How to Get Money Back If Flight Prices Drop: The Fastest Way (Without the Hassle)

Refare Team
Feb 4
6 min read

TL;DR

You just booked a flight and the price dropped. Frustrating, right? The good news: you can often get your money back. The fastest methods are: using the 24-hour cancellation rule (if you're within that window), rebooking manually with the airline, or, easiest of all, using automated monitoring tools that track your flight and file claims automatically.

Refare handles the entire process for you, monitoring your fare continuously and negotiating credits directly with the airline when prices drop. No rebooking, no seat changes, just instant savings credited to your frequent flyer account.

You've just locked in your flight. Flights booked, bags half-packed, excitement building. Then it happens: you check the price out of curiosity (or morbid self-torture), and the fare has dropped $150. Maybe even $300.

That sinking feeling? Totally normal. But here's what most travelers don't know: you don't have to accept it. Airlines drop prices constantly, and there are legitimate ways to get your money back when it happens. Some methods require a bit of legwork. Others are completely automated and require zero effort on your part.

Let's walk through the five fastest ways to reclaim that cash, ranked from manual to effortless.

Why Do Flight Prices Drop After You Book?

Before we dive into solutions, let's talk about why this happens in the first place. Airlines use dynamic pricing algorithms that adjust fares in real time based on demand, competition, time until departure, and seat availability. A flight that costs $600 today might drop to $450 tomorrow if demand softens or a competing airline lowers its price.

Airlines aren't hiding this from you out of malice, they're just optimizing revenue. But they also aren't sending you an email saying, "Hey, your flight just got cheaper! Want your money back?" That's where you (or a smart automated tool) come in.

Method 1: Use the 24-Hour Cancellation Rule (If You're Fast)

If you're reading this within 24 hours of booking, congratulations: you have the easiest out.

Here's how it works: U.S. Department of Transportation regulations require airlines to allow penalty-free cancellations within 24 hours of booking for flights departing at least 7 days out. This applies to all U.S. airlines and most international carriers selling tickets in the U.S.

Action steps:

Go to the airline's website or app
Navigate to "Manage My Booking"
Cancel your existing reservation
Rebook the same flight at the lower price

The catch? You need to act fast. Once that 24-hour window closes, this option disappears. And if the price rises again before you rebook, you're out of luck.

Bottom line: This is the fastest manual method, but it requires vigilance and speed.

Method 2: Rebook or Change Your Flight Manually

If you're past the 24-hour mark, many airlines still allow free changes depending on your fare class.

Here's what you need to know:

Southwest makes this incredibly easy: you can change your flight to the exact same flight online, and they'll credit the difference to your account immediately (no change fees for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares).
Most major carriers (Delta, United, American, Alaska) have eliminated change fees for non-basic economy tickets. You can cancel your ticket for a credit, then rebook at the lower price.
Basic economy fares often don't allow changes without a fee, so check your fare rules first.

Action steps:

Check your fare class and change policy
Log into the airline's website
Cancel your ticket (you'll get a travel credit)
Rebook the same flight at the new, lower price

The catch? You might lose your original seat assignment, and if the cheaper fare is in a more restrictive fare class, you could lose flexibility. Plus, this requires you to actually notice the price drop in the first place.

Method 3: Call the Airline Directly

If rebooking online feels confusing or if you want to keep your original seat, calling the airline can sometimes work in your favor.

Some airline representatives have the ability to manually adjust your fare or issue a credit if you explain the situation politely. This isn't a guaranteed policy, but it's worth a shot: especially if you're a frequent flyer or elite status member.

Action steps:

Call the airline's customer service line
Explain that you noticed the price dropped after booking
Ask if they can adjust the fare or issue a credit

The catch? Hold times can be brutal (think 30+ minutes), and there's no guarantee the agent will approve your request. This method depends heavily on airline policies and the agent's discretion.

Method 4: Use Automated Monitoring Tools (The Effortless Path)

Here's where things get interesting. Instead of manually checking prices every day or wrestling with airline policies, automated tools do the heavy lifting for you.

These services monitor your flight continuously after you book it. If the price drops, they either alert you or: even better: automatically negotiate the refund or credit on your behalf.

How it works:

You forward your flight confirmation or connect your email
The tool tracks your fare daily (or even hourly)
When a price drop is detected, it files a claim with the airline
You get the difference back as a credit, refund, or travel voucher

Why this is faster: You don't have to remember to check prices. You don't have to navigate airline policies. You don't have to spend 45 minutes on hold. The entire process happens in the background while you focus on packing.

The catch? Most services charge a fee (often a percentage of your savings) or require you to book through their platform. But if you value your time, that tradeoff is often worth it.

This is exactly how Refare works: and it goes one step further.

Method 5: Check Your Credit Card's Price Protection

Some premium credit cards offer price drop protection for purchases, including flights. Cards like the Citi Prestige or certain Chase Sapphire cards used to offer this benefit, though many have phased it out in recent years.

If your card still offers it, you can file a claim for the price difference (usually up to a certain dollar amount per item).

Action steps:

Check your credit card benefits guide
Submit a claim with proof of the original purchase and the lower price
Wait for reimbursement (can take weeks)

The catch? Most major credit cards have discontinued this benefit, and the claims process can be slow and tedious. It's worth checking, but don't count on it as your primary strategy.

Why Automation Wins Every Time

Let's be honest: you don't want to babysit flight prices. You booked the trip so you could stop thinking about logistics and start planning what to pack.

Manual methods require you to:

Remember to check prices regularly
Navigate confusing airline rebooking systems
Potentially lose your seat or deal with change restrictions
Spend time on hold with customer service

Automated monitoring flips the script. Instead of you chasing the airline, the tool does it for you: continuously, reliably, and without you lifting a finger.

How Refare Makes This Effortless

Here's where Refare comes in. Unlike generic flight trackers that just send you alerts (leaving you to do the work), Refare monitors your flight and negotiates directly with the airline when prices drop.

Here's how it works:

Forward your flight confirmation to Refare (or connect your email once)
Refare monitors your fare continuously: not just for 10 days, but for the entire lifecycle of your ticket
When a price drop is detected, Refare negotiates with the airline on your behalf
You get the savings credited directly to your frequent flyer account: no rebooking, no seat changes, no hassle

The best part? You keep your miles, status, and perks. This is what we call the "Loyalty Double-Dip": you earn the original miles and elite status from your booking, and you get money back when the price drops. It's the best of both worlds.

Refare works with major U.S. airlines and handles the entire claims process for you. You don't have to call anyone. You don't have to rebook. You literally just forward an email and forget about it.

Which Method Should You Choose?

If you're within 24 hours of booking: Use the 24-hour cancellation rule. It's free, fast, and foolproof.

If you're past 24 hours but comfortable with airline systems: Try rebooking manually or calling the airline. It might work, but it requires time and patience.

If you want zero hassle and continuous protection: Use an automated tool like Refare. You'll get ongoing monitoring, automatic claims, and instant savings without any manual effort.

The reality is, most travelers don't have the time or energy to check flight prices daily. That's why automation exists: to do the work you don't want to do.

Quick Summary: Bottom Line

Flight prices drop all the time, and you deserve to get your money back when it happens. The fastest methods are using the 24-hour cancellation rule (if you're within that window), manually rebooking with the airline (if your fare allows changes), or using automated monitoring tools that handle everything for you.

Refare is the effortless option. Forward your flight confirmation, and Refare monitors your fare continuously, negotiating credits with the airline when prices drop: no rebooking, no seat changes, just instant savings credited to your frequent flyer account. You keep your miles, your status, and your sanity.

Want to stop leaving money on the table? Get started with Refare today and let automation handle the hassle while you focus on your next adventure.

Happy travels (and happy savings)!