Ready-to-send local document
Travel refund demand letter Travel canceled but no refund arrived?
Get a ready-to-send formal document with a clear demand, a deadline, relevant U.S. rules, and the next practical step. PDF and editable DOCX included.
$4.99 · One-time payment
Example situation
The airline canceled my flight and offered only a voucher even though I requested a cash refund.
Official sources for this type of problem
- Federal Trade Commission Act § 5, 15 U.S.C. § 45
What the source covers: A commercial business materially misrepresented a paid product, service, completion status, charge, or consumer-facing information, or retained money through a potentially unfair or deceptive practice affecting commerce; use only as an FTC enforcement standard or complaint route, never as a private cause of action or direct refund entitlement, and do not use for banks, nonprofits, or a pure employment dispute. A towing operator's posted business hours plus a refusal to release a vehicle do not alone establish this reference unless the facts also show that the consumer satisfied the stated payment, identification, or other release conditions, or that the operator made an explicit false representation about release or fees.
- U.S. Department of Transportation carrier refund rules, 14 C.F.R. §§ 260.6 and 260.10
What the source covers: A carrier that is the merchant of record cancelled or significantly changed a covered scheduled flight to, from, or within the United States and the consumer did not accept the changed or replacement flight, a voucher, credit, or other compensation; the carrier refund is automatic when due and does not depend on an explicit request.
- U.S. Department of Transportation ticket-agent refund rule, 14 C.F.R. § 399.80(l)
What the source covers: A ticket agent is the merchant of record for a covered scheduled flight that was cancelled or significantly changed, the consumer requests a refund, and the consumer chooses not to travel or accept compensation in lieu of a refund.
Before you send your letter
Note who sold the ticket and what changed
Record the booking reference, ticket number, travel dates, amount paid and who sold the ticket: the airline itself or a travel agency or website. Then describe what happened. A cancellation is clear. A significant change can include, for example, a departure or arrival time moved by more than three hours on a domestic flight or six hours on an international one, a different airport, or extra connections. Say whether you accepted a new flight, a voucher or other compensation, because that choice affects the refund. Keep the airline's notice of the cancellation or schedule change, because its date and wording show what changed and when.
Ask for money, not a voucher
If the airline cancelled or significantly changed a covered flight and you did not accept the alternative, U.S. Department of Transportation rules generally entitle you to a refund to your original form of payment, and airlines are expected to issue it automatically and promptly. When a ticket agent sold the ticket, a separate DOT rule covers refunds you request from the agent. State the amount and the payment method the money should go back to. If the airline offered only a voucher or credit, say clearly that you did not accept it and that you are asking for a refund instead. List any extra costs separately, because they may follow different rules.
Hotels, tours and packages
Hotels, rental cars and tour packages are governed mainly by the booking terms and the cancellation policy you accepted. Quote the relevant policy and the date you cancelled or were told the service was cancelled, and ask for the refund that policy or the circumstances support.
If no refund arrives
You can file a complaint with the DOT Office of Aviation Consumer Protection for air travel. If you paid by credit card, ask your issuer whether a billing dispute is available. Keep the letter, the booking confirmation and any messages about the cancellation together. Make a note of the date you send the letter, because response times run from when the seller receives it.
Before you pay
Do I need to know which document or law I need?
No. Describe the problem in your own words and DocBrain chooses the most useful document and supporting rules.
What if I do not know every date or detail?
You still receive a complete document. Any genuinely missing fact appears as a clear editable placeholder.
Is this a subscription?
No. The price is $4.99 for this one document bundle, with no recurring charge.