Still waiting on a Emirates refund?
Can you get a refund from Emirates? Check eligibility first
Refundable vs Non-refundable Tickets:
- Refundable Fares (Flex, Flex Plus): Full refund available, minus any specified cancellation fees.
- Non-refundable Fares (Saver, Special): Refund limited to unused airport taxes; base fare is non-refundable. Cancel before departure to claim taxes.
24-Hour Cancellation Policy:
- Emirates offers a 24-hour grace period for bookings to/from the U.S. (7+ days before departure). Cancel within this window for a full refund without penalty. Emirates also provides similar courtesy in certain other regions (check local conditions).
Involuntary Refunds (Flight Cancellations or Significant Delays):
- If Emirates cancels or significantly delays (5+ hours) your flight, you’re entitled to a full refund, regardless of fare type, with no cancellation fees applied.
Third-party Bookings:
- Refunds for bookings via travel agencies must be processed through your booking agent. Emirates cannot directly refund these tickets.
Special Refund Situations:
- Exceptional circumstances (illness, bereavement, visa denial) may qualify for discretionary refunds or fee waivers upon submission of supporting documents.
Skywards Miles Tickets:
- Miles bookings can be refunded with a miles redeposit fee, depending on the award ticket rules.
How to get a refund from Emirates
1. Cancel Your Booking:
- Visit Manage Your Booking on Emirates.com.
- Enter your last name and booking reference.
- Select “Cancel booking” and confirm.
2. Complete the Refund Request Form:
- Fill out the Refund Request Form online after canceling. This is a required step for processing refunds.
3. Check Your Confirmation Email:
- You’ll receive a confirmation email with a refund reference number. Save this for follow-ups.
4. Bookings via Travel Agents:
- Contact your agent directly for refunds on agency-issued tickets.
5. Follow-Up if Delayed:
- If your refund isn’t received after approximately 3 weeks, reach out to Emirates Customer Service at 1300 303 777 (Australia) with your reference number.
Emirates’s refund timeframe - how long it takes
Typical Processing Time:
- Emirates generally processes refunds within 7–14 business days from submission. Most customers see refunds credited within this period.
Banking Considerations:
- Credit/debit card refunds usually reflect within 3–10 business days after Emirates processes them.
- Refunds for cash or bank transfers can take longer (up to 20 business days).
Delays During Peak Periods:
- High-volume periods (e.g., major disruptions) can extend refund timelines beyond the typical 2 weeks. Follow-up if no refund after 3 weeks.
Emirates’s refund methods - how you'll get your money back
Original Payment Method (Default):
- Refunds credited to the original form of payment (credit/debit card, PayPal).
Cash or Bank Transfers:
- Refunds issued via bank transfer or cheque, typically within 20 business days.
Travel Vouchers/Credits:
- Emirates may offer travel vouchers or credits as an alternative, but cash refunds are available upon request if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed.
Closed or Expired Cards:
- Notify Emirates if your payment card has expired or closed - alternative refund arrangements (bank transfer or cheque) can be made.
Common refund issues with Emirates
- Missing Refund Request Form:
Customers often cancel their bookings but overlook submitting the refund form. Completing the form is essential to trigger the refund. - Third-party Booking Complications:
Refund requests via travel agencies can create confusion. Always initiate refunds with the original booking agent. - Cancellation Fee Confusion:
Cancellation fees specified in fare conditions surprise some customers. Always review fare conditions before cancelling. - Credit Card Refund Issues:
Closed or expired cards used for booking can delay refunds. Notify Emirates proactively to arrange alternative refund methods. - Communication & Delay During Disruptions:
Refund delays and limited updates can occur during significant disruptions. Patience and polite follow-ups help expedite processing. - Partial Ticket Refund Complexity:
Emirates’ online system does not easily allow refunding partial itineraries; contacting customer service directly is often necessary.
Emirates cases submitted through Ajust
I requested a refund when I cancelled our trip after my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Emirates confirmed the ticket was refundable but insisted on a $200 US per person cancellation fee and refused to waive it despite my medical certificate. I’m asking for compassion and a full refund in this devastating situation. - Janine
I asked for a full refund less than 24 hours after booking because my 6-year-old son needed urgent surgery. I paid $7,472.04 AUD and received $6,872.04 AUD, leaving $600 outstanding. I provided booking reference J4K28B and ticket numbers and am requesting Emirates process the remaining $600 to my original payment method. - Eswara
I am owed $5,166.81 AUD after my bank rejected a refund and returned the funds to Emirates. My refund request was first lodged on 9 June 2024 and I’ve waited more than six weeks with no update. I’ve supplied bank confirmations and asked Emirates to locate and return the funds as soon as possible. - Fadi
I paid $3,700 for a ticket from Catania to Rome but received only just over $100 in refund after being unable to continue my journey due to an unexpected visa requirement. I was effectively left out of pocket by about $3,600 and am requesting the full refund because this loss was outside my control. - Kathy
Customer experiences with Emirates refund cases
Quick Business Class Refund: A customer successfully received an $11,000 refund within one week after correctly following the online cancellation and refund request steps.
Partial Refund for Return Trip: A passenger received a partial refund for an unused return flight segment on a Flex fare after calling Emirates directly. The refund was received in approximately 10 days.
How Emirates Refund Policy Compares to Competitors
Versus Qatar Airways:
- Similar refund policies and processing times (7–10 days).
- Emirates has a slightly simpler digital refund request process, though Qatar offers flexibility in goodwill cases.
Versus Singapore Airlines:
- Both offer efficient refunds. Singapore Airlines cites up to 6 weeks processing; Emirates typically refunds quicker (~2 weeks).
- Emirates’ refund form requirement is an extra step compared to Singapore Airlines’ integrated system.
Versus European Carriers (e.g., British Airways):
- Emirates generally has faster refund processing than some European legacy airlines, with fewer admin fees and clearer communication.
Versus Budget Carriers (Jetstar, Scoot):
- Emirates provides significantly better refund flexibility and protection than low-cost carriers, whose fares are largely non-refundable.
Customer Service & Transparency:
- Emirates scores highly for refund policy transparency, clearly outlining processes and eligibility online.
Official Emirates Refund Resources & Links
- Emirates Canceling or Changing a Booking
- Emirates Refund Request Form
- Emirates Conditions of Carriage (Article 10)
- Australia Emirates Customer Support: Call 1300 303 777
- Emirates Global Offices & Contacts
- EU Passenger Rights Information
Emirates Refund FAQs
Can I get a refund from Emirates if I cancel my flight?
Refund eligibility depends on your ticket type. Flex and Flex Plus fares are refundable minus cancellation fees, while Saver and Special fares only refund unused taxes. Always cancel before departure to claim these. Checking your fare conditions before cancellation prevents unexpected fees and ensures you know what to expect.
What is Emirates’ 24-hour cancellation policy?
If you book a flight to or from the U.S. at least seven days before departure, you can cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Emirates also offers similar policies in other regions, so check your local terms. Using this window helps avoid cancellation fees and gives flexibility to adjust travel plans.
How long does it take to receive an Emirates refund?
Most Emirates refunds are processed within 7–14 business days, though credit card refunds usually appear in 3–10 days after processing. Cash or bank transfer refunds can take up to 20 days. If you haven’t received a refund after three weeks, contact Emirates Customer Service with your reference number for follow-up.
What should I do if my Emirates refund is delayed or missing?
First, confirm you submitted the refund request form after canceling—this step triggers processing. Then, check your confirmation email for your refund reference number. If it’s been over three weeks, call Emirates at 1300 303 777 (Australia) or your local office to follow up. Be patient during peak disruption periods when processing may slow.
You deserve your money back, don’t let it slip away.
Take two minutes to file a formal
Emirates
refund request that gets seen.