Exchanging a ticket instead of a refund

Your plans have shifted, but you still intend to fly — and in that case a refund almost always loses out to an exchange. An exchange keeps the airfare you've already paid; you top up only the airline's change fee and the fare difference.

In short

Instead of a refund, you can often exchange the ticket — move the date or change the route by paying a change fee plus the fare difference. On non-refundable fares an exchange is sometimes possible even when a refund isn't. Open your booking under My trips and compare the terms, or call support on 8 800 1000-646.

01 / WhenWhen an exchange beats a refund

The main signal is simple: you still want to fly, just on a different date or via a different route. With a refund, the airline withholds the non-refundable part of the fare plus fees, and you often get back noticeably less than the ticket cost. With an exchange, that value isn't lost — it's credited toward the new flight, and you pay only the difference.

A non-refundable fare isn't a dead endOn non-refundable fares, getting your money back usually isn't possible, but an exchange is sometimes allowed — for a fee plus the difference. Before writing the ticket off, check the exchange option specifically.

02 / CompareExchange vs refund: what you get

Criterion	Exchange	Refund
What happens to the fare	Credited toward the new flight	Returned minus withholdings
Top-up	Change fee + fare difference	None (but part is withheld)
On a non-refundable fare	Sometimes possible	Usually unavailable
When to choose	You want a different date or route	The trip is cancelled entirely

The exact saving depends on the fare and the airline, so it's worth comparing the final figures before you confirm. If the new flight turns out cheaper than the original, a fare difference in your favour usually isn't refunded in cash — keep that in mind when picking a date.

03 / HowHow to arrange an exchange

Open your booking

Go to My trips and select the order — the fare conditions are shown there.

Request an exchange quote

Specify the new date or route, and the system or support will calculate the change fee and the fare difference.

Compare the top-up with a refund

If the exchange top-up is less than what you'd lose on a refund, the exchange comes out ahead.

Confirm and pay

After payment, you'll receive an updated ticket for the new date or route. Check the passenger names and flight number.

Only changing the date?If you're simply moving the departure without changing the route, we walk through the fees and timing step by step in a separate article — changing your flight date.

04 / Watch outWhat to keep in mind

The fee usually applies per segment and per passenger — for a large group, an exchange can cost more than it looks at first.
Arrange the exchange early: closer to departure, fewer seats remain at the original fare and the difference grows.
The passenger name usually doesn't change during an exchange — that's a separate procedure.
The airline and fare class set the rules, so confirm the exchange option for your specific ticket.

05 / FAQFrequently asked questions

Can a non-refundable ticket be exchanged?

Sometimes yes — on non-refundable fares a cash refund usually isn't available, but an exchange for a fee plus the difference may still work. Check the terms in your booking or with support.

How much does an exchange cost?

It's the airline's change fee plus the difference between the old and new fare. The exact amount is shown before you confirm — there's no fixed price; it depends on the fare.

Will I get money back if the new flight is cheaper?

Usually not: a difference in your favour generally isn't returned in cash. So it's best to pick a date where the new fare is no higher than the original.

What if the trip is cancelled entirely?

Then an exchange isn't the answer — request a refund instead. If you're unsure which option is better, call 8 800 1000-646 or message @sales_travel_bot.

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