How do I get a refund for a travel booking made through an agency?

Updated October 2026 · How we answer

Who Controls the Refund

When you book through an agency, the agency usually handles the request, but the supplier, such as the airline or hotel, sets the underlying refund rules. The agency may keep a service fee even when the supplier refunds the ticket. Read your confirmation for those terms before you cancel.

If a flight is canceled by the airline, you may have a right to a refund even on a nonrefundable fare under certain rules. Ask both the agency and airline directly, and keep the flight status page as evidence.

• Check the booking confirmation for fees
• Ask the agency for a written refund decision
• Contact the airline or hotel if the agency stalls
• Save flight status screenshots

Protecting Your Money

Keep all booking emails, cancellation requests, and refund estimates. If the agency stops responding, you can file a dispute with your card issuer, which may help when the service was never delivered.

Consider reporting unresolved disputes to the state consumer agency or the Department of Transportation for airline issues. Those complaints can add pressure and provide a formal record.

If you booked a package with flights and hotels, each part may have different refund rules. Ask for a refund breakdown for each item so you can check what was returned. Itemized details make it easier to spot errors in the final amount.

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