In the case of sudden travel changes, knowledge is power with the Expedia refund policy. Expedia is one of the world’s largest full-service online travel agencies, with over 11 million travelers choosing this powerful and reliable platform to take them around the world. But when it comes to cancellations and refunds, policies can be confusing, in part because Expedia is acting as the intermediary between travelers and service providers.

In this complete guide, we’ll take you through how Expedia’s cancellation policy applies to flights, hotels, car rentals, packages and activities; how long refunds take; what exceptions there are (such as refundable tickets) and all the details you need in order to get your money back.

Understanding Expedia’s Refund System

Expedia is an online travel marketplace, which means it sells the services of airlines, hotels and other partners. Under this setup, refund eligibility and timing also depend on the provider you used, not only Expedia.

Here’s how it works:

The role of Expedia is to be a middleman between you and the airline, hotel or car rental company.
If a refund is granted, Expedia will issue the refund to your original form of payment.
Your refund options will vary depending on whether your booking was refundable, partially refundable or nonrefundable.
Some are refunded directly by the supplier (such as an airline); others pass through Expedia’s payment system.

“Expedia facilitates refunds, but determines who is eligible to receive them.”

Expedia Flight Refund Policy

a. Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets

When you book a flight through Expedia, there are typically two types of fares:

Refundable Fares:

You can cancel and get a full refund up to departure.
Refunds are credited to your original payment method.
Non-Refundable Fares:
Typically less expensive, but it can’t be refunded once you buy it.
You could still get airline credit or a voucher from the airline if that is an option.
As always, read fare rules before hitting the buy button. They are shown on the checkout page.

b. 24-Hour Free Cancellation Rule

Most flight bookings on Expedia can be cancelled for free within 24 hours.

If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, we will give you a full refund on your ticket even if it’s an under-Cancellation Policy, written, non-refundable fare. We also do a lot of the letting-you-know part over email and other communication methods that are not reliant on this Cancellation Policy at all.

This regulation mirrors one from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which covers flying in, out, and within the United States.

c. In the Event of Airline Cancellation

If the airline cancels your flight, you typically have:

A store credit for the amount of the purchase, or
One free rebooking.

Expedia will request the refund on your behalf with the airline. But because the refund is coming from the airline, it could take weeks to be returned to your account.

d. Flight Refund Timelines

Expedia Processing: 7-10 business days (following airline approval)

Airline: Up to 12 weeks in complicated cases
Refund Processed: Original refund method (credit/debit card, PayPal, etc.)

Pro tip: Hold on to your confirmation number and cancellation receipt for tracking purposes.

Expedia Hotel Refund Policy

Hotels on Expedia sometimes have varying cancellation policies based on the rate type.

a. Fully Refundable Rates

If the listing has “Free cancellation” or “Fully refundable,” you can cancel at any point, though you must do so within a certain time frame (often 24 to 48 hours before check-in).
You will receive your refund automatically through Expedia.

b. Non-Refundable Rates

Hotels that offer non-refundable bookings don’t allow them to be cancelled or changed.
If you contact the hotel or Expedia and explain your circumstances (medical issue, travel restriction, etc.), then they will consider things on a case-by-case basis.

c. If the Hotel Cancels

If your reservation is cancelled by the property (for reasons such as overbooking or closure), Expedia will ensure that you are repaid:
A full refund, or
Re-booking option in a similar hotel at no extra cost.

Expedia Car Rental Refund Policy

Expedia works with all the big car rental companies, and refund rules are up to the provider.

a. Pay Now (Prepaid) Reservations

Some prepaid rates are non-refundable.

Your ability to get a refund will likely depend on the conditions of your rental, and some rental companies allow cancellations.

b. Pay Later Reservations

And you can often cancel right up until pickup with no penalty.

No-shows, but would result in a charge of 1 day’s rental.

c. Special Circumstances

Contact Expedia if your travel plan is impacted by natural disasters, sickness or flight delays. They can also sometimes finagle a full refund or credit from the car rental company.

Expedia Vacation Packages Refund Policy

Those two services have different cancellation policies from the ones applied when you buy a bundle (flight + hotel) or flight + car:

Guidelines for the flight portion apply to airline ticket cancellations as well.

The hotel has its own cancellation policy.”

Expedia will process each refund separately.

Important Note:

When you terminate a travel package, you will receive partial refunds or full ones even if they are not at the same time as the individual portions of your booking are terminated.

Expedia Refund Policy Activities & Tours Refund Policy

Activities booked through Expedia (such as sightseeing tours, tickets or excursions) differ considerably in refund options.

Some are 100% refundable if canceled between 24 and 48 hours before the event.
Some are not refundable as per the suppliers’ terms.
At all times, review the “Cancellation policy” provided with each activity.

If your activity provider cancels (e.g., due to bad weather or unavailability), you will be refunded the value of your booking.

Refund Processing Times

Refund timelines depend on the type of booking and the supplier’s approval.

Booking Type	Average Refund Time	Notes
Flights	7–12 weeks	Depends on airline approval
Hotels	3–7 business days	Faster for refundable rates
Car Rentals	3–10 business days	Depends on the supplier
Packages	Varies	Separate processing per component
Activities	48 hours–7 days	Supplier dependent

Expedia Refund Policy

How to Request a Refund on Expedia (Step-by-Step)

Sign in to your Expedia account.
Head to the Expedia homepage and navigate to “My Trips.”
Choose the booking you would like to cancel.
You’ll see a button marked “Cancel” or “Request refund.”
Review refund eligibility.
If next to your booking, you see the word “Refundable,” Expedia provides details about the refund policies prior to confirming your cancellation.
Confirm your cancellation.
You’ll get an email confirmation when it is processed.
Track your refund.
Look at the “My Trips” section, or check your email for changes.
If the refund doesn’t appear:
Get in touch with Expedia customer service: use chat, phone or social media.

Expedia Refund Contact Information

Expedia Refund Contact Information

Customer Service (U.S.): 1-866-310-5768
International: Call the local Expedia site to find your regional number
Help Center: www. expedia. com/service
Social Media: Twitter/x – @Expedia

When talking to support, always have your booking confirmation number at hand.

Extenuating Circumstances Refunds

Expedia knows that issues can crop up, say, for example:

Natural disasters
Medical emergencies
Government travel restrictions
Airline strikes

In those instances, Expedia’s Extenuating Circumstances Policy may entitle you to a refund, even for non-refundable bookings. You will need to provide documentation (e.g., doctor’s note, official notice).

Refunds and Payment Methods

Refunds and Payment Methods: All refunds will be issued to the form of payment in which items were originally purchased:

Credit card
Debit card
PayPal
Expedia credit or voucher

If you redeemed Expedia Refund Policy Rewards points, they will be recredited to your account after the refund is issued.

Common Reasons Refunds Are Delayed

Supplier approval pending (especially airlines).
Refund accepted but not processed through the bank.
Several items in a package reservation.
Down the incorrect payment method or an expired card.
IF 12 weeks or more have passed for a flight refund, get in touch with Expedia support directly, and also reach out to them using the same process as above.

Tips for Receiving Your Expedia Refund Sooner

Cancel early. Don’t leave things for the last minute.
Double-check refund eligibility before booking.
Keep documentation (emails, confirmation numbers).
Prefer the credit card for ease of chargeback if it becomes necessary.
Be patient but stern when dealing with customer service reps.
Check their refund status in My Trips from your Expedia account.

How to Escalate a Refund Dispute

If you think your refund is incorrectly denied:

You can also get in touch with Expedia and request a written account.
Escalate the issue to a Supervisor or Senior agent.
If this still does not get resolved in a timely manner, file a chargeback with your bank.
Contact your consumer protection agency, if one is available.
Document all your communications; it’s critical in case of disputes.

Key Takeaways

Eligibility for a refund is largely contingent on supplier policies.

Expedia refunds go back to your original form of payment.
Flights can take 12 weeks; hotels and cars are faster.
Your best safety net is the 24-hour free cancellation policy.
Be sure to read all cancellation terms before booking.

Conclusion

The Expedia refund policy can seem kind of confusing when you read it, but in reality, it’s just set of rules established by suppliers or provider protections and even service standards at the company. If you’ve booked a flight or hotel and any car rentals or vacation packages included with it, investigate refund eligibility before taking the plunge, and make use of a free 24-hour cancellation period if one is offered.

If you need to change your travel plans, do it immediately; keep a record of everything, and check on the Expedia Help Center for information about how to get a refund. The great news for most travelers is that so long as they take care to do things right away, travelers should be able to access refunds with minimal hassle.

FAQs About Expedia Refund Policy

Q1. Expedia Refund Time: How long does Expedia take to refund money?

With most hotel, car or activity refunds, Expedia says it can process them in 48 hours, but there’s nothing the OTAs can do to expedite flight refunds, which may take up to two weeks if an airline approves it.

Q2. Can I get a refund on a nonrefundable booking?

Usually not. But in situations of mitigating circumstances, Expedia or the merchant may consider an exception if you are able to provide plausible evidence.

Q3. If my airline cancels my flight, will I receive a full refund?

Yes. If your airline cancels Mr positive, you have a right to a full refund or a rebooking at no additional cost.

Q4. Does Expedia refund service fees?

Not always. Expedia’s service fees are not guaranteed against loss unless the cancellation is due to an error or supplier liability.

Q5. May I have the refund sent to a different account?

A. No, we always refund back to the form of payment used at the time of booking.

Q6. Is it possible to cancel an Expedia flight within 24 hours?

Yes, but you’ll be governed by the fare rules of the airline. Most low-cost fares are non-refundable 24 hours after purchase.

Q7. My refund is held up now, what?

Look up your Expedia account, and call customer service. If the refund was issued but you don’t have it, request the reference number and call your bank.

Q8. Does Expedia provide travel insurance or “Cancel for Any Reason”?

Yes. Expedia provides protection plans for trips and an add-on called “Cancel for Any Reason” on some reservations. These can help make it easier to get refunds if your plans change.

Q9. Are Expedia Rewards points refunded?

Yes. If you cancel a booking that you paid for using Expedia Rewards points, those points are returned to your account after the refund is made.

Q10. Can I call the airline or hotel and ask for a refund?

Yes, although if you booked through Expedia, it’s best to try Expedia support first so that they can communicate with the supplier on your behalf.

Expedia Refund Policy (2025): Complete Guide to Getting Your Money Back