Last updated: 31 October 2026.
The amount you get back depends on the fare rules, and on whether you cancel or the airline changes the flight. Money returns by the route you paid, in the currency you paid.
24 hoursfree cancellation if booked 7 or more days before US-related departure
7 dayscredit-card refund time on US-related flights
20 dayscash or cheque refunds on US-related flights
5 hoursdelay after which a ticket refund can be claimed (EU rules)
If you cancel
- Repayment depends on the fare conditions, and some fares restrict it. Fare, taxes and fees are valued by those conditions and by any sectors already flown. Card or payment charges are not returned.
- Ask for a refund in My Bookings, under Flight details, or through the Lufthansa Chat Assistant; failing that, send the refund form, which service centres process manually.
- For tickets bought from a travel agency or an online portal, contact them; the agency may have charged fees, so the refund can differ from what you paid.
- The amount can differ from the original because of currency conversion and your payment provider's fees.
If the airline cancels or changes your flight (US rules)
- Fare, taxes and extras are repaid if the flight is cancelled or materially changed and you turn down the replacement flight or any voucher. A significant change means departing 3 hours or more earlier (6 hours international), arriving 3 hours or more later (6 hours international), a different airport, more connections, a lower cabin, or a loss of needed accessibility features for a passenger with a disability.
- Refunds are processed automatically if you reject the changed flight or offer, or fail to answer and the flight leaves without you.
- Travel companions on the same booking can also be refunded if a passenger with a disability cannot continue.
- US customer service plan: refunds within 7 days for credit-card payments and 20 days for cash or cheque, and fees for unused paid extras refunded after cancellation or oversales. You can cancel free of charge for 24 hours when the booking was made a week or more before departure, and phone reservations may be held unpaid for 24 hours.
EU passenger rights
- For flights departing the EU, or arriving in the EU on an EU airline, Regulation (EC) 261/2004 applies. A delay counts from 2 hours (up to 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km and longer EU flights) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km); care includes meals, a hotel if needed with transport, and two short calls or messages.
- If the delay exceeds 5 hours, you may claim, within seven days, a refund of the unflown part and, if needed, a flight back to your first departure point.
- Compensation arises if you arrive more than 3 hours late for reasons within the airline's control: EUR 250 up to 1,500 km, EUR 400 for 1,500 to 3,500 km and longer EU flights, EUR 600 beyond.
- If overbooking leaves you without a seat, you receive rerouting or a refund, care, and the same compensation, payable by cheque, bank transfer or, if you agree, a gift card.
Questions travellers ask us
Where does my refund go?
Back to whatever you paid with.
Can I cancel a US booking for free?
Yes, in the first 24 hours, if departure is a week or more away.
What if my flight is cancelled?
You can choose rebooking or a refund; US rules require a refund if you decline a voucher.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Lufthansa. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
1 question and answers
Please check with the airline or the agency which booked tickets for you for getting the refunds. We are an independent website providing information.