How much money can be refunded for air tickets? A complete analysis of the refund rules that are hotly discussed across the Internet
Recently, as the summer travel season ends and the school season approaches, the issue of ticket refunds and changes has once again become a hot topic on social platforms. Many consumers have reported that airlines’ refund policies vary widely and fee calculations are complex, and they urgently need a clear refund guide. The following is a detailed analysis of the current air ticket refund rules based on popular discussions and official data on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Comparison of refund rates among major domestic airlines (data from August 2023)
| airline | Economy class full price ticket | Economy class discount ticket (50% off) | first class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | Free 24 hours before departure | Charge 30% handling fee | Free returns and changes |
| China Southern Airlines | Free 48 hours before departure | Charge 40% handling fee | Free returns and changes |
| China Eastern Airlines | Free 72 hours before departure | Charge 50% handling fee | Charge 10% handling fee |
| Hainan Airlines | Free 24 hours before departure | Charge 20% handling fee | Free returns and changes |
2. Top 5 hot-searched refund scenarios (data source: Weibo/Douyin)
| Ranking | Reason for refund | Number of discussions (10,000) | Average refund ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flight delays/cancellations | 125.6 | 100% refund |
| 2 | Refund for sudden illness | 87.3 | 80% refund required if proof is provided |
| 3 | Wrong date/name purchased | 65.2 | Deduct 30-50% |
| 4 | Changes to itinerary plans | 42.8 | Deduct 50-80% |
| 5 | Buying low-price tickets by mistake | 38.5 | Usually no refund |
3. Tips for saving money by refunding tickets (effective according to actual test by netizens)
1.Change priority policy: Most airlines change fees are 20-30% lower than refund fees. For example, China Southern Airlines only charges a 10% handling fee for economy class changes.
2.Flight change strategy: When a flight is adjusted for more than 15 minutes, you can apply for a full refund in accordance with the law. Recent success cases have reached 92%.
3.Insurance package plan: For orders that purchase aviation insurance for RMB 30, 83% of airlines can waive part of the refund fee (please check the insurance terms for details).
4.Member level privileges: The refund handling fee for China Eastern Airlines silver card members can be reduced by 50%, and that for gold card members can be reduced by 80%.
4. Refund policy during special periods
| situation | Applicable time | Refund criteria | Proof material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact of typhoon | 2023.8.1-8.15 | Full refund | Weather warning screenshot |
| School adjustment | During the school season | Up to 90% refund | Notice stamped by the school |
| military exercises | specific route | 100% refund | Airline Announcements |
5. Key points for protecting consumer rights
1. Airlines must clearly announce the cancellation and change rules on their official website. Recently, three airlines have been interviewed by the Civil Aviation Administration for not clearly marking the rules.
2. Those who purchase tickets through third-party platforms should pay attention to the "agency surcharge". A certain platform was recently exposed to charge an additional 15% refund fee.
3. Time limit for refund arrival: The law stipulates that the latest 7 working days is 7 working days, and the average arrival time of each platform is 3.2 days.
4. Complaint channel effectiveness ranking: 12326 civil aviation service quality supervision hotline (resolution rate 89%) > airline official APP (72%) > OTA platform customer service (65%).
Conclusion:According to the latest data, consumers can save an average of 23.7% more on tickets by mastering the refund rules. It is recommended that when purchasing tickets, be sure to take a screenshot and save the cancellation and change instructions, and keep the call recording in case of disputes. The Civil Aviation Administration of China will implement new regulations on "tiered rates" in the second half of the year, and refund calculations will be more transparent.
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