our team to confirm the exact cancellation and refund rules for your chosen airline and fare class. We are always happy to explain the conditions before you commit to a purchase.

8

No-Show Policy

A "no-show" occurs when a passenger fails to check in or board a flight without prior cancellation. This is one of the most restrictive scenarios for refunds:

  • Non-Refundable Tickets: No refund or credit is available for a no-show under any circumstances
  • Partially Refundable Tickets: Most airlines treat a no-show as the most restrictive cancellation tier, resulting in significantly higher fees or no refund at all
  • Fully Refundable Tickets: A reduced refund may be available, but substantial fees typically apply
  • Return Flights: If you no-show for the outbound flight, the airline will automatically cancel your entire return journey

Critical: If you know you cannot make a flight, always contact us to cancel before the departure time — even if a refund is not available. A timely cancellation may preserve some value (e.g., future travel credit) and avoids a complete no-show classification.

9

Force Majeure & Exceptional Circumstances

In the event of circumstances beyond anyone's control ("force majeure"), the following principles apply:

What qualifies as force majeure:

  • Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions)
  • Political unrest, war, or civil commotion
  • Pandemics or government-mandated travel restrictions
  • Air traffic control strikes or airspace closures
  • Government-imposed quarantine requirements

Your rights during force majeure:

  • If the airline cancels your flight due to force majeure, you are entitled to a full refund or rebooking at no additional cost
  • If you choose not to travel due to force majeure but the airline has not cancelled, standard fare rules apply — non-refundable tickets remain non-refundable
  • Some airlines may offer travel vouchers or credits as an alternative during large-scale disruptions

ATOL Protection: If your booking is ATOL-protected and we cease trading, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will arrange a refund for flights not yet taken. For more information, visit caa.co.uk.

10

Payment Method Refunds

Refunds are processed back to the original payment method used for the booking:

  • Debit / Credit Card: Refunded to the same card. Please allow 5–10 working days for the amount to appear on your statement after we process it
  • Bank Transfer: Refunded to the same bank account. Allow 3–5 working days
  • PayPal: Refunded to the same PayPal account. Typically within 3–5 working days
  • Cash Payments: Refunded via bank transfer to an account in the passenger's name. Requires valid ID and bank details

Expired Cards: If the card used for booking has expired, the refund will still be processed to your bank account linked to that card number. If the account has been closed, contact us immediately so we can arrange an alternative refund method — this may take additional time.

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Contact Us for Refunds

If you wish to request a refund, check the status of an existing request, or have any questions about this policy, please reach out to our dedicated refunds team:

CheapTravelsUK – Refunds Department

London, United Kingdom, E1 6AN

Email: info@cheaptravelsuk.com

Phone: +44 208 150 3190

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

What to include in your refund request:

  • Your booking reference number (CTUK-XXXXXX)
  • Full name of the passenger(s)
  • Reason for cancellation
  • Supporting documents (if applicable): medical certificate, death certificate, etc.
  • Your preferred contact method and availability

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to escalate your complaint. For ATOL-protected bookings, you may contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). For card payments, you may have chargeback rights under your card issuer's scheme. We also recommend contacting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services if needed.

For more information about how we handle your data during the refund process, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

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