How much is the handling fee for refunding air tickets? Analysis of popular refund policies across the network
Recently, with the end of the summer travel season and the beginning of the school season, the issue of ticket refunds and changes has become a hot topic across the Internet. Many consumers face refund handling fees due to changes in itineraries, and the differences in refund policies among major airlines have also become the focus of attention. This article will give you a detailed analysis of the current refund handling fee standards of mainstream airlines.
1. Comparison of airline refund handling fee standards

| airline | More than 7 days before departure | 2-7 days before departure | 48 hours before departure | 24 hours before departure | After takeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | 10% | 20% | 30% | 50% | Not retreating |
| China Southern Airlines | 15% | 25% | 40% | 60% | Not retreating |
| China Eastern Airlines | 10% | 20% | 35% | 55% | Not retreating |
| Hainan Airlines | 10% | 30% | 50% | 70% | Not retreating |
| Spring Airlines | 20% | 40% | 60% | 80% | Not retreating |
2. Recent popular refund cases
1.Refund disputes during typhoon season: Affected by the typhoon at the end of August, flights were canceled in many places. Some passengers reported that the airline failed to provide full refunds in accordance with the force majeure clause, triggering heated discussions on the Internet.
2.Student ticket refund and change disputes: During the school season, many students need to cancel or change their tickets due to the adjustment of the start time. However, the special cancellation and change policy for student tickets causes some students to bear high handling fees.
3.Low-price ticket refund trap: An OTA platform launched a special ticket price of 199 yuan, with a refund handling fee as high as 80%. Consumers complained about the alleged overbearing clauses.
3. How to reduce the loss of refunded checks
1.Pay attention to the cancellation and change policy: You should carefully read the cancellation and change rules when purchasing tickets. The refund fees for different cabin classes and discount tickets vary greatly.
2.Purchase refund insurance: Some platforms provide refund insurance services. Usually the premium is 3-5% of the ticket price, which can cover most refund losses.
3.Flexible change of booking: Most airlines allow one free change, which is more cost-effective than direct refund.
4.Application under special circumstances: Due to force majeure factors such as illness and emergencies, you can apply for a fee reduction or exemption with supporting documents.
4. Consumer Rights Protection Channels
| Complaint channels | Contact information | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Airline customer service | Official telephone numbers of each airline | 3-7 working days |
| Civil Aviation Administration Consumer Affairs Center | 12326 | 15 working days |
| 12315 platform | Website/APP | 30 working days |
| black cat complaint | Website/APP | It depends on the situation |
5. Expert advice
1. The China Consumers Association recently issued a reminder: When purchasing air tickets, consumers should pay special attention to the terms of refund and change, and be wary of unfair terms such as "special tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable".
2. People in the civil aviation industry suggest: Try to choose airlines with relatively loose refund and change policies. Although the fare may be slightly higher, it can significantly reduce the risk of loss when the itinerary is uncertain.
3. Legal experts remind: According to the "Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law", operators are not allowed to make unfair provisions for consumers through format clauses and other methods. If they encounter obviously unreasonable refund clauses, they can protect their rights according to law.
In summary, ticket refund fees vary greatly depending on factors such as airlines, time of purchase, and cabin class. Consumers must clearly understand the cancellation and change policy before purchasing tickets, and arrange their itinerary reasonably to avoid unnecessary financial losses. In case of consumer disputes, you can protect your legitimate rights and interests through formal channels.
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