Refund Policy
Transparent Refund Guidelines for Travel Services
This Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions governing refund requests for travel services booked through Budgets Wings. Please review this policy carefully before making any bookings, as refund eligibility depends on multiple factors including airline, hotel, and service provider policies.
General Refund Principles
Budgets Wings operates as an intermediary between travelers and service providers. Refund eligibility, amounts, and processing times are primarily determined by the policies of the specific airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and other service providers. We facilitate refund requests according to these third-party policies and cannot override or modify provider-specific terms.
Refund Eligibility Criteria
Refunds may be available under the following circumstances:
- Fully Refundable Bookings: Tickets and reservations explicitly sold as "refundable" or "flexible"
- Service Provider Cancellations: When airlines, hotels, or other providers cancel services
- Significant Schedule Changes: Flight schedule changes exceeding 3 hours or routing changes
- Documented Emergencies: Medical emergencies with proper documentation (subject to provider approval)
- Death in Immediate Family: With appropriate documentation (subject to provider policies)
- Visa Denials: For international travel, with official denial documentation
Non-Refundable Bookings
The following are typically non-refundable:
- Basic Economy and promotional fare tickets
- Non-refundable hotel reservations
- Special event and package deals
- Car rental bookings with prepaid rates
- Travel insurance premiums (once coverage begins)
- Service fees and processing charges
Refund Processing Timeline
Refund processing involves multiple stages:
- Request Submission: Refund requests must be submitted through our portal or customer service
- Provider Approval: Service providers review and approve refund requests (typically 7-14 business days)
- Processing Time: Once approved, refunds are processed within 10-20 business days
- Bank Processing: Additional 5-10 business days for funds to appear in your account
Total processing time typically ranges from 4-8 weeks from request submission to receipt of funds.
Refund Amount Calculation
Refund amounts are calculated based on:
- Service provider cancellation policies and penalties
- Time remaining before travel date
- Original payment method and currency
- Any non-refundable taxes or fees
- Our service fees (typically non-refundable)
Refunds are issued to the original payment method used during booking. Cash refunds are not available for credit card payments.
Cancellation Fees and Penalties
Cancellation may incur various fees:
- Airlines: Cancellation fees range from $75-$500 per ticket, depending on fare type and airline
- Hotels: Penalties vary from 1-night charge to full reservation amount
- Car Rentals: Prepaid bookings may be non-refundable or subject to fees
- Our Service Fee: $25 per passenger non-refundable processing fee
Flight Cancellations by Airlines
When airlines cancel flights, you typically have these options:
- Rebooking on the next available flight at no additional charge
- Receiving a travel credit/voucher for future use
- Full refund to original payment method
- Rerouting to your destination via alternative airlines
For EU and UK flights, additional compensation may apply under EC 261/2004 regulations for significant delays or cancellations.
Voluntary vs. Involuntary Changes
Important distinction between change types:
- Voluntary Changes: Customer-initiated changes typically incur fees and fare differences
- Involuntary Changes: Provider-initiated changes due to schedule changes or cancellations
- Refund Eligibility: Generally available for involuntary changes, subject to provider approval for voluntary changes
Travel Insurance Considerations
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for comprehensive protection. Many refund situations may be covered by travel insurance policies, including:
- Trip cancellation due to covered reasons (illness, job loss, etc.)
- Trip interruption for documented emergencies
- Travel delay reimbursements
- Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage (typically 50-75% refund)
How to Request a Refund
To initiate a refund request:
- Log into your Budgets Wings account
- Navigate to "My Trips" or "Manage Booking"
- Select the booking needing cancellation
- Follow the refund request process
- Provide required documentation if applicable
- Contact customer support at +1-xxx-xxx-xxxx for assistance
Refund Currency and Exchange Rates
Refunds are processed in the original currency of payment. If exchange rates have fluctuated between booking and refund, the refund amount may differ from the original charge amount due to bank exchange rate variations. We do not control these fluctuations and are not responsible for differences resulting from currency exchange.
Dispute Resolution
If you believe a refund has been processed incorrectly, please contact our customer service team within 30 days of refund receipt. Provide booking reference numbers, payment details, and documentation supporting your claim. We will investigate and respond within 15 business days.
Policy Updates
We reserve the right to update this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to our website. For bookings made prior to policy changes, the policy version in effect at the time of booking will apply.
Last Updated: 24th Jan 2026
By making a booking through Budgets Wings, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Refund Policy. We recommend reviewing specific provider terms during the booking process, as they may contain additional restrictions or requirements.