How I Got a Full Refund on Air France Flight
Refund on Air France Flight
Travel plans don’t always go the way we expect — and sometimes, that’s a good thing. I originally booked flights to Atlanta to reposition for a cruise, but when my plans changed, I no longer needed them. Instead of canceling right away and paying a hefty penalty, I decided to wait. That patience paid off.
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Why I Didn’t Cancel Immediately
Airlines like Air France often adjust schedules, routes, or flight times. When they make a significant change, passengers are entitled to a full refund — even on nonrefundable tickets. Knowing this, I held off on canceling my ticket, hoping the airline would make a change that worked in my favor. Air France charges a $75 fee per ticket to get points reinstated. These tickets were only 5000 points each.
The Flight Change That Saved Me
Sure enough, Air France adjusted my flight. Because the change was outside the original schedule parameters, I qualified for a full refund. Instead of losing money to cancellation fees, I got my points back without the reinstatement fee plus taxes and fees returned.
Travel Hack Takeaway
Don’t rush to cancel. If your plans change, wait and see if the airline adjusts your flight.
Know your rights. Schedule changes often entitle you to a refund.
Patience pays. By waiting, I avoided penalties and kept my travel budget intact.
Final Thoughts
This experience is a reminder that travel hacking isn’t just about points and miles — it’s also about knowing airline policies and playing the waiting game when it makes sense. My canceled repositioning flight turned into a win, and now I can put that money toward my next adventure.
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