Skip to content When a booking is cancelled and a refund is approved, the money passes through several stages before it reaches your account. Each stage is handled by a different party, so the total time can vary. Below is a breakdown of what to expect.
Typical refund timelines
Airline processing
5–10 business days
Once a cancellation is confirmed, the airline reviews the fare conditions and initiates the refund. Processing times depend on the airline and the fare type. Refundable fares are generally processed faster than partially refundable ones.
Payment provider
3–5 business days
After the airline releases the refund, your payment provider (bank or card issuer) processes the credit back to your account. This step is outside Volobase's control and varies by financial institution.
Total estimated time
8–15 business days
From the moment your cancellation is confirmed to the refund appearing in your account, expect a total of eight to fifteen business days. In some cases it may be faster; complex itineraries or less common payment methods can take longer.
Refund eligibility
Not all bookings qualify for a refund. Eligibility depends on the fare type you purchased:
- Refundable fares — eligible for a full or partial refund when cancelled before departure. Some airlines deduct a processing fee, which is disclosed before you confirm the cancellation.
- Non-refundable fares — generally not eligible for a cash refund. However, some airlines offer a travel credit for the fare value, and government taxes or airport fees may still be refundable depending on the carrier's policy.
- Partially used tickets — if you have flown the outbound leg of a return ticket and cancel the remaining segments, the refund (if any) applies only to the unused portion. The refundable amount is calculated by the airline based on the fare rules.
Fare conditions, including refund eligibility, are displayed on the review page before you complete your booking. If you are unsure about your fare type, check your booking details or contact our support team.
How to check your refund status
If you have already cancelled a booking and are waiting for a refund, you can check the current status by signing in and visiting your bookings. The booking detail page shows whether the refund has been initiated and its current stage.
If more than 15 business days have passed since your cancellation was confirmed and the refund has not appeared in your account, please contact us with your booking reference. We will follow up with the airline and payment provider on your behalf.
Need help?
For questions about changing or cancelling a booking, visit changes and cancellations. You can also browse the help centre or contact our team directly.